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Table of Contents
The History of Jaern
The written history of Jaern is compiled from a variety of separate accounts, transcribed here in this library by the archivists of the Centralia Guild of Wizards and the Kira Institute at the University of Helmrest. Work is constantly being done to fill in the gaps of knowledge and create a more objective record of events. If you believe you possess knowledge that is not presented in this library, please contact the Head Archivist and arrange a meeting1). All years are presented as SF (Since Founding). Events are presented with the most recent at the top, and most ancient at the bottom.
The Modern Age
(10069 SF - Present, Worldwide)
The Modern Age is marked by adventuring being a common profession. Adventurers are often some of the most major movers of historical events. The start of the Modern Age was the creation of Ageron, when a large group of spellcasters worked together to raise a new continent up from a small archipelago.
Major events of this era include:
- Creation of Ageron (10069)
- Reform of the Tarusian Priesthood (10069 - 10078)
- Jaern Switches to the Gold Standard (10077)
- Ishar Magaroth Attacks the Rhine (10078)
- Great Jaernian Blizzard (10078-10079)
- Raze of Centralia & Prallian Independence (10079)
- Demonic Invasions of Ageron (10080)
Cahyalian Contact
(10068 SF, Centralia)
Although freak portals and weird magic was common connecting Jaern and Cahyali, it was not until 10068 that the Centralia Mages' Guild opened a stable interplanar portal leading out to Ulos in Cahyali. Ever since, portals to Cahyali are easy to access via the Alpha Site. Most of these portals land somewhere in Ulos or its allied nations.
A single, tightly controlled portal also exists leading to Ley'Ork, under supervision of the HTUC. Only important political and military leaders tend to travel through this portal.
Time of Gods and Dragons
(10038 - 10069 SF, Worldwide)
This time in Jaernian history is characterized by several major events with their impacts stretching across the world, as well as the presence of adventurers throughout. It began with the Day of Reckoning, when many of the gods' current incarnations were killed, featured events such as the return of dragons to Jaern, and ended with Ageron's creation.
Major events of this era include:
- Purge of the Kurago (10061 - 10063)
- Return of the Dragons (10057)
- Jaernian Refusion & Hegemony Scourge (10054 - 10056)
- The Jalera Reign (10049 - 10052)
- Great Jaernian Plague (10044 - 10047)
- The Age of Reckoning (10038 - 10044)
Discovery of Terisium
(9764 SF, Lojem)
A mage named Jican Trion at the University of Raforge in Lojem discovers applications of the unique, deeply magical material terisium. The use of this material allows easy and quick creation of magical items by mortal mages for the first time in history. Mages become the primary holders of knowledge in this time, after the collapse of the Tarusian Archives only a few years prior.
Resurgence and Collapse of the Archives
(9645 - 9742 SF, Lojem)
A man named Justin Gheler receives guidance and the methods of smithing steel from a Tarus in disguise and brings the disgraced Tarusian Archives back into the light. The Archives would not last long after Gheler's death, though, as many archivists hoarded knowledge for themselves and refused to share valuable secrets with the public. This would attract significant backlash from the population, countless Tarusian priests were killed, and knowledge would not again fall into the hands of a temple for a century. Even after the witch-hunts of record-keepers ended, the Tarusian archives would not undergo reform until as recently as 10070.
Alhikma Caliphate
(9263 - 9678 SF, Alwadiha)
After the fall of the Veiled Empire, settlers set adrift found themselves on what is modern-day Alwadiha. They conquered and subjugated the local lizard populations, kicking off a period of prosperity and establishing many religious as well as academic orders that still persist to the modern era. However, all of this abundance was built on the backs of the conquered people.
Arrival of the Gnomes
(8142 SF, Lojem)
In 8142, a portal mysteriously opened in the Osiris' Necklace archipelago in southern Lojem, bringing great shock to a trading caravan of lizards on their way to Rougtero. It was then that gnomes would arrive on Jaern, reporting a “great cataclysm” in their home plane of the Dreaming involving “terrible shapes” and “rootless flowers”. Several more portals would open over the next two years in various parts of Jaern and Cahyali, with groups of gnomes running out and reporting the same general destruction each time.
First Divine Dark Age
(8100 - 9645 SF, Worldwide)
After a catastrophic experiment by a Tarusian temple results in the destruction of an entire island, witch hunts ensue en masse against all Tarusians. Archives are burned, Tarus is dubbed the “God of Death Machines,” and the practice of record keeping - as well as society's value of knowledge and invention - fades away. People who show too much technical expertise are sometimes accused of being Tarusians and burned at the stake. Little technological nor magical advancement happens during this time.
The Reign of the Veiled Empire
(7837 - 9123 SF, Ageron)
The Veiled Empire was one of the first civilizations to exist after Torandor's destruction, and was famous for its demon-binding. The empire rose and fell long before the art of adventuring began on Jaern, but this time period holds large interest to archeologists, historians, and archivists. At its height, the Veiled Empire had touched nearly every corner of the Azurian and Sunovarm seas: controlling Geleia, Lojem, and what would eventually become Ageron.
Frozen Era
(7812 - 8800s SF, Worldwide)
This time period, the first millennium of habitation on Jaern, is marked by the steady thawing-out of the planet. Even assisted by the gods, it was not a quick process; for the first five hundred years, one could walk across the frozen oceans on foot. Much of the early exploration of Jaern was done over hundreds of miles of snowy icefield.
By the early 8000s, the oceans had mostly melted, though winters were still cold and strong. Scholars estimate that the climate of Jaern is now as normal as it's going to get, and no more thawing is left to be done.
Advent of Jaern
(circa 7800 SF, Worldwide)
Jaern enters the Onra system as a rogue planet and collides with Torandor's moon Tysyl, destroying it. Torandor is flung out of its orbit and torn apart by Onra's gravity, becoming a new asteroid belt along with the remains of its moon. Most of the population of Torandor is lost, with only a minority evacuating to Jaern on a ship named the Kaaren of Destruction.
The Kaaren of Destruction lands on Geleia, Jaern in 7812 SF.
Elvesbane Strikes
(5352 - 5360 SF, Torandor)
An asteroid strikes the Jelwah province of Torandor, carrying a virulent pathogen which spreads a deadly plague amongst elves and elves only. Millions die, with one in one thousand surviving. Aftereffects of the plague extend elven lifespan, at the cost of lowering birthrate.
The Mythical Founding of Aldeberon
(1 SF, Torandor)
Little is known about Aldeberon, but it was a significant enough civilization such that its founding date is the reckoning for the Jaernian calendar to this day.