The Nightlight Zone is formed, but the details of how aren't exactly known. It is possible that either the Watchers created the realm, or the realm created them.
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A Broad History of the Nightlight Zone
The history of this realm is naturally difficult to study, but one of its residents has willingly given enough information to have at least a basic idea of what happened before our time. This timeline also contains bits of history from the Netarts area as it relates to the Nightlight Zone, and uses a human system for measuring time.
Before Christ
... 4540000000 AD
Also known as "Before Common Era," comprising the events from the Earth's formation to the birth of Christ.
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4.54 Billion BC
The Creation of the Nightlight Zone
Life, Birth -
541 Million BC
Cambrian Explosion Occurs
Geological / environmental eventThe Cambrian Explosion introduces the dominant clades of animals that will populate the Earth, providing a frame of reference for the Nightlight Zone. The Watchers already witness the early animals compete for survival, and die off. -
66 Million BC
Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction Occurs
ExtinctionThe Watchers have witnessed countless ecosystems die off over the course of Earth's history, and the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs marks a turning point in their personal knowledge of the Earth. They begin keeping track of their information. -
2.3 Million BC
First Humans Evolve in Africa
Life, BirthHomo habilis is one of the first primates to be recognized as human, and thus, a sapient species on Earth. The Watchers then work to create the landmasses of their realm after waiting for eons. Rocks are consumed to create the land. -
2.2 Million BC until 300,000 BC
The First Landmasses Form in the Nightlight Zone
Geological / environmental eventRocks are formed in the realm, and continuously smash into each other, creating hot fields of bright blue magma in every square inch. Over time, these rocks began growing larger and progressively merging with each other as they grew larger, until they became one enormous landmass around the size of the Pacific Northwest in North America. -
300,000 BC until 30,000 BC
First Environments Form
Metaphysical / Paranormal eventAfter the rocks in the Nightlight Zone have cooled sufficiently, the first environments begin to take shape. The Watchers begin shaping their realm to their own will, creating most of the biomes that can be seen today, though they are largely devoid of life. -
30,000 BC
The Pocket Caves are Created
Geological / environmental eventThe ground soon becomes unstable, tearing apart the spaces underground, and forming vast cave systems that expand into every inch of the Nightlight Zone. These caves almost tore apart the landmass that makes up the Nightlight Zone, but with assistance from the Watchers, they slowly became stable. It is said that the caves stretch all the way to the bottom of the Nightlight Zone's landmass, leading to a place no living thing has ever seen before.Location
The Air Pocket Caves -
25,000 BC
The First Leviathans are Born
Life, BirthSeveral pockets in the ground served as wombs for some of the first lifeforms in the Nightlight Zone. These creatures were larger than could be fathomed, and the largest might've appeared similar to a serpent creature with two wings and an extremely thick hide. At first, these creatures drifted around aimlessly in their realm. -
25,000 BC
The Gatekeepers are Created
Artistic creationThe Leviathans were planned to escape into the surface world, and the Watchers created their servants to work in tangent with them. With the Gatekeepers and the chutes created, objects could be transported in an out of the Nightlight Zone. The Leviathans were first to exit the realm, and explore the surface world's oceans. -
20,000 BC
A Leviathan is Slain in the Ocean
Disaster / DestructionAs the Leviathans began to spread throughout Earth's oceans, they began wreaking havoc on the native ecosystems. They killed off numerous species, and caused unnaturally-sized floods to batter the coastlines. Humans were also threatened. Soon, the Watchers created their own storm to kill the largest Leviathan before he could destroy anything more. -
20,000 BC
Extinction of the Leviathans
ExtinctionAfter Earth's oceans have been cleared of the Leviathans, they spent a brief amount of time in the Nightlight Zone, before they were executed by the Watchers. The Watchers then planned to create smaller lifeforms, and keep them contained in their realm, so they wouldn't harm the real world's lifeforms. The toxic chemicals in the water, left over from when the land first formed, fueled the growth of the first plant life. -
18,000 BC
Proliferation of Modern Ecosystems in the Nightlight Zone
Geological / environmental eventThe ground splits again, releasing a cycle of toxic chemicals for the plants to routinely feed on through chemosynthesis. The chemicals concentrated over the top left corner of the realm creates the Kelp Forests. Later, smaller animals start to populate their respective environments, adapting to various environmental niches. The Gatekeepers also begin bringing animals from the surface to recycle the ecosystems.Location
The Kelp Forests -
17,000 BC
The First Cave Stalkers Appear
Life, BirthVarious types of cephalopod creatures that live in the Nightlight Zone were given high intelligence to help them survive, but one species slowly overrides its base instincts and began thinking like the Watchers. These were the first Cave Stalkers, who began making tools, and developing complex communication patterns to survive, unprecedented by the Watchers. -
13,000 BC
Humans First Inhabit Oregon
Population Migration / TravelMeanwhile, in the surface world, a population of humans travel to Oregon and inhabit the area surrounding Netarts Bay. It is unknown if sightings of the Gatekeepers took place before Netarts Valley was founded, or in a nearby area. The fact that so many sightings have happened in this area leads to the idea there is something special about the land itself, or its inhabitants. Or, it was a simple coincidence that the first sightings happened when and where they did.Location
Netarts Valley, OR -
12,000 BC
Cave Stalkers Invent Agriculture and Writing
Technological achievementAfter living as hunter-gatherers for many thousands of years, a group of Cave Stalkers learns how to grow crops of plants to harvest for food. Another group creates written glyphs for their language, and is able to teach new information to the young better. Soon, these practices become widespread among the species, and triggers the start of permanent settlements.Location
The Frozen Wastes -
11,900 BC
First Cave Stalker Government is Founded
FoundingAfter enough individuals begin living in one designated area, tribal chiefs are elected to oversee everything, from the production of food to the common defense against danger. The Cave Stalkers formed their first kingdom, which grew as time went on.Location
The Frozen Wastes -
11,800 BC
New Cave Stalker Settlements are Discovered
Discovery, ExplorationIt wasn't long until after the formation of a state did the Cave Stalkers plan to explore the terrain around in order to find new land to occupy. In scant occurrences, they discover other Cave Stalker settlements using agriculture and writing. The search parties would briefly interact with them, before reporting to their leaders.Location
The Halocline Pits -
10,100 BC
A Search Party Encounters a Watcher
Gathering / ConferenceOne day, a group of Cave Stalkers, accompanied by a monarch, are on a long travel over a set of plains. Eventually, they find a Watcher that has come down to the seabed, who sees them and communicates through a form of telepathy. After realizing it's not a monster, the monarch begins answering the Watcher's questions about his species, before it returns to its brethren in the Abyss. -
9850 BC
A Cave Stalker Empire is Created
FoundingAfter a series of meetings, the rulers of separate settlements join together under a single state, planning to expand into unmarked territories to gather more resources. Military development occurred afterwards, while new settlements were being built elsewhere. This union could be described as an empire, which would comprise the majority of the Cave Stalker civilization for a time. -
9800 BC
The Second Watcher Encounter
Metaphysical / Paranormal eventSoon after new settlements emerged along the borders of the empire, a monarch that had recently been crowned spotted a supernatural entity along a large mountain-like structure. It was the same Watcher that had visited the Cave Stalkers centuries before, which implied that it was interacting with the Cave Stalkers against its brethren's wishes. The monarch was tasked with jobs for the being, and in return, she would receive a gift to benefit her civilization.Location
The Frozen Wastes -
9700 BC
Cave Stalker Gain a New Messaging Ability
Metaphysical / Paranormal eventAfter the Second Watcher Visit, a small population of Cave Stalkers can draw glowing trident glyphs to send messages to each other from vast distances. They were likely taught how to use it by the monarch who was the first to use, but most individuals were naturally unable to master the skill. The small portion of Cave Stalkers that were able to control the ability remained in the upper class, in order to send important messages across the empire. Communication becomes faster, as the glyphs are carved in stone tablets, which can be sent on a domesticated eel that could travel vast distances at higher speeds than normal mail vehicles. -
9450 BC
Cave Stalkers Almost Fully Inhabit the Forests, and the Fields
Population Migration / TravelAfter being able to communicate more effectively with the stone tablets, instead of traveling to meetings one at a time, the empire can function almost as well as many human empires. After a long and resource heavy expansion, Cave Stalkers inhabit the Kelp Forests as well as the Ash Fields. These areas provide new resources to use, as well as new animals to study and adopt into cultural beliefs. There are also more rulers to govern different provinces of the empire, in order to compensate for slower communication.Location
The Ash Fields -
8980 BC
The Collapse of an Empire
Disaster / DestructionThis is the estimated date when the Cave Stalker's first empire collapsed. The main factor in its disbandment is its impractically large size, which caused it to stagnate. After reaching a certain size, the empire ceased expansion, and kept dwindling due to states seceding and rebel against the central power. -
5410 BC
Cave Stalker Cultures Diverge
Cultural eventThe Cave Stalkers have continued their civilization for another few millennium, still making use of their stone tablets to communicate. Each major area of the Nightlight have since gained their own distinctive societies, differing in culture and architecture. Governments run by oligarchies have become common, and some religious powers have gained more influence.Location
The Kelp Forests -
5200 BC
Cave Stalkers Discover the Entrances from Earth
Discovery, ExplorationThe Cave Stalker civilizations share word of entrance chutes that send in animals from the Pacific Ocean, in order to stabilize the ecosystems in the Nightlight Zone. Not long after, research teams attempt to study the chutes, in order to discover where they lead. This angers the Watchers at the edges of the Border, and out of fear that they would escape their realm, the Watchers would create a series of events that would destroy the Cave Stalker civilizations. -
3230 BC
The End of Cave Stalker Civilization
Disaster / DestructionThe Watchers carry out a series of natural disasters, plagues, and direct attacks, in order to prevent the Cave Stalkers advancing and eventually escaping the Nightlight Zone. It takes several centuries, but eventually, the last permanent settlements are destroyed, and most traces of their existence along with them. Because Cave Stalkers are adaptable, some survive the apocalypse, and adopt a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to survive.Location
The Halocline Pits -
3230 BC
The Frozen Wastes are Created
Geological / environmental eventAs an extra measure, the Watchers freeze the region in which the Cave Stalkers began their civilization, creating an impenetrable ice wall between the Halocline Pits and the rest of the Nightlight Zone. The Cave Stalkers are mostly trapped inside the Pits, and species such as the Brine Worm and Abominable Crab migrate from the Wastes to other environments. Meanwhile, various species go extinct, but the majority of the realm regains environmental stability.Location
The Frozen Wastes -
1204 BC
A Watcher Visits Again
Metaphysical / Paranormal eventOne particular Watcher, disobeying the others, swims closer to the Nightlight Zone, and spies on a nomadic band of Cave Stalkers. Not being taught by their ancestors about the Watchers, the group draws closer and speaks with the being. The Watcher then proceeds to give them their own animals to control, which the Cave Stalkers then use to plunder other nomadic bands.Location
The Halocline Pits
Anno Domini
4540000001 AD and beyond
Also known as "Common Era," comprising the events after the death of Christ until the 21st century.
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1885 AD
Netarts Valley is Founded
FoundingThe Netarts area became a place popular for sightseeing, in the case of settlers from the journey to the Pacific Northwest. After finding an abundance of resources to use, a town is founded next to Netarts Bay. Businesses there begin specializing in seafood to feed the public, and to keep the town stable.Location
Netarts Valley, OR -
1890 AD
Beginning of the Gatekeeper Myth
Metaphysical / Paranormal eventThree fishermen head out on a boat one day, and encounter the Gatekeepers right next to them. They hurriedly drive the boat to shore, and report the encounter to local officials. Because the beings were not sighted again, the incident is largely forgotten about, until they are sighted again by a father and son, who make a visualization of them. From then on, the Gatekeepers become part of an urban myth, which becomes a major part of Netarts culture.Location
Netarts Valley, OR -
2010 AD
Founding of Sobek
FoundingThe ocean exploration company Sobek is first founded by current CEO Karim Attia. The company will go on to make numerous advances in seacraft and ocean exploration technology, and will have mapped entire sections of the deep ocean that were previously unknown to science.
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2019 AD
The Gatekeepers Send Natural Disasters Towards Netarts Valley
Disaster / DestructionAn earthquake strikes the town of Netarts Valley, destroying multiple buildings, and causing the most amount of causalities in the town's recent history. This is followed by wind storms that are presumed to affect the town's ability to gather imports, which causes food shortages in various stores. The Gatekeepers are thought to have caused these natural disasters, merely from appearing in the area much more frequently than they normally do.Location
Netarts Valley, OR -
2019 AD
Edith and Victor Tenorio First Explore the Nightlight Zone
ExpeditionNetarts Valley resident Edith Tenorio accompanies her father on a mission to study the Gatekeepers, and gets trapped inside the Nightlight Zone. The two eventually make it out alive, discovering an entire world to explore and study.Location
Netarts Valley, OR -
2019 AD
First Encounter with Tenubis
Metaphysical / Paranormal eventMarine biologist Ava Porter is the second person to explore the Nightlight Zone, accidentally being transported there while on work. Inside, she finds a man that had been missing from Netarts Valley, who helps her escape Tenubis, a Cave Stalker that was bent on capturing humans to use in a hive mind for his own gain. This ability was given to him by another entity, and his plan to use it would cause the town of Netarts Valley to consequentially become battered by frequent storms.Location
Netarts Valley, OR -
2019 AD
Travel in the Halocline Pits
Metaphysical / Paranormal eventA group of three get transported to the Nightlight Zone after one buys a submarine with lottery winnings. As they try to figure out how to escape, they interact with a band of Cave Stalkers, who themselves are trying to escape a Watcher that has come down to the seabed. The three in the submarine are soon able to learn a vast array of knowledge about the realm, just so they can escape the Watcher.Location
Netarts Valley, OR -
2020 AD
A Sobek ROV Gets Stuck in the Nightlight Zone
Discovery, ScientificA remotely operated vehicle controlled by Sobek workers was on a scouting mission, when it was unexpectedly pulled towards the Gatekeepers, and trapped inside the Nightlight Zone. Only one worker could see what was happening through the camera, and he was entrusted with piloting the vehicle from that point on. Before it ran out of battery, the vehicle managed to traverse most of the Nightlight Zone, minus the Halocline Pits. Nearly every bit of footage was saved, and contributed to what is now known about the ecosystems of the realm.
Location
The Frozen Wastes
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