Stone circle

Stone Circles are holy sites of Guthixian religion scattered across the world of Gielinor. Stone Circles are named such for their appearance, which is similar to that of the real-world Stonehenge.



During the Years 1 to 200 of the Fourth Age, Guthixian thought and devotion spread more openly. During this time, dozens of holy circles dedicated to Guthix were constructed by druids, an order which had silently endured the God Wars for more than 4,000 years.

Despite their importance to Guthixian relgion, today all but two Stone Circles have been completely destroyed. The only Stone Circle still under active Guthixan control is in Taverly, while another under Zamorakian control exists south of Varrock.

Origins and Design
In the First Age, the god Guthix found the world now known as Gielinor. Although details regarding this time are few, it is believed that Guthix took the place of the Elder Gods as master of the world and, using his powers and the Stone of Jas, shaped the world for 4,000 years. Creating many races and bringing many others from other worlds, Guthix gained a powerful following that consisted of nearly ever race to walk Gielinor. After 4,000 years, Guthix went into a state of deep hibernation and left the world to its own devices. As he slept, his following was diluted with that of other newly-arrived gods, many of whom posessed violent intent.

Although there are no definitive records from these ages that speak of Stone Circles, the Circles' design suggests their origins date back to the First or Second Age. The Circles were likely erected by Guthix's most devout followers, the druids and wizards of the time. As many prominent Second Age Menaphite scholars of cities such as Uzer and Ullek professed, the sphere and thus, the circle, were widely considered the most aesthetically pleasing shapes of the time. The Stone Circles' distinctive spherical shape and basic design speak of ancient origins, while at the same teme reflecting Guthixian balance ideologies. There is evidence that the Circles were infused with some holy directable energy, although its nature is largely unknown. The advent of the Stone Circle would come to an end, though, with the dawn of the Third Age.

Destruction
6,000 years into Gielinor's recorded history, a cataclysmic 4,000 year war known as the "God Wars" began. Zaros, a mighty deity with a kingdom encompassing much of modern-day Misthalin, Asgarnia, Morytania, and the Wilderness, was betrayed in the final year of the Second Age by his Mahjarrat general Zamorak. Zaros's banishment and Zamorak's assension to godhood would then ultimately set in motion a chain of events that led to the longest and darkest war in Gielinor's history.

During the God Wars, the mostly peaceful Guthixians were forced to conceal themselves from the constantly warring races and religious factions. Choosing the path of balance and non-intervention, the Guthixians were not well-recieved by the people of the time, who lived solely by war. Forced into hiding, the Guthixians lost virtually any holy sites, including the Circles, that they had erected during the First and Second Ages, their legacy all but forgotten.

The Circles Resurface
In roughly the Year 4,000 of the Third Age, Guthix was awakened from his slumber by the sounds of the war, which was finally beginning to threaten the world's very existence. Guthix, more powerful then any of the gods at the time, immediately demanded the war br brought to an end, elsewise he would destroy the world he created simply to end the war. He further layed down the Edicts of Guthix, a set of laws stating that the gods could no longer walk the mortal realm and that no wars with the potential to begin a second God War could be initiated. This would begin the Fourth Age.



Guthix's few surviving worshippers resurfaced following the beginning of the Fourth Age, their numbers bolstered by those that had taken the god's reappearance to heart. Even after Guthix left the mortal plane, his idealogies continued to spread. The first 200 years of the Fourth Age saw the costruction of many Stone Circles, all small but elaborate. Gielinor, still a place of conflict as races fought for supremecy, proved inhospitable to the Stone Circles, which were not built to withstand attack. By the current day, the Year 169 of the Fifth Age, only two Circles survive, and only one of these is still in Guthixian control.

Taverly Stone Circle
See Main Article: Taverly Stone Circle

Varrock Stone Circle
See Main Article: Varrock Stone Circle



Trivia

 * Prior to the graphical updates of Varrock and Taverly, the Stone Circles looked much more similar to the real-world Stonehenge. Their appearance has changed significantly since then, although their basic design and minimap appearance remain unchanged.