607 EE

In the early 600s, the Berusians had begun expanding into the lowest caverns of Berus, founding several new colonies and outposts in the deepest, darkest tunnels of the deep shard. While this frontier was rough and filled with isolated and territorial creatures, this was not something the clever Berusians were not accustomed to dealing with - nor did it prepare them for what was to come.

Several years into the development of these deep colonies, in 607 EE, they suddenly went dark. With no communication, the Confederacy sent runners and scouts to investigate - none of whom returned.

Within a matter of days, one by one, settlements deeper than Xatitar stopped communicating. The capital was fraught with tension and fear for what was happening, but none were prepared for the sudden assault of creatures from the depths.

Hordes of dark, twisted insectoid creatures - now known to be Corrupted Ky’limek in service to Szekaris - swarmed from the depths of Berus. In a matter of hours, the city was overwhelmed. Despite the rallying of its defenders and the entire Foundation of Warding laying down their lives, only a portion of the city was able to escape into their early Spanships, and flee into the Span.

When Berus fell, the remains of the Confederacy continued to direct the flotilla of refugees on their exodus through the Span, though the leadership was fragmented and the entirety of a Foundation itself was left behind.