This was by far the darkest age in Eldar's history. Also know as the Age of Shadow, it was during this era that the longest and darkest war was fought: The Shadow War. Aelvac, the Dragon God of Shadow, and his horde of monsters, began their conquest of Eldar. His army of Forsaken appeared so suddenly, the races of Eldar barely had time to prepare or counterattack. Even the five remaining Dragon Gods did not know how to stop Aelvac's assault.

 

There were many historical battles fought in the Shadow War. At first, it began as any war, small battles between Forsaken intending to capture the kingdoms, with each race fending for themselves. These battles lasted for nearly two centuries.

 

During this time, the Battle of the Dragon Gods took place in the year 2346 A. B.. In an attempt to defeat the source of the dark magic threatening the land, the Dragon Gods entered the fray and attacked Aelvac head on. It was a battle of titans, with five Dragon Gods attempting to overpower one. The sheer amount of God-like magic power caused an irrevocable change: Exithia, the ancient realm in which the Dragon Gods dwelled, was torn in half, separated into two different realms: Ethilas, a realm in which holy light gathered, and it's parallel world, Exitus, where only darkness ruled. The battle continued. However, Aelvac had grown far too powerful; he had fed off Eldar's pain and suffering since it's creation, making him the strongest Dragon God of them all. Even Lumor, the Dragon God of Light, barely stood a chance against him. In the end, Lumor and his brethren failed, and fled to regroup. Meanwhile, Aelvac and his army continued their onslaught, destroying everything in their wake. 

 

Incapable of defeating Aelvac and his dark army, the Dragon Gods decide to call upon their most powerful secret. Known as the "Spells of Awakening", these lost arts would awaken the true nature of the Eldarian races and bestow upon them a final gift: Magic. Considered the birth of Magic, only those with pure hearts were given this power. As diverse as the races themselves, Magic branched out, and each race was gifted with their own unique magic. Utilizing this gift, the races managed to hold their own against the Forsaken hordes for another century. But over time, those who could perform magic dwindled until very few remained. This is when the greatest legend in Eldar was born.

 

A fellowship of warriors, each gifted with the power of magic and each from a different race, banded together and sought out the Dragon Gods, who at this point, had gone into hiding. It is said that, when the warriors found them, they were given even greater gifts: medallions containing the very spirits and essence of the Dragon Gods themselves. Known as the Dragon God Medallions, the warriors were transformed into powerful champions blessed with near godly magical power. In the year 2673 A. B., the races of Eldar finally banded together as one, great force. The united armies led a frontal assault on Aelvac, led by the legendary warriors.

 

In an epic final battle, the races dominated and chased away the Forsaken hordes, sending them to a realm called Inferno (this was the realm Aelvac had created for the Forsaken). The legendary warriors met Aelvac in battle. Aelvac proved himself far too strong to be destroyed, so the legendary warriors came up with a solution. They used the power bestowed upon them by the other Dragon Gods to drive Aelvac into Exitus. They then sealed the gateway into the realm, called the End Gate, with twelve orbs known as the Dragon's Eyes. Aelvac vowed he would one day return to finish what he started: he would have his revenge and lay waste to the lands of Eldar, and he would recreate it in his own image. This event is the greatest in Eldar's history. A part of "The Legend of the Eldar Warriors", it became known as "The Great Sealing". 

 

The Shadow War ended in the spring of the year 2789 A. B., with casualties beyond count. The pain and suffering the people of Eldar had endured was finally over, but the races were no longer the same. Very few of each race remained. To ensure such devastation would never again threaten Eldar, the races combined their efforts and began to rebuild their broken and shattered world. 

 

To watch over Aelvac and his new prison, the Kingdoms of Eldar formed the Eldar Council, a meeting of the royal families that would occur once every 25 years. The Legendary Heroes (as they are now known) were written into Eldar's history. They would eventually fade into myth and legend, never to be seen again. It is said they returned to the humble origins from whence they appeared.

 

As for the remaining Dragon Gods, their powers had been completely drained. And so they decided to leave the races of Eldar to their own fates, never to return. They are said to be watching over the people of Eldar, even to this day, resting in their now broken realm, Ethilas.