History of Faalor
What follows is a combination of official history and
folklore. Facts stated here may or may not be objectively
true. Some sources disagree on the details, but, if your
character 'knows' anything about history, he or she will
probably believe the following to be generally true.
Part I, Pre-human history
For thousands of years, the island
now known as Faalor has weathered storms and volcanoes. The
first people to inhabit the island, most experts agree, were
the gnomes. No one knows how or why this happened, as
Faalorian gnomes have a decided distaste for history. For an
untold period of time, gnomes alone "ruled" the
land. Then several thousand years ago, elves and orcs showed
up. Both parties seem to agree that their appearance was
simultaneous. According to most scholars (and it is indeed a
rare sight to see anyone currently interested in these ancient
mysteries), Maelwar and Adrahil both set their sights on the
island and forces were placed. Adrahil sent Myloria and
Maelwar sent Thath'urgul to personally supervise the
operations in the spiritual planes around the island. No one
but the eldest of elves can recall those days.
For the next several hundred years,
the elves and the orcs fought a running battle. At one point,
the orcs were all but decimated. Unfortunately for the elves,
an elven wizardess of great power, gently persuaded by
promises of more power to join the forces of darkness, rose up
in the ranks of the Elven Court and betrayed the elven army to
an orcish ambush. The tide turned once again and the elves
were in retreat.
Almost exactly 1000 years before
humans arrived on Faalorian shores, a large company of dwarves
landed on the island and once again turned the tide. In a
forced march, the dwarves, under their hero ("Thain"
that is Cheifton), Glamfleud, made war against the orcs.
Glamfleud began construction of a large fort--at the site
where today's Mourningthain sits--the remains of which can be
seen on one of the out walls today. With a large contention of
gnomes and elves, Glamfleud pushed into the mountains, where,
in a pitched battle, he lost his sons, brother and wife to
orcish steel. Upon his return to the encampment, Glamfleud
fell into a deep fit of despair. At that very moment the
dwarves began to delve deep, creating a city below the forts.
When the old dwarf died only a few years later, the city was
named in honor of their grieving king.
The orcs had been driven back into
their holes and the elves, dwarves and gnomes began to settle
down in a peaceful rhythm of passing seasons. The City of
Faalor grew and prospered as the elves began to trade more
with the outside world, sending ships far and wide with
dwarven weapons and elven art. Large towers and magical lamps
filled the city with wonder.
Unfortunately, all this wealth
attracted the attention of three powerful forces, the Teusse
people (who we will encounter in more detail later), the
Illriggers and the dragon, Vraalrym, the Red. It is said,
that, when Maelwar perceived the defeat of the orcs, he called
forth evil men from the mainland to lead the orcs, corrupt who
they could, and fight unceasingly against the forces of
Adrahil on Faalor. A group of 13 humans (the first recorded
instance of a human setting foot on Faalor) came ashore on a
cold, mid-autumn night and began the work of Maelwar. Some say
they were the ones responsible for turning the rag-tag armies
of the northern orcs into disciplined (relatively speaking)
soldiers that are today. It is also said that the Illriggers
are responsible for the summoning of Vraalrym, The Red. A very
old dragon at the time, Vraalrym laid siege to Mourningthain,
Faalor and country-side, swooping down out in the dead of
night to steal and kill. For well over 200 years, the dragon
was unchecked until his sister, Ghuilrym, The Gold, arrived to
champion the good races. Over the skies of Faalor, the two
ancient wyrms struggled until both were exhausted. With wings
tattered and fire spent, the two dragons went their separate
ways to find huge caves to slumber in. Both of the dragons are
said to still be alive and well, though none can claim to have
actually seen them. It is rumored that Vraalrym lives in a
cave deep in the Crags, while others say Ghuilrym lives in a
wooded grotto in southern Faewood. Faalor, trying to rebuild
itself was set upon by a new threat, human raiders from the
north.
Return
to top
Part II: the
Newcomers
The lands of Vilha are a cold and
rocky land far to the northeast, across a frigid ocean. For
generations, the people of the Teusse tribe, strong,
fatalistic and honorable humans, lived by raiding nearby
lands. For a generation, Teussian longboats would come close
to shore and the fierce warriors would snatch what goods they
could from the elves and flee north again. In 15 before the
New Faalorian Era, Teussian raiders set up a permanent camp on
the present site of the town of Kyrdanna. Relations became
more smooth between the Teusse and the elves when the Elven
Court signed a treaty of vasselship with the raiders in return
for a guarantee that the raiding would stop a few years later. Indeed it did,
and the humans and elves began to forge a lasting and good
relationship. In the year one, colonists at Kyrdanna contacted
Vilha and received permission from the elves to move nearly
the whole tribe to the island. It is now commonly believed
that the followers of King Alfred, the Great, were oppressed
colonists seeking a better life in a warmer clime, that they
were fleeing some oppression or invasion. Truth be told,
Alfred was on a mission of conquest. But Alfred was no fool
though and, when he landed on Faalor, took steps to ensure a
lasting relationship with the indigenous peoples. Short of
food and suffering the effects of a long voyage, Alfred
accepted the elves invitation to stay, rowed upstream and his
nephew, Joerund, and founded the town of Duath. A lasting and peaceful
arrangement seemed to be in the works between the elves and
humans. But the orcs and other dark things had other plans.
That winter, an army of orcs encamped
against the new settlement of Duath. Throughout the winter,
the humans were slowly beat down. While a single warrior could
easily out match 10 orcs, the orcs had such an advantage in
numbers that the humans seemed doomed. What happened next is
in great contention to this day. . According to the humans, an
elvish army approached Duath and, instead of attacking the
orcs, began to pelt the defenders with arrows. Magic filled
the skies as balls of fire and lightning cut into the Teussian
ranks. With a fierce cry, knowing that their doom had finally
come, King Alfred led his battle-hardened troops out into the
field of battle. Most of the remaining warriors died that day,
but, in the end, the elves fled leaving the pitiful orcs
behind to cover their retreat. It is said that no orc survived
that battle.
Meanwhile, according to the elves, in
Faalor, the elves received word from the humans that they were
in great need. Seeing the hand of Maelwar at work, the elves
rallied their troops and set forth where they were to meet the
human army near the current site of the Crossroads is. There
they met up with a human scout who told them of a plan to out
flank the orcs by going through a narrow passage to the east.
Instead of a safe passage, the humans lead the elvish army
into a trap, where waiting for them on the heights was a large
force of orcs. Called the Battle of Numenor's Pass, the elvish
army disappeared under a hail of boulders and arrows. Leaving
the elven capital vulnerable to attack.
With the destruction of the elven
army, the orcs found the once-proud city of Faalor easy
pickings and quickly took and sacked the city. For nearly 8
years, the city became the new orcish capital of the island.
During that time, the human armies under King Alfred, the
Great, began to amass, reinforced by new colonists from Vilha.
After a series of frightful battles, the city of Faalor was
liberated and the largest orcish army in history was
scattered. But to their surprise, the elves had vanished as
well. (Which to this day is offered as proof of their guilt.)
The last battle in the First Wars was fought in the year 32.
At Gravemist, the orcs made one last try to take back the
island. There, as the King fell, so did the orcish dreams for
conquest. Alfred was laid to rest and that very year, his son
began construction of a palace to honor the late king.
For over a hundred years, the
descendents of King Alfred prospered, still on the look out
for the elves, who had apparently disappeared completely from
the island. As it later turned out, the Elven Court did indeed
survive the orcish invasion and had moved to a magical city
deep in Faewood. The elves, believing that the humans had
indeed allied with the orcs were content to hide in hopes that
the humans would fade away. This did not come to pass.
Four Teussian kings followed in the
footsteps of Alfred. The human numbers began to increase and
become a settled folk. Around the year 100, halfling colonists
began to settle the north west lands--something that would
have probably shocked old King Alfred.
At times during that first century,
though, it appeared that the elves would get their wish.
Orcish marauders and fierce draughts and storms took their
toll on the fledgling colonies. Duath burned to the ground in
the year 84 just as winter was approaching and a nasty series
of crop failures accompanied quickly by outbreaks of deadly
sickness from 87 through 92 severely cut into the population.
Throughout those first 100 years on the island, orcs were also
a major threat, constantly harassing the human settlements.
Worst yet, was a more subtle invasion, and invasion yes of a
new colonists, but of new ideas.
Return
to top
Part III, A Time
of Change
As before, a new people, the
Simsulanians, began to dream of a new land to call home. From
their lands south and east of Faalor, they began to arrive in
greater numbers just after the great pestilence. They were a
more urban folk, more likely to discuss politics and
philosophy than hopelessly await their death in some glorious
battle. The old ways were quickly replaced over a matter of a
decade as the horrors of the Pestilence sank in.
At the end of the first phase of
colonization, a wise Simsulan king arrived on the scene and
started a new dynasty replacing the old Teussian line. Padral
is perhaps the most outstanding figure in Faalorian history.
In 123, King Padral, the Enlightened, was crowned. During the
first year of his reign, another crop failure hit Faalor hard
but Padral was able to trade with the mainland for heartier
seed and, some say, infused it with his own magic. Since that
time, Faalorian crops (especially wheat and corn) have been
almost impervious to drought or blight. Padral is credited
with starting the Academies, which began to increase literacy
and spark interest in philosophy and magic already on the
upswing. He is also responsible for the introduction of the
Dralic Schools (a special class of monks who served as
protectors of the nobility). Under Padral, the Church of
Adrahil arose supreme. During his reign, magic was increased
and almost became acceptable. It was during his reign also
that the Elven Court sent delegates to speak with the king.
The elves were welcomed with open
arms by Padral and his court and several weeks of negotiations
went uneventfully by. Many things were agreed to and it
appeared that humans and elves might live together in peace
and trust. Once again, though, fate stepped in (or some other
dark force) to prevent a reconciliation. At a critical
meeting, someone light off a powerful fireball spell, killing
all the human delegates and most of the elven ones. Both sides
blamed the other and the elves disappeared once again into the
Faewood. (The elves also sent a delegation to the dwarven
king; neither the elves nor the dwarves will say what was
accomplished. It is assumed that the outcome was much more
positive.) Padral died in 148.
During the next fifty years, two
themes began to grow: decadence and fear of magic. With the
passing of Padral, who himself had great faith in magic,
people began to see magic in a new light. The sedentary life
had almost completely choked the vitality of the Teussian old
ways, and philosophy had begun to tangle every day life up in
endless rules--which no one was paying much attention to
anyway.
During the later part of this period,
the elves came out of their forests. The result, once again,
was disastrous. The so-called "battle" of the
Orchards in 159, began with a peaceful journey from their
forest home and ended with a full scale massacre. A group of
elves made their way toward Duath when farmers confronted them
along a road. Harsh words were exchanged and battle ensured.
The magical forces of the elves easily killed a great many
peasants (some say at least 100 dead another 200 or 300
wounded). Unfortunately for the elves, Duath had already sent
a large contention of seasoned warriors to the scene, where,
using a flanking maneuver, human knights were able to run down
the elves and killed them to a man.
Further evidence of magic corrupting
touch, was found in the last two rulers of this period, King
Athelstan III, The Black and his incompetent son. King
Athelstan III was from a long line of Simsulan nobles. His
education and upbringing found him wanting for nothing, but
ever dissatisfied with life. Come to find out, Maelwar had
promised him much in return for his service. Almost as soon as
he took the crown, he began to institute harsh and repressive
laws which only served to fill his pockets with gold. He hired
an elite group of guards (some say, trained by the Illriggers
themselves) to watch over the populace and enforce the new
laws. The guards, all trained magic-users, infiltrated every
aspect of life, infiltrating the Church and local governments
like a slow cancer. Neighbor was encouraged to snitch on
neighbor. All the while, people were snatched from their homes
on the flimsiest of charges, never to be seen from again.
(Some still whisper of the Dungeons of Athelstan, a place
outside of Gravemist where people were said to be magically
experimented on, warming their minds and bodies into hideous
creatures.) Many still claim that it is no mere coincidence
that orcs once again began to be seen in the reaches of the
island.
When Athelstan III died in 200, there
was great rejoicing. The celebration was short-lived as
Athelstan IV was even more oppressive, vile and meddling. He
immediately implemented a new series of laws designed to suck
the economy dry. In the early autumn of his first year in
power, a small band of warriors helped to lead a revolt. A large company
of dwarves came down and blocked Athelstan's attempts to move
supplies and troops between Faalor and Duath. The common man,
in a show of surprising courage stood fast against the new
guards (some reinforced with orcish troops) and finally
overthrew the corrupt regime.
Return
to top
Part IV,
Tranquility
Since the Harvest Uprising, 50 years
ago, the kingdom has lived in relative peace but there seems
to be a growing threat, a general uneasiness which seems to be
growing not diminishing.
In the year 204, lone elves were once
again seen moving through the woods at night. Needless to say
there were a few fatalities as a farmer would be surprised by
an elf and either kill or be killed in knee-jerk reactions.
Slowly though, as the number of elves and the care in which
the elves interacted with humans increased, elves were allowed
to wander freely without much fear of being arrested or
assaulted. While it is true that many parts of major towns are
still officially off limits to elves, they are allowed to go
where they will under most circumstances today. Elves have
created small (10-30 person) communities at the Crossroads,
near Napscomb and Applegate as well as near Bridalveil and
Aaerdowns with very few troubles to date. There is still a
growing suspicion that the elves will strike again or are
somehow involved in the increase in orcish activity.
In a sudden flood, the orcs sallied
forth and laid siege to Mourningthain in 202. From the early
months of Spring well into late Summer, the orcs had a
strangle hold on the dwarven city. Repeated attempts to
relieve the city were crushed by an orcish army that had
apparently been amassing for several decades. For a brief
time, the old Teussian spirit reemerged in the people of
Faalor and thousands of men and women banged on the doors of
the barracks throughout the land. King Jash II road out to
meet the orc with his new and fierce troops. Casualties on
both sides were great, but in the end, Mourningthain was saved
and the orcs once again pushed back into the hills. Since that
time, orcish activity has been slowly but steadily increasing,
leading some in leadership to begin to call for an attack into
the orcs own homelands, to put an end to the orcish threat
forever.
In 208, Jash II died leaving the
throne behind to his young son, Jash III. Jash III was a kind
a generous ruler who all but put an end to the orcish threat
by sending a great army into the Crags. By 248, orcish
activitiey had forced local governments to act, calling on the
power of the King to act. And act he did. In 250, in response
to a number of small orcish raids out of the Crags, Jash III
lead a large army into the orcish homelands. In a lightening
strike Jash's army sliced into the Crags surprising a huge
army that was poised to strike into Duath. After a brief
respite at the newly discovered Orc Tower of
Ylumthargash-Bormil, Jash's linked up with Dwarven forces
moving from Mourningthaine. Turning south then with his new
allies, Jash met the Illrigger lord, who had openly declared
himself at this time, in a field near Aaerdowns.
Unfortunately, for the army of Jash III, the Illriggger Lord
brought with him nearly four thousand Mluung orcs and trolls
from The Black Morass. In a six day battle, Jash's troops
inflicted a heavy loss on the orcs and, after their lord had
been killed on the field of battle, they fled once again to
their swampy abode. In 250, at the age of forty-two, Jash III
unexpectantly died.
Return
to top
Part V, The
Island in Flames
The people were greatly divided on
whom they would follow after their Hero-King had died. Jash
III left behind three children who had none of their father's
good sense. Prince Nywith had been administrator of the City
of Faalor for many years. Unfortunately, the city was weighed
under by crime, decadence and heavy taxation. Rumors spread of
his mistresses, bribery and incompetence. Jash's youngest son,
Pierce, was administrator of Duath, again the town had
prospered but at a terrible price. Princess Yurissa was a
popular if untested heir to the throne. Needless to say,
conflict started immediately after Jash's internment. Nywith
and Pierce declared themselves King and moved their new
"capital" to Faalor and Duath respectively.
Meanwhile, Yurissa, with the Church's backing settled in
Gravemist to set up her own court. By the end of the year,
Mourningthain declared fealty to Pierce and a new Gnomish
Council announced the Freehold of Xantha (named after the new
Gnomish High Councilman) centered around Napscomb. Bridalveil
and Aaerdowns both sided with Prince Pierce and Applegate and
the Crossroads threw in with Prince Nywith.
The year 251 was one of the worst in
the memory of even the eldest of the elves. A very cold winter
was followed by an extremely wet and warm spring. What crops
survived undrown in knee-deep pools of mud that were once
productive fields rotted soon after harvest. The summer was a
cold and wet one as well; not a single day between early March
and late September went without some rain falling it seemed.
Hoarding lead to outrageous grain prices while the feuding
heirs to the throne began setting up heavy tariffs on imports
from their competitors' lands. Combined with uncertain imports
from the mainlands, thousands of Faalorians died of starvation
or hunger-related disease. In 252, full scale war broke out
between the forces of Nywith and Pierce for the rich farmlands
south of the Crossroads. The Battle of the Fords took place on
April 16th, 252 between two well-trained armies north of
Raelik Keep. In the end, hundreds of men died, but neither
side could impose it's will on the enemy. Pierce retreated to
Duath to collect taxes for the hiring of foreign mercenaries
and Nywith encamped at the Crossroads.
Meanwhile, Princess Yurissa executed
her own plans for taking control of the island. Though the
Church had officially backed her, Yurissa could not sustain
support in any region except Gravemist. The other pretenders
had either bribed or threatened the Bishops of Duath, Faalor
and Kyrdanna to back them instead. Yurissa though, as it would
later turn out, created a band of spies and assassins known as
the Black Hand. Late in 252, the Black Hand struck, leaving
Pierce and most of his high-profile supporters dead or missing
and presumed dead. Yurissa, though having the foresight not to
take responsibility, graciously offered to administer the
regions of Duath, Raelik Keep, Aaerdowns and Bridalveil.
Early the next year, Nywith resumed
his campaign against the south, this time concentrating on a
march through Raelik Keep. Unfortunately for the defenders of
the Keep, Yurissa was still reorganizing her new military
assets to use them effectively and Raelik Keep was allowed to
be quickly over come. Bridalveil though proved to be a tougher
nut to crack. On June 2nd 253, Nywith's troops came upon a
fortified township. For nearly six weeks Nywith's forces
clashed with peasants drawn away from their fields. Students
from the University soon took up the call to arms and formed
the so-called Knights of St. Calumus (named for a holy man who
was said to have wandered into Vraalym's cave and won his life
by keeping the dragon interested in what he had to say just
long enough to escape). In the end, though, the valiant
defense was put under by Nywith's superior forces. Soon
enough, the tables were turned on Nywith's forces who had
taken up quarters in the town proper. Yurissa's forces arrived
in late September and, after a brief but bloody battle, Nywith
sounded the retreat after ordering the town, the University
and the nearby farmlands burned to the ground.
The following year, Yurissa and
Nywtih both seemed content to hang on to what lands they could
and deal with internal problems. For Nywith, it was the Gnome
Council, who was demanding more autonomy. A small battle broke
out between Nywith's militia and Gnomish foresters after the
Gnomes had refused to pay taxes to anyone by the Council. Well
over a hundred gnomes were rounded up and sent to prisons in
Faalor. Needless to say, this caused a permanent rift to
develop between gnomes and humans on the island. Yurissa made
some attempts to reach out to the Gnome Council but was unable
to concentrate on matter far from home.
In 254, Bridalveil announced its
independence from both parties, set up it's own Regent and
sent word into Faewood seeking the support of the Elven Court.
Surprisingly, the Elves not only made contact but actively
strengthened the relationship with gifts of food and lumber to
help with repairs. The Church officially reversed itself on
the issue of magic, when a new Archbishop of Gravemist was
coroneted in November of that 254. For almost a century before
hand, magic in any form was thought to have dark overtones,
perhaps even a manifestation of Maelwar himself. Things had
been slowly changing as magic, under direct supervision of the
Church, became more commonly seen. The new Arch-bishop,
Remchat Morl, declared in his Acceptance Sermon that, not only
is magic a useful thing, but, indeed, it is a gift from
Adrahil itself. In an optimistic turn, Remchat declared that,
though the Great Judgment is near at hand, Faalor need not
concern itself with it's immediate destruction. Citing an
ancient text, penned by the dubious St. Shemlok (who was
reported to have prophesied a great peace and fellowship of
the races and nations), Remchat declared the next year to be
the year of "Peace and Security". Most people of
Faalor grasp at his optimism but still maintain a healthy
distrust for anything magical.
By the end of 255, the Island began
to settle into a more peaceful pattern with the various
factions quietly going about its business. The Dwarves began
once again to trade with both human heirs and the Gnomes
busied themselves in recreating their ancient government. At
this time though trouble seemed to be brewing in the Faewood.
Rumors spread of a war in the wood began to leak out. At
first, it appeared that the elves had declared an all out war
with the orcs of Faewood as small bands of orcs were seen
fleeing north, south and east through human lands. Suddenly,
contact between the Elven Court and Bridalveil was cut off
with nothing more than a curt note from the elven delegation
claiming problems "at home demand our full
attention." The elves marched back into the Wood with no
other explanation. From time to time, forest fires and magical
firefights keep locals supplied with rumor material. In
addition, there have been strange incidents where elves will
launch unprovoked attacks on humans who wander too deeply into
the Wood. To outsiders, no elf speaks of those events. (If you
play an elf or would otherwise have access to this secretive
information, click here to read what happened.)
Return
to top
Part VI, Recent
Events
In 256, Yurissa and Nywith
seem to be gearing up for another round of battles. In late
February, Yurissa made a call for more troops in preparation
for the planned recapture Raelik Keep. Preempting her focus on
her younger brother, Yurissa was forced to look southward when
an army of half-orcs and trolls under the command of a new
Illrigger Lord captured Aaerdowns at the end of March. Rumor
has it that he (or she) has begun a massive fortification
project of the small town. Meanwhile, in the north,
Mourningthain signed a treaty with the Gnome Council backing
any claims the gnomes had to create a separate country called
Fwithwane (the gnome's ancient name for the north-western
region of Faalor). Of course, this brought great protests from
Nywith. To his dismay, there really was nothing he could do
about it. In April, taking it's cue from Bridalveil, Kyrdanna
announced it's independence while informally backing Yurissa's
claim to the unified throne. Around that same time, the
Knights of St. Calumus took over the ailing Bridalveil
University and created a new Military Academy. They
immediately began inviting all sorts of strange folk to come
and teach: elves, dwarves, Churched knights as well as
practitioners of the magical arts to help create a new kind of
soldier to defend the tiny and very new 'country'.
Even though the Church still had official sanctions against
the practitioners of witchcraft, a shift in popular thinking
has recently made magic much more acceptable in the eyes of
the common folk. People still hold magic-use in great
suspicion but the number of public witch burnings has gone
from 65 in 254 to 0 this year. Arch-bishop, Remchat Morl of
Gravemist, has recently hailed such "forward"
thinking as proof of the dawning of a new age of peace and
prosperity. . . .
Fortunately, by early summer, peace
appeared to have come again, though at a terrible cost.
In June, Yurrissa sent a large force to secure Bridalveil.
As her troops approached the town, a thick mist engulfed to
valley and by morning the whole town had vanished. Left
behind was a stinking swamp. In the south, bands of
local resistance fighters succeeded in bringing down the
Illrigger Lord and dispersing his orcish followers.
Aaerdowns threw off the invaders from the Swamps and declared
itself under the control of Yurissa.
On the evening of July 9th of 257, a
thick fog rolled onto the Island. It completely engulfed
the land. Throughout the evening hours, the mists
thickened and by sundown no one could see their hands in front
of their faces when they were out of doors. During the
night, people went missing, forever lost, strange creatures
roamed the country-side, sudden fits of rage and terror
assaulted the populace and neighbor turned on neighbor.
Yurissa's army, now allied with a large troop of orcs suddenly
found itself inside the gates of the City of Faalor.
Yurissa's quick-thinking commanders took advantage of the
situation and destroyed Nywith's army. Nywith retreated
to the Citadel of Faalor, where he is currently hold up.
In the morning, portions of the population were found to be
insane, claiming that Faalor had changed and babbled about how
Adrahil still loved them. This was to become what is commonly
called the Night of Fog and Fear.
The madness lasted for nearly two
weeks. Elven raiders struck far into the heartland,
murdering as they went. Illriggers and assasins killed
at will. Riots broke out throughout Faalor
as people had strange memories. Yurissa remained calm
through the events, once again proving that she was a superior
leader. She rallied the troops to defend the people but was
savagely struck down by powerful elven magic (she was turned
to stone and dropped on her face, leaving her horribly
disfigured). But then, suddenly as
it came, the Mists faded and life appeared to return to
normal: the Illriggers scattered, the Church became more
stable, orcs were dispatched and the elves returned to their hidden
homelands. When the mists cleared, Bridalveil
returned to Faalor, its residents babbling tales of vampires,
werewolves and ghosts.
Return
to top
Part VII,
Current Situation
For ten years, peace has reigned on Faalor. Yurissia
is in nearly complete control of the island, with the notable
exceptions of the Gnomish Nation, the Faewood, Bridalveil and
the orcish haunts of the Crags and the Black Morass. The
Gnomes have quietly gone about their business, lightly trading
with the dwarves and with humans, but mostly keeping to
themselves. The orcish ranks appear to be thinning and attacks
from the Morass and the Crags have dwindled to nearly
nothing. No sign of the Illriggers can be detected by
the Inquisitors. In a word, progress and peace have
taken hold in quiet optimism once again.
A small elvish incursion began late last fall and continued
through the spring just south of the City of Faalor. The
activity seemed to be focused on the small town of Havenshire.
Fortunately, Yurissa sent troops to the area to quell any
attacks. Even though the dragon Vraalrym came to the aid
of the elves, Yurissa boldly led her troops in a decisive
defense of Havenshire, sending the elves and their orcish
allies fleeing back into the woods.
Return
to top
Time Line
268 Today
267 Elves and orcs attack Havenshire,
Queen Yurissa personally leads the defense (Fall, events of
Faalor V NWN1 campaign, May - Dec., 2006). Nywith
dies in prison.
265 Yurissa bears a son named Tarmric.
257 Very harsh winter; Illrigger Lord is thrown out of
Aaerdowns (Spring, events of Faalor II NWN1 campaign);
Night of Fog and Fear (Fall, events of Faalor IV NWN1
campaign, June -Aug. 2005). Queen Yurssia is badly
disfigured by elven assassins. Bridalveil returns from
the mists.
256 Yurissa calls up troops for renewed
war with Nywith; Illrigger captures Aaerdowns in surprise attack out of the
Morass; Fwithwane declares formation of
independent Gnome country.
255 Rumors of Elvish civil war; Bridalveil disappears into the
mists (Fall, events of Faalor I NWN1 campaign); Nywith enters into negotiations with gnomes; minor battles in central Faalor between Nywith and Yurissa; gnomes prepare to fight Nywith; Mourningthain remains neutral.
254 Gnomes announce independence; Bridalveil announces
independence; Arch-bishop Remchat Morl declares "a new
age is upon us!"
253 summer, Seige of Bridalveil
252 December, Black Hand murders Prince Pierce and his
followers; April 16th, Battle of the Fords
251 Yurissa, Nywith and Pierce begin consolidating power;
minor skirmishes break out.
250 Jash III dies
249 The Illrigger Lord is publicly defeated.
248 King Jash III's campaign against the orcs, he enters the Crags and
destroys several orcish strongholds.
230 Gulwaky, the Transparent, takes over leadership of the
Gnome Council
213 Vistani first appear on Faalor
209-250 Reign of King Jash III.
204 Elves begin to appear wandering the roads
again.
202 Orcs lay siege of Mourningthain.
201-208 Reign of King Jash II.
201 Harvest Uprising (events of
AD&D campaign, 1986-7).
200-201 Reign of King Athelstan IV. Short reign ends in a
popular uprising.
190 Orcs begin to reappear in the mountains.
189-200 Reign of King Athelstan III, The Black.
165 Last known contact with the Elven Court.
162-189 Reign of King Athelstan II.
159-162 Reign of King Athelstan I.
159 Battle of the Orchards.
149-159 Reign of King Jash I.
148-149 Reign of King Alfred IV.
143 Elven Court sends delegation to the Kings.
122-present Reign of King Jhaerl of Mourningthan.
123-148 Reign of King Padral, the Enlightened.
87-93 The Great Pestilence
86-123 Reign of King Ethelwulf.
83-86 Reign of King Edwig.
81-83 Reign of King Alfred III.
32-81 Reign of King Alfred II, The Younger.
32 Battle of Gravemist; Alfred, the Great buried where he
fell.
13 Orcs expelled from Faalor. Humans claim the city as
theirs.
5 City of Faalor falls to the orcish hordes. End of the
Elvish era.
3-4 The Elven Betrayal. War with the orcs and
elves (events of AD&D campaign, 1985).
2 Founding of Duath.
1 Ancestors of modern humans land on Faalor under Alfred,
The Great.
- 15 Tuessians set up permanent camp near
what is now Kyrdanna (Fall, events of Faalor VI NWN1
campaign, Jan - June, 2007)
- 100 Ghuilrym, The
Gold appears, checks Vraalrym's attacks
- 101 Tuessian raiders begin to harass
elvish coastal settlements
- 300 Vraalrym begins his assault on
Faalor
- 487 Illriggers land on the Island
-900 - 450 Height of the Elvish
Civilization
-1000 Dwarves come to the island,
Mourningthain established
-15,000 Elves and Orcs show up and begin
their long war
-20-25,000 Gnomes settle on the
island. Small villages dot the landscape.
Return to Top |
