For several years following the death of the Old Gods, the continent found itself in a very confusing state. In the aftermath, no one was really sure what was going to happen, or how the Gods deaths fixed any of the problems the War in Heaven had distracted from.
For a period, it was relatively peaceful. From 1-19 A.F., there was still a sort of innocence and belief that the Old Gods might even return. If not the Old Gods, then surely the individuals that had disappeared would return. There had to be a silver lining to their actions, something that would justify what nearly everyone had cheered on, carried out, and died for.
However, outside of some minor benefits, such as opening up the forests of Jailur or the ports at Leviathan's Wake, life quietly settled down. Between 19-37 A.F. there were some attempts to reignite long dead conflicts, such as the redivision of Clairus, but it was to no avail. Unlike the Apocalypse's Edge, it was much harder for warlords to drum up support for a cause. There was more than enough for everybody, since so many had perished during the War in Heaven.
For the remainder of the era, there was a general sense of nihilism among the population. They knew that, within their lifetimes, it was unlikely they would ever put back together the pieces of what they had lost. While society did function, and war had essentially ceased, crime reached an all time high. Most kingdoms were fractured and uncaring even at the highest levels, and were more or less indifferent to this as well.
In such times, many looked to religion. With no clear deity in sight, however, they had to get creative. While a cult of personality or two would pop up, such as the Tide's Children, there were two main types of religion that would take center stage. The first was nothing new to Tellia, and consisted of religions from off-continent. The second was what came to be known as "Returnists". Returnists believed that the individuals who had slain the Old Gods would return one day, and would rule over and save the continent.
Returnists were the biggest religious group during this time, but their beliefs were by no means uniform. Some believed only one or two of these individuals would return, while others believed they all would. Some of these individuals might be demonized, while another would be propped up as incapable of doing wrong.
Fierce debates and even physical conflicts would break out between these groups and local governments believing the Returnists to be delusional. These debates would all but cease in 106 A.F., however. In the middle of the ruins of Old Jailur, a man would be spotted sitting somewhat absentmindedly. When another visitor would come up to inquire about what he was thinking about, he would simply respond "What I am to do here.". Before the visitor could reply, he would leap to his feet at an impossible speed and catch a bird passing nearby mid-flight. This stunned the onlookers, who began to inquire how he had done this. In response, he would cast a stone perhaps twice his size into a piece of ruins, shattering the building. He would reply "I am Utierres. There is seldom I cannot do.", and walk off into the forest.
Word spread soon of this mysterious man, speculated to be responsible for the death of The Rot. Returnists would rejoice, though their theories were not outright confirmed yet. In 106, A.F., however, a far more explicit incident would occur that would mark the end of the Years of Shame, bringing on the Restoration.