Gielinorian God Wars

''For the armour received from Treasure Trails, see Third age armour. For the dungeon released in August 2007, see God Wars Dungeon.''

The Third Age or the God Wars as it was also known was a time of great calamity in RuneScape. Although the God Wars themselves are not a part of RunesScape's gameplay, they are frequently referenced throughout the game and form the basis for many quests and locations.

History
During the Second Age, Zaros had almost complete control of the world. When he was betrayed and defeated by Zamorak, the Second Age ended, and the other gods could now begin ruling without interference. However, many gods, the most significant being Saradomin and Zamorak, wanted complete control.

Soon after Zaros's defeat, a massive war broke out. The gods, at the time, could directly interact with the world, which caused destruction far beyond any seen before or after the wars. During the wars, countless civilizations, races, and animal species disappeared. Many were destroyed, while others hid themselves or went under drastic changes in order to survive. Much of the world itself went under drastic changes, with much of the land being ruined or reformed. Many of these changes were so catastrophic that they continue to effect RuneScape even today.

In fact, the entire world was on the brink of destruction when the fighting awoke Guthix from his sleep. Upon the end of the First Age, Guthix went into a deep slumber that stretched over many millenia. When he awoke, he found his world in ruin. He was so enraged that he instantly ended the fighting and demanded that the gods stopped fighting their wars on RuneScape, and to continue to hold influence only through their followers. Most of the gods left RuneScape and traveled to the God Realm, the home of the gods. It was at this time that the Third Age, which had lasted approximately 4,000 years, finally ended.

It should be noted that this article is very incomplete. There are very few written records from this time, and most of the artifacts remaining from the wars have long since been lost to age. It is unlikely that we will ever have a full understanding of the wars, and so this part of history will forever remain something of a mystery.

Historical Discrepancies
The true history of the God Wars is always somewhat difficult to determine. Having occured several thousand years ago, information from the God Wars is difficult to come by.

However, an even more hindering factor are the differences in accounts of the wars. Saradominists and Zamorakians often disagree on what truly occured at the time. For instance, Saradominists such as The Wise Old Man state that when victory was nearly Saradomin's, he pitied the Zamorakians and allowed for a truce to be made. Zamorakians, however, insist that this was not the case, and have their own beliefs on the matter. Most now accept that it was actually Guthix that ended the wars, but others still reject this.

Another difficult subject are the Edicts of Guthix, which were created by Guthix when he ended the wars. Some religious groups doubt their existance. Others, however, including many important religious advisors such as Aeonisig Raispher, highly encourage the following of the Edicts. This makes understanding them difficult, and has been the cause of many political disputes since their creation.

Major Events
The God Wars gave birth to many historical battles and events, which shaped the world we know today. Listed below are known events that took place during the wars, although there are many others that have long since been forgotten.


 * Destruction of Uzer by Thammaron, chief lieutenant of Zamorak.
 * Banishing of the Dorgeshuun by the god Bandos. The Dorgeshuun soon erupt in a civil war, but eventually the battle ends and Dorgesh-Kaan is founded.
 * The Wilderness, which was a lush forest filled with many prosperous civilizations in the Second Age, becomes the site of thousands of fierce battles. All of its civilizations are destroyed, and the land is permanently scarred.
 * Count Draynor, who was cut off from Morytania when the River Salve was blessed, conquers what is now Draynor Village. He slowly loses strength because of his separation from Morytania, and his hold over the land weakens over time.
 * The Barrow Brothers lead the forces of Saradomin into the heart of Morytania, but are killed in battle and buried at the Barrows, only to be turned into spirits by a stranger..
 * The "Myriad" civilization, that used to dwell in the Lumbridge area, was destroyed almost completely; the Light Creatures in the Lumbridge Swamp Caves are all that remain.
 * The Aviantese, a race of bird-creatures devoted to Armadyl, disappear. Several were frozen in a massive battle, and have recently returned to continue their battle.
 * Most of the dwarves flee beneath the surface and seal their capital, Keldagrim, from the rest of the world for thousands of years.
 * The Digsite, known as Senntisten at the time, is destroyed by the forces of Saradomin and/or Zamorak (it is unknown exactly who destroyed the city). It was the largest known Zarosian city.
 * The elves are forced to retreat into Tirannwn due to the danger of the lands beyond Arandar.
 * Zaros's followers are removed from power and exiled to the Kharidian Desert, where they live as bandits. Some of the last known Mahjarrat loyal to Zaros, Akthanakos and Azzanadra, are imprisoned in the desert as well.
 * The gnomes, like the dwarves, are forced to flee beneath the surface of the world. Their capital, the Gnome Stronghold, falls into ruination and remains in ruination until the Fourth Age.
 * Mother Mallum, the queen of the sea slugs, attempts to conquer the world. She is narrowly stopped by the Saradominist Temple Knights, an organization which was founded during the God Wars as well.
 * Hazeel conquers the land that is now Ardougne.
 * Padewwa, Kharyll, Lassar, Dareeyak, Carrallangar, Anakarl, and Ghorrock, Zaros's last remaining fortresses, are destroyed.
 * The Tears of Guthix cause much of the rock beneath present-day Lumbridge to weep with godly energy.
 * A large cavern, known now as the God Wars Dungeon, in an icy land north of Trollheim plays host to a massive battle between the followers of Bandos, Saradomin, Zamorak, and Armadyl. The cave is hidden during the battle, freezing the combatants. Thousands of years later, in the year 169 of the Fifth Age, the combatants are unfrozen due to tectonic movement in the Wilderness. They then resume their battle.
 * The Dagannoths emerge roughly during this time, resulting in great losses for the Fremenniks.
 * Bandos leads the ogres into the Feldip Hills, quickly whiping out the local populace and claiming the land as his own.
 * The wyrms, a species of ancient dragons much more powerful than any known dragon today, slowly disappear from continued use in combat and evolution. A specific species of wyrm, the White Dragon, also disappears.
 * The Wyverns, a species of flightless two-legged dragons, are believed extinct due to a massive climate shift. Their reanimated skeletons can now only be found in the Asgarnian Ice Dungeon, the last remaining place that is cold enough for them to survive.
 * Dragon, a type of metal found only in Freneskae and forged by the Mahjarrat, falls into the hands of several other races such as humans, Fairies, and Implings.
 * The Eastern Lands become largely inaccessible due to Necrovarus's conquering of Port Phasmatys.
 * The knowledge of Ancient Magicks, which were used only by followers of Zaros, is forgotten by most of RuneScape, leaving very few with the knowledge of how to use them.
 * Contact with an underwater city is lost, with all memory of the city nearly vanishing from Gielinor.
 * It is likely that during the wars the barrier between Gielinor and Zanaris was broken, resulting in the weak border and easy transportation between the two worlds today. This happened to numerous other worlds as well, such as Puro-Puro, the Gorak Plane, the Killerwatt Dimension and countless others. Some of these worlds contained dangerous creatures, such as Goraks, that wrought havoc within Gielinor. But the threat was not contained within RuneScape; many battles were held in other worlds, and many were destroyed entirely due to the God Wars.

Major Battles
During the God Wars there were thousands of battles and wars between the people of RuneScape. Although many battles and wars of the Third Age have been forgotten, some of the more significant battles are still remembered today, such as the ones listed below. Please note that although these battles are basically in order, there may be some that are slightly out of place.


 * The Fall of Senntisten
 * The Destruction of the seven Zarosian Fortresses
 * The Wilderness Campaign (Wilderness Ruins)
 * The Dorgeshuun Civil War
 * The Sea Slug Conflicts
 * The Fall of Hallowvalle
 * The Morytania Campaign
 * The Destruction of Uzer
 * The Battle of Ardougne
 * The Mortals Retreat
 * The God Wars Dungeon battle.



Combatants
Every race, god, civilization, and animal species fought during the God Wars, resulting in the destruction of most of the world. Many of the combatants, both mortal and immortal alike, have long since been forgotten.

Gods
As the name suggests, the main combatants in the God Wars were the gods themselves. It was the gods that commanded their followers, fighting for land, honour, and ultimately the rule of Gielinor. Below is a list of gods and their role in the wars.


 * Zaros - When Zaros fell to Zamorak, his former Mahjarrat general, he was banished from the plane, and the God Wars began. However, his followers remained, and played a large role in the beginning of the wars. Still loyal to their master, they continued to defend his cities and strongholds, but were ultimately defeated by the other gods. Most were forced into the Kharidian Desert, and remain in exile to this very day.
 * Zamorak - When Zamorak banished Zaros using the Staff of Armadyl, he ascended from Mahjarrat to Godhood, allowing him to begin his ultimate assault upon Gielinor. Zamorak was one of the most important fighters in the war, commanding one the largest armies and holding a massive influence to this day. He was known by Zarosians as "The Userper" and "The Pretender."
 * Saradomin - Saradomin was the opposition of Zamorak. His beliefs in law and peace influenced many beneath him, rallying to his aid many priests, knights, and holy creatures. Saradomin continues to hold power to this day, having the largest following in Gielinor.
 * Guthix - Guthix did not actually fight in the God Wars, but ended them. Upon creating the world of Gielinor in the First Age, he fell into a deep slumber that lasted from the end of the First Age to the end of the Third Age. When the sounds of battle and his world's dying cries awoke him, he immediately ended the wars, and is believed to have created the Edicts of Guthix, which state that if the gods begin such a war again, he will recreate RuneScape, destroying everything on it in the process.
 * Armadyl - Armadyl's role in the God Wars is still largely a mystery, although he is usually considered a "good" god and some think of him as the opposite of Zaros. His followers consisted mainly of aviantese, which he used to rule the skies. However, they seemingly went extinct during the wars, which filled him with anguish and lead to his eventual departure from Gielinor.
 * Seren - Seren played little role in the God Wars, as her main followers, the elves, went into hiding in Tirannwn when the wars began. When Guthix commanded that the gods leave the world, she sealed Prifddinas's undercity, including the Grand Library, with nine powerful seals. She then departed with the rest of the gods.
 * Bandos - Bandos is a perfect example of the God Wars' brutality. His allegiance was ever-changing, and seemed to battle for the pure love of bloodshed. His army, consisting of creatures such as goblins and orks, were forced to fight in countless battles, often ones they could not possibly win. The only ones to ever escape his rule were the Dorgeshuun, although they were trapped beneath the surface in the process.
 * Marimbo - Marimbo's role in the wars is currently unknown, although he likely used his intelligent monkeys to combat the other races.
 * Tumeken - Role unknown.
 * Elidinis - Role unknown.
 * Icthlarin - Role unknown.
 * Amascut - Role unknown.
 * Scabaras - Role unknown.
 * Het - Role unknown.
 * Crondis - Role unknown.
 * Apmeken - Role unknown.



Significant Mortals
The gods alone could not fight; each commanded vast armies, some containing thousands of mortals. Few individuals who fought in the God Wars are still remembered; most have long since been forgotten. Listed below are known combatants in the God Wars, as well as their role in the war.


 * Hazeel - Hazeel is a Mahjarrat and was one of Zamorak's first allies. He was originally a follower of Zaros, but when Zamorak began organizing a rebellion against Zaros, the lord of the Mahjarrat, Hazeel quickly rushed to his aid. Hazeel was present during the battle that gave Zamorak his godhood, where he helped to fend of Zaros's bodyguards. When the God Wars began, Hazeel continued to assist Zamorak, and is famous for conquering the land that is now Ardougne. Hazeel's white skin is covered in ceremonial tattoos and small horns protrude from his skull, making him a fearsome sight to behold.
 * Thammaron - Thammaron was an Elder Demon, and like Hazeel, aided Zamorak during the rebellion against Zaros. During the God Wars he launched am assive assault on Uzer, which was, at the time, one of the largest remaining cities in Gielinor and the jewel of the Kharidian Desert. During the battle, he was severely injured by an elite group of Clay Golems, and was forced to retreat into a hidden portal. Here he soon died of the wounds inflicted upon him by the golems. The damage he had done to Uzer, however, was devastating, and the only survivor was a lone golem; one of the very elite ones sent to defeat Thammaron.
 * Azzanadra - Azzanadra was a mahjarrat with a maroon head of jackel. He remained loyal to Zaros even after Zamorak's victory, but was soon imprisoned in the great pyramid Jaldraocht by Zamorakians. The four diamonds used to imprison him were each given to a loyal Zamorakian. He remains imprisoned to this very day.
 * Sliske - Sliske's identity is a mystery. The only mention of this mahjarrat came from the mouth of Azzanadra himself, who called himself "the snake-tounged". There is some speculation, however, that he is the one that killed the Barrows brothers and revived them in Zaros's name.
 * Enakhra - Enakhra was a devout follower of Zamorak, although Zamorak never personally thought of her as very important. To please her master, she constructed a large temple in the Kharidian Desert in Zamorak's name. However, Zamorak was not impressed, stating that he would rather have a weapon that could kill a god than a temple. Enakhra's role in history lessened greatly after her failure, until she eventually managed to imprison Akthanakos in the temple.
 * Akthanakos - Akthanakos was one of the few Mahjarrat that remained loyal to Zaros after his defeat. After Zamorak became a god, Akthanakos became involved in the Kharidian Desert, although details regarding his actions are few. He was soon imprisoned in Enakhra's temple, and has continued to remain there even today. Akthanakos is famous for his creation of the ugthanki, a species of aggresivecamel who's name is derived from his own. Akthankos used these creatures as beasts of war.
 * Zemouregal - Zemouregal was one of the Mahjarrat that aided Zamorak during the rebellion and was present in the assault on Zaros's castle. He is noted for his expertise in the art of necromancy, which he used to raise vast armies of the undead to serve Zamorak during the God Wars. When the God Wars ended, he seemingly disappeared, and was forgotten until his famous assault on Varrock in the Fourth Age.
 * Lucien - Lucien, also a Mahjarrat, aided Zamorak in his attack on Zaros's fortress. Lucien's skills as a mage are said to be incredible, even enough to hide the power of a weapon such as the Staff of Armadyl. Physically, though, he is very weak, and so he attacked mainly through the use of magic. During the wars it is believed that he may have searched for a powerful energy source, and although he did not find it in time to use it during the wars, recent discoveries have lead him to believe it may be hidden in the Dorgesh-Kaan South Dungeon.
 * Lord Lowerniel Vergidiyad Drakan - A Zamorakian vampyre who aided in the overthrow of Zaros. Drakan launched a massive attack on Morytania, known at the time as Hallowvale. Its lush forests and massive civilizations were soon crushed, and the lands were flooded with cursed waters which made the land into a swamp. He ultimately conquered Hallowvale, despite the efforts of Hallowvale's queen to save the land.
 * Mother Mallum - Mother Mallum's origins are unknown. All that is known is that one day she crawled out of the depths of the ocean, and for many years after she terrorized RuneScape. Mother Mallum was a giant sea slug, and the master of a race of sea slugs which intended to take over Gielinor. Mother Mallum used her sea slugs' mind control abilities to control influential figures in the wars, and using them, slowly began building an empire for itself. Fortunately, the Temple Knights were founded soon after by Saradomin himself, and with great difficulty, they managed to seal Mother Mallum in a Saradominist temple beneath what is now Witchaven.
 * Commander Zilyana - Commander Zilyana was a holy being, resembling a winged woman. One of Saradomin's most valued followers, Zilyana had many titles, although her favourite is that of "Keeper of the Faith", a position bestowed upon her by Saradomin herself. She delivered divine justice with a mightly blade, which she wielded with unmatched skill. She was present at the battle in the God Wars Dungeon.
 * Starlight, Bane of Darkness - Starlight was a unicorn, and a loyal follower of Saradomin. Heavily armored, her method of attack involved plowing her way through enemy forces, her horn held low, ripping through the organs of foes. Her title, Bane of Darkness, was cursed by Zamorakians. She was also, at one point, one of Commander Zilyana's bodyguards.
 * Growler, Defender of the Faithful - A lion-like beast that served Saradomin and served as one of Commander Zilyana's protector. Growler was a defender of Saradomin's scattered monasteries, which could rarely survive for long during the wars. Although usually a pacifist, Growler's razor-sharp fangs were used with deadly skill if he was pressed into combat.
 * Bree, Champion of Truth - Bree was a centaur, a race that seems to have nearly died out during the God Wars. Bree's horse body allowed him to deliver messages all across Gielinor, and his intelligence made him a valuable counciler and bodyguard to Commander Zilyana. Wielding a solid bow, Bree boosted confidence and raised morale amongst the ranks of Saradomin.
 * Kree'arra - Kree'arra was one of the greatest Aviantese generals to ever walk the face of Gielinor. One of Armadyl's most favored generals, Kree'arra's ability to lead his troops into battle while remaining out of reach of the enemies below made him a force to be reckoned with. He was frozen during the fight for the God Sword.
 * Flockleader Geerin - One of Kree'arra's personal bodyguards. Powerful even for an Aviantese, Flockleader Geerin's skill with a spear made him a force to be reckoned with.
 * Flight Kilisa - An Aviantese known for his skill in hand-to-hand combat. His twin blades are said to have brought an end to thousands of Zamorakians. He also became a personal bodyguard of Kree'arra.
 * Wingman Skree - A strict follower of law, this Aviantese was a loyal bodyguard of Kree'ara. He is noted for his remarkable attack style, which involved firing magical projectiles from twin cannons mounted on his shoulders.
 * General Graardor - General Graardor was a beast who's giant-like race has long since died out. General Graardor was one of Bandos's most valued generals; and with good reason. Graardor was a leviathan more than twice the size of a man, and usually fought using only his colossal fists. He had three bodyguards at all times, although they were hardly needed. He was frozen during the fight for the God Sword.
 * Sergeant Strongstack - Sargeant Strongsack served Bandos for most of his life, and like most goblins of the time, was a force to be reckoned with. His skill with a flail quickly boosted him through the ranks of Bandos's hordes until he became a bodyguard of General Graardor himself.
 * Sergeant Steelwill - Wielding a flail of ancient design, Sargeant Steelwill was a loyal goblin bodyguard of General Graardor. His brutal leadership made him a valuable asset in battle.
 * Sergeant Grimspike - Sergaent Grimspike was banished from his tribe for his excessive brutality; a difficult feat to accomplish amongst goblins of the time. He soon found his way into Bandos's army, where he served as a loyal warrior and bodyguard. He was heavily battle-scarred, and lost one of his eyes during an unknown battle.
 * K'ril Tsutsaroth - K'ril Tsutsaroth was a Zamorakian demon of massive proportions. His deeds were so terrible and infamous that he was thought for a time to be only a legend; his might alone completely annihilated many of the remaining cities from the Second Age. Wielding two massive war axes and capable of corrupting his foes with an incredibly powerful poison, this demon was amongst the most powerful creatures to ever walk Gielinor. His hatred for Saradomin was terrifying; those that prayed for his aid while fighting him were met with almost certain death.
 * Balfrug Kreeyath, Destroyer of One Thousand Planes - A black demon of terrible power. Infamous for his strength and cruelty, Balfrug commanded fear and respect from all beneath him, including the Zamorakians which he fought alongside. He served as one of K'ril Tsutsaroth's bodyguards at one point.
 * Tstanon Karlak, Despoiler of Ullek - None now remember what glory Ullek once held, or even what it was. It may have been a grand city brimming with riches, one of the few that remained from the Second Age. However, Tstanon Karlak, a winged demon, put an end to this, earning himself the title "Despoiler of Ullek". However, his desicration of Ullek was not the most noteable action of this demon; his mouth was his most well-known feature. His mouth could stretch wide enough to swallow an imp whole, or to tear the head from a man with ease. His mouth, which performed more vile deeds then can be named, earned him great value amongst the Zamorakians, and he came to protect K'ril Tsutsaroth eventually.
 * Zakl'n Gritch, Scourge of the Light - A demonic bodyguard of K'ril Stutsaroth, Zakl'n Gritch was a force to be reckoned with. The Temple Knights spent many years attempting to slay this demon, referred to by many as "The Gritch". Each attempt ended in pitiful failure, and the few knights that managed to survive these attacks were driven to mindless insanity, uttering only two words for the rest of their lives. "Bloodshed" and "horror".
 * General Bonehelm - General Bonehelm was a goblin chieften of the Dorgeshuun tribe. He, along with the rest of his tribe, were banished by Bandos, imprisoned in a massive cave system beneath modern-day Lumbridge. He aided in the construction of Dorgesh-Kaan, which, at the time, was a very simple settlement. Like the tribes of goblins on the surface, the Dorgeshuun were ruled by a general. Soon after their imprisonment, many of the Dorgeshuun wanted to form a republic, and to be ruled by the then-unimportant Dorgeshuun Council. General Bonehelm, along with approximately half of the city's population, resisted this idea and departed into the city's mines. Using warriors mounted on giant frogs, he attacked the city, nearly conquering it. However, the mines in which his forces were massed collapsed from the violence, killing him and his army.
 * Torag the Corrupted - Torag was one of six brothers who led a Saradominist attack in the heart of Morytania. He was killed, along with the rest of his brothers near the Sanguinesti Region. He used twin warhammers in battle.
 * Ahrim the Blighted - Ahrim was one of six brothers who led a Saradominist attack in the heart of Morytania. He was killed, along with the rest of his brothers near the Sanguinesti Region. He used powerful magic in battle.
 * Dharok the Wretched - Dharok was one of six brothers who led a Saradominist attack in the heart of Morytania. He was killed, along with the rest of his brothers near the Sanguinesti Region. He used a mighty war-axe in battle.
 * Verac the Defiled - Verac was one of six brothers who led a Saradominst attack in the heart of Morytania. He was killed, along with the rest of his brothers near the Sanguinesti Region. He used a holy flail in battle.
 * Guthan the Infested - Guthan was one of six brothers who led a Saradominst attack in the heart of Morytania. He was killed, along with the rest of his brothers near the Sanguinesti Region. He used a spear in battle.
 * Karil the Tainted - Karil was one of six brothers who led a Saradominst attack in the heart of Morytania. He was killed, along with the rest of his brothers near the Sanguinesti Region. He used a crossbow of foreign design in battle.

The Role of the Races
Nearly every race of the time fought in the God Wars, and those that were fortunate enough to escape the fighting were forced to hide themselves, often beneath the surface of the world. Many races were completely destroyed during the God Wars, and have since been forgotten. Below is a list of known races that partook in the wars and their roles.


 * Humans - As they are today, humans were the most diverse race of the God Wars. Nearly every god had a human following, although some, such as Bandos, probably thought them too inferior to be considered worthy followers. During the God Wars, humans were not as dominant as they are today, and were often considered to be weaker then other races.
 * Dwarves - The dwarves' role in the God Wars was very brief. Shortly after the wars began, the dwarves realized that the battle could very well threaten their very existence, and fled beneath Trollweiss Mountain. Here they found a vast cavern, and using magic, constructed the grand dwarven utopia of Keldagrim. They quickly adapted to their new way of subterranean life, creating many new methods of mining and smithing.
 * Elves - Most of the elves of the Third Age lived in Tirannwn, a vast forest hidden from the rest of Gielinor by an impassible mountain range. However, a group of elves, led by King Baxtorian, had traveled far from Tirannwn, establishing a civilization east of the Gnome Stronghold. When the God Wars began, these elves were forced to retreat back in Tirannwn, where they found that their capital, Prifddinas, had been overthrown by Lord Iowerth.
 * Mahjarrat - The Mahjarrat are a strange species, taking many different forms and possessing many strange abilities. Their amazing strength made them useful soldiers to Zaros after he liberated them from the enslavement of Icthlarin. They were disloyal, though, and most of them joined Zamorak in his overthrow of Zaros. An intense hatred between Zarosian and Zamorakian mahjarrat developed, and most of the Zarosian mahjarrat were imprisoned or killed. The Mahjarrat were some of the most important soldiers during the God wars.
 * Demons - Demons are a deadly race that ally themselves mainly with Zamorak. Their strengths and abilities vary greatly, with some capable of casting deadly spells. The demons of the God Wars were generally more fierce even then those that exist today, and some were renowned for leveling entire cities or decimating entire armies.
 * Dragon Riders - Little knowledge remains of the Dragon Riders, and whether or not they were an entirely separate race remains unknown. They are said to have been mounted on colossal wyrms, and were mighty assets in an army.
 * Giants - The giants were followers of Bandos, and amongst his most barbaric followers. Unlike the rest of Bandos's followers, giants are not capable of speech, and are incapable of constructing but the simplest of weapons.
 * Ogres - Ogres were some of Bandos's most numerous followers. Their brute strength made them very effective soldiers. Worse even then simple ogres, though, were the Ogre Shamans. The ogres are believed to have conquered the Feldip Hills during these time with the aid of Bandos himself.
 * Sea Slugs - The sea slugs are a strange race, capable of controlling the minds of victims. By attaching to any part of the body, they can embed themselves in the flesh of their victims, unbeknownst to the host. After a short time, they gain complete control of their victims. Led by their queen, Mother Mallum, the sea slugs corrupted many areas of Gielinor, often without meeting any resistance whatsoever. Only when the Temple Knights managed to imprison their queen did they disappear, returning to a solitary existence beneath the sea.
 * Trolls - There is no record, strangely, of the trolls' involvement in the God Wars. It can be safely assumed, though, that they were followers of Bandos. The trolls today have no knowledge of this time, as they are too unintelligent to keep written records.
 * Vampyres - The vampires followed Zamorak in massive numbers, and became some of his most important followers. Their long lives, ability to fly, and amazing combat prowess created a feared name amongst the enemies of Zamorak. Many of them were led into Morytania, where they became Lord Drakan's close followers. They conquered the land, enslaving or killing its inhabitants.
 * Werewolves - Werewolves take the form of humans during the day, but when the moon is full, they become savage beasts. Capable of devouring a cow whole, these beasts share their bloodlust with their lord, Zamorak. During the God Wars, the werewolves were considerably more dangerous than even today; the evil magic which covered much of the world allowed them to become wolves at will, making them a threat to even the mightiest of warriors.
 * Aviantese - The Aviantese were devoted to Armadyl, and were Armadyl's personal favourites. When the bird- like race nearly became extinct, Armadyl left Gielinor thinking they were dead. Some were frozen in the God Wars Dungeon, where they remain today.
 * Orks - Orks were Bandos's most powerful warriors. Although smaller than a giant or cyclops, these creatures' slightly higher intelligence allowed them to wield weapons with greater skill, making them valuable assets to Bandos's army.
 * Cyclops - Cyclops are similar to men, but much larger. They are most famous for the single eye that sits in the centre of their forehead. Cyclops served Bandos loyally, although their lack of intelligence limited their use in some situations.
 * Undead - Those who perished during the God Wars rarely found a restful death. Many bound themselves to their masters, so that they would return as invisible spirits that fought as they did in life. More commonly, though, their bodies were revived against their owner's will. Necromancers, during the God Wars, were highly valued by less honourable gods, and were used to summon vast armies of undead to do their bidding. The undead usually lose their past intelligence, and are essentially just puppets animated by dark powers. Taking the form of ghosts, skeletons, and rotting zombies, these being struck fear into the hearts of all. Many of the dead animated during the Wars still walk the world today.
 * Fairies - Nothing is known of the fairies' role in the God Wars. It was during this time, however, that historians believe they discovered dragon metal, which had been brought into Gielinor from Freneskae by the Mahjarrat.
 * Gnomes - The gnomes, during the Second Age, had established a trade route with the elves which ran through Arandar. With the aid of the elves they made great leaps in technology and began to build a large settlement, which would lay the foundation for the Tree Gnome Stronghold. However, when it became apparent that the God Wars would destroy the gnome race, they fled beneath the ground in much the same way as the dwarves. Unlike the dwarves, however, the gnome returned to the surface at the beginning of the Fourth Age. It was at this time that they began to rebuild the Tree Gnome Stronghold, which had been destroyed during the Wars.
 * Centaurs - Centaurs are thought to have nearly been driven to extinction during the God Wars. They mostly served Saradomin, using their horse bodies to their advantage in combat. Capable of outrunning any human and excellent in combat with a bow, the centaurs were valuable assets in any battle.
 * Tzhaar - The Tzhaar are the only known race to remain entirely uninvolved in the God Wars. From the 1st to the 5th age, the Tzhaar remained deep underground beneath Karamja Volcano, and as a result, did not even know that the God Wars were raging on the surface.
 * Light Creatures - Legend tells of a race that was born during the very beginning of the world, when Guthix had only just finished shaping Gielinor. One such race had bodies as fragile as snowflakes, and yet they constructed civilizations that far surpassed any seen today. Their buildings were constructed of crystal-like material, and so beautiful were they that when the sun shone upon them the very light which passed through them came to life. When the God Wars began, these snow-like beings were destroyed, and only a handful of light creatures managed to escape their masters' end.
 * Goblins - The goblins that fought in the God Wars were far more dangerous than those that wander the surface of Gielinor today. They were similar in appearance, but much stronger and somewhat more intelligent. Bandos used the goblins' massive numbers to his advantage, using them to swarm his enemies. Although they had served Bandos for many years, some goblins became treacherous, and one tribe, known as the Dorgeshuun, fled his rule.
 * Icyene - Little is known of the Icyene. Some believe that they were similar to humans, but with large bird-like wings. During part of the God Wars, they ruled Morytania, and established a prosperous land known as Hallowvale. However, Lord Drakan had been promised Morytania by Zamorak, and Drakan soon conquered Hallowvale. Since then, nothing has been heard of the Icyene, although it is known that they forged the God Sword, and some believe that the Vyrewatch are actually corrupted descendents.
 * Hobgoblins - Hobgoblins fought for Bandos, and served much the same purpose as goblins. Their brute strength made them effective soldiers in war, although they were not as numerous as the goblins.
 * Monkeys - The monkeys are thought to have played little role in the God Wars. Some historians speculate that when the wars began, they were but simple monkeys as unintelligent as those that wander Karamja today. Perhaps because of Bandos's mass breeding of jogres they were forced to flee Karamja, and were caught in the southern currents and brought to Ape Atoll. Without the threats of tribesmen and jogres, the monkeys quickly gained intelligence and constructed Marim, and soon became followers (and soldiers) of Marimbo.
 * Penguins - The penguins that inhabit the frigid lands north of Rellekka are more intelligent than your average penguin, and likely became involved in the God Wars. It is also possible that they gained their sentience during the wars due to some magical accident.
 * Dragonkin - Despite having nearly driven to extinction by Robert the Strong in the First Age, some texts speak of the Dragonkin existing all the way into the Fourth Age. The Dragonkin's mastery of wyrms made them major threats to every race they came in contact with, and were it not for the costant intervention of the gods, it is possible that they could have been victorious in the God Wars.
 * Wood Dryads - The Wood Drayds role in the God Wars is unknown. Due to their peaceful nature, however, it is assumed that they hid themselves, and then found homes in forests at the end of the wars.
 * Skavids - The skavids are small race that, during the God Wars, inhabited the area that is now Gu'Tanoth and Jiggig. Their peaceful demeanor and timid nature made them easy opponents for the ogres to vanquish, and they were quickly enslaved by the ogres and made to do menial work in the newly established ogre capital. Since then, their numbers have been reduced to the point of near extinction.
 * Penance - The role of the penance in the Wars, if they can even be considered a race, is unknown. The barbarians speculate that they may have recently been created by the gods to make humanity attone for their sins, and sot they may not have even existed at the time.

Wild Creatures
Not even the wild fauna that roamed Gielinor could hope to escape the terrors of the God Wars. Many beasts were enslaved as riding animals, beasts of burden, or sometimes even soldiers, although some willingly went to the aid of a god. Many creatures were driven to extinction during the wars. Below is a list of creatures who's roles in the wars are definitive, along with their purpose.


 * Wyverns - For some time the wyverns inhabited Asgarnia, which was much colder during the early years of the God Wars than it is today. They were used by some races as riding animals, but they were soon driven to extinction by massive climate shifts.
 * Bloodvelds - Bloodvelds fought for Zamorak, using their long tounge to drain the life from their foes. It is possible that they were used as pack mules as well, although there is no evidence to support this.
 * Goraks - The God Wars stretched beyond even Gielinor; many other worlds and planes suffered as a result. One of the more noteable realms that the God Wars threatened is that of the goraks, a dangerous black creature known for its brute strength. Many goraks were dragged into Gielinor, where they willingly fought for Zamorak. Their unholy nature and skill in combat made them some of the most dangerous combatants in any battle.
 * Unicorns - Not even unicorns, some of the most sacred of animals, could escape the threat of Zamorak and other such gods. The unicorns rode to the side of Saradomin, where they served as soldiers. It is unlikely that they were ever used as beasts of burden or as riding animals due to their holy nature, although some were tainted and became black unicorns.
 * Dragons (Wyrms) - The dragons that exist today pale in comparison to the collosal wyrms of the God Wars. These beasts were far larger than even the King Black Dragon, and would set the very skies alight with the terrible fire they produced from their mouths. The Dragon Riders, an elite group of loyal Zamorakians, managed to tame these creatures and use them in battle.
 * Giant Frogs - Giant frogs are noted for their use by General Bonehelm, the leader of the Dorgeshuun tribal faction. After his retreat from Dorgesh-Kaan, General Bonehelm captured a large number of giant frogs in the surrounding caves, which he used as cavalry mounts during his attack on the city.
 * Hellhounds - Hellounds were used by Zamorak as soldiers in battle. After much training, these creatures would willingly attack only enemies in battle. Often, as Zamorak's hordes approached, the baying of these demonic hounds could be heard, striking fear into the hearts of opponents.
 * Icefiends, Waterfiends, and Pyrefiends - Zamorakian mages were known for their ability to morph the elements themselves into soliders that would serve them loyally. These creatures, dubbed "fiends", were not particularly strong, but could be created in great numbers.
 * Imps - Imps, a small type of demon, were used by Zamorak. They possessed very limited intelligence, leading some to define them as a race rather than a creature. In any case, imps often numbered in the thousands during battle, using their numbers to suffocate and bludgeon their enemies. Although merely an annoyance individually, imps were a serious threat during the God Wars.

Impact on Gielinor Today
The God Wars continue to have an impact on Gielinor today. Many of the lands that were siezed by certain races in the God Wars are still under their rule today. Many areas, such as the Feldip Hills and Morytania continue to be effected by their roles in the Wars. The wilderness, in particular, has remained virtually unchanged since it was destroyed during the wars.



The God wars also serve as a historical reminder to the rulers of the modern age. Since the Edicts of Guthix were put in place, there have continued to be countless battles; indeed, the Fourth Age was a time of great violence between the world's races. The only thing that has prevented these from escalating into all-out wars are the Edicts, which prevent large-scale attacks between different races and religious factions. Rulers must be careful to abide by these. For instance, King Roald is currently faced with a difficult situation; the werewolves of Morytania have begun to kidnap travelers near the Paterdomus to appease the blood tythes of the vampyres. However, the king can not launch a full-scale assault, as doing so could result in another God War and the destruction of the world. The God Wars could be seen as RuneScape's equivalent of nuclear war in the real world.

Excavations are also being performed in the search for relics from these ancient times. This is a difficult task, however; the God Wars occurred over 4,000 years ago, so nearly all of the artifacts from this time have been destroyed. Furthermore, there were few permanent structures during the time, leaving us with little understanding of the architecture, literature, or any other cultural aspects of the age. Fortunately, there is a considerable amount of armor that has survived within the earth, and in some areas pottery and other such things can be found. The largest excavation currently underway is being performed by the Varrock Museum at the Digsite east of Varrock, which was once the Zarosian capital of Senntisten (and later Saranthium). Other, smaller digs are also underway, such as the one performed by the Dorgeshuun. Recently, they discovered a large amount of artifacts from the Dorgeshuun civil war while they were helping the dwarves to build the Dorgesh-Kaan - Keldagrim Train System.