The First Source War

Lore & Background

The war concluded not with victory, but with a desperate compromise. To prevent total annihilation, the Source was sealed away from direct access, stripping the Gods of their immediate influence and forcing them into the heavens or beyond. This act birthed the Soul Eaters, entities tasked with ensuring no mortal would ever again challenge the divine order by consuming souls to gain godlike power. The silence that followed defined the current age.

In Their Own Story

The sky burned violet as Lethian raised his blade against the horizon. Below him, mortals clad in stolen armor stood defiant, their eyes glowing with raw Source energy they were forbidden to hold. The ground cracked under the weight of divine wrath, yet no one fell. One mortal stepped forward, voice trembling but clear. 'We do not ask for your mercy,' she said. 'We claim our right.' The silence that followed was heavier than any scream.

Reader's Guide

Understanding this ancient conflict is crucial to grasping the stakes in both Divinity Original Sin games. While players cannot directly participate in history, the First Source War sets the rules: mortals are forbidden from becoming Gods without consequence. The narrative flow shows that the Soul Eaters exist specifically because of this war's outcome. When characters seek to control the Source or ascend to godhood during gameplay, they risk awakening these ancient watchers. Choices made regarding the Source in DOS1 and DOS2 echo the decisions made millennia ago. Critical choices involve whether to repeat history by dominating the Source or break the cycle by sharing power. If you choose to become a God, you walk the path of the ancient combatants. If you destroy the Soul Eaters or seal the Source differently, you alter the legacy of this war. The consequences determine if mortals remain subservient or finally achieve true independence from divine oversight.

Did You Know?

• The Soul Eaters were created as a direct consequence to prevent another First Source War.
• Ancient Gods could manipulate souls directly, a power now restricted by the sealing of the Source.
• Lethian's death is often linked to the final days of this ancient conflict.
• Mortals gaining full control over magic was only possible after the Gods were removed.