Prologue: A Wizard and His Masterpiece
"It was always those Two, endlessly fighting, driven and opposed by their very natures. They were cursed long ago to ever share a single purpose. To wage war beyond time and time beyond counting. Many of us looked on and even participated in these calamities. The destruction raged on for what you would call eternity. It was only then that the Mad Moon, weaved and forged by both Primordials, imprisoned the Two.
Confined to a mere rock, set aloft to wander aimlessly within the void, facing oblivion, the Ancients could do nothing but work as one for their freedom. In their only act of creation four stones were made. The first was made from their own essence, the second and third with stolen pieces of their jailors. The fourth and most precious to them was carved from their very eyes. And so they waited… Their prison came to inhabit the orbit of a nameless world. The forces of the cosmos slowly took their toll upon the Mad Moon as did the inmates…
Eventually it would shatter and the calamity could begin anew…"
(The Six Watchers standing before the Four Pillars.)
"How queer…"
Rubick, son of Aghanim, sat within his father's study as he often did, looking over and contemplating the scrolls his father had accumulated over his career as a wizard and master craftsman. Surrounded by mountains of texts his young eyes swallowed all the thick parchment had to offer, as a deep and perturbed grumble resounded behind him… "Father!" He yelped surprisingly. Aghanim, tall, ancient, and imposing…looked upon his son, as he responded sternly, "What have I said about shenanigans in my study? You know there are scrolls in here that are enchanted and possibly dangerous." A lamented sigh issued forth as he shook his head. "I suppose it can't be helped. You're just like your mother, curious to a fault." He narrowed his seemingly omniscient eyes upon one of the few normal scrolls his son held. Gently plucking it out of his tiny hands, he examined the writings and cracked a short grin. "Ahhh yes the story of the Mad Moon." Rubick, wanting to quench his insatiable thirst for knowledge chimed "Did all that really occur here father?"
Aghanim conceding that his son would always have questions answered mutely "To be quite honest, I am not entirely sure." Rubick of course found this quite unsatisfactory. Father always seemed to know everything. Why not this? "How can that be? You've studied more than anyone I've ever known." His father nodded in reconciliation. "Now do not mistake my words. Of course the Mad Moon breaking apart and falling to our world happened. It is well recorded in many of our tomes and works of historical fact. Everything else appears to be within the mists of time. The names of the Six Watchers, Four Pillars, the Two Ancients, the Primordials, and the evidence of stones all appear to be lost." Rubick began to inquire further "Do you think beings of such immense power really existed and that they will return? Could people like you stop them?" Aghanim became lost in thought for but a moment. After what appeared to be careful consideration he replied, "I have walked this world long enough to see many empires crumble, I have seen men slay gods and demons. Our age is filled with an abundance of wonder and magic. The wars between the Radiant and Dire grow ever destructive. In this era of knowledge, even that which is claimed all powerful may fall."
His son's fluorescent green eyes widened with ideas and possibilities. His little chest puffed out and it was as if a fire had been kindled within him. It did not fail to get the attention of his father. "What is it my son?" Rubick stood up and proclaimed in a hushed whisper. "I must see it all." It was Aghanim's turn to question, "Are you certain? Such an endeavor will not be easy. Even a Magus would find it taxing if not impossible. The chance of success is questionable at best." Rubick immediately concluded, "Then I must become much more than another Magus. It's as you always tell me father. The journey is worth it." His father laughed, a rare thing for a man of his demeanor. Collecting himself he acknowledged Rubick's declaration.
"How grand that will be."
The two of them spoke for what felt like hours as the sun began to wane. Aghanim, always the keen observer, noted the gold light slithering away from his tomes and stone floor of his study. "The day fades Rubick. I think we should continue this another time…" His son could only protest, "But father!" Aghanim let loose another sigh and offered, "I'll strike a deal with you. If you go to bed now, tomorrow I'll take you to Ultimyr University, so that you may see some of my work." The son of Aghanim froze for but a second and dashed out of the study, parchment flailing in tow. His father had never seen him so hasted.
Collecting the miscellaneous scrolls and setting them carefully back in place a wide grin formed over his considerably aged face. His thoughts began to wander… "My son possesses an impossibly grand vision. What kind of father would I be, if I didn't give him the chance to see it accomplished?" And so it was that Aghanim, began to draw up plans, and set in motion his life's work.