The Tearfall

The Tearfall was a catastrophic event that devastated Abeir-Toril and would later be spoken of in parallel of the First Sundering. There are many theories and recording of this event, depending on who is telling the tale.

According to the Parwiccan Cycle[1] a devastating meteor rain fell in -31,000DR, creating multiple natural disasters. The Sarrukh[2] called this event the ‘changing of the stars’. The four Inner Seas of Merrouroboros formed into one, creating the Sea of Fallen Stars. In both the Parwiccan Cycle and Giants’ tradition, the meteors were actually dragon eggs, from which the various races of dragonkind were born.

Scholars from Candlekeep thought that the catastrophes were the consequences of a comet or an ice moon – possibly one of the Tears of Selûne[3]. The change in climate killed the Batrachi civilisation and allowed the rapid evolution of proto-dragons[4] into the various other dragon species.

The Red Dragon creation myth compiled in the ‘Book of the World’[5] tells of something similar. The dragon deity, Asgorath[6] cast down an entity known as Zotha, after creating the world, and then she proceeded to create dragonkind.

According to Abeiran scholars, the Tearfall was caused by the action of the Batrachi. When they were losing the war against the Titans, it is speculated that they performed a powerful summoning ritual and released several Primordials from their ancient prisons. The Gods moved against their ancient foes, and those battle caused worldwide catastrophes and the destruction of the Batrachi civilisation. A Primordial known as Asgorath[7] was determined to destroy the world if she couldn’t control it. Throwing an ice moon at the planet, which created the Sea of Fallen Stars. Before the world was completely destroyed, Lord Ao[8] intervened and sundered Abeir-Toril[9] into the twin planets. Abeir went to the Primordials, and Toril went to the Gods, ending the conflict between the two parties. No one really knows for sure if Asgorath threw down dragon eggs when she cast down the ice moon, but many dragons revered Asgorath as their creator.

A similar event by the same name happened in 1374DR when many dragon eggs fell from the sky across Faerûn on a year-long meteor rain. This was after the population of dragons were greatly reduced due to an event known as the Rage of Dragons.

Addition information on the Parwiccan Cycle:

The myths tell of the Teardall, the feling of the red dragon Mahatnartorian at the hands of the Tintageer elves, and the crusades of the first dragonborn against the dragonspawn. The scholars of Candlekeep dismissed this as just elven mythology, and baring no historical facts. When the dragonborn returned in 1359DR, they proved that it was all historically accurate.

[1] A compilation of ancient Elven myths regarding the origins of dragonkind, and the first interaction between Elves and Dragons.

[2] Creator race of the Sauriods - see the Days of Thunder article for more information.

[3] An asteroid cluster that follows the moon, Selûne (named after the Goddess) in its orbit around the planter.

[4] Prehistoric lizard-like creature from whom many scholars believed all species of dragonkind evolved.

[5] An ancient tome to have the myths and origins of dragonkind in it. Thought to have originated from red dragons.

[6] The World Shaper, or Io, who is an aspect of Asgorath - see the Dawn War article for more information on Io.

[7] According to the Batrachi, Asgorath was originally a Primordial who ascended into Godhood after the events of the Tearfall.

[8] The Creator God.

[9] This is referred to as the First Sundering.