Difference between revisions of "Timeline: 200 AF to 299 AF"

Sartan Releases the [[Seven Truths of Evil]], which champion strength and might as right.

Gaia, Goddess of nature forms The [[Council of Oakstone]] to combat the city of [[Hashan]]. She calls for all citizens of Hashan to quit Hashan, claiming that they are being duped by [[Twilight]], God of Darkness. Plans for the expansion of Hashan into a city on par with Ashtan and Shallam begin.

In what surely be one of the most epochal events to take place since the Day of Creation, [[Sarapis]] decides that the long-imprisoned [[Lorielan]] has truly reformed, and releases the Jade Empress from her prison on the [[Crystal Plane]] of the [[Kx'khrah]]. Nearly at the same time, [[Aegis]], who had long journeyed the most remote plains spreading war to the further corners of Creation, returns His attention to Sapience.

Dead sparrows and robins are found littering the land, their hearts burst from their bodies. An insane old man is found roaming the land, raving about '[[Death's Heart]]' and a prophecy that begins with the death of the children of air.

Strange chantings are heard, carried on the wind, from the [[Shamtota hills]], and a bright white light, and an image of a temple projected onto the clouds, is seen far to the north.

Achaea is largely polarized over [[Death's Heart]]. On one side is Shallam and some of the more nature-loving Druids and Sentinels. The other side is led by Twilight and His Order, with support made up of various citizens of Ashtan and Hashan.

Gijan undergoes a conversion, betrays the Order of Twilight, leaves the Kharon and styles himself “Healer of Shallam.” He becomes one of the staunchest defenders of his former nemesis, although many suspect that treachery still lurks within his heart and that he merely bides his time before betraying the Jewel of the East.

The [[Sentinels]] Guild, citing philosophical differences with the Divine Patron of Hashan, sue for permission to leave the city and are granted such leave, although many of the guild’s members remain citizens.

In a stunning act of betrayal, Borknagar, Treasurer of Shallam, empties the city’s treasury and flees to Ashtan, having funneled tens of thousands of gold pieces to Ashtan’s coffers and leaving Shallam penniliess and ridiculed by her ancient foe. Borknagar reveals that he has been an agent of Ashtan, on a secret mission for Mistral, Guildmistress of the [[Shadowsnakes]], all along. Although most of the Divinities of Achaea are publicly silent on the matter, [[Miramar]] and [[Lorielan]] express their rage at his treachery in no uncertain terms.

In an attempt to protect what they perceive as a sacred birthright, the Serpent guilds of Sapience move to declare certain venoms “illegal” for non-Serpents to possess. The [[Infernals]] of Ashtan offer to become the enforcement arm of this new policy.

During the battle between the two deities and their minions, several notice a blazing object fall from the heavens landing, it is discovered, at the site of an old altar to [[Deucalion]]. Concurrently, a vision of a fading spectral image appears in the skies over Sapience. Thakren is beset by visions about the object, which proves to be a statuette, and the Druids and Sentinels hear ominous whisperings of ill portent in the forests, filled with references to the [[Morningstar]]. Sapience fairly hums with gossip and speculation about the significance of these omens, ranging from the dark machinations of Twilight, to the reappearance of Deucalion or [[Thoth]]. Many wonder if the very Gods themselves have abandoned mortalkind.

Ashtan, the Bastion of the North, erupts in chaos as conflict between Sinistar and devotees of Twilight within the Infernals jockey for power within the guild. Sinistar is enemied and cast out of the city, for alleged use of “illegal” venoms. Many believe that Sinistar has been framed as a result of plots hatched by the Order of Darkness. Others avow that arrogance and self-preservation have motivated Sinistar’s actions.

Sinistar regains control of the [[Infernals]], but dies, only to enter a state he terms “unlife,” neither truly corporeal nor truly discarnate. Debate ensues over this is the result of necromantic adepthood, as Sinistar lays claim, or merely smoke and mirror illusions, yet to be revealed.

[[Sartan]], God of Evil, angered by the claims of the [[Church]] that its [[shrines]] represent all of the Gods, rejects any connection of the shrines with Himself, and brings into manifestation a shrine of His own creation within the one of the most sacred enclosures of the [[Chrysalis Basilica]] itself. The reactions of the Church and Shallam, and the subsequent arguments arising therefrom, once again place the Church on the defensive as it is peppered with taunts of hypocrisy. Rumours of the imminent formation of a “splinter” or “dark” Church fly about the land. In retaliation, Aurora, Goddess of Light, places an altar in the Infernals guildhall. The altar placed in the Wedding Chamber of Maya by Sartan opens a rift to a demonic plane whence stream deadly demons, wreaking havoc on the populace of Shallam.

[[Prince Tu’eras]] of the [[Tsol’aa]] frantically informs the public that vile criminals of unknown origin have attacked the Tsol’aa people in their ancestral village in the dead of night and that although he has escaped, he knows not the whereabouts or condition of his parents. He tells of fires being set and the Forest of [[Aalen]] in flames.

Many [[Druids]] and Magi mobilize to quench the flames. When the smoke clears and investigations begin, it is discovered that the King of the Tsol’aa has been cruelly murdered by one calling himself [[Kroul]], and that [[Queen Celaabi]] has been raped. Although Celaabi, who refuses to leave the home of her ancestors, is safe and has been granted sanctuary by the Druidess Cynne, Tu’eras and the surviving Tsol’aa cannot be found.

Vexlore rants publicly of his belief that Tu’eras is a coward and weakling for remaining in hiding with his people. He vows that he shall slay the Prince himself, and mocks the misery and suffering of the gentle Tsol’aa people.

Orcs, claiming to be simply “touring” the land are sighted roaming the land. However, they are soon seen setting forest fires and speaking loudly of their “Lord,” Kroul. Many of them begin to enter the cities, expressing desires to see the fabled [[Master Crystal]] of the magi guilds.

Maran of Shallam offers the Tsol’aa aid and succor. The other city-states, [[Oakstone]], and the guilds and clans of Sapience eventually offer like assistance. In an amazing show of solidarity, ancient enemies join one another in common cause against the perceived threat on the horizon. Patrols are organized and guard set.

Queen Celaabi is found murdered along with her unborn children. A group of Orc knights, assassins and huntresses makes a raid upon the hiding place of Prince Tu’eras and his band in hiding. They are repelled, but not before one of the assassins manages to kill the Elder Druid, [[Thaa’lis]].

Vexlore publicly boasts that he is a mercenary agent of Kroul, an Ogre High Priest. He reveals Kroul’s plans to seize the master crystals and open a portal into this world through which his legions shall pour, decimating all before them. Kroul, realizing that he must proceed openly now, and that the usefulness of his traitorous stooge is at an end, slays Vexlore cruelly, laughing at his gullibility.

Sapience launches a massive assault on the stronghold of Kroul, in the recently rediscovered [[Dun Valley]], defeating him, and discovering that Kroul is, himself, only the mercenary for [[Zh’risia]], a [[Tsol’teth]] wishing to prove his prowess to his kin, who has been skulking within the Dun fortress since the murder of his master by [[Baron Vukub Ysin’zhu]].

Sapience rejoices at the victory, but with sorrow as Tu’eras takes the mantle of kingship while mourning his dead parents and kin.

Raajin Lucoster and various of his followers breaks with the Infernals over philosophical differences with Sartan, God of Evil and Infernal Patron. Although Khejian, his comrade-in-arms and close friend is to follow him, Khejian betrays Raajin’s Exodus Battallion at the last moment and chooses to remain with Ashtan and Sartan. The Exodus Battallion goes into exile, and take up residence as guests of Hashan. Although Raajin and his Battallion garner the support of many throughout Sapience, the Infernals and Ashtan persecute them continually. Eventually Raajin is abducted and is not heard from again. The Exodus Battallion eventually falls into obscurity.

Mysterious new “landmarks” appear in the lands. The [[Landmarks]] and their changing aspects are immediately recognized as having metaphysical import, and the essence using guilds and their allies take opposing sides in their approaches to the maintenance of the Landmarks and the sites and structures, engendering fresh and bloody new conflicts in Sapience.

[[Epicurus]], Ashtan’s resident teacher, has resorted to a potion in order to sleep, but has fallen into a deep unnatural slumber, beset by violent nightmares, from which it appears he will never wake.

Hashan calls upon Sharbrena, high Cleric of its Patron [[Twilight]] and beseeches her to summon [[Eseme]] once more. The cleric arrives and enters the dreams of Epicurus in an attempt to discern the nature of his malady. She is shocked to discover that during the repair of the Jade Icon, four years earlier, one of the nightmare spirits had been inadvertently sealed outside it, and the spirit’s bond to the statuette broken. The Icon itself has disappeared from the keeping of the [[Obeah Ecstasia]] again.

[[Sartan]], Lord of Evil, after wreaking fearful havoc upon the world, declares that He intends to extinguish the last bit of power left by [[Aurora]], Goddess of Light, before She left this plane for unknown destinations and for an unspecified length of time. He extinguishes Her Flame of Light, destroying Her links to the mortal world. Thus denying Her future return. However, deep within the keep of the Vampire Queen, [[Belladona]], Dawn, the Keeper of Light has long guarded one of Aurora’s most potent artifacts, the Prism of Light. The Prism yet provides the Lightbringer a portal into this plane.

In the culmination of an old prophecy, first uttered by [[Choirmaster Handel]] of the Chrysalis Basilica, the essence of Aurora, Goddess of Light, is dispersed. Pentharian, God of Righteousness, takes Her mantle upon Himself and becomes God of Righteousness and Light.

Following new bridge construction on the [[Isle of Delos]], and underwater city called [[Riparium]] is discovered. One of its inhabitants reveals that a specific herbal element will allow air breathers to visit there and many do.  

Orina, Guildmistress of the Druids, joins with Xandor Sheolan, Grand Shadow of the Order of Twilight, in the performance of a rite known as the Darkenwood Ritual. For the second time in history the forests of Sapience are shrouded in shadow. This time, however, the intent is ostensibly to merge the essences of Gaia and Twilight in a shield against the minions of Evil. Orina is roundly castigated by many for what is perceived as her treachery. Some, recalling the Death’s Heart episode, believe that in her desperation to save the forests, she has been duped by the machinations of the Order of Darkness.

Gaia refuses to intervene although many beseech Her for aid and succor. Many of the traditional allies of Nature refuse to be tainted by Darkness and refuse their aid as well. What is worse, for all Xandor’s words, it seems that the Children of Darkness have no true intent of helping the Forest. Orina changes her mind and seeks to undo that which she has done. The Children of Nature and their faithful perform a rite to rid the forests of Darkness, and the [[Darkenwood]] Rite is never completed. They succeed for the most part, but Gaia remains withdrawn and impatient and it is obvious that something abhorrent to Nature yet troubles the lands beneath the trees. The Children of Nature resort to oracles for assistance, but do not see that an imbalance has been created that they must right, preferring to place blame outside themselves rather than heed the words of wisdom given to them.

The war between the Order of Evil and the Forests continues. Eventually Sartan presents His terms for “peace” to the Forest entities. Gaia and the Oakstone Council reject his offer. Subsequently, Gaia presents Her own terms and both sides declare victory, bringing an uneasy peace to the forest, which yet require great healing.

[[Syvelium]], guild tutor of the [[Paladins]] goes missing. When questioned about the disappearance, [[Pentharian]] and the other Gods deny that such an entity has ever even existed. Mortals begin to whisper among themselves that the Gods seem to have gone mad, and tremble in fear of what this means to the world. Soon the fabric of sanity begins to unravel throughout the continent. Mortalkind remember events and personages the existence of which are denied by the Deities. The madness moves throughout the populace and soon none are sure of life, memory, family or position. Or, indeed, are sure of things that cannot possibly be or never were. Many regress into infantile states or claim ancestries, histories or associations that go beyond the outlandish. Firefox of Hashan loses his Serpentlord abilities and finds that in their place he has attained a mystical knowledge previously unknown in the world. He calls himself a “[[Shaman]]” and forms a guild in Hashan. Events continue to spiral out of control.

The Order of Valnurana is given a revelation of an entity that brings to mind the “Other,” spoken of by Phaestus at his release. Soon the Other reveals Himself to the world. He begins to use His powers slay Achaeans in a random and capricious manner. He changes the race of others to beings thereafter known as Satyrs and Sirens. During a great meteorological cataclysm, a gilded chest plummets from the sky to land in the Aureliana Forest. Kaisar La’Seir discovers the chest and reads upon it dire words of prophecy, warning that to open it will lead to horror and mayhem.

Once Hashan has been destroyed the Other reveals His name to be [[Varian]] and vows to make all Creation His. As Achaea reels in the horror at His pronouncements that He is ruler of all, Sarapis, the Logos, reveals that He has all along been unaffected by the madness which has infected the other Gods, merely playing a waiting game to size up this almost-equal entity from outside His Creation. The Logos is unable to destroy Varian, but has the power to create a mirror image of Achaea and expel the Other from Achaea and into the duplicate world. Sarapis calls this new sphere of Creation “[[Aetolia]]” and dubs it the Midnight Age. He then severs its connection with Achaea and sets it on a course of its own.