Ages, Time line of the:
Throughout the many pages of Guardians of Utaemia (GOU), certain Ages are mentioned in legend. The following is a time line for all Ages. These will be added upon as I dig through all my notes dating back to 1987:
The following is a random list of the Ages, should the Game Master wish to create a setting point for an adventure:
%Roll: Random Age:
01-02: Age of Creation --------- : 25,000 years ago.
03-05: Age of Enlightenment - : 24,000 years ago.
06-09: Age of Wonder ---------- : 21,000 years ago.
10-14: Age of Conflict ---------- : 18,000 years ago.
15-20: Age of War --------------- : 17,000 years ago (the "Thousand Year War").
21-25: Age of Sorrows ---------- : 16,000 years ago.
26-30: Age of Darkness -------- : 14,000 years ago.
31-37: Age of Mercy ------------ : 4,000 years ago.
38-46: Age of Discovery ------- : 3,000 years ago.
47-56: Age of Kings ------------- : 2,000 years ago.
57-68: Age of Secrets ----------- : 1,000 years ago.
69-00: Age of Trade ------------- : Present day.
Age of Creation
For an Age, the first fathers and mothers of the races of Utaemia were instructed in the ways of the deepest secrets and enchantments. During this Age the Great Golden Essence Dragon and the Great Black Essence Dragon came forth from the Plane of Essence and instructed many of the races, gifting them with a incredible knowledge . . . knowledge which would one day become legend, and finally all but forgotten by the races.
Great and wondrous were the days when all the races thrived as one, weaving the wonders within Utaemia.
Age of Enlightenment
During the three thousand years after the great essence dragons had departed, all the races of Utaemia worked together with the knowledge they had received. Great mysteries began to be revealed, and it seemed there was no bounds to the secrets unearthed and written into the hundreds of books prepared for the use of future generations.
Age of Wonder
After the Age of Enlightenment, the information and knowledge written in the many, now ancient, books was put to use. The result was astonishing to all who were privileged to be part of the workings thereof. Great cities were built. Two cities, known as the Sister City and the City of Knowledge were constructed and became living souls . . . brother and sister. Many races began searching out the knowledge within the seemingly endless information gifted by those who had gifted and blessed mankind. It seemed endless were the possibilities if the knowledge of the books could be understood and set in motion.
For nearly three thousand years mankind strove as one to harness and shape the secrets within the library which housed the many volumes of information at their fingertips.
But during the last few hundred years of this age, many became covetous of the secrets, not wishing to share such knowledge. Many tomes began to simply vanish as certain trusted people took the books and returned them not.
It was at the close of the Age of Wonder that the library was shut up and guarded. Only the most trusted could enter into the library and continue learning, which caused arguments and debates concerning the use of information within the now seemingly endless source of knowledge within the library.
Races began to divide into factions, and some departed, not wanting to be in the midst of the ever-increasing feuds over the source of knowledge . . . which was once free for all to study.
Age of Conflict
Races became estranged to their once brothers and sisters of other races. The unity they once shared was steadily forgotten. Once brothers began to dispute heatedly over many things, the library always being the center of every confrontation.
It was during this Age that the first murder was committed. The debate often became physical confrontations which increasingly ended up in bloodshed.
A council was held, and a certain wise man was placed in charge of the library and given the power to protect it.
Soon the grand doors to the library were sealed as rumors of war began to be heard, whispered upon every lip.
All races separated into various areas of Utaemia.
The gates to the City of Knowledge and the Sister City were shut and not reopened.
War was upon all the races which lingered about and within the two cities.
During this time, the Sardakk Elves were driven from the service of one King Nishane Asmond. Nearly half their number were slain and driven into deadly Wastelands, only to suffer more death from the inhospitable lands and beasts which dwelt therein. The Sardakk Elves passed out of all knowledge, and were supposedly devoured by the Wastelands for their sins against the king.
Age of War
The Sister City was attacked by the Zendahr and the Veleighen. The conclusion to that war in the Northlands was the vanishing of the Sister City. Some claim to have seen it sink into the depths of the sea, though this is only legend.
The City of Knowledge was invaded and destroyed by the Humans of a land, now known as the Zurkel Mainland. The Timeless library was never discovered. There were many speculations as to what happened to it (read "Sekali, The Sister City" to know the history). When the City of Knowledge was destroyed, the library simply . . . vanished. The Zurkel Mainland was healed and now stands as the central trading hub among all lands.
Races turned upon race, and blood painted all lands for a thousand years.
During this tragic Age, "The Shattered Lands" were formed, and the continent of Mystasia was changed, eternally altered into one great Fearmist Region.
Age of Sorrows
After the three thousand years of devastation and bloodshed, in which many races of Utaemia vanished, never to be seen again, the surviving populace of all lands struggled to survive. Terrible famines and pestilence covered most all of Utaemia.
Mankind mourned . . .
Age of Darkness
The effects of the Age of War hung heavily over all mankind for ten-thousand years. Ignorance gripped the minds of nearly all mankind.
It was as the end of this Age when many men and women began to seek the knowledge to undo the curse of ignorance and darkness from the world. Many men and women set out on quests to rectify and right the ignorance and the wrongs which gripped all of mankind.
Age of Mercy
Through the sacrifice of many, the masses were taught and endowed with the power of hope. For one-thousand years ignorance was combated by knowledge, bringing mankind away from the brink of extinction and darkness.
Age of Discovery
Just after the Age of Mercy, and during this incredible age of discovery. Many searched out the lands for the old secrets, and for anything which would empower mankind to a new height. Many secrets were discovered, and prosperity once again began to take a solid hold within most all nations.
Things which had been forgotten, were unearthed and studied.
Mankind progressed . . .
Age of Kings
During this Age, kings and kingdoms began to flourish and grow strong. Though not all were friendly, for the most part progress continued, though old hostilities still persisted among many of the races.
Dispatches were send out to gather together the masses to unification.
Also, during this time frame in history, many companies were sent out to rediscover many lands and the secrets and riches which they held.
Age of Secrets
It was during this age that many discovered long since forgotten secrets. Adventuring companies became bold, entering into lands forgotten in search of remnants of the past. Great secrets were discovered by many, and power began to flow from the hands and minds of many.
Age of Trade
The present day offers much adventure and knowledge to those souls brave enough to venture forth into the forgotten, the unknown and the undiscovered.