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--- history [2007/01/04 00:27] – jims
+++ history [2017/05/27 18:56] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 ====== The History of the World ======
-[[World|Back to main World page]]
+The history of the prime world has been divided into three "ages" by historians,
+plus a one-thousand year "dark age" from which no records remain.  In actuality,
+these ages consist of several distinct eras, ranging in size from only a century
+to more than a millennium.  A brief breakdown of the eras follows:
-The history of the prime world has been divided into three
+//Calendar years are denoted with a roman numeral for the "age" followed by the
-"ages" by historians, plus a one-thousand year "dark age" from
+year.  Example: "III:1090" is the year 1090 in the third age.//
-which no records remain.  In actuality, these ages consist of
-several distinct eras, ranging in size from only a century to
-more than a millennium.  A brief breakdown of the eras follows:
 ==== Era 0 ====
-This period of time is unknown to even the gods, as it is
+This period of time is unknown to even the gods, as it is the time before the
-the time before the gods arrived at the twenty worlds.  It ended
+gods arrived at the [[twenty worlds]].  It ended when the gods gave the [[heaven
-when the gods gave the heaven spire to the prime world.
+spire]] to the [[prime world]].
 ==== Era I : ca. I:1 - I:864 ====
-This era consisted of the rise of the
+This era consisted of the rise of the first civilization.  Very few records
-first civilization.  Very few records remained for the priests
+remained for the priests and scholars of 864 to use as a basis for the new
-and scholars of 864 to use as a basis for the new calendar they
+calendar they were trying to develop.  Thus, the year 864 was chosen as the best
-were trying to develop.  Thus, the year 864 was chosen as the
+approximation, and was based more on legend than fact.  The actual length of
-best approximation, and was based more on legend than fact.  The
+this era has been estimated as anywhere from five hundred years to two thousand
-actual length of this era has been estimated as anywhere from
+years.
-five hundred years to two thousand years.
 ==== Era II : I:864 - I:2108 ====
-This era saw the founding of the first
+This era saw the founding of the first [[spire kingdom]] at its beginning, and
-spire kingdom at its beginning, and the collapse of that same
+the collapse of that same kingdom at the end.  One of the many contributions of
-kingdom at the end.  One of the many contributions of this
+this kingdom was the founding of the first wizard's council: [[gûlaraî|the order
-kingdom was the founding of the first wizard's council: the order
+of the gûlaraî]].
-of the gûlaraî.
 ==== Era III : I:2108 - I:2631 ====
-After the collapse of the first spire
+After the collapse of the first [[spire kingdom]], a descendant of the first
-kingdom, a descendant of the first line of spire kings reclaims
+line of spire kings reclaimed [[heaven spire|the spire]] and its lands as part
-the spire and its lands as part of the new Brúlan kingdom,
+of the new [[Brúlan]] kingdom, forming the second [[spire kingdom]].  At the end
-forming the second spire kingdom.  At the end of this era, a
+of this era, a young member of the [[gûlaraî]] named [[Nakam Alkat]] was framed
-young member of the gûlaraî named Nakam Alkat is framed by the
+by the [[Ainagûl]] [[Psalor]] and cast out of the order by his peers.  In the
-Ainagûl Psalor and is cast out by his peers.  In the end, Nakam
+end, [[Nakam Alkat]] got his revenge on the order, causing the beginning of
-Alkat gets his revenge on the order, causing the beginning of
+their end, and [[Psalor]] was cast out by his deity.  In the resulting chaos,
-their end, and Psalor is cast out by his deity.  In the resulting
+[[Brúlan]] was weakened and overtaken by orcs.
-chaos, Brúlan is weakened and is overtaken by orcs.
 ==== Era IV : I:2631 - I:2902 ====
-After a brief spire kingdom ruled by
+After a brief [[spire kingdom]] ruled by orcs, the kingdom of [[Kéaralor]]
-orcs, the kingdom of Kéaralor ("Bright Hill-lands") reclaims the
+("Bright Hill-lands") reclaimed [[heaven spire|the spire]] for the humans and
-spire for the humans and founds the third spire kingdom.  Early
+founded the third [[spire kingdom]].  This is also the time of the [[Pioneers]]
-in this era, Nakam Alkat is killed by a sword-wielding hero.
+and the [[D'Hari campaign]].
-Before his death, though, he makes a pact with Hades to insure
-his "survival".  Thus, late in this era, Nakam Alkat returns as
-the undead Dark Mage.
+Early in this era, [[Nakam Alkat]] was killed by a sword-wielding hero.  Before
+his death, though, he made a pact with [[Hades]] to insure his "survival".
+Thus, late in this era, [[Nakam Alkat]] returned as the undead [[Dark Mage]].
-In addition to inciting the barbarians to move on the
+In addition to inciting the barbarians to move on the civilized world, the "Dark
-civilized world, he deceives many prominent priests into thinking
+Mage" deceived many prominent priests into thinking that their gods have turned
-that their gods have turned their backs on them.  The result
+their backs on them.  The result lead to the downfall of more than one nation.
-leads to the downfall of more than one kingdom.  When the spire
+When the [[spire kingdom]] itself began to falter, the aged king confronted the
-kingdom itself began to falter, the aged king confronted the Dark
+[[Dark Mage]] himself.  In an act born of desperation, the king called upon his
-Mage himself.  In an act born of desperation, the king called
+divine-given power over [[heaven spire|the spire]] to burn the mage from the
-upon his divine-given power over the spire to burn the mage from
+face of the world.  This succeeded, but the vane use of the gods' greatest gift
-the face of the earth.  This succeeds, but the vane use of the
+forced it to crack, jolting the land around it with a massive earthquake.
-gods' greatest gift forces it to crack, jolting the land around
-it with a massive earthquake.
+The stunned spire king was then easily slain by the barbarian king (working with
-The stunned spire king is then easily slain by the barbarian
+the [[Dark Mage]] at the time).  The barbarian then took the [[Dark Mage]]'s
-king (working with the Dark Mage at the time).  The barbarian
+sword of fire: [[Alakîr Lubár]] for his own, not knowing that the mage was able
-then takes the Dark Mage's sword of fire: Alakîr Lubár for his
+to transfer his essence into it as he was being burned.  Shortly thereafter,
-own, not knowing that the mage was able to transfer his essence
+when the deceived priests began to denounce their gods, more than one god grew
-into it as he was being burned.  Shortly thereafter, when the
+angry.  In a great tribunal, the gods decreed that the magic shall be stripped
-deceived priests began to denounce their gods, more than one god
+from the world as a punishment.
-grew angry.  In a great tribunal, the gods decree that the magic
-shall be stripped from the world as a punishment.
 ==== Era V : I:2902 - I:3902 ====
-Without magic, the world suffers
+Without magic, the world suffered greatly.  Many nations supported in part by
-greatly.  Many kingdoms supported in part by magic are left
+magic were left unprotected against the advancing barbarians.  Many magic-based
-unprotected against the advancing barbarians.  Many magic-based
+creatures grew sick or died, leaving a world populated almost exclusively by
-creatures grow sick or die, leaving a world populated almost
+humans.  In an effort to protect their races, [[Corellon]] and [[Gruumsh]]
-exclusively by humans.  In an effort to protect their races,
+construct two gems to contain the essences of their respective races: elves and
-Corellon and Gruumsh construct two gems to contain the essences
+orcs.  The result was a gradual transformation to humanity for both races.
-of their respective races: elves and orcs.  The result is a
+Similarly, the dragon gods constructed the eight orbs of the dragonkind to keep
-gradual transformation to humanity for both races.  Similarly,
+the dragons alive.  Unlike the two other gems, though, the orbs allowed for all
-the dragon gods construct the eight orbs of the dragonkind to
+true dragons to remain alive, albeit at a significantly reduced power level.
-keep the dragons alive.  Unlike the two other gems, though, the
-orbs allow for all true dragons to remain alive, albeit at a
-significantly reduced power level.
-The last vestige of civilization, kept alive despite its
+The last vestige of civilization, kept alive despite its lack of magical
-lack of magical defenses, was the Tower of the Lords, Maíl Lúral.
+defenses, was the Tower of the Lords, [[Maíl Lúral]]. This great tower finally
-This great tower finally was overtaken in the year 3028.  Beyond
+was overtaken in the year 3028.  Beyond this point, no written records remain.
-this point, no written records remain.  Tradition says that this
+Tradition says that this era was exactly 1,000 years long - however there is
-era was exactly 1,000 years long - however there is some controversy
+some controversy about this figure among historians.
-about this figure among historians.
 ==== Era VI : II:1 - II:112 ====
-This era began when the thousand-year
+This era began when the thousand-year "dark age" was ended by the gods.  In a
-period of no magic was ended by the gods.  In a sudden influx of
+sudden influx of mana, many features that once were dominated by magic were
-mana, many features that once were dominated by magic were found
+found to have changed.  Where the ruins of the original spire city lay, a city
-to have changed.  Where the ruins of the original spire city lay,
+sprang up almost overnight.  The people nearby immediately settled it and called
-a city sprang up almost overnight.  The people nearby immediately
+it [[Larum]].  Meanwhile, many a surprised human found their features gradually
-settled it and called it Larum.  Meanwhile, many a surprised
+flow back into those of an elf or orc.
-human found their features gradually flow back into those of an
-elf or orc.
+The newly-revived elves were lucky enough to possess not only their racial
-The newly-revived elves were lucky enough to possess not
+weapon: [[Mancú Rilmaeg]], but also the great gem of Corellon: [[Luinmîr]].  The
-only their racial weapon: Mancú Rilmaeg, but also the great gem
+wielders of these two artifacts were a man and woman who were wed and formed the
-of Corellon: Luinmîr.  The wielders of these two artifacts were a
+great elven kingdom known thereafter as [[Formlondë]].  The orcs, similarly
-man and woman who were wed and formed the great elven kingdom
+armed with the [[gem of Gruumsh]], formed their own alliance, though it was not
-known thereafter as Formlondë.  The orcs, similarly armed with
+as strong due to their in-fighting.  Never-the-less, they posed enough of a
-the gem of Gruumsh, formed their own alliance, though it was not
+threat to the elves to fight the great battle of [[Barámon]] (the spire hill),
-as strong due to their in-fighting.  Never-the-less, they posed
+when both races decided to claim the still-cracked heaven spire.  The orc's
-enough of a threat to the elves to fight the great battle of
+leader, known as the "one-eye", was slain in this battle by the elvish king
-Barámon, the spire hill, when both races decided to claim the
+armed with [[Mancú Rilmaeg]]. In the end, the orcs were barely beaten back and
-still-cracked heaven spire.  The orc's leader, known as the one-
+the elvish queen called on the power of [[Luinmîr]] to heal [[heaven spire|the
-eye, was slain in this battle by the elvish king armed with Mancú
+spire]]. This all took place in the year 112, and the fourth [[spire kingdom]]
-Rilmaeg.  In the end, the orcs were barely beaten back and the
-elvish queen called on the power of Luinmîr to heal the spire.
-This all took place in the year 112, and the fourth spire kingdom
 was born.
 ==== Era VII : II:112 - II:854 ====
-With the heaven spire restored, the
+With the heaven spire restored, the [[Dark Mage]] re-formed.  The wielder of
-Dark Mage re-formed.  The wielder of Alakîr Lubár, a prominent
+[[Alakîr Lubár]], a prominent barbarian, found himself overtaken by the [[Dark
-barbarian, found himself overtaken by the Dark Mage's mind, and
+Mage]]'s mind, and travelled back to the [[Dark Mage]]'s still-standing castle.
-travelled back to the Dark Mage's still-standing castle.  While
+While the mage rebuilt his body and power, the elves rebuilt the Tower of the
-the mage rebuilt his body and power, the elves rebuilt the Tower
+Lords and named it [[Minas Moríant]] ("Tower of Bridging Darkness").
-of the Lords and named it Minas Moríant ("Tower of Bridging
-Darkness").
+When the human hero [[Brant]] of the North Hills found the great sword
+[[Kelva]], the humans were able to reclaim [[heaven spire|the spire]].  Due to
+the elves' short tenure and the peaceful exchange that occurred, historians
+consider the elvish [[spire kingdom]] and the human kingdom that replaced it to
+be one and the same. Meanwhile, by the year 119, the [[Dark Mage]] had
+established his usual foothold, and had made yet another deal with [[Hades]].
+This time, his twelve closest followers were transformed by the god into
+[["demonwraiths"]], creatures half-demon and half-undead. Then, the [[Dark
+Mage]] constructed a magical medallion and scepter for each, plus a master set
+for himself.
-When the human hero Brant of the North Hills found the great
+Armed with these, the twelve terrorized the world until the year 140, when the
-sword Kelva, the humans were able to reclaim the spire.  Due to
+[[Dark Mage]] was struck down suddenly by the combined power of the wizard
-the elves' short tenure and the peaceful exchange that occurred,
+[[Kwalish]] and the time-displaced [[ozzie|Lord Ozzie]] (see Era X and XI).
-historians consider the elvish spire kingdom and the human
+[[Kwalish]] then destroyed the master medallion, causing the simultaneous, but
-kingdom that replaced it to be one and the same.  Meanwhile, by
+temporary, discorporation of the twelve [[demonwraiths]].  Seeing no easy way to
-the year 119, the Dark Mage had established his usual foothold,
+destroy the scepter, and fearing its power would eventually revive the mage,
-and had made yet another deal with Hades.  This time, his twelve
+[[Kwalish]] cast the master scepter into the timestream, hoping it would never
-closest followers were transformed by the god into creatures
+be found. [[ozzie|Lord Ozzie]] then burned the [[Dark Mage]]'s corpse with the
-half-demon, half-undead demonwraiths.  Then, the Dark Mage
+sword of fire and returned to his own time with the sword.
-constructed a magical medallion and scepter for each, plus a
-master set for himself.
+The twelve leaderless [[demonwraiths]] tried in vain to summon their master, and
-Armed with these, the twelve terrorized the world until the
+eventually went into hiding to await his return. They did emerge, though, and
-year 140, when the Dark Mage was struck down suddenly by the
+acted on their own at the end of this era.  In a series of battles, ending with
-combined power of the wizard Kwalish and the time-displaced Lord
+the great [[Dagórmarth]] (Battle of Doom), the [[spire kingdom]] was brought to
-Ozzie (see Era X and XI).  Kwalish then destroyed the master
+its knees and the great sword [[Kelva]] fell into the hands of the
-medallion, causing the simultaneous, but temporary,
+[[demonwraith]]'s leader.
-discorporation of the twelve demonwraiths.  Seeing no easy way to
-destroy the scepter, and fearing its power would eventually
-revive the mage, Kwalish cast the master scepter into the
-timestream, hoping it would never be found.  Lord Ozzie then
-burned the Dark Mage's corpse with the sword of fire and returned
-to his own time with the sword.
-The twelve leaderless demonwraiths try in vain to summon
-their master, and eventually go into hiding to await his return.
-They did emerge, though, and acted on their own at the end of
-this era.  In a series of battles, ending with the great
-Dagórmarth (Battle of Doom), the spire kingdom was brought to its
-knees and the great sword Kelva fell into the hands of the
-demonwraith's leader.
 ==== Era VIII : II:854 - II:1929 ====
-Without the sword Kelva, the heirs
+Without the sword [[Kelva]], the heirs of [[Brant]] were unable to reclaim
-of Brant were unable to reclaim the spire, and no spire kingdom
+[[heaven spire|the spire]], and no [[spire kingdom]] existed during this time.
-existed during this time.  The greatest kingdom in the world
+The greatest nation in the world became [[arral_empire|Arral]], in the plains of
-becomes Arral, in the plains of the southern continent.  The
+[[thentao|the "southern" continent]].  The [[demonwraiths]], armed with the
-demonwraiths, armed with the sword and guarding the spire,
+sword and guarding [[heaven spire|the spire]], surprised everybody by doing
-surprise everybody by doing nothing.  The elves form the Rimtiír
+nothing.  The elves form the [[Rimtiír]] ("watchful numbers") to keep tabs on
-("watchful numbers") to keep tabs on the twelve, but nothing
+the twelve, but nothing changed for centuries.
-changes for centuries.
+In the year 1719, the [[demonwraiths]] found the master scepter and revived the
+[[Dark Mage]].  In one of the greatest mistakes ever made by the overconfident
+mage, the spire was abandoned.  For years, the twelve ravaged the world,
+bringing it to its knees by the early 1800's.  Then, in 1821, a hero named
+[[Egmont]] of the great vale (the coastline where [[Larum]] was) succeeded in
+wresting the sword [[Kelva]] from the [[demonwraith]] leader.  The elven king
+[[Taulauren]], armed with [[Mancú Rilmaeg]], and the dwarvish king [[Môrgli]],
+armed with the axe [[Rûklil]] joined forces with [[Egmont]] to vanquish the
+twelve once and for all.  This quest consumed the remainder of [[Egmont]]'s
+life, and when the hero finally died in 1866, only eight of the twelve had been
+sealed in their makeshift tombs.  [[Egmont]]'s grandson, [[Osbert]], though,
+carried on where his grandfather had left off and brought the final four down by
+the year 1927, when [[Osbert]] died.
-In the year 1719, the demonwraiths found the master scepter
+Meanwhile, the [[Dark Mage]] was faced with a diminishing roster of
-and revived the Dark Mage.  In one of the greatest mistakes ever
+[[demonwraiths]] and so in 1898 made a pact with the orc one-eye. The orcs then
-made by the overconfident mage, the spire was abandoned.  For
+began heated attacks against the human nations.  The current [[Ainagûl]],
-years, the twelve ravaged the world, bringing it to its knees by
+[[Aurén Ilay]] responded by taking steps to destroy the mage.  [[Aurén
-the early 1800's.  Then, in 1821, a hero named Egmont of the
+Ilay|Ilay]] constructed ten artifacts, designed specifically for use by the elf-
-great vale (the coastline where Larum was) succeeded in wresting
+king [[Taulauren]].  With these artifacts, [[Taulauren]] would have been
-the sword Kelva from the demonwraith leader.  The elven king
+powerful enough to destroy the [[Dark Mage]] in combat. However, unknown to
-Taulauren, armed with Mancú Rilmaeg, and the dwarvish king
+[[Aurén Ilay]], the [[Dark Mage]] had acquired from the orc one-eye the
-Môrgli, armed with the axe Rûklil joined forces with Egmont to
+[[Luinmîr|gem of Corellon]].  Its power was such that no elf could harm its
-vanquish the twelve once and for all.  This quest consumed the
+wielder.
-remainder of Egmont's life, and when the hero finally died in
-, only eight of the twelve had been sealed in their makeshift
-tombs.  Egmont's grandson, Osbert, though, carried on where his
-grandfather had left off and brought the final four down by the
-year 1927, when Osbert died.
+In February of 1929, the [[Dark Mage]] refused to grant the orc one-eye certain
+promised provisions and so the orcs rebelled against the mage.  As punishment,
+the mage killed the one-eye and massacred hundreds more.  This act so angered
+[[Gruumsh]] that the god defied the agreed rules of divine intervention and
+confronted the [[Dark Mage]] himself.  [[Hades]] noticed the intervention and
+granted the mage the power to confront [[Gruumsh]] on the same power level.  The
+result left a badly beaten and enraged [[Gruumsh]] fleeing for his life.
-Meanwhile, the Dark Mage was faced with a diminishing roster
+Seeing their opportunity, [[Aurén Ilay]] sent [[Taulauren]] against the weakened
-of demonwraiths and so in 1898 made a pact with the orc one-eye.
+[[Dark Mage]], but the elf-king found himself powerless against [[Luinmîr]].  In
-The orcs began heated attacks against the human kingdoms and the
+desperation, [[Aurén Ilay]] stepped in himself and struck out with the [[Demon
-current Ainagûl, Aurén Ilay, began to take steps to destroy the
+Dagger]], specially enchanted to imprison the mage.  Meanwhile, [[Gruumsh]],
-mage.  Ilay constructed ten artifacts, designed specifically for
+blinded by his rage, diverted a handy, nearby meteor to impact directly onto the
-use by the elf-king Taulauren.  With these artifacts, Taulauren
+[[Dark Mage]]'s castle. So powerful was this impact that it devastated not only
-would have been powerful enough to destroy the Dark Mage in
+the castle, but all land for sixty miles in all directions.  Ironically, the
-combat.  However, unknown to Aurén Ilay, the Dark Mage had
+[[Dark Mage]] was safely imprisoned at the time and so avoided the blast.
-acquired from the orc one-eye the gem of Corellon.  Its power was
+[[Aurén Ilay]], though, was not as fortunate.
-such that no elf could harm its wielder.
+The crater left by the impact quickly filled with sea water, sending an enormous
-In February of 1929, the Dark Mage refused to grant the orc
+geyser of steam into the atmosphere for days.  All life on the eastern half of
-one-eye certain promised provisions and so the orcs rebelled
+[[Immenri]] was snuffed out.  Those left alive on the western half were either
-against the mage.  As punishment, the mage killed the one-eye and
+killed or forced to flee within a year by the sudden climactic shift.  The great
-massacred hundreds more.  This act so angered Gruumsh that the
+nation of [[arral_empire|Arral]], along with the [[Syiin Empire]] both collapsed
-god defied the agreed rules of divine intervention and confronted
+when earthquakes and downpours cast several cities into chaos.  It should be
-the Dark Mage himself.  Hades noticed the intervention and
+noted that magical protections became undependable when vast quantities of mana
-granted the mage the power to confront Gruumsh on the same power
+were diverted by the gods to stem any further destruction.  Within ten years,
-level.  The result left a badly beaten and enraged Gruumsh
+the [[Arral Empire]] was in ruins and its surviving populace were fleeing the
-fleeing for his life.
+encroaching desert.
-Seeing their opportunity, Aurén Ilay sent Taulauren against
-the weakened Dark Mage, but the elf-king found himself powerless
-against Luinmîr.  In desperation, Aurén Ilay stepped in himself
-and struck out with the Demon Dagger, specially enchanted to
-imprison the mage.  Meanwhile, Gruumsh, blinded by his rage,
-diverted a handy, nearby meteor to impact directly onto the Dark
-Mage's castle.  So powerful was this impact that it devastated
-not only the castle, but all land for sixty miles in all
-directions.  Ironically, the Dark Mage was safely imprisoned at
-the time and so avoided the blast.  Aurén Ilay, though, was not
-as fortunate.
-The crater left by the impact quickly filled with sea water,
-sending an enormous geyser of steam into the atmosphere for
-weeks.  All life on the eastern half of the northern continent
-was snuffed out.  Those left alive on the western half were
-either killed or forced to flee within a year by the sudden
-climactic shift.  Even the great kingdom of Arral collapsed when
-earthquakes and downpours cast several cities into chaos.  It
-should be noted that magical protections became undependable when
-vast quantities of mana were diverted by the gods to stem any
-further destruction.  Within ten years, Arral was in ruins and
-its surviving populace were fleeing the encroaching desert.
 ==== Era IX : III:1 - III:356 ====
-This era is characterized by the
+This era is characterized by the formation of numerous nomadic and barbaric
-formation of numerous nomadic and barbaric tribes and the
+tribes and the painfully slow restoration of civilization.  With the shift in
-painfully slow restoration of civilization.  With the shift in
+climate, the lands previously inhabitable became all but unlivable.
-climate, the lands previously inhabitable became all but
+[[immenri|The northern continent]] became arctic tundra and the great plains of
-unlivable.  The northern continent became arctic tundra and the
+[[thentao|the main continent]] became a [[sea of sand|vast desert]].  The strips
-great plains of the main continent became a vast desert.  The
+of land along the north and south of the main continent as well as [[n'galt|the
-strips of land along the north and south of the main continent as
+eastern continent]] became the main centers for life.
-well as the eastern continent became the main centers for life.
 ==== Era X : III:356 - III:1105 ====
-At the beginning of this era, the
+At the beginning of this era, the great warrior, [[Scardore, Lord]], unearthed
-great warrior, Scardore, Lord unearthed the good trio of might
+the [[good trio|good trio of might]] and brought four rival barbarian tribes
-and brought four rival barbarian tribes together to form the
+together to form the kingdom of [[Backbone]].  He declared that although the
-kingdom of Backbone.  He declared that although the heaven spire
+heaven spire was lost in the explosion, this kingdom would become the new
-was lost in the explosion, this kingdom would become the new
+[[spire kingdom]] and he constructed a scaled-down spire in the mountains
-spire kingdom and he constructed a scaled-down spire in the
+overlooking the city as a symbol.  The mountains themselves were dubbed the
-mountains overlooking the city as a symbol.  The mountains
+"Backbone of the world", thus the kingdom's name.
-themselves were dubbed the "Backbone of the world", thus the
-kingdom's name.
+[[Scardore, Lord|Scardore]]'s reign lasted for only a few years before he was
+assassinated and the [[good trio]] stolen.  Never-the-less, the kingdom
+flourished under his dynasty, and slowly it grew, inspiring the formation of
+other nations as well.
-Scardore's reign lasted for only a few years before he was
+In the year 1094, a hero magician named [[Sorgul]] was trapped by [[Hades]] and
-assassinated and the good trio stolen.  Never-the-less, the
+forced to become the thirteenth [[demonwraith]]: [[Solgar]]. Through him,
-kingdom flourished under his dynasty, and slowly it grew,
+[[Hades]] was able to free the [[Dark Mage]] in the year 1098.  The twelve
-inspiring the formation of other kingdoms as well.
+[[demonwraiths]], whose imprisonment spells had faded over the years, were also
+freed during this time. Thus, the great kingdom of [[Backbone]] fell to the
+twelve.
+In 1104, [[Solgar]] was restored to his true form by his goddess Bast.  Together
+with the heroes [[ozzie|Lord Ozzie]], [[Rathwyn]], [[Sly]], [[Karelia]],
+[[Cale]], [[Strachan]], Lord [[Norwood]], [[Tarialaî|Tarialaî Thoranna]], and
+[[Wacarnelian|Wacarnelian Medibeard]], [[Sorgul]] was able to retrieve not only
+the [[good trio|good trio of might]], but also the [[disks of odin|three disks
+and the eye of Odin]], and the three [[racial weapons]]: [[Kelva]], [[Rûklil]],
+and [[Mancú Rilmaeg]]. With these tools, the heroes were able to permanently
+destroy the [[Dark Mage]]'s master scepter in 1104 and vanquish the mage and his
+twelve [[demonwraiths]] in 1105.  (For more details, see [[Recent|Recent World
+History]]).
-In the year 1094, a hero magician named Sorgul was trapped
+==== Era XI : III:1105 - present ====
-by Hades and forced to become the thirteenth demonwraith: Solgar.
-Through him, Hades was able to free the Dark Mage in the year
-.  The twelve demonwraiths, whose imprisonment spells had
-faded over the years, were also freed during this time.  Thus,
-the great kingdom of Backbone fell to the twelve.
+Only three years after the defeat of the [[Dark Mage]], the world was thrown
+into a new kind of chaos when the [[Shadowlord]] overthrew the Elemental Lords
+and converted the [[Elemental World]] into pure Shadow (a substance comprised of
+an equal mixture of all six elements).
-In 1104, Solgar was restored to his true form by his goddess
+This had the effect of altering the nature of magic throughout the [[twenty
-Bast.  Together with the heroes Lord Ozzie, Rathwyn, Sly,
+worlds]].  While most wizards were able to adapt to the new magic, the time it
-Karelia, Cale, Strachan, Lord Norwood, Tarialaî Thoranna, and
+took some of them upset the balance of power considerably.  Because of this, the
-Wacarnelian Medibeard, Sorgul was able to retrieve not only the
+[[council|Council of Wizards]] were unable to meet for over a year.
-good trio of might, but also the three disks and the eye of Odin,
-and the three racial weapons: Kelva, Rûklil, and Mancú Rilmaeg.
-With these tools, the heroes were able to permanently destroy the
-Dark Mage's master scepter in 1104 and vanquish the mage and his
-twelve demonwraiths in 1105.  (For more details, see
-[[Recent|Recent World History]]).
-==== Era XI : III:1105 - present ====
-The current era is characterized by reconstruction in the face of the
-devastation brought by the Dark Mage.  (Though with the recent change in magic,
-a new era is likely to emerge and the boundary between Eras X and XI may be
-shifted!).
-[[World|Back to main World page]]
+Now, the events throughout most of the world are characterized by reconstruction
+in the face of the devastation brought by the [[Dark Mage]].  With the fall of
+the kingdoms along the north coast of [[thentao|the main continent]], the most
+prominent kingdoms became [[Rota]] (on [[N'Galt|the eastern continent]]), and
+the [[spindrift|Spindrift isles]].