The Binding

The Binding can refer either to the event or to the symbol.

The Symbol
The symbol more commonly referred to as The Wheel is, in some cultures, referred to instead as The Binding. This is in reference to the belief that the gods had bound mankind to servitude and misery.

The Event
The binding is the single largest-scale event ever orchestrated in Tathurell. It spanned two continents, numerous kingdoms, and millions of people. The event focused around the binding of all the gods of Tathurell but also included the ensuing battles between mankind and the demons and angels left behind.

The Search for a Solution
The people of Tathurell knew of no way to defeat the gods whose power was far beyond even the combined power of Tathurell's greatest heroes. As such, they sent scouts into other worlds, hoping that somewhere they might find a way to overcome their oppression. Though there were numerous attempts to find a way to overcome the gods, including notable endeavors in Raena and Deszum, the most successful of these endeavors was a group of patriots known as The Wayfarers of Zarcadia. Zarcadia sent sixteen volunteers into the infinite staircase in search of a solution. They were to search the unknown worlds until they found something that might help. Only six ever returned. Of those who returned, it was Hammud, The Wayfarer who brought back the solution that Zarcadia settled upon - a benevolent god whose power was beyond those present in Tathurell.

The choice to invite Grandfather Tree to Tathurell was not unanimously supported. Many felt that they had no reason to believe Grandfather Tree would be any better than the gods they already knew. Among those who did not want to depend on yet another God, the favored alternative was brought back by Jalla, The Wayfarer. She had found a magical artifact capable putting the surroundings into stasis, freezing them in time. The idea was to freeze the gods in time, allowing the rest of Tathurell to move on unaffected.