Hey guys. DarnedNoob here. I know majority of you people don't really know who I am, unless you frequent the Maplestory section often. I actually play Runescape more than Maplestory, and am a Member of Runescape. Level 70, but without considering 1st hand experience (quests), I believe I know quite a fair bit about Runescape – enough to create an original story.
Alright, enough about me. I hope I haven't scared you guys away with this long-ass (is it?) Author's Note, because I shall present to you now: The Symbol of Balance.
Note that any few fans, and friends, that I've garnered on the Maplestory section are free to read. I won't overly use Runescape lore, except in the Prologue and other small sections. I still specialize in battle scenes. And I WILL change the legends a little. After all, I don't own Runescape.
PS do visit Runescape's website or any Runescape Wikia if you're unsure what the hell I'm writing about. I won't change TOO much of the legends.
PSPS: I just extended the prologue to help those who are not familiar with RuneScape while redoing the story.
Legend states that during the Third Age, a massive war between gods started. The Empty Lord, Zaros, was overthrown by Saradomin and Zamorak, the latter being raised to godhood though this treachery. Zamorak proceeded to hunt down Saradomin, for fear that his newly gained powers would be usurped.
This act of betrayal forced Saradomin into an alliance with Armadyl and Bandos against Zamorak, one of the many battles that took place all over the land now known as the Wilderness.
Upon news of the war that was ravaging the very world he had created, Guthix woke from his slumber and enforced the Edicts of Guthix, a series of decrees to ensure that the war stopped. By now, many races and regions of Gielinor, the world Guthix had created, had been destroyed. Guthix was too late to stop the damage the terrible war could cause.
With the new laws, the forces of Saradomin and Zamorak had no option but to cease fire. The two gods then left the plane of Gielinor, only allowed to affect the world through their followers.
By the Fifth Age, many thousands of years later, the God Wars was mostly forgotten. The mortal races of Gielinor only knew of three gods: Saradomin, God of Order; Zamorak, God of Chaos; and Guthix, God of Balance.
However, there was another legend. A lesser-known legend.
Around the time the gods were banished from Gielinor, each and every god left an artifact behind, to remind the mortals of their existence. The Staff of Armadyl, the Ancient Mace of Bandos, the Ancient Staff of Zaros. The Holy Symbol of Saradomin and the Unholy Symbol of Zamorak could not be counted, as they were able to be mass produced. However, there is another artifact, one that has never been found.
The Symbol of Balance.
Unknown to even the gods, Guthix had left an artifact of his own. And unlike the other artifacts, this Symbol of Balance was said to still retain godly magic, capable of toying with matter.
Of course, the reason this legend still remained a legend was simply because it hadn't been found yet. But imagine the possibilities with this Symbol of Balance. To be able to recreate and fashion the world in any way you please.
This is also why the Symbol must never fall into the wrong hands, the hands of evil. For in the hands of evil, chaos will truly rule the world. Or destroy it.
Recently, scholars of Saradomin have found evidence to support the existence of such an artifact. They are also close to finding out the method of uncovering this particular artifact. And as usual, the mages of Zamorak are not too far behind. This time, though, it's more than just the two of them. Armadyl, Bandos, Zaros, Seren, Marimbo. They and more are about to uncover the way to the Symbol of Balance. If the Symbol of Balance is real, it might very well cause a second God War, possibly on a larger scale. And for some reason, this time, Guthix is staying quiet. Not good news.
Unknown to everyone else, a human is also working on this. He holds no allegiance to any god. And his plans for the world are much more than what Zamorak can achieve.
This is the Fifth Age of Gielinor. Despite looking like a calm, peaceful world from Lumbridge's view, Gielinor is a land filled to the brim with political strife.
The Fifth Age. The Age of Humans. With the discovery of the Runestones, and the ease of casting magic that came with the Runes, humans have started to dominate the world. And although they are not as bloodthirsty as the vampyres, the goblins, the ogres, the werewolves, they were greedy. Be it knowledge, magic, power, wealth, health, humans must have dominance over everything.
In the Fifth Age, there rose many different factions and alliances. The known ones are:
The Order of Saradomin:
The White Knights of Falador, a huge political group who apparently usurped the throne of Falador. Although they claim to fight in the name of Saradomin, of peace, order, and honour, there is no evidence they actually do so.
The Temple Knights of Saradomin, a small and highly secret branch of the White Knights.
The Paladins of Ardougne.
The Myreque, an organization based in Canifis.
H.A.M., or Humans Against Monsters, an extremist cult that believes in the destruction of all non-human races.
The Icyene, a race of humanoids close to extinction.
Monks of Gielinor.
The League of Zamorak:
The Kinshra, or Black Knights. They oppose the White Knights, and try to gain the throne of Falador.
Khazard's Army, a military force led by General Khazard.
Monks of Zamorak.
The Chaos Dwarves, dwarves corrupted in the mind and body.
Werewolves, vampires, demons, etc.
The High Council of Guthix:
The Void Knights, warriors who claim to protect Gielinor.
The Barbarians of the Fremennik province.
The Druids of Taverly, masters of Herblore.
The Seers, prophets of Guthix.
Gnomes and Dwarves of Gielinor.