“The myth describes how the lands were barren before Xotol summoned the waters of the World Spring. With water grew life. The frogs, the tortoises, and so on. Chikul saw his brother’s beautiful creations and grew bitter and angry. Flying down and seizing the water for himself, Chikul left Xotol and the Groundlings out to dry. Chikul then used the waters for himself, trying to recreate his brother’s masterpieces - but his heart was sour and his concoction turned foul…from it emerged the birds and the snakes. Cursed without hands of their own, they now prey upon the Groundlings in order to survive. Ever since, Groundlings have fought an ongoing battle against the flyers and the belly-crawlers. Similarly, Xotol and Chikul are locked in an endless embrace - grappling over water. In the fourth age, for example, Xotol had Chikul pinned and the water flowed abundant. Ours is the age of Chikul - and his stranglehold is constricting.”

— Padhopper