In the year 456 of the Doom Calendar, Emperor Rasnet of Valtheron ordered the burning of the Evil Forest, a decision that divided his imperial cabinet. The forest, infamous for its dangers and perceived economic value, was set aflame during the summer. While the outer regions burned with little resistance, the flames failed to penetrate the inner sanctum of the forest.
This was only the beginning of a cascade of disasters. Toxic smoke from the burning flora condensed into acid rain, devastating crops and triggering a food shortage. Monsters from the forest's edges, displaced by the inferno, swarmed into nearby human settlements. The immense death and destruction summoned the ancient dark spirit Rashi Ignath, whose rampage cost thousands of lives before it was subdued.