In Malazan that is what happened. Less experiment and more magic that be there let loose some powerful shit, and it sort of stunted their growth, as though it were frozen. So they used older magics. 

As far as your character, he can have an idea of where they were/are. Stories and whatnot, but no one has actually see them in ages. They don't deal with people well, and are meant to be extreme isolationists. Most of the War Council is gonna consider this a fool mission, chasing literal ghosts and a waste of time and effort. 

I'll have a sheet here in a few. It doesn't differ from past sheets at all. However, if we've RP'd together before you obviously don't need a post sample. I know your shit. If I haven't, then linking something will be fine. 
[@ELGainsborough]