In 1264, the Great Wizard Council announced the arrival of the Ragnarok, a giant meteor sent to destroy the world. Halethiel, one of the members of the Council, announced also that the Rok's appearance heralded the destruction of Ao, and the return of The Apprentice. Never having heard of The Apprentice, most people scoffed at his words. However, a select few listened. Leaving the Great Wizard Council, Halethiel and his new cult of followers then disappeared from the Realms. Shortly after, the Great Council also vanished.
In 1267 strange fliers began to appear in Westbridge and the surrounding area. These fliers made the bold claim of knowing the Rok's origins, and how it could be stopped forever. Public forums were held, where a man named Ethkin spoke of The Apprentice and some sort of Rebirth. Still, few listened. For those few, however, secret meetings were held, and those whom were found worthy were inducted into the Order of Jihad.
In 1268 the Hemelia Virus was born. It was then, with the death of Halethiel by the virus, that the group resurfaced publicly. With what many still call madness sprouting from their mouths, the Jihad was born anew. Even with his dying breath, Halethiel called Hemelia a blessing, claiming its divine origin to be Ragnarok.
With the arrival of 1269, Ethkin himself has disappeared into his research, leaving his proteges Grobnak, Wermidon, Razkal, and Simmer to carry on the tradition. The Jihad worked with Sephiroth towards the arrival of the Rok. Salvation could only be achieved through Judgement, and only the Faithful were said to survive.
