Swaths of History

I've been trying to sort out a broad timeline, or movements of the history of Eldwan, in an attempt to describe the scale of this fantasy universe. Its collective heritage should play a large role in the cultural mindsets of societies in later ages. Each Age has a distinct mood to it, but they all form a single progression, and I hope to write stories within the Ages of Light, Water and Rulers at least. After that time, history becomes to familiar and well defined for imagination to manoeuvre liberally.

The Age of Harmony - Uncounted Years

The Age of Harmony begins with the creation, as told in Cil Eldawach. This age is characterised by unity between all of creation and its Creator, Eleyon. Everything proceeds within the guidelines of Eleyon's will, and there is no strife or suffering. It ends with the Rebellion of Alero and those who follow him, as ld in Asegüel. The passage of time was not marked with great concern during this age, for umankind had no fear of death.

The Rebellion divides humanity into the Elves, the Alves and the Ilves.

The Days of Fear - Unnumbered

This interim period between the Ages of Harmony and Light lasts between the Day or Rebellion and Elinrise, or the departure of the Garden and the High Elves. Humanity and creation reorganises itself after the destructive effects of the Rebellion.

The Age of Light - 1768 Years

This Age is the time given by Eleyon to Alero to guide the Alves to achieve godhood. So this age is dominated by the growth and technological development of the Radiant. The Fallen and the Guardians still dwell within the Cradle, but the High Elves in the Far Lands spread out over the land and live in harmony with nature there. It is ended by the Deluge that breaks the mountains of the Cradle and all but destroys the Radiant cities of Alaris and Eleris. The Guardians, or the Elves who chose to remain and help the Ilves, stay with the Faithful in Ilveris.

The Age of Water - 733 Years

The Age of Water lasts from the Deluge to the Confusion. During this time, the maritime empire of Alaris grows by the instruction of the ghosts of the transcorporists. The transcorporists summon the scattered people of the coasts and some respond. They found a new kingdom on the bones of the ancient city.

This represents humanity's attempt to reach godhood for themselves, without the aid of Alero or any other power. They reject Alero's offer of help, and Alero hates the Alarians ever after. Nonetheless, when the Alarians attempt to recreate a spirit portal, Eleyon sends the confusion and divides their languages. The Alarians are dispersed and carry their technology and wisdom to the scattered peoples on the coasts.

The High Elves continue to prosper in this age, and the Grief Elves, the remainder of the Guardians, have left the lands of the cradle to nurse the lands around it that were harmed by the Deluge. In some places, the High Elves meet the Grief Elves and they work to bring a brief flowering of the land.

The Age of Rulers - 2209 Years

In this age, the dispersion of humanity begins in earnest and they flood out over the lands of Eldwan. The time of the Elvish dominions is over, as they retreat back to the Far Lands and eventually all undergo ascension. Kingdoms and empires rise and fall as human societies grow increasingly complex. Yet, they exist in ignorance and descend into superstition. Much of the knowledge of earlier ages is lost, and some societies turn to worship the Wevel and turn to evil ways. Yet all through this time, Eleyon has reserved a people for His purposes, and Ilvesu watches them from the shadows as they dwell on the earth. Some of the Grief Elves remain in the land, as healers, wisemen, sages. Trying to alleviate the suffering of humans and stem the general tide of evil. But the wisemen fade, and their number dwindles over the long count of years.

After the Age of Rulers, history gets quite familiar. The salvation plan takes action and the Age of the Church begins. This leads till present day, and eventually the Last Battle happens and all is concluded. However I don't feel too inclined to write about the central dramas of the Age of Rules or the Age of the Church, for risk of being too stifled by the real history I know. Perhaps that will change, but for now, I have plenty to work on in the Age of Light and Water.