Thousands of years ago, predating the prolific rise of the Phaedrian civilization, a superlative race known as the Harken stood at the peak of the evolutionary hierarchy. The other "lesser" races were scattered about the lands, fighting one another for the leftovers tossed to them by the Harken. The great civilization was centered around the magnificent capital city of Malduke, which boasted marvels of architecture the world had never seen, or would ever see again.

The Harken were pioneers, mastering the arts and sciences, dabbling in sorcery, establishing a rich and blessed culture. Their achievements, however, would come at the expense of the other races, such as Humans and Ibeni, who were utilized as slaves and livestock, every part of their bodies used economically. Their skin and hair were stripped and used to weave the finest Harken fabrics. Their flesh was served as meat, eaten raw, boiled in searing waters, browned over intense fires, or dried and cured in the sunlight. Their eyes, tongues, and other organs were as delicacies, treated in the richest of spices and served only to the Harken noble class. Their blood was drained and used to make ink or paint, while their other fluids were used in the creation of various tonics and potions. Lastly, their bones were cleaned and carved to form dishes and tools.

Such would seem to be the natural order of things at the time, for history has always proven that the strong prey upon the weak. The Harken were not only centuries ahead of the other races technologically, but dominated them physically as well. During a time when six feet was an utter abnormality amongst the other races, the Harken stood at an average of nine. Long, sleek bodies, dark like ebony or as if torn right from the night sky, rippling and corded with muscle tone, were the standard for both Harken men and women. Whereas the other races were diminutive with a natural curvature in their spine suiting them to task of bearing burdens, the Harken stood erect and powerful. Their eyes were white and blazing, lacking of any pupils, as if they were portals leading directly to the soul. They had three of them, set upon their perfect faces at the vertices of a triangle. The lower two balanced each other for keen sight, the entire spectrum of light spilling in waves before them, the third was capable of viewing the Astral Plane, from which the true measure of a being could be discerned. For the other races, freedom was a dream, and rebellion was an imperceivable concept. The Harken were as gods.

In all of their magnificence, the Harken, unlike the other races, did not look to any higher presence or divine figurehead for guidance. They believed themselves entirely self-sufficient, that they were vessels and conduits for the powers of the planet itself. The earth was their mother, and fed them limitlessly from its bosom. Theologists and philosophers believe that this was the eventual cause of their downfall. One night, the sky clear and full of stars, and a momentary peace having settled upon the lands, a tremendous explosion shook the ground. A canopy of blue-white light appeared and spread over many miles within seconds. Where the light touched, things not only began to die, but ceased to exist entirely.

This phenomenon was attributed to the Phaedrian Intervention - the arrival of highly advanced beings from another planet on behalf of the lesser races suffering under Harken rule. The legend says that a great mother ship appeared in the heavens and with the Zoroa in the lead, the Phaedrians descended with righteous purpose, and wiped the Harken completely from the face of Planet M. In the aftermath, as if a great burden had been lifted from their crooked backs, the disappearance of the Harken catalyzed a sudden and almost violent evolution amongst the other races. They began to stand upright, grow stronger, live longer, and spread out over the lands whereas before they had been confined to caves and underground grottos. The Phaedrians colonized the planet and spearheaded a dramatic advancement of civilization. Their leader, Zoroa, founded the Holy Kingdom of Windgrace and before long Planet M saw a new age of prosperity. However, history often repeats itself, as was proven when thousands of years later the Phaedrian civilization also fell under the weight of destiny.