The Book of Xilon

At the beginning of time, when the Xilon were rapidly evolving and adjusting to their powerful abilities, life was very different. There was no unity or peace; in fact, until much later in the Early Days, they were barely above the cavemen of our own world. Although their biological abilities and technological advancements were astounding, their use of it was utterly despicable. They cared nothing for the outside universe, born only into a world of fear and bloodshed amongst their own kind.

For a time, the species was segregated into clans, scattered across the planets throughout Chrysalian. Tensions between the isolated tribes grew increasingly stronger with no end in sight. In early 3Z BZH, a full scale war broke out that lasted for nearly five zaian, raging across countless generations. The carnage was unimaginable, and remains the single darkest point in Xilon history. The terrible wars ended abruptly when a young Zenonite appeared and showed the bloodthirsty warriors fantastic images of what they could and would become if they only put down their weapons and forced themselves to change. A vow was made to establish a new order, to find a way to live together or ultimately face extinction. And so over the rest of the second eon, the scattered Xilon tribes slowly but steadily evolved into a spectacular civilization.

As the culture began to develop, a band of the most daring and fearless youths came together from the various tribes and ventured out into the universe beyond. They called themselves the Eldenkraenm (literally: Discovery of Secrets) and, journeying through time and space for nearly their entire life spans, became the first and most highly revered universal veterans. Known later as the Ancients, they were led by one particularly ambitious member, who urged his companions to document in excruciating detail everything that they found, learned and encountered throughout the ages. Shortly before their deaths, they combined their records to form what would come to be known as The Book of Xilon, the single most important text of their civilization. There was, over the years, ongoing debate over how these "originals" had collected more knowledge and information than their respective life spans could possibly have allowed for, but no official explanation was ever agreed upon.

The Book was revered as absolutely sacred. It contained facts and theories about the universe that seemed impossible to know. Every significant detail of Xilon past, present and future could be found within it, including the intended path of the universe and all of its many conflicting realities. As the powerful civilization progressed, new veteran travelers and other respected elders decided that the Book was far too important and contained too much information for just anyone to read. It was taken to the city of Corinthia on Acadia Minor and time-locked within a platform raised high above the Council Hall. The only way to access it was by way of a heavily guarded lift that would slowly rise up towards the pavilion, moving ever so slightly through time as it did until the individual's body was in sync with the hidden timeline.

A strict rule was set in place, requiring anyone who wished to read the Book to first gain permission from the Acadian Council. Graduates of secondary learning centers for science, philosophy, universal protection or cosmic studies, who had proven themselves capable of handling the level of information found within the Book, were primarily the ones who received access. Depending on past record and psychological state, veteran travelers like Lucian Markaena were often admitted, as were individuals who had demonstrated impressive levels of academic skill and ingenuity, such as child prodigy Mars Xidonis. Exceptions were also made for individuals who were destined to be of universal importance, or for those who had been caught up in events far greater than themselves and needed potentially dangerous information that could not easily be found anywhere else.

The most powerful and important piece of writing to have ever been created, the Book of Xilon remains a crucial part of Xilon civilization, guiding the elders and explorers throughout the ages and setting the foundation for all life across time and space.