The Mantle was the original metaphysical barrier that protected Runera from the [[Magic|Chaos]] of the Beyond and all other worlds. It was first forged by [[Alor]] during the Making of the World and stood strong for untold millennia until it was shattered by Balcorion with his blade Godsbane. While the resilience and strength of the Mantle firmly protected Runera from the mysterious forces of the Beyond and other worlds, it was this same rigidity that prevented the [[gods]] from walking upon the earth and exacting the full might of their divine power. This was considered a necessary sacrifice: the [[gods]]' influence over Runera would be severely limited, and in return the world would be protected from the ruinous powers of other realms. However, the Mantle was also unable to completely stem the tide of the [[Maloth|Nightfather]]'s influence, who used his Black Hand to sow darkness throughout the world. When Balcorion shattered the Mantle, it was again [[Alor]] who protected the world by replacing it with the [[Veil]]; a far more imperfect barrier that unfortunately prevented the [[gods]] from enacting any direct influence over the world and allowed for some of the Beyond's [[Magic|Chaos]] to trickle into Runera.