Netherils

Netheril was a vast and powerful empire that existed in ancient Faerûn, a continent in the Forgotten Realms setting. It was renowned for its mastery of magic, particularly arcane spellcasting. The Netherese people achieved incredible feats of magical engineering, creating floating cities that soared through the skies, powered by powerful artifacts and immense magical knowledge. Their civilization spanned millennia, reaching its zenith during the Mythic Age and the later Age of Heroes.

The empire's hubris and unchecked ambition eventually led to its downfall. A cataclysmic event, known as the Fall of Netheril, shattered the empire and sent its floating cities crashing to the earth. This event is often attributed to a magical experiment gone wrong or a conflict that escalated beyond control, resulting in widespread destruction and the scattering of its inhabitants.

Despite its collapse, the legacy of Netheril endured. Fragments of its lost knowledge and powerful magical items continued to surface over the centuries, often causing further upheaval and conflict. Ruined Netherese cities, buried beneath sand or ice, became sites of archaeological interest and dangerous treasure hunting. The study of Netherese magic remained a significant pursuit for many aspiring wizards, though the true extent of their power was rarely replicated. The empire's rise and fall serve as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of unchecked magical power and the fragility of even the most advanced civilizations.