980(? i don't know exactly, a long time ago) years ago in the past from the books (what you're referencing in your comment):
spoiler
this guy lews therin was hella powerful with the male magic. him and a bunch other fought the devil and sealed the devil away. the devil, as a last gesture before being sealed away, tainted the male power so anyone who wielded it would go mad.
all the male magic users went absolutely crazy, killed everyone, moved mountains, oceans, etc. literally "broke the world"
the books are generally about the present day and lews therin being "reborn" (debately if true or not) and fighting the devil once and for all
980(? i don't know exactly, a long time ago) years ago in the past from the books (what you're referencing in your comment):
spoiler
this guy lews therin was hella powerful with the male magic. him and a bunch other fought the devil and sealed the devil away. the devil, as a last gesture before being sealed away, tainted the male power so anyone who wielded it would go mad.
all the male magic users went absolutely crazy, killed everyone, moved mountains, oceans, etc. literally "broke the world"
the books are generally about the present day and lews therin being "reborn" (debately if true or not) and fighting the devil once and for all