"The First Era stretched on for hundreds of millions of years. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, Orcs—All Races walked upon the Earth, brilliant civilizations blooming and bearing fruit. The thirteen First Ancient Gods dwelled in the heavens together with those lucky people who had touched the Supreme, yet would occasionally incarnate as Saints to interfere in mortal affairs. Spellcasters of all kinds of Talents and professions recklessly mined the potential of soul and flesh, recording and creating brand-new knowledge, pursuing the mysteries of the World and the meaning of Life. The vast World was far larger than the present Material World; even in the void outside the World, countless small worlds formed from stable fragments still existed."
He drew in a deep breath:
