A way to end the war with chalced [posible spoilers]

[Farseer]

I highly doubt a single large earthquake could have wiped out the entire species. Perhaps there was some force that subverted the balance that started a domino effect that ultimately destroyed them?

I agree that there was more than just the earthquake/volcano involved, and that a domino effect occured...something magical, something to do with giants and maybe even trapped sorcerers beneath the earth or in a cave (still thinking on this and so not quite ready to fully disclose or back up my sketchy theory!).

I also love your idea that it was the 'balance' that was first subverted, triggering the realm's downfall, and it is therefore the balance that requires restoration (which is exactly what Fool is doing, piece by piece).

I'd also like to bring up Fermi's paradox,

Love it ! We could use it as a basis for more talks in the Voyages of discovery thread as well!

where it is proposed that as a civilization grows in power, it will ultimately reach a point where it will destroy itself. If this is the case for the RotE, then the Fool's mission to bring humanity's wagon out of its rutted track is much more profound. The small changes that contribute to restoring balance, such as those you've described, would also be very important to avoid self-destruction.

Wow, yes!!! I'm going to have to think on this some more before responding further.