Tales of Aeternum are a series of lore videos released by the New World Team, bringing color and background to the world you will explore!
This article is going to dive a bit deeper into the lore presented in each of these videos, starting with the two currently release entries to the series; which discuss The Angry Earth and the Ancients.
The Angry Earth
This first installment of the Tales from Aeternum went live on August 13th, 2021 and gives a bit of information on The Angry Earth. The Angry Earth are one of New World’s four factions of enemies. This first entry is narrated by the NPC Marsh Walker Afolabi, who resides in Reekwater.
Afolabi describes the Angry Earth as the protectors of Aeternum’s natural beauty and bounty. As their name may imply they are said to be physical manifestations of Aeternum itself, created to resist wayfarers.
It is not particularly clear if they pre-date the Corruption, it is believed by many that the Angry Earth are Aeternum’s way of fighting back the Corruption itself. While others believe that the Angry Earth are as old as the land itself, protecting it long before anyone arrived in Aeternum.
There’s a Lore Entry that follows this notion in Everfall which refers to the to the Angry Earth maintaining a balance, of what is unclear. Perhaps they the specific location, the Daughterwell, has a connection to the Corruption or some other force the Angry Earth may perceive as a threat. It could simply be referring to humans, who they do see as a threat.
Human:
Do not touch the Daughterwell.
A Warning, The Daughterwell, Tales of Everfall
Do not meddle in the affairs of the Angry Earth.
Leave in peace, and you will be left in peace.
Upset the balance, and there will be consequences.
Alofabi mentions there’s a blight that is corrupting their kind, which makes them significantly more dangerous. The Lore has a few mentions of Blight, though one in particular stand out, which come from Reekwater.
Was hoping for an easy hunt, find an elk or bison bogged down in the Muskeg to have something besides fish and vegetables, but no such luck. And now, the three of us are sicker than we’ve ever been, sitting ducks for anything that wants a snack of its own!
Everything was fine until we got close to those strange… plants, mushrooms… whatever they were. It was putting out this cloud around it, smelled like a tannery, and everything nearby looked sickly, too. Once that big Dryad thing showed up, covered in the same muck, we got out of there fast. We were only near it for a few minutes, but I guess that was long enough for us to get sick.Easy Prey, Settler’s Tales, Tales of Reekwater
Won’t kill us, I don’t think… but I suppose, even if it does, we’ll head back to the village and let them know what we found.
This entry both makes clear that the Blight itself is a problem causing illness with just being in proximity, but specifically mention a Dryad, one variation of the Angry Earth. This coupled with Alofabi’s statements in the video seem to hold true, the Blight infects them, possibly driving them mad.
The Angry Earth seem to have two distinct variations or forms Elementals, which are the more animal like appearances; and Dryads, the name given to the more humanoid forms. These Dryads are cited by Alofabi to be “Incredibly intelligent, very aggressive, and willing to fight anything that threatens Aeternum”
All of these traits are referenced in three pieces of lore found in Reekwater. This series of lore discusses the Dyrad’s Intelligence, but also their desire to seemingly want to be rid of the Ancients.
Many across Aeternum believe those we call “Dryads” to be no more intelligent than an animal in the wild, living by pure instinct. How, then, do they create the weapons with which to defend themselves? They respond with examples of the shrike bird impaling its prey on sharp sticks. But while the shrike may indeed stab its prey on a point, it does not create the tool it uses, only what is found!
Years of observation of these Dryads has led me to the conclusion that they are far more intelligent than others believe. I’ve not seen a Dryad create their weapon, but I see that they carry weapons of a variety of sizes and designs. I’ve never heard a Dryad communicate, but their behavior suggests that they must, in some form unknown to us.
Underestimating Intelligence, On the Dryads, Tales of Reekwater
As the above lore entry states, Dryads are often seen with weapons, not unlike the ones we wield. Yet curiously, we have no clue whether they use found weapons, or create their own in some way. Given the designs of the weapons they are seen using, it’s more heavily implied they are using weapons that have been left behind or abandoned.
The Dryads appear to be nomadic in a way, traveling from distant places to reach these swamps. Most would not be able to tell them apart, but in watching them, I’ve noted the differences in their composition, and have traced their origins all across the island. This travel seems cyclical in nature, with a new group arriving every few months. Pliny the Elder wrote of elephants, reporting that they would ritually bathe each other to celebrate the new moon. Mayhap this rite is like that of the elephants, guided by a measure unknown to us?
But what drives this slow Promenade toward Reekwater? Is it some form of pilgrimage? Or is there something else to it? I’ve attempted to find evidence that Dryads leave this place to travel elsewhere, and have yet to find any evidence of that. And as Reekwater is not overrun with Dryads in every nook, the only theory remaining is further proof of their level of intelligence: a knowledge of death, and a desire to do so in a designated place.
But death holds almost no power here on Aeternum. What, then, is the purpose?
The Promenade, On the Dryads, Tales of Reekwater
This second entry seems to indicate they’re drawn towards Reekwater. This time, indicating they may have knowledge of death and a desire for Reekwater to be their resting place, just as Edengrove is cited as their birthplace. Alofabi also mentions this in the video as well, mentioning the Garden of Genesis in Edengrove as their birthing place, as well as them traveling to the Eternal Pool in Reekwater to “merge once more with the land we walk on, dispersing their life force into the flora an fauna as they do so.”
Notably, I have yet to see a Dryad create a structure of any kind. Birds build nests, humans build homes, ants will dig tunnels for shelter… but Dryads do not. Given that they have no organs we can identify, being made of stone and branch and vine, perhaps they have no need. But this does not mean they are unaware of the concept of construction.
One construction draws the attention of Dryads more than any other, and these places are where the highest populations can be found: ruins of the Ancients. Their vines twist through the stones, slowly breaking apart that which has weathered time and storm and events unimaginable. Some travelers have even mentioned seeing Dryads use their weapons in an attempt to break the Ancient stones.
But why? What motivates this behavior? They do not dismantle our villages, or seek out our hideaways. If they were human, I would propose that they seek to destroy all evidence of the Ancients, much as Scipio Africanus set his torch to Carthage. Events in the past, long before our reckoning, may have caused this enmity. We may never know the full story, but we must seek to find all we can.
Vindicta Aeternum, On the Dryads, Tales of Reekwater
The last of these three entries makes note that the Dryads are never shown to create structures, yet are drawn to the ruins of Ancients. They lash out at these ruins with weapons, in an attempt to break the Ancient stones.
It also heavily suggests that they did and still do see the Ancients as intruders. Not just any intruders either, ones that have done a great deal to cause this intense enmity from the Angry Earth. Perhaps the video on the Ancients may reveal more to us, unraveling the mystery of this rivalry. Thankfully, The Ancients is the very next one we get to talk about.
The Ancients
This Second installment of the Tales from Aeternum went live on August 20th, 2021 and gives a bit of information on The Ancients. The Ancients are one of New World’s four factions of enemies. This second entry is narrated by the NPC William Heron who appears to reside in Everfall.
William Heron notes that the Ancients built a civilization on Aeternum long before any human ever landed here. Though, their place of origin is unknown. This heavily suggests that they arrived to Aeternum long before it became the twisted land we know it as. Among the factions, the Ancients some of the most lore entries, so unlike the Angry Earth, we can;t cover them all here.
William Heron himself was highly dedicated to the study of the Ancients, their structures and rituals. There’s a series of field notes in Everfall, detailing these studies. Each of these entries is found at a different Ancient Ruin which surround Everfall. These reveal a great deal of information about the Ancients, or the Guardians that remain at least. I won’t cover all of these notes in particular, but they are worth a read. I will however highlight a few that have interesting observations.
The Guardians attack all humans who dare trespass on the ruins of the Ancients. While animals are free to come and go, anything that stands on two legs is met with immediate and brutal hostility. Without eyes how do they see what they are attacking? Some of their attacks are sloppy and seemingly blind, so perhaps they rely on the other senses in combat. How they stand and fight without muscles in the first place is still a mystery.
Guardians’ Resolve, Heron’s Field Notes, Tales of Everfall
This fourth note in a series of ten as it explicitly states they ignore wildlife that near the ruins, attacking only humanoids. This leaves to reason, as Heron suggests in the video that the Guardians were the foot soldiers in a war between the Ancients and the Corrupted. Thus they will attack any humanoid on sight, as the majority of the Corrupted enemies are humanoids.
Even more fascinating than the lookout towers themselves are the massive orbs near the top of them. They look so large it vexes the mind to imagine how the Ancients got them up there. Is their directional positioning significant in any way? The orbs appear to bulge out of only one of the sides of the tower, and look similar to the orbs found around Windsward.
The Orbs, Heron’s Field Notes, Tales of Everfall.
This sixth note marks the curiosity of the orbs found a top the obelisks which surround the area of Everfall, specifically the Shattered Obelisk. Every one of the mentioned orbs faces the Shattered Obelisk.
We all know that the earth is the center of the planets and universe, and it is only fitting that the jewel of our planetary system is the one with such a fantastical island like Aeternum on it. If our planet is the center of the heavens then Aeternum must be the center of the planet, located so closely to the equator and imbued with power as it is. Azoth, the substance found here and nowhere else, is further proof that is the primordial Eden of which the scriptures spoke, the place from which all life sprang. I am honored and humbled to be standing at the center of everything, and must know what the Ancients thought of this phenomenon.
Center of the Stars, Heron’s Field Notes, Tales of Everfall.
The title and text of this second to last entry found at the Shattered Obelisk itself references the geocentric model, which was used up until the 16th century. Curiously enough, these Obelisks appear to be named after constellations as well, though one (Carina) wasn’t given that name that appears in game until 1763, when the constellation Argo Navis was split in three.
Trivia aside, This suggests this may have possibly been the Ancients way of tracking time. With Aeternum as being cited as near the equator (but not on), these constellations may have only been visible during certain times of the year, but would theoretically line up at least once annually.
This may however may not be the reason for the Shattered Obelisk or the Guardians awakening, as another set of notes found in the few Obelisks that are located in the Windsward territory suggests something entirely different caused this.
Whatever powers these obelisks hold, the ancients of Aeternum made use of them – or more likely, shaped them themselves… but to what purpose, I do not know.
Life grows thickly about them, striking blue flowers unlike any I have seen on the isle – and even azoth-infused flora, which we gather carefully.
Rolfe seemed out of sorts, has been since the attack on the dig site. He was hunched to the ground at a stone’s throw from the obelisk, staring at it as if listening to something, clutching the vial of azoth I’d paid him with… I had to address him twice before the fellow snapped out of it, still at a loss for words.
After addressing him rather sharply… perhaps sharper than was merited… Rolfe said he felt the azoth… ‘sing’ in the presence of the obelisk, and did not know what to make of it.
We shall continue our circuit of the ring of obelisks, then leave the central Spire for last.
The Obelisks!, Grenville’s Journey, Tales of Windsward
The first of note of the final five in this series describes an interesting phenomenon, Azoth appears to call out or resonate to these Obelisks. This may be a result of what of the Ancients using Azoth to “perform their miracles and extend their lives”, as stated by William Heron.
May 20. Rolfe again voiced his fears the azoth might awaken that which lies dormant on Aeternum.
The man is a fool, and has not the heart to continue. I reminded him of the great fields of life that blossomed around the obelisks – if that was their power while the obelisks slept, what life might rise should they awake and how could that be naught but a good thing? Do we ourselves not awake each day and are better than when we sleep and know nothing but dreams?
Even my reasoned arguments did not quell the man’s doubt. He became quite animated, saying I knew not what might wake at the center Spire… even the dead, the skeletons that encircled the cursed temple might come alive, if their hearts were tied to this land.
I suspect our ways must soon part, though I know his promise of payment keeps him in my shadow for now. If needs must, I will send him away, but before he goes, I will need his azoth for what I plan next. I will unlock the mysteries here, and cast such a light that it will burn away doubts and shadow from fearful minds.
Growing Fears, Grenville’s Journey, Tales of Windsward.
This next entry suggests that Grenville wishes to use the Azoth he previous gave Rolfe to see what happens when it interacts with the Obelisks. It also alludes to the potential of the experiment waking the Guardians, which were cited as simply the dead at this point.
Meanwhile in the current day, William Heron is fully aware that the Guardians are powered by Azoth cores in their chest. He cites them acting as a heart of sorts, both giving them life but also their weakness.
The following entry of Grenville’s Journey only has one thing of note. Grenville took the Azoth by force with one goal in mind; Use it at the central spire, or rather the Shattered Obelisk. The entries following that one explain to some degree what happened.
[Page is partially burned] …seems Rolfe spoke true – the azoth takes on a light in proximity to the obelisk, and I can see a tracery of light where none existed before. And the sound – like a roar, the closer one comes to the stone, as if something caged, waiting to be released.
My path seems clear… if these markings are touched with azoth, then perhaps the obelisk shall reveal its secrets and we will see what lies within. And should my findings prove… [page is burned, illegible]
The Great Work, Grenville’s Journey, Tales of Windsward.
[Page is burned, but it looks like it was written on after it was burnt, not before.]
My hands shake as I write this. I was a fool. First the Spire, the great light… the light grew above me like the dawn of a second day, and my heart lept with hope – and again, when I saw the torches along the main road blossom into blue flame. It was as if I’d awoken the isle itself!
Then… then a terrible silence from the Spire as the light streaming from it froze in the air, as if paralyzed by touching the Earth. I confess… I was consumed by a growing dread, and I fled along the road, the blue flames leading my steps… as it turned out, here, to the Temple Ruins from before.
The Temple was no sanctuary. Had the azure flames summoned me here? Whatever occurred at the Spire, it had touched here as well, awakening something terrible. I saw the same blue fire that lit the lanterns of the road now burn within the chest of the skeletal figures I had taken for dead… they were not dead, I see now, merely sleeping. Now they walked, blades drawn, circling the Temple with dark intent. What have I awoken?
May the powers of Aeternum have mercy upon my soul.
Azure Flames, Grenville’s Journey, Tales of Windsward
This final entry has two major points. Azoth appears to have triggered what happened at the Shattered Obelisk. Whatever event actually happen, is what awoke the Guardians.
Since Azoth was used by the Ancients for Rituals, and specifically the one used to create the Guardians. William Heron mentions such a ritual took place in Reekwater’s Pool of Eternity, as well as other sites.
This lead to the thought that upon contact with Azoth, the Shattered Obelisk triggered such a ritual. Not just a small one that may have been used to create the Guardians, but rather a much larger event, which ultimately ended up as a mass reawakening of the Guardians.
Of these Guardians though, Some of the most powerful are found in the Lazarus Instrumentality Expedition. This particular Expedition is an investigation of the Eternal Pool in Reekwater.
One last point to make note of here, is that these very rituals may be what upset the Angry Earth. Making the dead rise again is very unnatural, and very well could be part of the balance that the Angry Earth sought to maintain. Thus why the Angry Earth may be particularly vengeful.
Next, why not continue the series and check out the analysis we have on New World’s The Corrupted lore video.
If you are eager for more New World content, check out our coverage here on VULKK.com. We are just beginning and will have tons of guides, tutorials and news coverage at launch.
While waiting, why not learn more about the weapons in New World – how they differ from each other, what are the strong and weak sides of each one and which are the best combos for what gameplay scenarios.
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