The First Great War against Karom ended in 0 AW, 1006 years ago. In fact, the measuring of years uses Karom’s defeat as a reference point, with “AW” being short for “After War.”

Legend says that more than 1000 years ago, the evil deity Karom had been cast from the heavens and banished to the surface world. Some legends say this was done to punish the races of Naeldor for some horrible indiscretion; others say it was done to punish Karom, without thought to the effect on the people of Naeldor.

Whatever the reason for his appearance, Karom brought a horrible war to Naeldor, with revenge against the other gods and conquest his only goals. After a brutal war with thousands of deaths, Karom was defeated with the magic of the sword Sentinel, wielded by the elven warrior-mage Yeblin Daoshin.

During this First Great War, the climatic battle occurred in the hills west of Ransar. The Great Alliance of Races, led by Grand Duke Ithicaran of the Duchy of Elik, confronted the forces of Karom in those hills in fighting that raged over a ten day period. Much dispute has arisen over the years about what forces were instrumental in carrying the day on behalf of the good races. Some stories say the dwarves of Rockland forced a breach on the south side of the hill, leading to victory, while others say that it was a band of paladins of Trianda, led by a female warrior, that turned the tide of battle.

Karom himself made his final stand on the tallest hill, ultimately being defeated on 13 Harvestmoon, 0 AW. That hill thereafter became known as Karom’s Fall. A monument marks the spot where Karom was struck down, and graves of the heroic warriors cover the hillside. Those bodies of the fallen that could not be identified were laid to rest in a tomb constructed in the hill. That tomb was named the Hall of the Never Forgotten.

(As with demons and devils, however, deities can only be permanently slain on their home plane of existence. Thus, Karom was not truly killed, but the magic of Sentinel did banish his essence from reforming for an unusually long period of time. Karom did return 1000 years later, before being permanently slain by a descended of Yeblin Daoshin.)