History of Man -- Book 1: Westrun Part 9

In 4122ey after three centuries of direct involvement in the affairs of men the gods of Westrun were summoned to Ochre Island by their father and grandfather Heimos. While the sire of the gods had suspended his own activities among men for more than fifty years and entered a kind of reclusive retirement, the sometimes murderous and rapacious deeds of his children continued. These deeds were noised abroad and the worst of them eventually made their way to his redoubt.

The Priesthood taught that the Divine Recession was the prohibition by Heimos for any of his children, or children's children to personally leave Ochre Island under any circumstances. Under a kind of house arrest, he mandated that mankind would have to appeal to their gods for favors using the Invitatory Court or through messages delivered by the High Priesthood, who alone could travel to and from Ochre Island on the Consecrant Vessels.

The Priesthood could not agree as to whether his children or grandchildren obeyed the sire of the gods willingly. Some tales come down through the years of the common people lining the streets to weep for the departure of their gods. Still other tales are little more than a continuation of the previous centuries of battles involving gods and men -- this time with Heimos bringing his recalcitrant offspring to heel. 

Eighteen years after the Divine Recession, in the Fall of 4140ey the construction of the Grand Temple of Heaven began. Funded by the wife of the Earl of the Boldish (and daughter of the Jarl of Wanderhalt), the stones were taken from the ruins of Ald Biye and used to build a extravagant tribute to Heimos. The best artisans were commissioned from across the known world to create sculptures, paintings and tapestries. This magnificent building was placed in the city that was rising up in the shadow of the peak of Mount Oromir, directly across from the Dwarfgift of Sudhall. 

Some say the tribute was meant to humble her braggadocious husband, others say it was to curry favor for her unborn son. Still others believe she intended to become Heimos' seventh wife. Whatever the reason, ground broke and work continued apace depleting the treasuries of Bolden and Wanderhalt alike. The work was finished thirty years to the day from its start. Entreaties were sent to Ochre Island for Heimos to witness the capstone placed on the dome, but they went unanswered. The completed work was commemorated by mortals alone.

The latter quarter of the 41st century also saw repeated incursions along the Plains of Balsrest and Wanderhalt by Goblin Hordes. In 4181ey a two-pronged simultaneous attack begins by the goblin twins Helok and Horok, who claim descent from an ancient tribe of men (possibly Aras). The Northern part of the so-called War of the Half-goblin Kings ends after eight years at the Battle of the Stonefist. The Southern part is decided at the Battle of Balduren's Gates.

In 4191ey, though it is unknown to the men of Westrun, the Dun of Dynkyr is besieged by retreating Goblins from Balduren's Gates. This siege will end with the abdication of the throne and the eviction of the Dwarves from that home. The Stoneborn people will settle on the Southern peninsula as the so-called Sundered Dwarves and the Goblins will rule Saar for the next 17 centuries.