Modern history is categorized by ‘The Cabal’ as the period of time from the beginning of the current Season/ ending of the last season to the present day. In the case of current modern history of Aegis, our time table occurs in Age of Air, during the Season of Metal. The current year of the Common Reckoning (CR) is 7643 of the Age of Air / 1595 of the Season of Metal, well into the Renaissance.
Each Season is approximately 2,000 years in length, with a significant marking of the ending/beginning of the seasons. Usually it is an astrological sign, but one that is often quite pronounced in the style of the upcoming season. The current Season of Metal was defined by the presence of The Wanderer, which has been noted by various scribes, scholars and wizards to be a messenger of four of the past five changes of seasons, and the signing of “The Eldritch Pact” between the Elven Empire and the Fledgling Human city-states. These two events dictated the change of season and the enumeration of the current calendar to year 2023/1 of the boundary of the Earth/Metal Seasons.
Year 6048, of the Age of Air:
(Year 2023, Season of Earth) & (Year 1, Season of Metal):
The ending of the Season of Earth and the beginning of the Season of Metal came after the falling of the Seven Citadels of the Noble Wars. To delve jut slightly more into this event…
The Noble’s Wars were a series of minor battles and skirmishes that escalated into a full scale war between the Elven Empire and the Seven Kingdoms/City-States of the human realms of Athania. The human realms were experiencing increasing difficulty from their northern neighbors, the Elven Empire, in both economic and political arenas. The Empire was putting extreme pressure on the human kingdoms regarding space-land acquisition & usage, both from an economic and political vantage point. The human realms were being faced with trade sanctions of goods and services from the Empire thereby affecting their growth, power and influence.
The Nobles of the Human Realms were secretly crossing the boundaries of the Empire in order to increase their wealth and power, by taking resources from the Empire. This in turn created power skirmishes on each side of the political boundaries. The skirmishes turned into minor battles then to full fledged war. The Nobles Wars were short lived due to the power and might of the Empire. The Human Realms were shattered with the fall of the Seven Citadels. The Empire created the Eldritch Pact, a document signed by the High Nobles of the Empire and the Kings of the Seven Realms of the Humans, under the light of The Wanderer.
The Eldritch Pact surmised that the Humans would not be allowed to enter the Elven Realms unless formally invited and escorted by the Elves. Material resources of the Empire would be considered fair trade to all human realms without fear of sanctions but still under the laws of The Supply & Demand Act of 2178. This pact was signed under the light of the wanderer in the Eldritch city of Draanis-Ryn, thereby enacting the change of seasons to year 1 of the Season of Metal.
Years 1 – 527 (6048 — 6575): The Dark Years
The first years after the Nobles War were difficult during the rebuilding of the Seven Kingdoms. The baronies feuded with each other for diminished resources, and a dark age sank in for 500 years
Years 527 — 1250 (6575 — 7298)
The Baron Kingdoms of western Athania begin to merge and form small states and countries. The Great Dale is first to emerge with the powerful Knighthood of the Dragon Watch.
Years 1250 – 1350 (7298 — 7398): The Northern Un-Human Wars
In the year 1250, the notable Elven Tracker Greyflax Silversheaf found several unusual bipedal tracks in the far northern reaches of the Nazkill Mountains. Tracks of this nature had not been seen in the northlands for almost an age. Only the eldest of the sages could identify the unknown tracks; those of Orcs and Goblinoids. Theses Dark Races hadn’t been in this part of the world for several Seasons, so the questions arose of their origin, and destination. During the following years more tracks were found, and a few of the vile creatures were destroyed.
By the year 1275, Orcs and Goblins became a household name. Their numbers were increasing by the year. Two Dwarven clans were starting to be displaced from their ancient homesteads by the overwhelming numbers of these Dark Races. The Elven Woods were becoming darker with each passing year, while the human Kingdoms were being encroached upon.
In 1276 by royal decree of the king of The Great Dale war was declared upon the forces of Darkness in the Northern Un-Human Wars (N.U.W.). The wars raged on for more than 25 years. The forces of the Dark Races seemingly grew with each passing year. The Elven woods became a haven for these vile creatures. The human lands were being overran with battle, bodies, refuges and the walking dead.
The human were being pushed back further and further, trade almost stood still, the lands were covered by a second dark age. The war was all but lost when a small sect of an ancient long lost priesthood offered an alliance with The Knights of the Dragon Watch. With their powers of divination they could see battles, the future and how to win the war. The Knights took their offer and begun the counterstrike against the forces of evil.
The Knights of the Dragon Watch eventually drove back the hoard of the Un-Humans from the forests and fields to the mountains and moors from whence they came. After the war was won, a hush of peace fell upon the land. This peace was soon overshadowed by the powerful new war machine under the new command of the knights. The Knights established a new monarchy in Harbor-Dale, a ‘supposed lineage of warriors descended from a line of prophets of Sayris. This new lineage broke from their previous line of kings and their previous kingdom: The Kingdom of the Dragon was under the divine rule of the Sayrisians.
Years 1350 — 1450 (7398 —7498): The Occupation Years
The new kingdom promoted the knights as pro-active defenders of the free peoples of the land. They took this new found power and popularity into the heartlands, subtly and sometimes not-so-subtly they took control of villages, towns, cities and even fledgling nation-states. Their guise was often at times not fully realized by their subjects, yet many could see through their veneer of protection and counsel. As the Knights grew in power, so did the church of Sayris.
The Knights took over much of the lands west of The Black Mountains and even lands as far south as Parsimony. The Kingdom of the Dragon became the most powerful nation to be seen on this land for nearly four thousands of years, rivaling only the Great Kingdom. The Knights created laws of oppression to all that lived under their militaristic theocracy. The peoples of the lands, while safe from outside attack, were now terrified by their “protectors”. Many of the other nations of the land feared the power of their new neighbor. This turned neighbors into allies against their common foe.
During the rule of the Knights, they took oppression back to its roots, imprisonment and slavery. One place in particular, The small City of DragonHold, the Knights enslaved a clan of Dwarves to mine a rare metal known as DragonSteel. It was here that the rebellion was born. It was here that the alliances were made, between the Elves and the Dwarves.
While alliances were being forged a secret plan was being enacted. While the Knights of the Dragon Watch were on their tyrannical tirade upon the lands of Parsimony, a young noble, Lord Nastri Bastryne, and his Charge, Lady Sari of Lazarus, were thrown 50 years forward in time, to the year 1400. They were transported deep within the Elven lands to a young and powerful free city known as Nathar-Ryn. Nastri and Sari found themselves in a world that had been changed from the one that they knew. Parsimony had been taken over by the knights, and more importantly the church of Lazarus was all but wiped out and replaced with the church of Sayris, in only 50 years.
The grand law council of Nathar-Ryn soon realized that Nastri was their ticket to establishing Nathar-Ryn as a Nation-State, and to help rid the lands of the Knights of the Dragon Watch. The council offered Nastri a position of leadership of Thyrin’s-Tor, an ancient citadel overrun with evil from the Black Age. Nastri was sent to clean out the citadel and claim it for the Elven Nation. Nastri cleaned out the citadel, claimed it for the nation and was put in charge of establishing Thyrin’s-Tor as a new and upcoming city. For his service to the Elven Nation Nastri was “granted” use of the city as a military training ground for an invasion force against the Knights. He re-built the city of Thyrin’s-Tor and trained his forces for five long and hard years, so that he would be able to retake his lands. He made alliances both open and in secret with other peoples and city-states. They combined their efforts to combat the knights, for when the spark struck it would quickly turn to flame; a cleansing flame across the land
Years 1450 — 1452 (7498 —7500): The Two — Years War
After five years of planning all the forces were ready to retake the lands that were stolen from them. The combined might of the Elves, Dwarves and free Humans were too powerful and too great in number to be fought back by the Knights, and during the Two-Years-War the Knights were “driven into the sea” by Lord Bastrayne.
During the first year of the war Lady Sari was secreted away back to Thyrin’s-Tor to give birth. The child was the reincarnation of her near dead god Lazarus, reborn as the new Lord of the Sun: Solarian.
And yet alas, the “Dragon-King” escaped capture when his famed city astonishingly disappeared during the final months of the war in the Battle of Dragon-Hold. The church of Sayris lost many of it temples, churches and faithful. While not driven to exile, for it was too tightly entrenched, it did lose it’s greatest holding of CastleRock.
Years 1452 — 1525 (7500 — 7573): The Restoration Years
After the Knights fall from grace the ancient order of The Knights of the Dragon Watch, were reestablished as they reformed under a new noble lord Ulric Von-Droma. Ulric, a Paladin of the Sentinel, was bless by the Goddess with strange mystical powers. He was lead by his goddess to recruit reform the Knights of The Dragon Watch under its original ideals. Over the next generation the Knights grew powerful again and Ulric was elected High Chancellor of the Council of Lords.
The Elven Nation quickly rebounded and helped establish new charters, nation boundaries and restitution agreements as the conquered lands were subsequently divided up amongst the allies.
After the war the nation of Vassa, under the rule of Mimner the Malignant, was officially recognized by the High Elven Council. Some say that they had a secret role in the Two-Years-War which granted them recognition as a legitimate nation state.
After the war Nastri, Sari and Solarian became The Holy Ruling Family of the Theocratic Monarchy of Parsimony. As young boy-man Solarian blessed his people and lands and established Parsimony as a powerful nation during their reign. Solarian’s ascension was documented on the Summer Solstice of 1472 at the age of 21.
The founding of Royal Parsimony Church of Solarian by King Niastri and Queen Sari bought new light and hope to the lands and peoples of Athania. They brought news of Solarian the reborn God of sun, knowledge & athletics. Parsimony was rebuilt under his name and protection.
Sorcerers are granted “King’s Protection” in the lands of Parsimony. This encourages flocks of wayward rogue magic practitioners to Parsimony. The Crown allocats a portion of the Great Library of CastleRock to the founding of the Academy of High Sorcery. This creates much tension and feuding between the Order, the Crown, and sorcerers in residence.
Years 1525 — 1550 (7573 — 7598): The Crater Lakes Wars
Corinthia declared war against the city-state of Tursan on charges of Piracy. It was a quick war fought mostly on the Crater Lakes with several border skirmishes. Corinthia quickly defeated Tursan and incorporated it into its own country.
Soon after Corinthia warred with their chief rival and neighboring state, Kelsaria a merchant state with close ties to the church of Kuvern, the merchant god. This war was as much an economic war as much as it took place upon the land and in the Lake. Trade was hard pressed during these years and many a pirate made a fortune running the blockades, quarantines and embargoes.
Years 1550—1599 (7598—7647)
Sailors of Ath’ia share they have made contact with a new land far across the western ocean. They report that the land is called Pagaia, a primitive land full of new opportunities. They bring back the first sample of a new food stuff called Coa (CO-ah).
In the year 1582 The Starless Night event occurs. 3 full days and nights without sunshine, moonshine or starshine. Magic is erratic. Looting and mayhem rule for three days. On the fourth day the ‘Night is broken by the Sunlord Solarian. That night heralds in the new Shadow Moon and lesser power: Tenebret, god of secrets and shadows.
The Endless War: The year of 1595-ish, Mimner “The Malignant”, lich lord of Vassa began a war with the underdark nation-state of Sirith-Gor. Mimner’s nemesis, Sirith “Squarfoot” the Lich Fiend schemer of Mephistopheles, had slighted him sometime in the late 1300′s. Mimner never forgot and swore his revenge.
Mimner had been preparing in secret this fight for 100 years by creating a race of underdark Troll warriors. Withthis legion he slowly took control of major underdark passages and settlements including ancient dwarven holds.
Sirith with his major underdark holdings was a formitable adversary with legions of hellish undead. The war has waged for many years with only little advancement on Mimner’s side, due to Sirith’s access to a gate to Hell. The war supposedly continues to this day…
Year 1599 – present (7647 – present)
The year 1599 saw major changes in the continent of Athania due to 2 major factors. First, The Order of Wizards and Magi and their adversary’s The Society of Sorcery brought thier “Shadow War” into the pubilc venue. The Society claimed several victories over The Order with well placed coup’s within The Order’s schools, namely Adelphia and Sturaania~Ryn.
In the Nation of Deomiir, a secretive independant human nation since the fallof The Great Kingdom, was taken over in a near bloodless coup by the forces of The Dragonborn. Seizing control of the Skyrim Castle and The Redstone Academy, the Order’s school of Evocation, the Dragonborn, a true breeding humaniod drgon race now is in control of the nation of swamps.
Secondly was with the arrival of the creature known as HELG. Once an orc chief who had wandered into a walkabout in a dream-state, a vision quest. His return in the year 1599 brought him back as a changed being; larger, powerful and possesing of an alien intelligence.
Quickly he formed an army and conquored a small city-state in the nation a Vassa. Much to the dismay of The Lich Lord Mimner of Vassa who had been embroiled in a secret war and was called back to defend his lands from this internal threat.
The creature known as HELG began his war of conquest. He set his sights to conquering all of Athania and it raged for 5 years. Twarted by the combination of Mimner’s legions of undead, the Elven Alliance, The Knights of the Dragonwatch and the Golden Knights of Parsimony.
With the immenent defeat of HELG, great heroes were summoned to take the battle to HELG’s lair, deep in the Abyss. But even great heroes fail agianst great evils. Mimner seeing an oppertunity for his own gain and advancement picked up where the fallen heroes left off. No one can say what happened at that battle, but all of HELG’s mind sontroled minions seemingly “woke up” and were in control of the full faculties.
The war was over, and “a new god arose” in the depths of The Abyss. Mimner “The Malignant” Demon Lord of the Abyss, Master of Necromany, commander of Undead, Lord of Troll-kind; took his place amongst the lesser gods of Aegis. His worship and new church has begun in the Nation-State of Vassa.
