Deep in the Wilds the Incarnum Mysts lay so heavily upon the ground that the sounds of the world are muffled. Masters of Magic have long known of the powerful energies in the Myst and have learned how to tap into those energies to create spells of immense strength.

Not all who have tried to tap into the Myst have been masters, and the Myst twists the wills of those unable to contain them, warping their minds and turning their spells awry.

Once, all peoples were the same. Then came the time of the First Myst Storm and the world was remade as the Myst lashed out at those who could not wield it’s strength and rippled forth onto every thinking being.

Unto each part of the world did the Myst Storm twist the people, finding common cause for each place and people.

Given to the caves and cliffs of the mountains were the Tanygres. Their skin hard and colored like unto the rock walls of their cave dwellings. They also gained wings, which allowed them to find new purchase and explore new homes. The Tanygres were the most isolated of the peoples, living in a region few others could reach or survive.

Given to the forests were the Avoral. Losing their hands to two sets of wings, the Avoral became excellent fliers, able to maneuver in the dense trees of their homes. They made their nests in the tops of the tallest of trees, willingly isolating themselves from the other peoples. However, with much of value for trade, the Avoral remained in contact with the other peoples.

Given to the deserts were the Liskash. Their hides becoming thick with scale while their coloration ranged the gambit of hues. The removed themselves deep into their deserts, having little dealings with the other peoples and only trading for what was necessary.

Given to the meadows and open places were the Mrem. Their new soft fur insulating them from the vagaries of weather with coloration that allowed them to blend in with their surroundings. The most social of the peoples, they gathered together and built great cities, trading with all other peoples.

Given to the rivers and lakes were the Fenlings. Their oily fur keeping them dry and warm while their small size allowed them ease in escaping predators. The Fenlings are the most outgoing of the peoples, however their slow wits and small size leads many of the other peoples to view them as little more than children. Fenlings have some of the most sought after trade goods.

As the peoples were changed by the Myst, they gathered together with others like themselves. Soon intolerances of those different from themselves grew and hostilities abounded.

None know how the war started, though the Mrem claim the Liskash attacked first, while the Liskash contend that the Mrem were responsible. But the origin of the combat is inconsequential. The lands were ravaged by conflict for hundreds of years. The Mrem allied with the Avoral and the Liskash allied with the Tanygres. The Fenlings remained neutral, being friendly to all and keeping trade open. The other peoples, viewing the Fenlings as children in need of protection, did not bring the war to them.

As the war raged, Mages on both sides of the conflict pulled great energies from the Incarnum Mysts. On the four hundred twenty eighth year of warring, the Myst Raged. Sweeping out across the land the Second Myst Storm changed the face of the world. And again were the peoples changed, though this time, the change was to their magic.

The Second Myst Storm changed the land such that where there once was lush forest, now stood barren desert. And where once stood mountains now were layed low to plains. All the land was changed, and all the peoples struggled to survive as their homes were no longer suited to them.

And with the changing of the land, came the withdraw of Magic. Those born with the Talent to use magic are now very rare, as are the other Talents of Power. For some this change affects little, for others, their very survival is impacted as the use of Magic was necessary to successfully breed.

And so came the time of peace, as the peoples learned to rely on each other to survive in the changed world. Still there are lingering animosities between the Mrem and Liskash, though the other races have put their differences aside. It is hoped these two peoples will soon follow suit, though the hatred of ages makes such healing difficult.

There has been passed a Law unto all Peoples that the Myst is sacrosanct. None may use its power lest they suffer death at the hands of the people. None wish to see another Myst Storm. And with the ban is lost many ancient wonders of Magic, no single mage being able to summon the energies needed without the Myst.

The only exception to this ban is the Rite of the Myst. An individual may choose to take a journey of self discovery deep into the Places of Incarnum and take upon them the Will of the Myst. To undertake the Rite of the Myst the individual must first gain approval from his or her Elders. Then the journey must be undertaken into a Place of Incarnum, wherein the person carries nothing upon their person save a small skin of water. The Rite of the Myst changes those undergoing the rite on a basic level at the Myst's will. Many believe the change is affected by the mind of the ritualist, yet not all are changed as they would have wanted and some change not at all. Only the Liskash undertake the Rite with any regularity, the other races either secure in themselves or unwilling to trust the Mysts.