The Sundering

Though this deterred trade for many years, the two continents were able to maintain some trade through magical portals that had opened up between the two regions. This all changed drastically within the first 150 years after the sundering. Two events were primarily responsible for the disappearance of these portals, but a many historians argue for a third event that played an indirect influence.

Rise of The Cult of Leviathan
     Main Article: The Cult of Leviathan 



The most significant influence was the emergence of the Cult of the Leviathan on the Eastern Continent. The cult systematically killed many of the conjuration wizards in the east (a school of magic that had gained from infamy with the eruption of mount Thandur) and destroyed many of the largest and most used portals in Egron and the lands in the west (?). This cult was hunted down and mostly destroyed, but every now and then rumors surface suggesting that the cult has returned.

The Great War
     Main Article: The Great War



Second was the great war in the West, which gave birth to Brelyria, the Wildlands of Clan Bruenor, and others. When trade with the east stopped, power dynamics shifted, favoring countries with the ability to trade via magic portal. This was further complicated with the destruction of several portals in the east, shifting the power away from some countries. The subsequent struggle for power left the remaining portals in ruin, sealing the east and west away from each other for nearly 1,000 years.

Disapearance of the Grand Library
Main Article: The Grand Library of Avalon 



None of these events would have caused so much turmoil if not for the disappearance of the Grand Library of Avalon, which housed many tomes of ancient magic. This event, coupled with the assassination of many wizards at the hand of the Cult of Leviathan led to a relative dark age of Magic on the eastern continent, as Avalonian mages were regarded as the best in the east--if not the entire world.