Post by Grimone on Aug 11, 2021 18:07:13 GMT
AGES OF MORTALUM
CURRENT YEAR: 600 (AC)(After Calamity)
(AGE OF FOUNDING)
AGE OF FOUNDING
???? - 8240 (PC)(Pre Calamity)
Very little is known of the age of ancients, and even less of the age of founding. Though diviners who have conversed with ancient spirits that existed at the time have been able to piece together small fragments, visions and dreams of this age. It was a time of raging storm and whirling winds, a time of primal flame and shaking earth. A period of blinding light and writhing shadows where reality was nothing but clay in the hands of the spirits of old. A time before mortal life was even a dream where eldari gods, primordial titans, warmongering spirits and eldritch horrors battled for supremacy over creation. An age of unknowable time where everything happened always at all times, yet nothing happened at all. It is unclear exactly how long this state of affairs lasted. Only that it ended with the creation of the mortal world and its spiritual infusion with mortal life, blessed with souls that bind them to their new physical, corporeal forms.
(AGE OF ANCIENTS)
AGE OF ANCIENTS
8240 - 6690 (PC)(Pre Calamity)
In the ancient past, before humanity arrived upon the western shores of the continent of Oathia. Before the dwarves ascension from the felands. Before the orcs were even a dream or the younger races founded their kingdoms. Before the division of the elves or the arrival of dragons. There were only two races that claimed the world as their own.
The Naiad of the seas and the high elves of the land. Also known as the Aisyan and Nayan by their own people. These two elder races were immense in power and dominated the known world. A time when the Eldari gods walked upon the mortal plane, guiding and teaching mortals in the ways of civilization.
For over two thousand years, there was a blessed peace where the mortal races flourished, accomplishing wonders beyond imagining. But such a glorious time of magic and high technology could never last. The abyssal goddess Azalith had arrived. Corrupting the minds of elf and naiad leaders alike. As suspicion between the two mighty kingdoms of earth and sea grew, the first war in recorded history erupted.
A war of such devastating power and destruction that the gods were forced to flee the mortal plane, never to return. It is unknown who started the war, but the consequence of their immense four century long conflict was clear. The continent was shattered into three by all manner of earthquakes, dreadful storms, horrific floods, volcanic eruptions and apocalyptic battles as the elves and naiad fought for supremacy.
By the end of the age, both the naiad and elves and divided into rival tribes as hateful of each other as they were of their ancient enemies. The mortal world was utterly scared and the veil between mortals and the spirits was established as a barrier between them. The exact details of this time period is hazy and unclear as much of its history was burned in the war, but the faint and distant memory of this war resides within the hearts of the elves and naiad to this day.
(AGE OF ASCENDANCE)
AGE OF ASCENDANCE
6690 - 3460 (PC)(Pre Calamity)
Beginning with the end of the primal war and the ascendance of dwarves. Ending with the fall of Mithua and the dreaded arrival of the first dragons. The age of ascendance was a time of young races appearing throughout the known world. With the fall of the mighty high elf and naiad kingdoms, the dwarves quickly filled the power vacuum as builders, warriors and crafters of the highest caliber.
As the once united elven nation divided and fled into the wilds, the dwarves found themselves facing a new threat. For as they ascended, so to did the orcish hordes. Corrupted elves transformed through the abyssal power of Azalith. The dwarves and the orcs fought numerous wars against each other, battling for supremacy.
Ancient dwarven cities such as Rotheim, Khoran and Iglisia rising and falling over the many centuries of war between their two races. But by far, the greatest and mightiest of all dwarven cities, was Mithua. A mountain fortress city of such immense splendor and beauty that all who saw it wished to claim it as their own.
It was during the time of the rise of Mithua that one hundred ships found their way to the western shores of Oathia. Carrying the first of the human race, originating from a lost and unknown continent to the far west of the world. Humans and dwarves became fast allies against the ever present orcish hordes. Eventually quelling the threat and integrating them into human society.
Humans and elves came to see each other as fierce rivals, the elves forced to continuously retreat from their ancestral lands as humanity spread further into the continent. The many battles between humans and the elven tribes leading to an bitter rivalry between the two races. Almost as great as the elves hatred against their own kind.
It was only during the later days of the Age of Ascendance that a burning star fell to the mortal world. With it came thousands upon thousands of dragons. The dwarves, threatened by the emergence of these powerful creatures was forced to defend their greatest city against a constant onslaught of dragonic attacks. The great treasure horde of Mithua eventually falling into ruin as the dwarves were eventually forced to flee. Eventually building new cities that would last even until the current day.
(AGE OF FLAME)
AGE OF FLAME
3460 - 1890 (PC)(Pre Calamity)
Beginning with the arrival of the first dragons and the fall of Mithua, and ending with the doom of the dragon riders. The age of flame was a legendary era of history. Slaying a dragon, especially those with violent apatite's, was a feat not to be taken lightly. Many kingdoms of the ancient past boasted of their own dragon slayers. These people became known as Dragoons. Knights with the strength and ferocity to rival the dragons themselves. These Dragoons soon turned dragon hunting into a kind of sport, and kingdoms began to get together yearly to test the mettle of their Dragoons, seeing how they would fair. The warriors were to brave various lairs of dragons and the one who killed the most was the winner. There was no purpose to this, no prizes, only glory and honor for felling the mightiest of dragons. These Dragoons began to dawn special armor laced with scales of the dragons they most identified with. This was the start of Dragon Riders.
Vivaine woman was of considerable skill and talent, though she was also disguised as a man. Going under the illusion of Sir Eric Cully, Viviane slew a black dragon. While the red dragon was domineering, the black dragons at the time were particularly fearsome. She was the first one to actually fell a black dragon. A feat that had killed many Dragoon before her. "Eric Cully" was immediately taken to her king where she became a personal guard, adorned in the scaled armor of the black dragon and given charge to begin recruiting Dragoons to serve directly under the king. Viviane began this journey, all under the guise of a man never once removing her helm from her head. The woman began recruiting people from all over the continent. It took almost three years for her to acquire the forces she needed. One for each dragon, she only accepted the strongest of dragon slayers in her ranks. She made them battle against captured dragons, each other, and finally her. If they could last for a minute against her then she allowed them passage.
Presenting the warriors before her king, they were all accepted into the ranks of their army, established as generals and commanders of many. This was the point in which the gods themselves began to take interest. For it was then that the Dragoons began to truly prove themselves by protecting the innocent, saving the weak, and pushing back the dark forces of that sought to destroy them. Those who emulated dragons they had slain were fighting against eldritch abominations, titanic giant warlords and mythic beasts of abyssal origins... and winning. The gods were truly impressed, it wasn't long before they decided to take action. There was a darkness coming and the gods didn't wish to allow them to happen as they would. No, even the Eldari wish to bend futures to their will so that a particular outcome may happen. Thus they granted these Dragoons actual magic, more specifically... elder magic. The primordial powers of dragons themselves. In order to trigger it, however, it would require them to cease killing these dragons and instead... bond with them.
This was the start of transition from Dragoons to Dragon Riders. But also the time when the true was Vivaine was revealed. Viviane was not the first female knight, but she was the first one to be in such a place of power. No girls had ever been allowed to challenge a dragon before, but she had and she won. She was revealed to be a woman after following the advice of the great god Odarune himself, unmasking herself in front of thousands as a true queen among the dragoon. This was the first great war of dragons. Many were not willing to be led by a woman and yet there were some who stood by her side and supported her. She was the slayer of the black dragon, the kings champion and she had bested them all. The infighting among the dragoon lasted over a year after her identity was revealed. Her king held no comment one way or the other. He didn't wish to involve himself in these matters. The Dragoons had gone their own way for that year, fighting each other on the battlefield whenever possible, each side trying to consume the other, force them into submission. That's when they struck.
At their weakest the dragons of old attacked the realms of mortals. Descending upon civilization itself, reclaiming the power that was theirs. The sudden arrival of the second great war of dragons killing thousands of people. The petty disputes of the dragoon suddenly meant nothing. They had forgotten their duties during this war and it was a mistake they were going to pay for. The dragoon spent the next year and a half battling the dragons, pushing them back. Viviane eventually coming face to face with an elder black dragon. The mightiest of them all and lord of dragon kind. She battled the dragon for several days before her wounds became too severe to continue. However the dragon did not end her life. Instead he rewarded her for her valor by giving her a choice, she could swallow her pride and work with him to quell the dragons or he could kill her here and proceed to ruin the rest of the continent.
Thus dragon riders were born, no longer dragon slayers, but guardians over all mortal civilization Not birthed from noble deed or cause, but by the scheming of a dragon himself. This coexistence of dragons working with mortals continued for several generations. The children of humans being taught to respect dragons, to work with them and dragons taking the next generation under their wing. The gods, pleased with the way these new riders had handled the situation, swallowing pride and putting aside their differences to protect the people. The spell they had granted them ages ago surfaced during a particularly nasty encounter with agents of Azilith. As if by some miracle, the riders were transformed, infused with the true elder magic of the dragons. This coupled with a bonus of soul binding of riders and their dragons, made the riders the original protectors of the world. and they grew in numbers their power grew with them. But this power, this peace, wouldn't last forever... For not all the gods of The Eldari were fond of these guardians.
Less than three hundred years passed before Azilith the queen of monsters herself would send a very special agent of her own among their ranks. This dark rider began sowing seeds of doubt among the others. This was the start of the last great dragon war, the downfall of the riders, and their removal from grace of the gods. The war had divided them, the corruption of the dark rider and his secret meddling whispers had turned these holy champions upon each other. Some to stand by the kings of nations, and others who wished to rebel against their rule. The gods, displeased by this, sent a great fire from the heavens to consume the riders and their dragons. Erasing their kind from the face of the continent.
(AGE OF KINGS)
AGE OF KINGS
1890 - 0 (PC)(Pre Calamity)
Beginning with the fall of the dragon riders and ending with the death of the Lich King and ascendance of the Mortal God. After the riders fall and the population of drayke began to rapidly decline. Fleeing into the wilds and avoiding contact with the other mortal races. Allowing the humans kingdoms of the continent to grow and prosper.
It is during this period that nine powerful kingdoms began to dominate the known world. The constant wars and rivalries between them shifting borders throughout the centuries. It was a time of chivalry, a time of heroic adventurers and tales of mighty monsters slain for the honor and glory of their country.
It was during the early centuries of the age that the powers of necromancy became more and more prevalent. A dark and horrific school of magic that promised eternal life, but in truth, offered quite the opposite. Mid way through this era a young drayke whos true name has been lost to time mastered the powers of necromancy.
Dying in combat to rogue orc raid, only to rise again as the first lich in history. Thus began the empire of the Lich King. For nearly one thousand years the Lich King's empire grew in strength deep within the felands. Enslaving mortals from the surface to then transform into new undead warriors for the Lich Kings legion.
Over time the seven kingdoms of men became aware of the dark empire residing beneath them. Many battles took place throughout the centuries as the kings of mankind waged a three hundred year long war against the enemy below. Near the end of the age, a young man named Parem'Zel arose. The first mortal to master all spheres of magic.
Worshiped as the Mortal God, this fierce warrior mage united the seven great houses of the kingdoms of man under one banner against the dark undead legions that threatened them. For a short time, it seemed they might finally be victorious. But during the final days of the age, the Lich King revealed himself in all his dreadful glory.
A vast undead army of millions at his back. Swarming the continent and surrounding every major human city throughout the known world. In a final act of defiance, Parem'Zel, the savior of mankind battled against the Lich King as the undead broke through the walls of every major city on the continent. The Mortal God smote the Lich King and bound his six Feldain shades who served him.
The great calamity that threatened the extinction of the mortal races was avoided as the undead legions turned to dust. The power that sustained them slain forever. It wasn't long after that Parem'Zel ascended to divinity and left the mortal plane. His son taking the throne as high king of the unified kingdom of overna.
(AGE OF UNION)
AGE OF UNION
0 - 600 (AC)(After Calamity)
Beginning with the founding of the unified kingdom, fall of the lich king and the ascendance of the mortal god. The age of union is the current age of Mortalum. A time of heroes, of adventurers and of ancient horrors long forgotten. The age of union has yet to face a great catastrophe to define this era of history. But many fear that the time of unified kingdom is nearing its end. With dangerous enemies quickly arising to rival the power of the fallen Lich King.