The River of Time

575 to 600 GA
Having lost their ruler King Tyren in the great war, his successor, Tilaneus, second King of Tyrengard, had little respite and his reign began with conflict. The Dwarves in the nearby mountains were hard pressed, being under assault from Cave Wights roused from their deep lairs by the mining activity. Together, the Dwarves and the folk of Tyrengard fought the War of the Tunnels, driving the vile creatures back and ending the threat. Tilaneus and the Dwarven King signed the Stone Axe Pact, establishing a lasting cooperation between their peoples.

Tired of war, a splinter group of Tyrengardi knights led by Lord Artur, moved away southwards to an island off the coast, named Avalon. In this fair land they established settlements, the greatest of which was the city of Camelot. Artur was crowned king, and in the years that followed, brought prosperity and wealth to his people.

The reign of Tilaneus, the battle-king of Tyrengard, did not last long, for he was slain in a conflict where he stood in alliance with the people of Ystradd against the Trolls. To honor him for his great deeds and bravery, the capitol city of Tyrengard was named after him from that day forth. His successor, Atrius, the third Tyrengardi King, was a pious man devoted to the Light. Inspiring faith in his followers, he began training a new order of devout knights that held strictly to the teaching of Kala, Lady of the Light. These knight were called Paladins, and they continued to shape Tyrengard’s future up to the present day.

681 GA
More than a hundred years had passed since their defeat, and the realm of Westmarch had become powerful and ambitious once again. A force of Westmarch warriors led by the Circle of Loki (a conclave of sorcerers) laid siege to the fortress of Caer Estwaithe in Draconia and captured it in less than a day. King Auric, aged and tired, mustered his forces to retake the fortress and were met by strong resistance and terrible losses. After an interminable period with no advantage gained, a bold young noble lord, Baron Frost, infiltrated the fortress under cover of night, opened the gates, and thus allowing the Draconian army to retake Caer Estwaithe. As reward for his bravery, he was made the lord of the city of Drak Lellwyn. In this fateful year, Pyros Haldir the First was born.

692 GA
Mysteriously, old King Auric and his greatest general (known as the Crimson Warrior), disappeared without any indication of their fate. A period of civil unrest soon followed, weakening the authority of the High Council and government as a whole. Barons and other minor nobles fell into squabbling over borders, and with increasing frequency, skirmishes and clashes occurred. Lawlessness became ever more pervasive.

700 GA
Two exploring rangers who traveled far to the northeast found a land mostly covered by deep primordial forests, and where humans and Elves lived closely together in a shared culture. They learnt that the land was a realm some call Azuron, and where the people had developed separate from the rest of the continent, isolated almost from the time of the Ice Age. For this reason, the land became known as the 'Forgotten Valley'. First diplomatic and economic ties are established. Old kinship between the Elves of Ystradd and the Forgotten Valley are re-forged.

701 to 710 GA
Pyros Haldir I, in his nineteenth year of life, and the youngest noble ever to have achieved the rank of Praetor, realized the imminent dissolution of Draconia, and calling a gathering of the remaining loyal Houses and nobles, delivered an impassioned speech to the High Council. Being a charismatic, unifying voice, well loved by commoner and noble alike, Pyros was proclaimed as ruler, and was soon crowned Emperor of Draconia.

Rumors regarding the return of old King Auric began circulating, but that he had become crazed, spreading tales of betrayal, demanding the return of the throne that had been stolen from him. Many citizens of Draconia thought back of the old days of glory, and loudly hailed Auric as the true ruler. But there were also many who remained firmly loyal to the new Emperor.

With the situation quickly spiraling out of control, the Empire was soon divided into two camps, and vicious civil war erupted. With evenly balanced forces, the conflict continued for several years. This period became known as the Draconian Revolution, and amongst the tragic losses were the burning of the southern half of Enchantica Forest, the poisoning of the Golden River, and the razing of Drak Nolwen.

With much of Draconia wracked by famine, plague and strife, the mad but still strategically brilliant Auric reached the capital of Dragonspire, preparing for a final assault. But on the eve of the battle, Pyros Haldir issued a challenge of single combat, knowing that the proud Auric would not refuse -- the winner would claim total victory and end the war. Pyros was victorious, and never since then had Draconia again suffered such violent internal conflict. For many years to follow, Draconia was at peace.

725 GA
Word spread that a new High Lord governed the Forgotten Valley - an elf-lord named Shakkan, and that his right hand was the renowned Sword-master, Emalf.

756 GA
The Bloody Axe War commenced in Ystradd, when the Trolls from the mountains on the northern borders gathered under a powerful chieftain, and flooded southwards in a bloody rampage. Facing annihilation, the rangers of Ystradd sought aid from their neighbor, and thus the Paladins of Light swiftly traveled west to bolster the beleaguered Ystraddians. With their forces combined, the Trolls were overcome, and the pact of friendship known as the Alliance was born from the co-operation between Tyrengard and Ystradd. To prevent such devastating surprise attacks from ever catching them unawares again, the leaders of Ystradd created the Northguard, an elite fighting force established at the northern city of Tagurd. Furthermore, the rangers organized themselves into an Order, named the Seekers of Truth, who would patrol the mountains and valleys, watching for signs of trouble.

770 GA
Within the Forgotten Valley, the wise philosopher and Mage-Lord, Shylo, commissioned the construction of a Library, and charged a monk by name of Elias to fill it with the collected wisdom, tales and lore of all races along the eastern coast. The Library and its many volumes of priceless knowledge and beautiful works of art remain a wonder to the present day.

778 to 780 GA
A charismatic but ruthless mercenary leader (believed by some to have been a noble once) rose to some prominence in Tyrengard. For his many bloody campaigns, he had earned the name, ‘The Tyrant’. Having somehow gathered much support, he moved to the capitol of Tilaneus to claim legitimate recognition of his authority -- few nobles possessed the individual strength to oppose him. The Tyrant sowed much dissention and mistrust, fanning the flames of internal strife within Tyrengard. His ambition had grown to gain nothing less than the throne.

As a disastrous result to the assassination of King Gerhart (7th king of Tyrengard) in which many parties (including the neighboring Ystradd) were suspected, the Alliance teetered on the precarious verge of collapse. Further assassinations on important nobles in the government soon followed, and therefore there was considerable fear for the loss of the King’s young son and heir, Divaqs. To prevent a break in the royal-line, a group of loyal Tyrengardi paladins (under command of Knight-Captain Uther Enderimus) took the prince into hiding at a secret location. Thus, the line of succession was preserved, but it was also the beginning of a prolonged period of political intrigues, power-struggles, instability and violent armed clashes plagued Tyrengard and made it unsafe for the royal line to attempt a return to power. It would be long before peace returned to the realm.

783 GA
News from the Forgotten Valley reached the western lands that an Elf-lord from Grans Island by name of Trillock had been given the prestigious title, Lord of Archers (akin to the rank of a Duke). What was unusual (almost unheard of) was that Trillock’s father was a Dark Elf -- the much-hated enemies of all Elves (and many other races). This event of tolerance, acceptance and honor drew recognition and respect from several countries upon Lyndret, and ever after the people of the Forgotten Realm became known as enlightened and wise rulers.

800 GA
In a brief clash, a usurper to the throne of Draconia - the false Prince Diakanov -- was defeated and exiled (on pain of death) from the realm. Thus the resolve of Draconia’s High Council to maintain internal peace was proven. But that event was almost a signal for the beginning of a dark period of Draconia’s history. The city of Drak Yardok in the duchy of Enchantica was subject to a sudden, devastating attack by a force of supernatural creatures. Only a handful of people survived and escaped to tell of the terrible events. The rest of the vast forest became grim and dark, filled with deadly dangers. A blight of spoiled harvests all along the borders of the duchy compounded the disaster, and caused those times to be remembered in infamy as The Darkening of the Forest. All attempts to lift the darkness would be doomed to failure for decades to come.

807 GA
The master architect of the Forgotten Valley, a man by name of Ceva, was commissioned with the construction of a great fortress that would become the capital of the realm. Building commenced later that year.

Also of note what that a powerful Elven Arch-mage by name of Grayness became the High Lord of Ystradd, and would lead the realm for many decades afterward, providing considerable stability to the southern lands despite several conflicts and threats that relentlessly swept the continent.

810 GA
The great sage of Draconia, Onaeus Lampetides, spoke in prophecy about the darkness in Enchantica based upon a vision bestowed on him by the goddess Kala.

He was furthermore warned that such darkness might spread, unless a mysterious artifact known as the Window of Souls was found. From amongst the Kalan monks and priests, Onaeus established the Order of Druids -- people who were strong in their faith, but who possessed special skills that made them capable of more dangerous work than could be accomplished by priests or clerics. The Druids embarked upon a search for the Window of Souls, which was to last for many years. Onaeus becomes the First Patriarch of the Druids. (Some of these events are detailed in the story titled, 'The Prophesy'.)

823 GA
Guided by the driving force of Druids, worship of the Kalan faith gained in acceptance and popularity in the southern and eastern lands -- particularly Tyrengard, Avalon, and Ystradd, and a sense of brotherhood was kindled between those nations and Draconia. It heralded the beginning of a powerful allegiance that would shape the course of Lyndret’s future.

825 GA
In the severest twist of misfortune, a terrible evil was unleashed in the land of Khanduras. A sealed vault was opened, which led to a vast catacomb beneath the ancient cathedral in the town of Tristram. From it began creeping a host of vile undead that had been created by the Vampire Lord Guillarme almost 600 years before. Nothing remained of the noble spirits of King Leoric and his people except creature with the sole motivation of feeding on the living. As the undead carnage began to spread, calls for urgent aid sped towards Ystradd and Tyrengard, and soon, adventurers, warriors and soldiers began to arrive, which heralded the beginning an incredibly vicious period of battle that lasted for 3 years. Amongst the first that came to Tristram’s aid was a young Ystraddian warrior by name of Aldar Caine, and his companion, a female ranger called Krioni. Largely due to their experiences in those times, Aldar would later become a Patriarch of the Druid Order, and Krioni would be the High Ranger of Ystradd for many years.

Towards the end of the horrible slaughter in Khanduras, the combined armies of Ystradd, Tyrengard, Avalon, Draconia and the Forgotten Valley faced off against the undead host, and barely survived to savor their victory. When at last it was over, no settlements of significance remained in Khanduras, and the numbers of the slain were to great (especially Ystraddians) that many people even in present day believe it cursed, and avoid ever setting foot there. It yet remains largely uninhabited.

827 GA
The year was marked by the completion of the great castle-fortress on the coast of the Forgotten Valley. It was a time for celebration in the eastern lands, as the Elven and human noble lords of Azuron and Grans gathered for the first time in the capital’s halls of government.

829 GA
In the midst of the grim uncertainty that simmered within Draconia, Emperor Pyros Haldir I was married, and the Empire had cause for celebration and a much-needed lifting of spirit. Three years later, Pyros Haldir II was born, and the Emperor was inspired by a new sense of hope for the future.

833 GA
Peace and stability returned to Tyrengard when King Divaqs and the Ystraddian warrior-priest by name of Aldar Caine led a force of Paladins in liberation of the realm. Ties of friendship were re-established between the neighboring realms, and thus the Alliance was re-forged. Having spent much time in Draconia and learning their style of government, King Divaqs implemented a more democratic political system in Tyrengard, ensuring that a threat to the royal line of succession would never again threaten the stability of his realm.

Later that year, Draconia signed treaties and trade-agreements with the southern realms, and thus became part of the Alliance.

########### For inclusion....Building of the Wordsmith’s Hall & Aldar Caine become Archdruid of Ystradd’s travels.

838 GA
In a year remembered in infamy in the history of the Forgotten Valley, sinister plans came to light of three important and influential nobles to depose the existing government and place themselves in power. These once-trusted nobles were tried and executed for high treason, and many of their supporters imprisoned.

A wise elven sage named Derwen, who had heard much of the Kalan faith, decided to travel to Draconia in a pilgrimage to the Temple at Soliath. This leads to an expedition to be launched a while later, whereby the Druid Patriarch, Onaeus Lampetides and his protector, the Paladin Darkar Endymion, traveled to the Forgotten Valley to gain more followers from those lands. Some months later, they return to Soliath with three Kalan acolytes, and much trust built between the Druid Order and the folk of the Forgotten Valley.

Word spreads far and wide from Ystradd that a new Arch-mage had become Master of the Towers of Fflarom -- a man by name of Ladius Redcloak. It is generally agreed by scholars that never before or since had any person wielded magical power to rival that of Ladius. The great wizard disappeared forty years later without leaving any indications of his intentions or whereabouts. Some speculate that he destroyed himself, and others that he left the Material plane of reality, gone off to seek yet greater knowledge and power.

845 GA
In Tyrengard, an assassination-plot to slay King Divaqs is thwarted by one of his closest advisors, the powerful wizard Magus Quelan. The assassin was destroyed, but took the reason and details of the plot with him to his grave. This was to have a far-reaching effect for Tyrengard’s leadership in time to come. Of particular note was that the assassin bore a mighty relic in the shape of a great sword containing magical enchantments. Studies later revealed the blade to be one of the mysterious Tears of the Shaper, called Earth Flesh. This artifact remained in Magus Quelan’s hands (and his descendants) for many years to come.

847 GA
Within Draconia, the warrior-duke of the Lakelands, Lord Stein, led a large war-band of warriors into Enchantica forest, aiming to force back the evil. But none returned, and no traces of them were ever found again. Emperor Pyros could not abide the tremendous loss, and even though he was an old man and becoming frail, summoned a host of knights to take the battle to whatever enemies infested Enchantica. Thus began the terrible Forest-War, which would continue for eight long years.

In order to ensure that Draconia’s southern borders were defended whilst so many of the Empire’s forces were concentrated in the north, Pyros called upon Tyrengard and Ystradd to assist him with guarding against possible aggression from Westmarch.

850 GA
A Druid by name of Kuros the Red returned to his homeland in the Forgotten Valley, and began the task of building a Kalan temple. It was the first step towards the permanent establishment of the Kalan faith in the eastern lands.

851 GA
In Tyrengard, the arch-mage and advisor, Magus Quelan, disappeared from his home, with evidence indicating that he had been murdered as an act of revenge for preventing the assassination of King Divaqs, some years before. Magus Quelan’s son, Uther Enderimus II, who had also become an influential leader, became fearful for his life. He changed his name to Typhon Nimbus, and fled northward to the frozen lands of Aerogea, where great works of development were begun under his guidance. In his possession were the great sword, Earth Flesh, which had become a family heirloom. Typhon returned to Tyrengard many years later, seeking to re-establish family connections.

With King Divaqs having become sick and infirm (some believed he became mad), he abdicated his throne. His son, Binabik Tyrengard, a charismatic and popular leader, assumed the throne with overwhelming support of the citizens.

855 GA
The Forest-War in Enchantica drew to a painful close. With great cost in men and resources, Pyros led his legions to one hard-won victory after another. By 852 GA, the city of Drak Yardok had been retaken, and Draconia’s forces were gathering momentum. Matters came to a head in a final pitched battle with the darkest of the forest's corrupted beings in 855 GA. The cost of victory had been terrible, as a vast number of Draconia’s legions and noble lords had been slain, and the Druid Patriarch, Onaeus Lampetides, who had accompanied the Emperor on the battlefields, had been lost without trace. A battle-weary Pyros fell into a deep depression, and soon after gave over the running of the Empire to his son, Pyros Haldir II. The younger Pyros were supported by his Chancellor, Lord Valiant, and the newly appointed Praetor, Calland Ladyhawke. A few years later, the old Emperor and his wife passed away peacefully.

Many warriors had distinguished themselves during the Forest War, and amongst the most notable heroes who became influential lords in Draconia were Wulfgar Bloodedwulf, Klenthi Luthera, Eldahir Veirune, Lupus, Velera Aquitaine, Hadin Gunther, Midnight Spiritwind and Dekar Gates.

In order to continue the leadership of the Druid Order in the absence of Onaeus, the Ystraddian warrior-priest Aldar Caine became the Second Patriarch of the Druids. He was destined to lead the Druid Order for almost 140 years.

856 GA
############# For inclusion....Yantis restores order in southern lands of Telavor

867 GA
A golden time began in the Forgotten Valley. A pious and noble man by name of Aular became the new High Lord of the realm, and in the years that followed, his wise and enlightened rule earned him the name, Aular of the Light. Also in those years, the elven Druid Derwen was named the Hand of Kala of the Druid Order. With the completion of the Temple in the Forgotten Valley, faith in the goddess Kala grew so popular and strong that a Druid Circle was established to coordinate Druidic efforts, and Kuros the Red was ordained as Archdruid.

885 GA
King Binabik of Tyrengard fell victim to the plot of a sinister conspiracy, and a strange poison left him paralyzed. This was a signal for a bloodthirsty warrior known as the Crescent Warlord to make himself known and make an attempt to seize the reigns of power. By way of a hasty vote by Tyrengard’s citizens in order to ensure a continuous rule, Lady Kothra Vilastad became Queen of Tyrengard. Her reign was not destined to last for very long, however. After the Crimson Warlord was defeated some five years later, Queen Kothra abdicated her throne in favor of the brilliant strategist who led the defense -- Takoth M’Dor.

900 GA
A fateful event took place in Draconia -- a new order of particularly skilled knights were established in the duchy of Nova Q’lynnesti, called the Sword of Kala. They were characterized by exceptional skill at arms and strict, pious adherence to the Kalan religion. Documents detailing the creation of the order tells that the Sword of Kala had been based upon the order of the Sun Guard from the realm of Micarthia. The commander of the Sword of Kala, Lord Lycurgus, was a man with extremely uncompromising and zealous interpretation of religious teachings, and became convinced that all those who practiced arcane magics were inherently evil. In an effort to stamp out the darkness he perceived, Lycurgus started a campaign now known as the Witch-Hunts, to root out and destroy all wizards, witches, sorcerers or other folk who were in any way involved with magic. In the campaign, which began in the northern cities of Soliath and Tol Brandir, no one, no matter their standing or position, was safe from his relentless persecution. In fear of his life, the Hand of Kala, Derwen, who was also a renowned mage, fled from the Druid temple in Soliath back to his homeland. Thus began a downward spiral in the leadership of the Druid Order.

Even though the vengeful Witch-Hunts lasted only eight to ten years, their result can be seen even to the present day, for even now the practice of magic anywhere within Draconia is mistrusted, secretive and very rare, whilst it had flourished in other countries where the Sword of Kala could not reach (or had no influence), such as Ystradd.

908 GA
The Baron of Tol Brandir in Draconia, a plainsman warrior by name of Wulfgar Bloodedwulf, received news from the Runding, the land of his birth. Having long searched for those responsible for a bloody massacre of his tribe, the Vics, Wulfgar learnt of a malicious witch known as the Sorceress of the Wastes, whose abode lay far to the north, in the frozen tundra. Accompanied by two close friends, Dekar Gates and Midnight Spiritwind, as well as the zealous but cunning Lycurgus, Lord Wulfgar set out to destroy the evil Sorceress. Their mission was accomplished after almost a year of travel, searching and sporadic fighting against the Sorceress’ minions. (These events are detailed in the story titled, 'The Endless North'.)

920 GA
Mysteriously and suddenly, Onaeus Lampetides reappeared within Draconia. It quickly became apparent that he was possessed somehow, and upon investigation, it was revealed to be the great demon-lord Mephisto, who had been gone from the world since the Ice Age gripped the world. Having been captured during the terrible Forest War in Enchantica, Onaeus had been spirited away and brought to the Window of Souls, where Mephisto remained trapped. In a bizarre ritual, the spirit of the old Druid and that of the demon had been exchanged, leaving Onaeus trapped behind the Window, and Mephisto free to roam within Onaeus’ body. At the conclusion of an intricate chain of events, the pious Lord Lycurgus selflessly sacrificed himself to restore Onaeus to sanity, trapping himself and the spirit of Mephisto behind the Window of Souls once again. As a strange side effect of these events, Onaeus’ lifespan had been tremendously extended -- he had not aged in all the time since he was lost in 855 GA up to his rescue from the Window of Souls in 920 GA. (These events are detailed in the story titled, 'The Window of Souls').

924 GA
A series of probing attacks from Westmarch upon Draconia commenced. The first was a covert raid whereby a skilled team of soldiers stealthily infiltrated Dragonspire Keep in an effort to slay as many of the most important leaders as possible. The plot failed to maintain secrecy, however, and the nobles were rescued in time to prevent disaster. Over the following months, further raids upon all countries neighboring Westmarch escalated in frequency and aggression. To discuss the alarming events a Druid-gathering was called, attended by several senior Druids. But the meeting was disrupted in an attack by a mysterious warrior clad in black armor, during which Aldar Caine and Onaeus were abducted. The aged Druid, Typhon Nimbus was slain and several others badly wounded. This event heralded the darkest time in the history of the Druid Order. It was later learnt that the mysterious attacker was a Dark Paladin, part of a secretive and incredibly dangerous Order that had been silently active in the shadows for centuries, but now chose to reveal themselves. From the abducted Druids, the Dark Order discovered the location of the Window of Souls, which they sought for some strange purpose. Shortly after, the Dark Order began a campaign aimed at killing all Druids and destroying their structures. Over the next few years, most of the Druids in the known world were slain, almost resulting in the Druid Order to disappear and the Kalan religion to fail. (These events are detailed in the first parts of the 'Shadows Arising' epic).

925 GA
All-out warfare erupted between Westmarch and its neighboring nations -- Draconia and Ystradd. This became known as the Second Westmarch War. The power of the Westmarch assault, under command of an shrewd commander by name of Ganthon (and his right hand, Dagolar), were so powerful that they pressed back the Empire’s legions northward far enough that they took control of the capital, Dragonspire. Allied forces from Tyrengard, Ystradd, Avalon and the Runding had arrived and bolstered the defense sufficiently to halt the enemy progress. Reaching the capital had been the goal all along, however, as events later showed.

In an ancient, secret warren of tunnels beneath the city-keep of Dragonspire, the Dark Paladins’ leader, the mysterious Master, had discovered the location of the Window of Souls and prepared a ritual to free the demon-lord Mephisto from his confinement.

A team of knights from the Sword of Kala and a handful of Druids (Onaeus’ wife, Lady Malinalda, Dekar Gates, Riverwind of Azuron, and Ashe Telleraine) infiltrated Dragonspire Keep, and entered the tunnels, seeking the abducted Druids. They succeeded in rescuing their comrades, but were not in time to prevent from Mephisto (within the body of Lycurgus) from being freed of his prison. The release of the demon-lord triggered a collapse of the tunnels, and the group of Druids barely managed to escape. Tragically, both Onaeus and his wife perished in the process.

During the same night, a massive battle took place upon the surface, with the combined allied forces under the command of Lord Hadin Gunther and Lord Grayness, a powerful Archmage from Ystradd. Even with the forces of Draconia, Tyrengard and Ystradd arrayed in defense, the allies faced annihilation at the hands of the Westmarch battle-lines, which was being led by a number of incredibly powerful knights in black armor. It is now known that these were Dark Paladins sent to bolster the enemy ranks and delay the allies long enough for the Dark Paladin Master to complete his sinister mission. The battle was turned in the allies’ favor with the arrival of the Sword of Kala, led by Sir Peldyn Blackmayne and his wife Lady Mysteek. The Westmarch battle-lines were broken, and Commander Ganthon sounded the retreat. Never before or since had Draconia come that close to defeat as in those times, which had become known as the War of Tears. Over fifteen thousand allied soldiers perished on that battlefield, which is now marked by a huge obelisk placed in memory of their defense. (These events are detailed in the 'Shadows Arising' epic.)

Continue