As Aresir finished the task of forging the world, binding the last of the raw energy of the all-Father and all-Mother through the Shieldstone, Alsander drew close to observe. While he watched Aresir struggle with the energy-absorbing stone, and as time flowed by, he realized that before him was a golden opportunity. Aresir was thoroughly absorbed in the task at hand, while his other siblings were focused on the millions of funny little creatures that they had created within the world. He realized that there may never be another time when he had such freedom.

He slipped by his brother and broke off a sliver of the Shieldstone, and with no clear destination in mind, fled into the world with his prize. For many years, he leapt from place to place, using the sliver of Shieldstone to dissolve bits of creation into the raw energy that formed it. Eventually, his interest in using the Shieldstone to cause mischief during his travels was sated.

He slipped the Shieldstone into his pocket and forgot about it while he pursued some new form of entertainment. Unfortunately, he also forgot that the clothing of the gods is made of the same substance as the gods themselves - merely another facet of the creation energy.

Alsander lost awareness for a time, and he drifted loosely through the planes, awaking some time later in quite a predicament. He was surrounded by his siblings, and knew instantly that they were furious with him. Even the innocent, compassionate Alaria was wroth with him and his escapades. He tried to present his standard defenses -- "I wasn't there, I couldn't have done it, nobody saw anything" -- but was alarmed and a bit frightened to find himself too weak for speech of any sort.

As his family stared down at him, he had a horrible realization. The Shieldstone had been gradually siphoning off his own life-energy sunk in, and worse still, that it also drew upon the primal link between him and his siblings, draining their energies as well. He considered this, and finally found the energy to chuckle at the situation. "It seems we're in a bit of a spot now, aren't we?"

The gods argued amongst themselves for a solution to the problem. Aresir's eyes blazed, and he drew back his arm. His fist burned with incandescent flame, but subsided when Chalessra placed a hand upon his shoulder. "Done is done, brother. Now is the time to fix this -- before we lack the strength to do so." Azlah stepped forward, demanding that Alsander return to him the stolen piece of Shieldstone. Alsander groped feebly in his pocket, only to learn that the stone had merged into his own substance. When he failed to produce the stone, Erian stepped forward, his expression grim. "There is only one solution."

The death of a god is a harsh punishment, suitable only for the most extreme circumstances, but in order to save themselves it was considered. Llilanthra averted her gaze, unwilling to witness what had to be done. Kormarin stepped forward from the ethereal shadows, his fangs dripping with venom, and an avid expression in his coal-black reflection-less eyes. Alsander quailed, sure that this was his end. To his surprise, his brother Falkrin restrained the the other god. The shifting chaotic form turned to face Erian. "Because of the connection we share, the Shieldstone is a part of us all. Destroying this one is something we can do later -- but it will not end the immediate threat to us. We must depart this plane."

Though Falkrin is often considered the enemy of all creation, gods included, his words held wisdom that could not be denied. Erian took a step back -- for even among gods, few can face the unsettling gaze of Falkrin for very long -- and nodded. "He speaks truly. The Shieldstone has already been bound to this plane, and can only harm us if we remain here. The longer we stay, the weaker we shall become. Eventually, we will cease to exist." Zhasz also agreed, his stentorian voice rolling through the mountains. "Such is the law that binds the Shieldstone, and therefore us."

There was concerns about leaving their creation to its own devices. Aresir looked between his brethren, finding voice for his frustration. "Then how are we to maintain the order we have created here?" Behind him, Falkrin murmured, "Speak for yourself, brother." Chalessra hastily intervened before this could escalate into another argument. "We must trust those who follow us. We have breathed life into all manner of creatures; and some have found life on their own, without our aid. It is upon them we must rely now." Fallerin, dressed all in brown, stepped forward and spoke in a voice scarce more than a whisper. "More than thou dost know, sister mine. Our life force is also tied to this place -- after all, it is the substance of which we are made. Once we have departed, we will be cut off from it." At this, Alaria stepped forward to the sound of jingling bells. Clad in a swirling blue dress that trailed off into clouds, she alone smiled at the others. "And is this such a bad thing?" she asked. "To let our creations decide for themselves what path they should be following? To leave them to tend the fruit of our creations?" Visthuiel nodded. Shailethra smiled, "Yes, this will turn out to be quite the little game after all."

The twelve gods were rapidly weakening, and though all did not agree to this plan, it was the only one they had. Without another word, they stepped out of the physical world in a jarring flash of color and sound. They have not returned since.