Calendar

Each world has its own calendar system, and sometimes multiple calendars exist on one world. However, the need for a common method of measuring time has always been a need once inter-world trade, facilitated by the Wyrmstones, became a reality. In response, the Guild-States of Ra'niah, backed by its economic might, instituted the Trade Year (TY) as trade started to increase after the plague. Although not formally ratified nor universally recognized, it has become the de facto unit of time for merchants and adventurers alike. The Trade Year is composed of 360 days, divided into 12 months of 30 days each.

Prior to the Trade Year calendar the Telman states used the Imperial Annuas Calendarium (IAC) and the Celestial Empire still maintains the Celestial Linian (CL).

The current year Trade year is equal to the real-world year minus 1900. The calendar equivalences: TY 109, IAC 1422, CL 4152

Timeline

The dates for the following events are best estimates based on current Trade Year. The Plague Years decimated the populations of all the worlds and interfered with accurate record keeping. Some of this information is lost to the common populace, found only in a few ancient libraries, it is included here to provide a complete record.

Long Ago

The first set of draconic remains found outside of Eone is discovered on Daigon by the human historian Parthio Denseim. Dragons have long remained aloof and apart from all the Worlds, only appearing high in the skies and watching from far away peaks.

Research immediately began on unlocking the secrets of draconic flight. Excitement and controversy surrounded the project, while excavations started world wide as the populace of the then fertile Daigon was swept with Draconic fever.

During one exploratory excavation project seeking Draconic remains, the ruins of an ancient civilization is discovered in the mountain ranges of Daigon. The design of the ruins and the architecture were determined to be non-human in origin. Excavations proceeded at a measured pace as the world's finest historians flocked to the site.

Near the end of his life Denseim declares defeat in his efforts. All his research pointed to the inability of dragons to support their own weight given their wingspans.

"The Seal" is discovered among the ancient ruins. A monolithic device of odd angles and runes, it is too ancient and too alien to comprehend and comes to stand as a monument to frustration.

Fiera Aerwin, a Daigoni biomancer, is given authorization to study draconic remains via magical means. In doing so, she discovered that some mineralized bone segments absorbed magical energy, and in turn imbued them with properties. She dubbed these iridescent pieces Wyrmstones.

-3242 TY

Wyrmstone research under Aerwin is rumored to be close to breakthroughs in flight and teleportation.

-3241 TY

A frantic message is received from the ruins, sent by parties unknown: "The Seal is open-" The same year, dragons from across all the worlds flocked to Daigon. The human civilization was destroyed as the Regnum Draconi began, sending refugees to every world.

-3230 TY

The Celestial Empire deploys the first fleet of Highsailing vessels and the first set of Portgates between the capital and the industrial city of Fleetwood. Ambassadors immediately lodge protests against the Empire, led by the Nar and the Hothai.

-3229 TY

The Nar declare war on the Celestial Empire in the first recorded inter-world conflict. One of the Empire's Highsiling vessels is captured, revealing Wyrmstone construction secrets. News of the discovery spreads like wildfire.

-3227 TY

The Harvester Raids begin on the dragon graveyards on the moon Eone. 7 in 10 teams do not return, but no government or guild is willing to lose out on the race for Wyrmstones.

-3220 TY

The Hothai emerge as the clear leaders in Wyrmstone reserves, having been the most successful on Eone. Instead of building a Highsailing fleet of their own, however, they declare open bidding for their cache.

-3219 TY

In a stunning raid, the Celestial Empire sacks the Hothai capital and plunders the Wyrmstone caches. The Hothai declare war against Liunonda, but it is widely considered a symbolic gesture.

-3179 TY

The first Truce is declared between the Celestial Empire and the Nar as both their economies near collapse. Thus begins the Two-Thousand Year War.

-3179 to -1807 TY

The Celestial Empire and the Nar enter into cycles of active conflict and cold war, neither gaining an advantage over the other.

-1100 TY

Wyrmstone supplies across the worlds drop precipitously, for reasons unknown. The Celestial Empire begins commandeering Highsailing vessels from any race they encounter. Trade across the worlds is disrupted as Highsailing becomes de facto restricted to the most powerful and influential.

-1075 TY

The Nar homeworld is destroyed, inexplicably breaking up into the pieces that now form The Web. The Celestial Empire takes credit for the destruction, but never reveals the method.

-1075 TY

The Hothai begin development on a weapon of immense power, presumably in response to the destruction of the Nar homeworld. They also begin building tremendous numbers of lesser Highsailing vessels, using low quality Wyrmstones. The market finds few buyers for these ships, but the Hothai seemingly do not care.

-1019 TY

On the anniversary of the sacking of Issara, Hothai plague carriers secretly depart from their homeworld. They will eventually visit every known settlement among the Worlds. The same year, the entire Hothai army boards the massive fleet of lesser Highflight vessels and departs Issara. They enter into hibernation, suggesting a long journey.

-1017 TY

A new, mysterious disease flares into a Worlds-spanning pandemic. Resistant to both magic and mundane efforts to eradicate it, the Plague decimates 20% of the entire population across all races, including Issara. The only world untouched is Daigon.

-1015 TY

The Plague continues to rage unchecked. Quarantine attempts end in failure. 80% of the population fall victim, and civilization collapses into a Dark Age. Highsailing vessels, already uncommon sights after the Two Thousand Year War, are targeted by Plague survivors fearing more carriers. Highsailing itself becomes blasphemy in some circles and is destroyed on sight.

-719 TY

300 years into the Dark Age, the Hothai invasion fleet that had departed Issara so long ago makes landing on Liunonda. Genocide rages for years. The Celestial Empire eventually manages to contain and defeat the invasion force, but not without taking heavy losses in manpower and infrastructure.

-405 TY

The first Guild-State forms on Ra'niah, and is immediately taken as a symbol of a return to true civilization.

-200 TY

The Harvester Raids begin again on Eone. Highsailing slowly finds its way back into general acceptance. Populations are still half of what they were pre-Plague, but grow at a steady pace.

-232 TY

The return of commercial Highsailing vessels and the use of Portgates signal a genuine end of the Dark Ages.

0 TY

The Guild-States of Ra'niah institute the concept of the Trade Year (TY), to officially signal the beginning of a renaissance, and to give all the Worlds a common unit of time measurement for use in trade. Peace and prosperity abound.

60 TY TY

The Chithrau invade Shahan, inflicting losses and atrocities never before seen among the Worlds. Where they came from, and why they haven't advanced their invasion, remain mysteries.

110 TY

Present Day.