Geddon's Cataclysm

At a Glance
Geddon's Cataclysm was a diaster that struck The Black Sea 20,000 years before the Age of Adventure. Caused by the Mad-King Geddon, the cataclysm was the result of the destruction of an astral wand known as the "Spellplague", a relic of incredible power. The result of Geddon's Cataclysm had an enormous effect on the mortal realm.

Effects

 * The structure of magic in The Black Sea was thrown out of balance. As a result, many spells in the area would fail or produce unreliable results.
 * Series of Genasi colonies around the epicenter were annihilated.
 * Ruptured the shoreline of The Shattered Coast, sending long-winding crevasses through it. Similarily, The Winding canyon in The Land Across the Sea was filled with water.
 * Waves of astral fire surged out across the mortal plane, broken only by mountains and large land-masses. A such, many forests were lit aflame.
 * Hextor was openly blamed by the different religions of the world, and as such his congregation fell into disarray and dwindled.
 * Seeking to capatalize on the destruction, political upheaval and warbands became common in the tribes across the plane.
 * Coups and uprising emerged amongst the early Fey-tribes in retaliation to their leader's inaction that led to the cataclysm. This open disobedience of authority would breed a distrust between the early Elven, Drow, Eladrin, and Shadar-Kai clans which would further complicate Fey relationships until the Separation of the Elves 11,000 years later.
 * The deities of Ioun and Melora took great offence to the resulting destruction of the natural world. In response, Melora began a more martial restoration of nature while Ioun disappeared into exile, struck with grief.
 * The mountain of Drak'ham in The Land Across the Sea was reduced to an island.
 * Blaming each-other for botching the assasination, the Razorclaw and Longtooth Shifters separated -- creating the prophecy that would foretell their reunion.