Expansion

This is the time settlements become societies become civilizations. Tribal Chiefs become Lords and Lords become Kings. Each Sphere has unique societies shaped by their environments, histories, and circumstances. Beings that were once mere spirits are raised to Godhood and new Gods reveal themselves to their Saints and Prophets. Much of the plots this era supports revolve around building societies, controlling territory, and inter-group drama. There are still new horizons to explore and Godswar Ruins to plumb.

Stories in this Era

Stories in this era tend to draw from early medieval late iron age inspirations. The cultural milieus are Sphere specific but their stories share many similar themes.

Baeon

Based off European and Persian culture with Kings and Lords vying for prestige and control. There is a nascent Triumver faith growing but it does not yet threaten the hegemony of local spirits, saints, and gods. In the midst of all this, dangerous monstrosities burst from the untamed places between settlements preying on the unwary or ill-prepared. With the Curse of the Wilds is unleashed and the to survive the onslaught a High King emerges to coordinate the defense and unify the kingdoms. Overwhelmed kingdoms are reduced to ruins.

Broken Plains

Based of the high plains of North America and the Steppe of Eurasia in the north, mobile tribes vie for territory and control. South of the Palm Mountains is based off the jungles of Africa, South East Asia, and the Amazon Basin, civilizations rise and fall as they carve out territory in an ever changing jungle.

Burning Sands

Borrowing heavily from Arrakis, what will become the Valley of the Faithful is well populated and the Sieches are created. Towards the end of this Era the Calling of the Faithful happens.

Duranti

The Expansion on Duranti kingdoms consolidated into larger kingdoms, sometimes unifying and sometimes breaking apart. This era borrows heavily from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms as the Durnati empire is being formed from disparate pieces. Themes of war, political maneuvering, and doomed love are all common during this era.

Grey Marches

The Golden Path to Grey Marches is discovered on Baeon and with it the first Wizardry — Necromancy — is developed. It is a time of research, pushing the limits of knowledge, and jealously guarded secrets. Wizard duels and stealing forbidden knowledge are common.

Korvel

Korvel is a sword and sandal with dinosaurs setting. During this Era the tribes of Korvel jockeyed for territory, but none were able to take primacy, except for the founding of the Ixeltapi Empire with the discovery of the Golden Path to Grey Marches.

During this period the Saurials crash into the Southern Jungles of Korvel. They are carving out their territory and trying to learn the rules of this new world.

Menzorastar

This is the early colonization of the banished Crystal Elves as they come to understand the nature of the Curse of Poison, carve out the first of the underground cities, and come to dominate what little the Sphere has to offer.

Thousand Seas

This is the heady days of striking out across the seas searching for new lands, new cultures, and new opportunities. Most of the islanders have deep seafaring vessels to strike out seeking trade and competition. The Lassam Peninsulas have been raised from the sea. Now the competing tribes and Rahee Philosophers compete for territory and control.

Val'Dorath

By now the Elves have been pushed back to Darkwood and The Blood War is in full swing. The Djarls of Val'Dorath are working to stabilize their territories and build their societies.