A Brief History of Infinite Sky

Age of Seeds

The trees of the family Cielae have been known since prehistory for their unique properties. Cavern paintings and monument illuminations depict its shimmering seeds' unique ability to float through the air and many a culture considered them the tree of the gods or worshipped them outright to be mentioned in the same breath as such things as the sun, the land, fire and gold. The king of the mythical land of Ciela, it was said, ignored the warnings of the Oracle and planted so many Jeweled Trees that his kingdom "fell upon the void and was so devoured." Many ancient cultures placed various species' of these trees at the centre of their sites and settlements, a tradition that endures to the present day in the form of the Tree of Mana that stands atop Purity Peak, a powerful icon of the Oracle and one of the most recognizeable landmarks in the known world.

As civilizations formed and trade, the seeds of these tree gained economic and military importance. Over time, people grew trees whose seeds had more and more powerful flotation.

When the First Emperor Cyaxares obtained the Oracle's blessing to bring order to the Imperial Plain, he commissioned a great army of chariots as well as the Pantheonic Orchard of eight hundred Windwillow that would produce the seeds to maintain it for all time. His daughter burned it all to the ground as rebels approached the capital and the empire crumbled around her.

Ministrix Catalypsia planted Skyseeds when and wherever possible in her vast land holdings. In a well known incident when she was entertaining Prince Urtan and several others, she remarked casually that she had more seeds at her disposal than the Emperor himself and the seeds were so powerful that slaves could be flung hither and tither by the dozen in accidents. It was said this was when he decided he would expel Catalypsia from Parliament when he ascended to the throne, resulting in the Great Rebellion.