Presented by Gol’daran scholar Matias Harmon at the Selucian College of History, November 820

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     There is a time even before the eldest of elf civilization. This age is known as the “Age of Monsters,”  and presumably, is why they seem to have a head start. Leading earth mages examining fossils have determined that the age of monsters seems to have started when the mists created the world. 

     However, the mists also created the First Forests, and guardians of those forests. These of course, were dryads, and it can be safely stated the dryads were the first humanoids of Desara.

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     There are some which would refer to this time as the Age of Dragons, though there is very little evidence to suggest dragons were ever present in Desara, other than legends and fairy tales. Large bones found in Nagasif may suggest large lizards once roamed the wasteland, but it is very likely that these lizards were without wings or any mythical “fire breathing” abilities.

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     Perhaps, due to the fact that monsters still crawl across certain corners of Desara, the Age of Monsters never truly ended.  Nevertheless, it’s generally agreed that the Age of Fortannis arrived next - some event triggered the guardians to enter a deep sleep, as Desara’s monstrous occupants found themselves with some company: the golden elves.

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     The Age of Fortannis began as the dryads entered their sleep, with after some ten thousand years of monsters wandering Desara, when the first elves (tradition holds that these were “Golden Elves,” though all traditions should be questioned) began to set up the first small societies and cultures. Some made magnificent underground cities to protect themselves from the monsters - these became the dark elves. Others isolated, only to emerge at the end of the age showing no emotion at all, and were called stone elves. And to every mountain and sea and desert went the other elves, who each developed their own cultures and societies, and began to drive off the monsters.

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     Somehow during all of this, the biata came into being as well. Whether they came before, after or during the elves’ rise is unknown, and certainly the protective nature of the biata when it comes to their secrets does not subtract from the uncertainty of their origin. Equally confusing to place in time are the sylvanborn: a good portion of them have no interest in history, though they don’t seem to appear in cave paintings around this time, so it can be safe to say they, like humans, are one of Fortannis’ newest people.

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     Just as the biata and elves began to develop into permanent societies (though some choose to remain nomadic) the discovery was made of the dryads, who had been forgotten by time. Some woke up, and went back to protecting their forests, while others continued to sleep, and do to this day. The waking of  the dryads issued in the second half of the Age of Fortannis.

occurred around  years after the first elves appeared, and it is marked by an explosion in population. To quote one bewildered dark elf scholar - “It doth seem to me that one canst not hie out to pick mushrumps without meeting into a stranger, who shall claim the shape of his ear to be a mark of a new race.” The ogres, orcs and wylderkin seem to have appeared first, with hoblings, humans and dwarves appearing shortly thereafter. Lasting about 5,000 years, The Age of Fortannis is the shortest age, but the most diverse.

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     The Age of Kingdoms is the one we currently live in, and modern recorded history makes for a far better timeline. Selunari and Oathsworn seem to be the newest races in Fortannis, not appearing until the Age of Kingdoms.

1  - The first kingdom is founded. Named Robinsroost for its founder, King Robin, its population is initially solely stone elves.

5 - Gol’dara is founded by dwarves. They quickly strike up an alliance with Robinsroost.

9 - Nagasif is founded, though they do not interact with other cultures until much later.

11 - Some of the Islands of Nefaria are claimed by Roosters. 

15 - The Celestial War begins, as Robinsroost attempts to conquer Jardium. The biata population drops to as low as 10,000. Selunari and Oathsworn are first spotted around Jardium. They aid the biata living there and are welcomed into the city walls. Though some decline and live outside the walls, they are declared to be Jardians by the biata elders.

104 - Robinroost makes contact with Grikthar orc tribes. They are recruited into helping to conquer Jardium, The combined effort means that the city-state is conquered by the end of the year. These tribes then swore off violence against Jardium, reportedly due to the mental anguish imparted upon them by the fierce biata, unwilling to bend to Robinroost rule.

116 - Jardium officially becomes a Robinsroost colony.

125 - Gol’dara tries their hand at colonizing. They fail massively at Varyyyk, as the local dryads decimate their forces. Sylvanborn are spotted for the first time, living among the dryads and speaking of a Vale. It’s unclear just how long they had been living there.

127 - The failure at Varyyyk ignites the Gol’daran conflicts, with families vying for the throne. The dwarven king steps down. Jonas Saltzman, a human advisor of the court, establishes himself as the new king.

135 - Gol’dara tries again, this time rather than impressing a pre-existing population, electing to form a settlement at the base of the Dulgar mountains. This becomes Thaingor. A large number of dwarves settle there.

162 - Gol’dara’s King Jonas dies. His nephew Stefan takes the throne.

172 - Stefan is poisoned by an unknown assailant, Without an obvious heir, the nation is sent into upheaval.

175 - The First Gol’daran Conflict erupts as Sofia Wullfheart (Stefan’s fiance) and Abelard Saltzman (his cousin) both lay claim to the throne. Nobles across the country take sides.

180 - Sofia Wullfheart rises to the Gol’daran throne after fittingly, presenting Abelard’s heart to the Knight’s Assembly on the point of her sword.

210 - Queen Sofia passes away in one final duel at the age of 85. Her lineage has not been removed from the throne since.

225 - A group of Grikthar wylderkin make contact with something of a civilization in Nagasif.

317 - King Robin dies and is replaced by his son. Swift Robinson follows in his father’s footsteps and annexes Silusia.

445 - Myna Swiftdaughter becomes Queen of Robinsroost. She maintains the territories and colonies with an iron fist.

500 - The second Gol’daran conflict is unsuccessful in removing the Wullfhearts. Prince Falcon Swiftson attempts to conquer the Gol’daran trade center during this. He is unsuccessful, and Flashpoint earns the nickname “Falcon’s Folly.”

512 - Varyyyk begins to trade with neighboring regions.

562 - Queen Myna passes under vague circumstances. Her eldest, Queen Avocet Yanchild (124 at the time) ascends to the throne and immediately begins to recede from the territories and colonies. She elects to focus on internal affairs. Many nobles lose their titles and reigns as all annexed Robinsroost lands are returned, leaving only areas of Nefaria and the homeland under their control. Selucia remains for now.

576 - Selucia votes to secede after rising pressure from Jardium and Gol’dara.

703 - Jardium claims areas of Nefaria. Robinsroost and Gol’dara request them to relinquish the land. They refuse. Gol’dara sends troops to stop them. The Knights of the Steppe retaliate, and the alliance between them is shattered.

767 - A treaty is signed, dividing Nefaria into Gol’daran, Jardium and Rooster territories. The Nefarians are understandably not excited about this arrangement, and ignite a conflict.

780 - The Nefarian rising at Port Sweetmouth is successful, and the main port of Nefaria is seized by the criminals sent there to work. 

817 - Princess Dove of Robinsroost disappears from the public eye.

820 - King Lorin Wulffheart of Gol’dara, along with some of troops, disappear. Letters are recovered, revealing a conflict with “the Nethine” though what they are remains unknown.