With the help of the Loremasters, many civilisations arose on a firm setting, settling the wide lands and exploring all about them. The world seemed a peaceful place – until the coming of the Unlife and the return of the Shadow to the world.

The Unlife feeds on destruction, upon the deaths of individuals and societies with equal fervour. It is a thirst unquenched and unshakable. Indeed, the more it consumes, the more it seems to require. It has no source, but it is everywhere, waiting for a tool to open the door and allow it to enter. The Unlife found its instruments. These souls, desperate for power – for even a shadow of the strength they once had – eagerly accepted the offers of energy from the Unlife and grew strong in dark places, gathering themselves minions of many types and creating others to suit their needs. Cults and Orders of varied origins and membership took form, but their purposes were dark and evil. It was during this time that the Great Demons were first fashioned by the most powerful of the Lords.