Introduction to Terra

The world of 7th Sea is a world of swashbuckling and sorcery, piracy and adventure,
diplomacy and intrigue, science and exploration. It is a world of musketeers, buccaneers and
privateers, ancient secrets and lost civilizations, secrets that can be found in the shadows and
monsters that hide in plain sight.
It is world where the order of Musketeers guards not only the lives of the nobility, but also
the virtues of honor, integrity and fraternity. It is world of sharp blades and sharper wits, where a
cutting retort can be just as deadly as a sword point.
It is also a world where the nobility control the most powerful force of allsorcery. Dark
magic pulses in the hearts of the noble class, power that was given to them in a terrible bargain made
long ago. Some control the weather. Others assume the forms of animals. Some rip through the
fabric of reality, while others play with the forces of Fate itself. In short, the world of 7th Sea is one
where the hard edge of steel couples with the shadowy substance of sorcery.
The waters of the world of 7th Sea are populated with the robbers of the waves. The pirates
of 7th Sea are united by a common cause: freedom. Freedom from the tyranny of sorcerers and kings.
Freedom from the real and figurative shackles of the Church of the Prophets. Freedom from greedy
landowners and money lenders. Pirates sail where they want, take what they please and live a life of
true freedom unknown by any other man or woman in the world of 7th Sea.

With the decline of the Church as the dominant force in society, things have become even
better for pirates as kings and queen hire daredevil adventurers to explore the unknown and bring
back the booty they recoveror steal. Of course, if those adventurers lower their guards for even a
moment, they will find themselves facing the black flag
In the world of 7th Sea, kingdoms are on the verge of becoming nation-states. A swelling tide
fo nationalism grows in the hearts of men and women, and a new kind of conflictcovert
warfareis finding its way into the world. But in the cours of kings and queens, diplomats dressed
in powdered wigs, lace and silk try to resolve the disputes of nations. Of course, if diplomacy fails,
there is the cold steel of the dueling sword waiting under all that finery.
A new kind of espionage is making its way into the world as well. Men and women trained in
the arts of deception live perilous lives of illusion and artifice as they pillae enemy secrets with only
their beauty, cunning and witsand a willingness t do anything for Crown and country.
Beyond the kingdoms of Thah lie the ruins of ancient civilizations, lost centuries ago.
Hidden beneath thousands of years of dust and the waves are vast cities of the lost Syrneth. Who
knows what ancient treasures remain, unseen by human eyes, untouched by human hands?
Men and women who call themselves natural philosophers are hired by the kings and
queen of Thah to unearth these treasures and bring them back to noble lands. Daring the perilous
ancient ruins, these men and women are all the rage in the noble courts and the subject of the new
romantic novels. Praised as heroes, they hope to uncover the secrets of the Syrneth in hopes that
they many uncover the key to Mans own origins, and possibly the secrets of the Creation itself.
And even now, beyond the boundaries of Thah, explorers, adventurers and settlers have
begun to encounter the lands and natives of the New World of Aztlan and Arcadia, braving the
perils of these lands to find wealth, glory and Theus Himself. To the south, in fabulous Ifri, Thans
begin to push past the coastline for the first time, into the harsh deserts and dangerous jungles of
the interior. They will discover a land of gold and fire, whose ebon-skinned natives keep their own
secrets. In the New World and Ifri alike, cultures will clash, blood will be spilled, tragedy will
ensueand new heroes will be born.
The planet upon which the continent of Thah lies is known as Terra, and it is part of a
universe that is very much an alternative parallel to our own. Thahs inhabitants, particularly of the
region of Western Thah, believe that it is the only fully developed home of human civilization on
Terra, a contention which is startlingly and completely wrong. Terra orbits a star, Solas, and is the
third of six known worlds to do so. Starting closest in their orbits to Solas, the other planets are

Velme, Amora, Terra, Guer, Re and Volta and are named for the ancient pre-Vaticine gods of the
Numan Republic. Terra completes its movement around Solas roughly every 360 days and is itself
orbited by a single large moon, Luna, every thrity days. A Terran day is commonly measured by a
span of twenty-four, sixty-minute hours, just as it is on Earth.
A long string of islands known as the Midnight Archipelago, lie across the waters to the west
of Thah, and beyond it, further to the west lies the two large continental masses known collectively
as the New World to the Thans. The New World includes the southern continent of Aztlan, and
the northern lands of Arcadia, known to its native peoples as Wabanahkik. Both the Midnight
Archipelago and the New World beyond began to receive Than colonists late in the fifteenth
century AV. These settlements have sometimes been greeted peacefully by the natives of the New
Worldand sometimes not. Directly to the south of Thah lies a fouth continent, dominated by
vast deserts and impenetrable jungles called Ifri. Like the New World, the people of Western Thah
have only just begun to explore the extraordinary civilizations that call Ifri home and the profits and
dangers to be found among them.
The greatest obstacle to further geographic exploration for the peoples of Thah has been
the lack of a reliable way to measure longitude when sailing. Close behind this has been the sheer
dangers of the six seas surrounding Thah and Ifrinot to mention the infamous 7th Sea itself.
Six seas encircle the Than continent, each offering its own unique challenges. Just because a
ships crew is able to handle itself successfully in one sea does not mean it is ready to take on
another.
The Trade Sea lies off Thahs northern coast, so named because of the Vesten traders who
have braved its waters for centuries in their longships. The tides are especially treacherous there,
often giving reefs the appearance of movement. Ships regularly report running aground on reefs that
came out of nowhere. Despite these peculiar incidents, the Trade Sea is considered a relatively
safe place by most sailors.
To the west of Thah and Ifri, between the Than landmass and the Midnight Archipelago
and the New World, is the Frothing Sea, home to countless hungry sharks and deadly sirens. The
weather is always a concern, especially the thick banks of fog that roll in with little or no notice. Sea
mirages are a common worry for sailors as well; optical illusions have been known to fool the most
experienced mariners.
La Boca de Cielo, the Mouth of Heaven, in the Castillian tongue, lies off Thahs
southwestern shores and directly west of Ifri. The waters are cold and deep, a favorite breeding

ground for giant whales and even larger leviathans of unknown origin. Rumors of a monstrous sea
serpent, dubbed Estallio, have persisted for years, though no definitive proof of its existence has
ever been offered. For centuries, Than pirates have found La Boca a perfect place to operate, a
tradition kept alive today by the arrant Brotherhood of the Coast, operating in the entire stretch of
ocean between the New World and the Forbidden Sea north of Ifri and west of the Crescent
Empire.
The Forbidden Sea, given its name by the Vaticine Church centuries ago when it declared
trade with the Empire of the Crescent Moon heretical, touches the southern shores of Thah and
the northern coast of Ifri. Despite the Churchs decree, daring traders and privateers still ply these
waters, many of whom are never heard from again. A great pillar of water, several leagues in
diameter, is reported to reach towards the sky and destroy any ships foolish enough to try and pass
it. The fact that Crescent goods are found in markets throughout both Thah and Ifri indicates the
phenomenon can be circumvented, though the method remains a closely guarded secret.
A calm, tranquil gulf lies off the southeastern coast of Thah. Called The Mirror for its
smooth, reflective surface, many believe a supernatural entity called Vodanken lives at its center.
Uncharted islands are known to appear in the quiet sea for a time, settling back beneath the surface
in a matter of hours. Explorers attempting to map these unstable stolls risk drowning, for no pattern
seems to exist for determining when they might sink. The treasures said to be found there are worth
the risk, however.
The Corridors of Flame surround the eastern third of Thah, a sea transformed by ancient
Cathayan sorcery into a fiery labyrinth. Walls of swirling fire, nearly twenty feet high, jut out of the
water, incinerating anything that touches them. Amazingly, these burning passages produce no heat,
but are so narrow that turning a ship around once inside them is practically suicide. The few who
have survived the perilous passage claim most of the Corridors empty onto a fierce whirlpool that
spouts a column of unholy fireand just one leads to the ports of the exotic eastern lands of the
Celestial Empire of Cathay.
Most consider it nothing more than a myth and a legend, a simple sailors story meant to
frighten and fool the superstitious mind. Rumors of its dangers have existed for generations and
every culture in Thah has its own tales that speak of it. It is one of the greatest mysteries in Than
history.
It is a phenomenon known in Than legend as the 7th Sea.

The 7th Sea does not exist in any one location on Terra. If reports are to be believed, it
arrives like a quiet storm, and sailors do not know they have crossed its threshold until it is too late.
The water becomes like silver and ghostly gasps and moans float up from some horrible realm deep
below. Solas and Luna share the same horizon while the stars around then drift backwards. The
unfortunate crew who sails unwittingly into the 7th Sea often emerges thousands of miles off course,
or worse: never appears again.
No one has yet unlocked the secrets of the 7th Sea, and most would say it is an impossible
task. Still, stories persist of those with adventurous hearts setting sail to find the truth. If and when
they do, it could change the world forever.

The Continent of Thah

Thah is the continent where all of the action of 7th Sea really beginsa continent that, like
the rest of Terra, possesses many similarities to Europe in the seventeenth century AD. She is ruled
by a series of nation-states which bear cultural and historical similarities to the particular European
nations on Earth. While she is not Europes twin sister, she is certainly a not-so-distant cousin,
which should make Thah more familiar and learning about her cuture and history easier. There are
some important differences, however.
Sorcery is a very real presence in Thah and the rest of Terra. Almost every noble family has
the dark gift running in its veins somewhere, although one nationEisenis an exception to the
rule. Their sorcery is powerful and dangerous, each type demanding its own unique cost from the
wielder. It is a discipline that not all can, or should, attempt to master, but when its power is
harnessed, it can change the fate of nations.
Thahs principal religionthe Church of the Prophets, or Vaticine Churchhas many
elements similar to European Roman Catholicism, but also some key philosophical and theological
differences. Aside from a slightly different iconography, the Church embraces science as a means of
understanding the Creators universe and encourages the proliferation of such knowledge through
schools and universities. Because of its efforts, Thans have already made several scientific
breakthroughs that would not occur on Earth for decades later.
Unfortunately, the Church has a darker side as well. Thah has only just emerged from the
thirty-year-long sectarian civil war known as the War of the Cross, a struggle between the traditional
Vaticines and a reformist movement known as Objectionism. The war involved every nation on the
continent in oen form or another, and left the Holy Republic of Eisen in shattered fragments. As if

this were not bad enough, a sinister Inquisition has recently seized power within the Church,
threatening to transform it into an instrument of terror and repression. Only time will tell if its
masters succeed.
The ruins of a civilization far older than Mans lie scattered across Thah and the rest of the
world. Some sit in ruined cities beneath the earth, while others lie on an extensive string of islands in
the western seas and the New World beyond. The race or races that built themknown as the Syrne
or Syrnethhave remained unknown, though it is clear they were not human. While their origins
remain a mystery, the ruins are a treasure haven for daring men and women. Strange artifacts and
wondrous inventions have been pulled from their depths, resulting in a great amount of
puzzlingand for some, an even greater amount of wealth.
The giant continental land mass known as Thah consists of three distinct regions: Western
Thah, more often simply called Thah, and the subcontinents of Cathay and the Crescent. These
areas contain almost every type of terrain imaginable, from snow-covered tundra in the north to
sandy seserts in the southeast. Forests, swamps, lakes, rivers, and mountains decorate the
countryside, shaping the pockets of human civilization that grew up around them.
Two of Thahs most unique features are also its most controversial. A huge waterway
known simply as The River almost divides the continent neatly in half from the Frothing Sea to
the Mirror. Some claim it is proof of a divine hand working upon the landscape, while others say it is
further evidence of the Syrneth and other advanced cultures from Terras distant past. Whatever the
truth may be, the people of Thah have used the River as a major artery of trade, commerce and
transportation since their earliest recorded history. It remains the sole source of livelihood for many
in the present day and is routinely celebrated in the stories and songs of every Than culture and
language.
Thahs second geographical oddity involves Cathay. An ever-burning wall of fire completely
engulfs Cathays circumference, isolating the land and its people from the outside world. Whether
the magical wall was intended to keep the rest of Thah away from Cathay or the Celestial Empire
away from the rest of Thah has been lost in the mists of time. Many intrepid explorers search for
an answer, dedicating their lives to disciovering their foreign neighbor through an entrance
rumored to lie somewhere within the Corridors of Flame. If anyone has succeeded without the aid
of the Cathayans themselves, those findings have not yet been reported.
Though people live all across the continent, there are still areas that remain unknown and
unexplored. Mapmaking is far from an exact science in the seventeenth century AV. In years past it

was not uncommon for a map drafted in one realm to bear only a passing resemblance to one
created in another. Political pressure, artistic license and the lack of accurate information all
contributed to this trend, but the past twenty-five years (ca. 1640-1668 AV) have seen an increased
interest in exacting a true, scalable representation of the land. This drive to refine cartography has
also received a boost from the continuing Than exploration and settlement of the New World and
the increasing movement of Than merchants and traders deeper into darkest Ifri.

The Nation-States of Thah

The current nation-states of Thahseven in allrepresent the whole of the civilized world
(to Thans!). A brief description of them can be found below:
Avalon
Green and enchanted, this union of the three island kingdoms that comprise the Glamour
Isles has recently risen to the forefront of Than politics. Avalon is also a gateway from Terra to the
enchanted lands of the Sidhe. Avalon is based upon the British Isles.
Castille
The headquarters of the Vaticine Church, this fertile kingdom has recently been invaded and
partially occupied by Montaigne to the north. Castille is based upon Spain and Portugal.
Eisen
A one-proud kingdom ruled by an imperator and a vast nobility now struggling to recover
from the devastation of the War of the Cross without any functioning central government. Eisen is
based upon the German states of the Holy Roman Empire.
Montaigne
One of Thahs most powerful kingdoms, Montaigne leads the world in art and culture even
as its king, a self-declared imperator, crushes the populace beneath his thumb. Montaigne is based
upon pre-Revolutionary, Old Regime France.

Pirate Nations
The Pirate Nations are not so much a true kingdom or state as a general catch-all term for
the various piratical factions sailing the seas of Thah and the New World.
Ussura
A vast and wild country, ruled by a Gaius with the consent of the lands animating spirit, the
Old Hag Matushka. Its people still live as their ancestors did long ago, and Ussura has recently
struggled to come to grips with the rapid changes sweeping the rest of Thah. Ussura is based upon
the Russian Empire.
Vestenmannavnjar
This vast northern peninsula and collection of islands is divided between the wealthy Guilds
of the Vendel who now seek to dominate Thahs economy and those fierce Vesten raiders who
have no desire to entirely surrender their ancient heritage. Some believe that they can do both.
Vestenmannavnjar is based upon a fusion of Dutch and Scandinavian cultures.
Vodacce
The former cradle of human civilization in Western Thah, Vodacce is now divided between
seven houses of merchant princes whose complex schemes seek to entangle every corner of the
world. Vodacce is based upon the city-state communes of Renaissance Italy.

The Secret Societies of Thah

The nation-states are not the only powers that influence Thah and seek to spread their
agendas across Terra. There are many more clandestine organizationsnot beholden to nationality
or religionthat move Than politics, some unnoticed by even the most observant scholars and
statesmen. Briefly, these include:
The Explorers Society
One of the most prominent gentlemens clubs in Thah, it is a multinational organization
dedicated to studying the past and discovering its geography, especially where the Syrneth and the
New World are concerned.

The Invisible College

A secretive band of scientists and other natural philosophers who work to protect
scientific and technological progress from the fires of the Vaticine Inquisition.
The Knights of the Rose and Cross
An ancient order of adventurers, seeking to bring justice to the unjust and protect those who
cannot protect themselves.
Die Kreuzritter
A group of Vaticine knights, wiped out centuries ago by a traitorous political leader, whose
survivors hid themselves from Than society in the hopes of combating the greatest danger to
human existence in all Creation
Los Vagos
Led by a mysterious masked man, these hidden crusaders protect the people of Castille from
enemies both within and without.
The Rilasciare
Best known as Free Thinkers, the Rilasciare promote free will and self-determination
through a range of extremely unorthodox and sometimes deadly tactics.
Sophias Daughters
A union of Vodacce women, many of them Fate witches, who seek social equality and
political power through covert means.

The Calendar of Thah

A year on the Than Calendar consists of twelve monthsPrimus, Secundus, Tertius,
Quartus, Quintus, Sextus, Julius, Corantine, Septimus, Octavus, Nonus and Decimus, essentally
corresponding to the months of the Gregorian Calendar on Earth and the same seasons in the
Northern Hemisphere. Each Than month is divided into four weeks consisting of seven days each
from first to last: Soldi, Veldi, Amordi, Terdi, Guerdi, Redi and Voltadi, each named for one of the
ancient Numan gods. Each month is exactly thirty days long, with the fifteenth and the thirtieth days

set aside for feasting and religious celebrations. The year ends with the Prophets Mass, a five-to-six
day-long celebration that fills out the remaining days and is not formally a part of any month.
The passage of human history has been recorded on the Than Calendar as belonging to two
separate eras marked out as Ab Urbe Condita (After the Founding of the City) or AUV and Anno
Veritas (Year of Truth) or AV, respectively. AUC dates are used for all years between the founding
of the city-state of Numa and the coming of the First Prophetwhich unofficially marked the birth
of the Vaticine Churchwhile AV dates are used for everything after his appearance.

The Languages of Thah

Than
Than was the written and spoken language of the Numan Republic (1 AUC to 340 AV) and
was once widely used across most of Western Thah. It later formed the primary ancestor of the
Montaigne, Castillian and Vodacce languages, which were originally regional dialects of Than. Later,
in a slightly modified form often called Church Than, it became the language used by all the
scriptures and rituals of the Vaticine Church. Its primacy in the Church also transformed it into the
language of scholarship and academia, a purpose for which it is still commonly used today. If there is
a common tongue of Thah, it would be Than, though the language has fallen out of favor
somewhat in the last hundred and fifty years or so since the beginning of the Objectionist
Movement. However, almost all scholars and natural philosophers will know at least rudimentary
Than, and it remains the language of business and ritual for the Church.The Than alphabet is used
by every language of the continent except for Ussuran, Crescent and Cathayan.
Cymru or Cymri
Cymru, also called Cymri, was the original language of the inhabitants of the isle of Avalon
before the Montaigne occupation. It still forms the foundation of the modern Avalon tongue.
Cymru is closely related to Inis, though it is far from identical and speakers of both languages would
have some trouble understanding one another. Cymru is really only used by druids and Avalon
scholars, and by some small, isolated populations on the largest of the Glamour Isles. It is also a
language still favored by the Sidhe and might be considered their native language, since it was the
one spoken by the first humans the Sidhe ever met. However, the Sidhe know and can speak all the

tongues of Men. Speakers of Cymru were rarely literate, but on the rare occasions it was written it
made use of the Than alphabet.
Teodoran
Teodoran is the language from which modern Ussuran is descended. Today it has become
an obscure, dying tongue spoken only among scholars and occasionally used by Ussurans who know
it to conceal messages. It uses the same alphabet as Ussuran.
Avalon
Avalon is the current language spoken across all of the Glamour Isles. It is a polyglot tongue
created from a mixture of Cymru, Montaigne and a variety of words drawn from Than. Modern
Avalon developed during the Montaigne occupation of the Glamour Isles, when Old Montaigne was
the language of the nobility and the law courts and gradually transformed the vernacular Cymru
originally spoken by the islands inhabitants. Modern Avalon is written using the Than alphabet.
Castillian
Castillian is the language of Castille, and developed over the centuries from a regional dialect
of Than when Castille was a province of the Numan Republic called Acraga. It is closely related to
both Montaigne and Vodacce, though a speaker of the other two languages would only understand
some of what a speaker of Castillian was saying. Castillian also has drawn on the Crescent tongue for
some words and phrases because of the long ties between Castille and the peoples of the Crescent
Empire. Castillian is written using the Than alphabet.
Cathayan
Cathayan is the language of the Celestial Empire and for that reason it is also sometimes
referred to as Celestial in Western Thah. It is not widely known in the west, and is very different
from all of the western languages in basic structure and vocabulary. It is a notoriously difficult
language for westerners to learn, not least because it is so difficult for any outsiders to actually meet
a native speaker. Its uses its own script, which is a series of thousands of pictographic characters
rather than a true alphabet as used by the western languages. Cathayan has been studied by only a
tiny minority of scholars in Western Thah, most of whom were missionaries of the Vaticine

Church who have sought to spread the faith of the Prophets into the East and by those few
Vodacce merchants who have been allowed to trade regularly with the isolationist Celstial Empire.
Crescent
Crescent is the common language of the peoples of the Crescent Empire. Though similar in
some vocabulary to Castillian because of the shared history between the Crescents and the
Castillians, it is an entirely separate language that is also one of the few tongues of Thah to make
use of its own alphabet rather than use the Than script. Crescent is the favored language of the
large community of Crescent scholars and is widely known among those Than scientists engaged in
acquiring and translating the voluminous works of science written by Crescent scholars in the past.
Eisen
Eisen is the harsh and guttural language of the Holy Republic of Eisen. Its precursor was the
language of the northern barbarians of Thah and its vocabulary and structure are very similar to
Vesten, though its vocabulary tends to make use of unusually long compound words. It is said that
no one is more precise in word and thought than a native speaker of Eisen. It is written using the
Than script, with the addition of several letters unknown in that alphabet.
High Eisen
High Eisen is a variant of standard Eisen that is only used and taught by the Eisen nobility
to other Eisen nobles. High Eisen was specifically developed so that both foreign dignataries and
the Eisen nobilitys own commoners could not understand what was being said. High Eisen is
almost never written down, but when it is, it uses the Than alphabet with the same additional letters
as common Eisen.
Inis
The Inis tongue is the native language of the isle of Inismore and is very similar in
vocabulary, structure and pronunciation to the original Cymru tongue of Avalon. During the
Montaigne and later Avalon occupations of Inismore, the majority of its population eventually took
Avalon as the common tongue and that is still true today, though a minority of the Inish still know
how to speak and write in Inis. The original tongue of the Highland Marches was also a dialect of

Inis, though like the Inish, the Highlanders now generally prefer to speak and write in their own
highly idiosyncratic dialect of Avalon. Inis is written using the Than script.
Montaigne
Montaigne is the native language of the Kingdom of Montaigne and is derived from a
regional dialect of Than spoken when Montaige was a province of the Numan Republic centuries
ago. Montaigne is closely related to the Castillian tongue. As Montaigne has become the most
powerful kingdom of Thah in recent centuries, its language has also become the primary language
of culture and the arts across much of the western portion of the continent. It is the preferred
vernacular language of many diplomats and has begun to replace Than as the common tongue of
the continent, though not yet of scholarship or the Church. Montaigne is written using the Than
alphabet.
Ussura
Ussuran is the modern language of the Ussuran kingdoms and is closely related to that of the
Sarmatians. It is descended from the ancient language called Teodoro. Ussuran is one of the few
Than languages to make use of its own alphabet. The Sarmatian tongue is similar in vocabulary and
structure to Ussuran but uses the Than alphabet rather than the variant Ussuran script.
Vesten
Vesten is the language of the Vestenmannavnjar and it is very similar to the tongue of Eisen
in structure and vocabulary, though it is in fact older and is closer to the root language of the
northern barbarians from which both the Vesten and the Eisen are descended. Vesten has recently
been modified somewhat by the Vendel League to upgrade some of its vocabulary to include new
terms for finance, science and commerce. It is written using the Than alphabet, though like Eisen it
uses several letters which do not exist in that script.
Vodacce
Vodacce is the vernacular language of the merchant princes and common folk of the nation
of the same name. It is the direct descendant of the original Than language of the Numan Republic,
altered from its parent by centuries of regional linguistic drift after the fall of Numa. Vodacce is very
similar in structure and vocabulary to Castillian and Montaigne, though it is actually the closet of all

three languages to its Than parent. It is said there are more creative ways to curse in Vodacce than
any other language in the world.

Chronology of Thah
The scholars of the Explorers Society have recently unearthed a corrected timeline of events on the continent of Thah
that in some parts contradicts doctrine as laid out by the scriptures of the Vaticine Church. Where this confusion
occurs, the following should be considered the correct chronicle of events.
In the Beginning
According to the Scriptures of the Vaticine Church, the One God, Theus, created the universe and
everything in it, including the world of Terra.
In the early days of Terra, the first beings to achieve sentience were the Razhdost, a race of primal,
near-divine demigods who loved the world and that called it home but were incapable of procreation
amongst themselves. As such, they turned to the creation of other intelligent species to populate
Terra, beings that Men would later collectively call the Syrne or the Syrneth.
Early in its existence, the world of Terra was home to several separate non-human civilizations
created by the Razhdost, including the Domae, Drachen, Setines, Tessera and Thalusai. These
beings are known collectively to present-day scholars of Thah as the Old Races, the Syrne or the
Syrneth. All were extinct long before the arrival of Men on Terra, leaving only incomprehensible
artifacts and mysterious ruins to prove they ever existed.
The Domae are unknown in appearance, but believed by scholars to be approximately man-sized.
They constructed huge underground cities and lived in peace for thousands of years, before
destroying themselves and most of their works in a vicious civil war. Their known technology
incorporates a variety of rare and distinctive gemstones, believed to be synthetic Domae creations.
Remnants of the last Domae city endure as the primary sewers of the city of Charouse in modern
Montaigne.

The Drachen (dragons) are gigantic reptiloid beings up to several hundred feet long, by far the
largest of all the Syrneth races. Their enormous cavern dwellings, containing a few out-sized
artifacts, are found in the mountains of Eisen. Numerous Drachen skeletons, apparently a burial
ground, lie in what is now the centre of the city of Freiburg in Eisen, overshadowed by a huge tower
of Drachen bones (called die Wachtturm). The Drachen are one of the earliest known Syrneth
races, and one of the first to die out. The size and durability of Drachen bones is such that Men later
used them in construction, especially around Freiburg. A lesser kind of Drachen, unintelligent and
smaller, survives in remote corners of Eisen and Ussura. Dragons also appear in many Cathayan
legends, being huge creatures of immense power and wisdom.
The Setine were extraordinarily varied in appearancesome had wings, others were approximately
man-shaped and still others were large quadrupeds with horns or tusks. However different, all Setine
shared the same distinctive hollow bones. Their technology is based upon machinery vaguely
resembling clockwork, and they were one of the most widespread of the Syrneth across the face of
Terra.
The Tessera were also unknown in appearance, and originated soon after the extinction of the
Drachen. A war with the other Old Races ended with the total annihilation of the Tesseran
civilization. Only a few minor examples of their magnetic-based technology remained as proof that
they ever existed upon Terra.
The Thalusai are approximately man-sized, resembling giant insects or mantids that walk upright,
and are believed to have been the last of the Syrneth to emerge on Terra. They dwell on what are
later called the Thalusian Isles, far westwards of Avalon. They preserve their dead in amber, then
place the bodies in deep caverns. The entire race perished in a cataclysm that resulted from a war
with the Sidhe who had once been the slaves of the Setines, leaving only these tombs and a few
artifacts. The surviving Thalusai artifacts reflect their makers appearance, being predominantly
insectoid in look. Millennia later, portions of Thalusai armour (actually the creatures exoskeletal
shells) became popular fashionwear in the wealthier social circles of Montaigne in the seventeenth
century AV.

Ussuran legend tells how the Great Mother and Hag Witch Matushka, actually a potent demigod-like
being called a Razdhost, wandered Ussura, shaping the land and creating life. Lonely after the
disappearance of the Syrneth, she finally decided to sleep beneath the land she had claimed as hers.
The Old Faith of the Vestenmannavnjar teaches that Grumfather (also called the The Grey
Wanderer in some stories) battled the giant Varld before the world is born. After slaying him,
Grumfather shaped the world of Terra from his body. It is unknown if Grumfather or the Vesten
Living Runes of their sorcery Laerdom are also Razhdost like Matushka, though such an origin
would accord with the powers attributed to them in Vesten mythology.
In Cathayan mythology, Peng Kui emerged from the Great Egg in the Void of Chaos. For untold
ages, he labored to bring order to the Void, before finally collapsing exhausted. From his body came
both Terra and the gods.
The History of the Sidhe
The world of Terra is an orderly place. The sun and stars move on their appointed courses,
mountains rise and then they fall, living things are born, grow, and die, aeons come and disappear.
But there are other realms, other planes of existence that follow different rules, or have no rules at
all, in realities about which humanity has learned only the smallest scraps. It is from such alien
shores that the Syrneth races hail, the insect Thalusai, the vanished Setine, the beneficent Razdhost.
It is from such an eldritch space that the Sidhe came as well, the strange creatures of magic that have
taken up residence in (and given the name to) the Glamour Isles. There was no human name for the
great Gulf that birthed the Sidhe. There was no name, in fact, for the Sidhe themselves. The people
who found their way to safety after the great Flood called them the Sidhe, an Old Cymric word
that means Fae.
It is commonly thought that Bryn Bresail is the Sidhes native home, originally shapeless and
empty but for the formless and timeless entities that existed there, until the coming of the Syrneth
which gave them the very concept of shape. There may be a deeper reality about the Sidhes
birthplace such that the eternal land of Bryn Bresail is but their first creation. Before the coming of
the Syrneth, the Sidhe were simply instances of identity without purpose or structure, language or
meaning. Over the aeons, it can be supposed, contact with other forms of intelligence gave them

some concept of self and other, allowing the Sidhe to evolve into sentience. None of this is known
to the scholars of humanity, and is, in fact, largely unknown to the Sidhe themselves, due in part to
the power of their investment in their current roles.
Another possibility is that at some point in their existence, the Sidhe, who were formless
magical energy, began a quest for a concept of form and pattern. The first exercise in this arena of
which the scholars of Thah are aware occurred when the Sidhe came in contact with the Syrneth
races. At first they were fascinated and delighted with the elaborate mechanical structure they saw,
and took to the idea of substance and meaning with enthusiasm. The Syrneth, for their part, found
the Sidhe (no one knows what the Syrneth actually called the Sidhe) to be a monumental source of
power and they seized on the Sidhe ability to warp reality itself using Glamour, apparently
effortlessly and tirelessly. Not surprisingly, the Sidhe soon found themselves employed as Syrneth
slaves, incorporated into the vast and mysterious Syrneth machinery created by the Setine or some
other race of beings about whom scholars are currently ignorant. The Syrneth worlds are cold and
mindless places, for the most part, adapting but not creating, growing but not evolving, artless and
joyless, nothing more than cosmic termite mounds.
Then came salvation. The Sidhe discovered humankinds dreams on the world of Terra. The
Setines had called the continent of Thah home, and departed (or were destroyed), and then the
Domae came and left, and returned and left again, great cities were built then abandoned, and all the
while small and fragile creatures, humans, were growing and spreading.
It was over the destiny of these humans that the Sidhe and the Thalusai, who arrived late to
Terra (epochally speaking), came at last to blows. The power of the human dreaming awoke in
the Sidhe the power and strength to throw off their Setine shackles, and attack the Thalusai and
drive them from Terra, forcing them beyond the planar Barrier erected by the joint efforts of the
Sidhe and Radzhost. The Syrneth were denied easy access to Terra, leaving humanity (and the Sidhe
with them in their mirror world of Bryn Bresail) free to flourish.
In some respects, it must be said, this was not an entirely noble act on the part of the Sidhe,
but quite a selfish one. While they certainly freed humanity and themselves from enslavement under
the Syrneth, they arranged things so they are the only non-human race that had easy access to exploit
humanity, whether for good or evil.
The aforetold facts may seem muddled, and the chronology suspect, even contradictory to
other known facts. This is due to several factors. There are no records from that period and any
Sidhe to whom one might speak regarding this history will be oblivious, not out of ignorance or

evasion, but because of the depth of the power with which they inhabit their current role as
mimickers of Men. Memory and history are conceptions of creatures capable of comprehending the
logical flow of events, the passage of time. And no one is asking the Thalusai. The Sidhe greedily
attached themselves to the wondrous dreams and inspirations of humanity. They adopted roles
based on the stories and legends humans created, they formed Bryn Bresail in the image of a
Western Than city, they populated it with Fae nobles, peasants, artisans, and merchants just like a
Than city.
Many relocated permanently to the shores of Avalon, using the first and largest link between
the two realms, on the Grey Isle. Other gateways were later opened, as the boundaries between Bryn
Bresail and the rest of Thah became more permeable, but the Grey Isle is unique, and while many,
many gateways are connected with water, the Grey Isle is the only gateway accessible by sea.
Why Avalon? Perhaps because of the abundance of lakes and rivers, ponds, streams, and
surrounding oceans that calls to some ancient, buried memory of the Sidhe, reminding them of their
original existence in a great, measureless misty sea. Perhaps it is the druids of Avalon, the men and
women whose perception of the land is so profound they can create the laws of reality (the Geasa).
Or perhaps because it was the only land that remained after the Flood. For whatever reason, in
Avalon the Sidhe are and there they will stay for now
The Bargain, the Barrier, the Pact, and the Graal
For those who are not familiar with the history of Thah, during the time of the Numan
Empire, a ruthless senator named Octavius Montanus discovered a mystic rod of Thalusai
manufacture that allowed him to summon supernatural creatures from a realm far-removed from the
world in which he lived. Gathering a cabal of like-minded Numan senators, he went into a hidden
chamber deep in the Numan Senate building and called forth the beings in hopes of gaining
sufficient power to defeat General Gaius Phillippus Macer and take control of the Numan Empire
for himself.
Demonic creatures of unbelievable horror came flooding through the schism Montanus tore
in space. Some senators fled screaming while others fell to their knees in terror; at least one went
completely mad and tried to claw his way out of the marble chamber. Senator Montanus, however,
began to bargain with the creatures and made wild promises in exchange for their help. At the end
of the bizarre negotiations, the Bargainers offered Montanus the powers that he and his colleagues

sought in exchange for a promise to teach the new sorceries to others and eventually pass the power
along through their human bloodlines.
Millennia ago, the Razhdost, intelligent non-human beings, had held sway on Terra as it was
forming. Unable to procreate, they devised other beings among them the Thalusai and the
Setines which were called collectively the Syrneth by later human scholars. The Razhdost
unwittingly started a war with the Thalusai, the most powerful of their creations, and had to seek
assistance from the Sidhe, the only power on Thah that they had not created. The last Razhdost (a
being named Matushka) joined with the Sidhe to erect a magical Barrier that would protect Thah
and the rest of Terra from Syrneth depredations. The amount of magical energy required for such a
feat drained the Sidhe to the point where Matushka retreated to a cave deep in Ussura and the Sidhe
returned to their home in Bryn Bresail and did not venture forth for thousands of years. It was
during this voluntary retirement that the race of Men came into being on the face of Terra.
Some time back in ancient history a great Flood covered the world and later Avalon legends
claimed that mankind had been eradicated, save for a boatload of people who somehow found their
way to Bryn Bresail. Fascinated by these strange creatures, the Sidhe made a pact with them and
permitted them to live on the only place that had survived the catastrophe on Terra, an island called
Avalon where they coexisted peacefully until the arrival of the Numan General Julius Caius and his
army many centuries later. Unlike the people who had escaped the Flood, these humans were brutal
and aggressive and reminded the Sidhe of the Syrneth. In an effort to protect Avalon, the Sidhe hid
the Glamour Isles behind mist, fog, and storms of immense power for 150 years.
When they deemed it safe, the Sidhe allowed Avalon to reemerge into Thah and things
proceeded more or less peacefully, except of course for the petty wars among those who claimed to
be High King of the land. Eventually, with the help of the Vestenmannavnjar, King Elilodd of
Avalon united the people and earned the respect of the Sidhe who granted him a magical
artifact they called the Graal. Elilodd was charged with guarding the bejeweled cup. For so long as
it was safe, and Elilodd and his descendants ruled Avalon, the blessings of the Sidheand the
magical power of Glamourwould be with them.

The Rise of Man

The Vaticine Churchs Scriptures teach that Theus created Man, the pinnacle of His creation and a
being who shares many of His divine attributes.
The Ussurans say that Matushka, creator of all life and the guardian of Ussura, created Men in her
dreams.
The Vestenmannavnjar skalds tell the story of how Grumfather created Men from the roots of The
Great Tree. To give them a good place to live, he then cut the giant Varlds heart into nine pieces
and these become the nine islands of the Vestenmannavnjar.
The Cathayans hold that the goddess Nu Wa created the animals of Terra. To ease her loneliness,
she also created Men.
At some point in the distant and unrecorded past, a boat filled with Men survived a world-wide
Flood, and arrive in Bryn Bresail in the Otherworld. They form a pact with the Sidhe, who guide
them to the isle of Avalon, the largest of the Glamour Isles.
Aproximately five millennia ago, Men established several Neolithic city-states and small kingdoms in
the Arene Candide region (in what is later Vodacce). These settlements represent the earliest human
civilizations on the continent of Thah.
At some point before the founding of Numa, contact is established between the western people of
Acraga (later Castille) and the Jadur-rihad tribe (later part of the Empire of the Crescent Moon). The
two peoples find that they have much in common, and begin strengthening this bond through
commerce and intermarriage.
The Firbolg Wars. Humans settle on an island north of the island of Avalon in Thah, which they
name Inismore. Unknown to them, the hospitable land is also home to a race of fierce giants, later
known as the Firbolg. After a quiet period of some years, during which isolated human settlements
occasionally disappear, the Firbolg finally emerge to wage open war upon the Inishmen.

ca. -1500 AUC The first dynasty to rule the land of Cathay is lead by minor deities remembered as
the Three Noble Emperors who may have been surviving Razhdost. During their long reigns,
these immortals teach their people the arts of writing, medicine, agriculture, building, pottery and
cooking.
ca. -500 AUC Cathays first historical dynasty, the Shang, is established. The kings of the Shang
Dynasty are known for their construction of mighty palaces and strong, towering walls.

1 AUC - 774 AUC (Ab Urbe Condita , After the Founding of the City)
ca. 1 AUC The Zhou Dynasty is established in Cathay. Around the start of the first century AUC,
when the city-state of Numa is founded in Western Thah, the Zhou overthrow the kings of the
Shang Dynasty of Cathay, who have become weak and complacent. Despite being militaristic, the
Zhou begin as competent rulers who bring several reforms to their new realm.
1 AUC The founding of Numa. This year marks the founding of the city-state of Numa by the
great hero Numus near the mouth of the Tigres River in what would later become the Arene
Candide region of Vodacce. Numus gives his name to the new settlement. He becomes its first and
only king, though upon his death an aristocratic oligarchy seizes power, placing a council of nobles
known as the Numan Senate in control of the city and establishing the government called the
Numan Republic.
1-340 AUC - Rise of the Numan Republic. Shrewd leadership, successful trade and potent
military prowess all serve to increase Numas borders and influence across Vodacce. Other nearby
ancient Vodacce cultures are absorbed or supplanted. The Sidhe occasionally visit the ancient people
of Numa from someplace far to the northwest, intrigued by this most advanced of human cultures.
102 - 228 AUC - The Numan Republic is established in earnest with a series of conquests of
neighboring states, including much of the rest of the Vodacce peninsula and its southern islands.

ca. 150 AUC - Numan traders reach southern Ussura (later the Ussuran kingdom of Somojez).
Impressed by all that these newcomers have to offer, the native Zakut people establish trade links
and adopt Numan ways.
213 AUC The Battle of Palo di Olympia. The Numan legions defeat a larger Crescent army.
Numa takes control of the western portion of the Crescent peninsula, and is to hold that territory
for nearly six hundred years.
225 AUC Having consolidated its western holdings, Numa turns its attention eastwards.

228 AUC Senator Priscus Tecpatus of the Numan Republic negotiates a treaty with the city-states
of Acraga (later known as Castille). Whilst relations are initially friendly, Numas ongoing expansion
soon causes tension to develop between the two cultures.
236 - 255 AUC Construction of Numas Wall. A series of unsuccessful campaigns are launched
by the Numan XI Legion against the northern barbarian tribes of central Thah to placate the area
that would become Eisen. In the end a large wall, called Numas Wall, is built along the southern
banks of the Trade River to protect Numan Republic territory from northern barbarian raids.
Barbarian incursions impede communications between Numa and its south Ussuran allies.
The latter are soon targeted by the savage tribes of Brutovskaya and Alyuskar. The Drachenberg
mountains are the scene of numerous battles between barbarian invaders from the west and Ussuran
defenders.
ca. 250 AUC Several primitive Vestenmannavjar tribes fight a war for dominance over the eastern
Vesten isles. The losers, known as the Novgod, are exiled to the northern coast of Ussura.
268 AUC - Death of Senator Priscus Tecpatus and worsening of Numan-Acragan
relations. Discovery of deposits of precious and strategic metals in Acraga by Numan prospectors, in

what is later called La Sierra de Hierro (The Mountains of Iron). Numa resumes its expansion
westwards into Acragan lands, seeking to profit from this find.
268-344 AUC The Acragan Wars. Following discovery of precious metals in the Mountains of
Iron in Acraga, Numa and the city-states of Acraga fight a series of wars. Numa wins most of them.
Acragan territory inexorably shrinks. The Acragans are finally subjugated by the Numan legions of
Senator Castillus in 344 AUC and the final destruction of the Acragan capital at Marina Linda brings
most of the remainder of the Vodacce Peninsula and what will become Castille under direct Numan
rule for the next seven centuries.
365 AUC The Vesten Novgod tribe, with the support of primitive Ussurans, fight a massive battle
against invading Eisen barbarians on the fields west of modern Donskoy. The invaders are soundly
defeated, and the Novgod change their name to the Novgorov.
366 AUC The Novgorov found the city of Ektar, later Ekaternava, in Ussura as a bulwark against
future Eisen barbarian invasions from the west.
ca. 375 AUC Founding of the Kingdoms of Rurik and Somojez in what will become Ussura.
421 AUC Numan Invasion of Avalon. Numa invades the isle of Avalon. The Numan General
Julius Caius leads the invasion force of several legions from mainland Thah onto the largest of the
Glamour Isles. The Numans face scattered and confused opposition at most from the islands many
scattered and divided tribes. That there are lands and people beyond their own comes as a profound
shock to many Avalons of this time.
423 AUC Numa crushes the last remnants of Avalon resistance, and imposes its rule over the
entire island. Numan outposts are established along the southern shores of the Highland Marches,
with a view towards further expansion there. Further incursions are discouraged after the Numan
legions meet fierce (if disorganized) resistance from the savage Highlanders.
424 AUC The conquest of Avalon is completed by the Numan legions of General Julius Caius
representing the greatest territorial extent of Numan rule in Thah. He returns to Numa and

attempts to take control of the Senate and rule the Numan Republic directly. This attempt fails a
year later when a group of Numan senators assassinate him to preserve the Old Republic.
424 AUC General Julius Caius makes a triumphant return to Numa with most of his legions,
leaving only a few to keep the peace in Avalon.
ca. 425 AUC Establishment of the Celestial Empire of Cathay. The Qin Dynasty establishes
the Cathayan Empire. Unquestionably the briefest ruling of Cathays dynasties, nonetheless the Qin
lead the nation out of a centuries-long civil war between the nobles of the Zhou Dynasty and
achieves a great many reforms that endure to this day as the foundation of Cathayan society.
425 AUC End of the Numan Old Republic. Self-proclamation of General Julius Caius as
absolute ruler, or Imperator, of Numa. Within days of the proclamation, Caius is assassinated by a
cabal of Numan senators seeking to maintain the oligarchy of the Numan Old Republic and
traditional collective rule by the Numan Senate.
425 AUC Establishment of the Numan Empire. Following the assassination of Caius, his son
Tigranus Caius demands retribution and seizes power with the help of his fathers legions as the first
Imperator of Numa. This begins the Age of the Imperators, transforming the Numan Republic into
the Numan Empire. Those who opposed his father are forced into exile. Centuries later, Vodacces
infamous Lorenzo family will claim direct descent from Tigranus, through his oldest daughter.
425-581 AUC The Age of Imperators. The Numan Empire is ruled by a series of dictators of
highly diverse outlooks and abilities. During this time, the Senate is reduced to a mostly ineffectual
advisory role.
ca. 440 AUC The establishment of the Han Dynasty in Cathay. The Han defeat the Qin in the
Battle of the Wei Valley, and take over the rule of Cathay. There is much internal dissent during this
period, which the new Celestial Emperors strive to defuse by encouraging both commerce and
territorial expansion.

502 - 508 AUC A series of huge northern barbarian raids destroy the Numan colonies in central
Thah (present-day Eisen).
508 AUC The northern barbarians destroy the last Numan colony in central Thah (present-day
Eisen).

573 AUC The Curse of Avalon. Mysterious storms and fogs block all access to Avalon. Numa
unsuccessfully tries to re-establish contact by several means. Finally, Numas imperator decides that
the Glamour Islands are cursed and decrees that there be no further attempts to reach, contact or
otherwise locate them and the Numan colonies established there.
581 AUC End of the Age of Imperators and the Establishment of the Second Numan
Republic. A popular uprising led by the Numan Senate restores its power and overthrows
Imperator Clementes the Mad, bringing the Age of the Imperators to an end in the Numan Empire.
The Numan Senate proclaims the establishment of a Second Republic and the ancient oligarchy is
restored across Numan territory.
598 AUC General Thanthus and the remnants of his legion return to Numan shores. Presumed
lost when Avalon disappeared, the legion had in fact escaped by ship only to spend the next
twenty-five years wandering the high seas. Their tales of strange lands, great peril and fantastic
treasures form the basis for Gurlans classic literary epic The Tanthusiad.
623 AUC End of the Curse of Avalon. The strange fogs and belt of storms encircling Avalon
dissipates, and the islands become accessible to the outside world once more. Nobody there has
aged so much as a day since the storms began, nor are they aware of anything having happened in all
that time. Foreigners either leave the Glamour Isles or quietly assimilate. Numa does not try to
reconquer the land.
698 - 724 AUC General Gaius Phillipus Macer and his army returns to Numa, after campaigning
against the barbarians of central Thah (present-day Eisen). Gaius Philippus Macer seizes power
over the Numan Empire with a military coup of the legions and declares himself the new Imperator

of Numa. The Numan senators respond by seeking out a method to unseat him and restore the
Second Republic.
ca. 699-772 AUC - The Living Runes and the Coming of Laerdom. A huge monster,
remembered only as The Great Wyrm, ravages the far northern islands of the Vestenmannavnjar.
Twenty-five warriors, one from each of the Vesten tribes of the time, gather, ally and eventually
defeat the beast. In doing so, they take the Wyrms power for themselves and become the so-called
Living Runes, forming the basis for all future Vesten Laerdom magic. Ultimately, some heroes
cannot cope with this new power and go mad, killing several former comrades before being slain
themselves. Of the remainder, most disappear into seclusion and the rest stay to aid their people.
700-724 AUC Rise of the Second Numan Empire. The Imperator Gaius Macer tightens his
grip on power. Yet again, the Numan Senates authority weakens and the oligarchy is subordinated
to a military dictatorship.
724 AUC The Bargain. A group of Numan senators, led by an absolutely ruthless man named
Octavus Montanus, become Thahs first sorcerers via means unknown. Opponents of sorcery
avow that these magics are gained through a loathsome pact with unholy, infernal forces, so this
event is still referred to in certain quarters as The Bargain. Determined to regain control of Numa
from the Imperators and establish a new Republic, Octavius Montanus discovered a mystic rod of
Thalusai manufacture that allowed him to summon supernatural creatures from a realm far-removed
from the world in which he lived. Gathering a cabal of like-minded senators, he went into a hidden
chamber deep in the Numan Senate building and called forth the beings in hopes of gaining
sufficient power to defeat General Gaius Phillippus Macer and take control of the Numan Empire
for himself.
Demonic creatures of unbelievable horror came flooding through the schism Montanus tore
in space. Some senators fled screaming while others fell to their knees in terror; at least one went
completely mad and tried to claw his way out of the marble chamber. Senator Montanus, however,
began to bargain with the creatures and made wild promises in exchange for their help. At the end
of the bizarre negotiations, the Bargainers offered Montanus the powers that he and his colleagues
sought in exchange for a promise to teach the new sorceries to others and eventually pass the power
along through their human bloodlines.

The senatorial sorcerers freely use their terrifying new powers to seize control of the Numan
Empirewith trouble-makers burned to ash, ripped apart or hurled screaming through strange
portals in mid air never to be seen again. The aging Imperator Gaius Macer is allowed to both live
and keep his throne, but hereafter has no authority save what the sorcerers allow. The fortunes of
Numas non-sorcerous aristocracy wanes as the Senate becomes dominated by those families with
access to the power of The Bargain.
ca. 724 AUC The emergence of Pyeryem sorcery in Ussura. Matushka awakens from her long
slumber, and gifts certain of her people in Ussura with the ability to change into animal form.
According to the later teachings of the Ussuran Orthodox Church, she is awakened by and has a
conversation with the First Prophet (The True Prophet) some fifty years before his arrival in the
Numan Empire.
734 AUC The Founding of Gallenia. Senator Edwardus Ajaz Gallen flees Numa in an effort to
escape his sorcerous peers. He and his followers found the kingdom of Gallenia near the distant
land of Cathay in eastern Ussura.
735 AUC The Wall of Fire rises on the eastern border of Gallenia, apparently the result of
Cathayan sorcery. All land access to Cathay is suddenly and dramatically blocked by an immense
barrier of magical flame. At the same time, the seas off Cathay become The Corridors of Flame
(Huo Zhi Zou Long in Cathayan) for the labyrinth of fire and other hazards that makes sailing
through there unspeakably dangerous. The towering flame barrier traps numerous savage Cathayan
tribes, collectively known as the Tumens, on the western side in Ussuran territory.
736 - 740 AUC The Tumens commence a brutal invasion of primitive Molhyna in what is now
Ussura, conquering it and driving the native Zakut tribes into the icy wastes of the far north.
739 AUC Selection of General Cnaerus to be Numas new imperator. The Senate chooses him in
order to shift him from command of his loyal army to a position where his authority and influence is
limited. Paranoid about safety from assassination, Imperator Cnaerus diverts funds from public
works to construct a fortified personal estate, the Calix Parietis (Stone Wall), on an artificial island
in the Tigres River.

ca. 740 AUC With Molhyna as a base, the Tumens launch a series of attacks against the newly
founded Ussuran kingdom of Gallenia. Bolstered by Numan tactics, the Gallenians defeat the
Tumens at every turn.
741 AUC Death of Numan Imperator Cnaerus, killed in a street riot protesting his use of public
funds. Curiously, the riot ends with his death but nobody else, including his guards, are hurt. Work
on the Calix Parietis halts, with the fortification mostly complete but little else. Successive
imperators use it as a barracks for Numas legions.
ca. 768 AUC The Coming of the First Prophet. A charismatic young man known only as the
Prophet begins preaching a new monotheistic faith praising the One God Theus, performing
miracles and gathering followers. His original disciples, known as the Nine Witnesses, come from all
over Thah. They are Jaime, Joaquin, Maria, Tomas, Kirstin, Pierre, Simon, Philippa and Sophia.
773 AUC - The First Prophet gathers his Nine Witnesses at Monte Joyas (The Mountain of Jewels)
in La Sierra Hierro in what is now Castille. He instructs them to separate from him and each other,
then wait one year before starting to pass on his teachings to all of Thah, and beyond.
774 AUC The AUC calendar of the Numan Old Republic ends.

1 AV 1668 AV (Anno Veritas, Year of Truth)

1 AV The Last Days of the First Prophet. Alone, his Nine Witnesses already dispersed across
Thah, the First Prophet journeys to Numa. Confronting the Senate whilst it is in full session, he
denounces the use of sorcery as an unholy corruption and chides the senators for their greed.
Several enraged senators attack the interloper, only to discover that their sorcery cannot harm him.
They finally have him arrested (to which he offers no resistance), then tried and condemned on
several trumped-up charges.
2 AV, 2nd of Quintus The Death of the First Prophet. The night before his execution, the
Prophet is visited in his cell by Senator Tobias (nicknamed Tobias the Meek), who records his
prophecies and final teachingsTheus and His mercy, the dangers of sorcery and the three
Prophets still to come. The next morning the First Prophet is publicly burned at the stake in Numas
central city square. Tobias renounces his rank of senator, and changes his name to Mattheus.
Mattheus, now the First Prophets Tenth Witness, and Maria, one of the Prophets most loyal
Witnesses, meet and secretly claim the ashes of the First Prophet. These ashes are interred in a crypt
just outside of Numa. The First Prophets words, teachings and deeds quickly spread throughout the
Numan Empire, despite the best efforts of the Numan authorities to suppress this new Vaticine
Church, meaning the Church of the Prophets in the Numan tongue, and its growing legion of
followers.
The Church preaches the equality of all people in Theus regardless of gender and ethnicity,
as long as they worship Theus as the One, True God of Creation. The religion is one that conflates
reason and faith and teaches that the universe is a riddle put forth by Theus for humanity to solve.
With each step they take, they grow closer to Theus. The Church preaches that the gifts of Theus to
humanity are free will and intelligence and to use them to unlock the secrets of the world is the will
of Theus. They argue that Theus has given each person a goal in life, and that He has a plan for His
Children, but that how you reach the goal Theus has in mind is up to each individual to discover for
him or herself. Finally, the Church teaches that sorcery is a gift from the Adversary of Theus the
archdemon Legion to weaken the faithfuls connection to Theus and its use is an abomination.
Theus is depicted as genderless or either gender as the occasion demands, and gender equity is
common in the Church. The new faith proves incredibly popular among the Numan lower orders
and quickly spreads across the Empire. The Church takes as its symbol the Prophets Cross, which

symbolizes both the scaffold upon which the First Prophet was burned and the Four Prophets in
total that he promised that Theus will send to Terra.
32 AV An alliance of Crescent tribes defeats Numas legions, regaining territory lost in the Battle
of Palo di Olympia nearly six hundred years before. The Numans are driven from their acquisitions
on the Crescent peninsula. First use of the term Empire of the Crescent Moon by Numan
scholars.
ca. 65 AV Cathayan trade goods start reappearing in Ussura and the Crescent Empire. From
Gallenia come reports of Cathayan traders who can somehow pass through the Wall of Fire
unharmed and trade with the rest of Thah.
98 AV The forces of the Numan Imperator II Legio stop a northern barbarian invasion from the
wastes of Ussura just short of Numan territory.
ca. 98 AV The Numan Empire splits into two halvesthe Eastern Empire, ruled from Numa
proper; and the Western Empire, ruled from what is later the Castillian city of San Cristobal. Each
empire is ruled by a separate imperator and a Senate composed of sorcerers.
ca. 100 AV The Ussuran Kingdoms of Rurik and Somojez embrace the teachings of the First
Prophet. Pagan dissenters led by Vladimir Aryov emigrate eastwards to the lands around the Azov
Forest and the Gora Sorivdgrastov Mountains, where they found the Ussuran Kingdom of Veche.
105 AV The Eastern Numan Empire recognizes the Faith of the Prophets as a legitimate religion
and ends all persecutions of its faithful; the Western Numan Empire soon follows suit. Popular
support prevents any opposition from the respective Senates from proving effective.
115 AV Death of Vladimir Aryov, ruler of the Ussuran Kingdom of Veche, in Aryanski Castle. On
his deathbed, he names Boris Tomiech, his most able and ruthless general, as successor. Tomiech is
bloodsworn to never return to Aryovs fortress, and is presented with Aryovs youngest daughter,
Anisheva Aryovna, as his wife. Departure of Boris and Anisheva Tomiech from Aryanski,
accompanied by their respective armies. They ride for Veches Mountains of Smoke.

122 AV Completion of Tara Oaslui. This imposing fortress, the stronghold of Boris and
Anisheva Tomiech, is said to be built on the bones of all who dared oppose them. This year is also
marked by the couples seventh anniversary and the birth of their third son.
ca. 130 AV Most of the noble senatorial and equestrian families in Numa now practice some form
of sorcery. Magical talent has become hereditary, passing from parent to child with each successive
generation as a genetic trait.
202 AV After much discussion, the Crescent tribes formalize their alliance, so as to present a
united front to outsiders. A leader with authority over all of the tribes is selected, titled Caliph
(Successor).
203 AV The Eastern Numan Imperator Danatius converts to the faith of the Church of the
Prophets and declares it the state religion in the East, forcing the Eastern Imperial senatorial families
to flee because sorcery is declared blasphemous.
ca. 217 AV Establishment of the Chin Dynasty in Cathay. The founder of this dynasty leads his
army to victory at the Battle of Red Cliff, ending a long period of strife and civil war in Cathay.
Cathayan trade with the Crescents through the Wall of Fire becomes very profitable at this time.
ca. 225 AV The Coming of the Patika to the Crescent Empire. A man, known only as the
Haberci (Messenger), begins preaching the ways of Patika (The True Faith) in the Empire of the
Crescent Moon. That religion soon becomes the dominant faith there. Some claim that he is the
First Prophet come again to bring the teachings of Theus in a new way to the people of the
Crescent.
240 AV A brief aristocratic civil war in the Western Numan Gallegos province in Acraga (presentday Castille) is ended when women en masse refuse to give comfort to their husbands. This leads to
mass desertions from both armies.

297 AV Fall of the Eastern Numan Empire. Invasion and sack of the city of Numa by an
alliance of barbarian tribes from central Thah (present-day Eisen) called the Brutomanni. The
Eastern Numan imperator is slain during the sack of Numa. La Rovine, Numas ancient central
heart, is almost totally leveled by the savage barbarians. The last vestiges of Numan central authority
are lost across the continent as the Eastern Numan Empire collapses under the assault. The Ussuran
Kingdom of Rurik absorbs the formerly Numan holdings of Somojez and northern Vodacce. This
region becomes a bulwark of civilization between the Eisen barbarians to the west and the nomadic
Tumen raiders to the east. The Acragans break from the rump of the Western Numan Empire and,
led by the senatorial Castillius family, establish their own kingdom. Shortly thereafter, the Castillius
family changes its name to Castillo in the Acragan dialect of Than and Acraga becomes known as
Castille.
299 AV Castille is united under Josmaria de Castillo, the first High King of Castille and a direct
descendant of Senator Castillus.
300 AV Marriage of High King Josemaria de Castillo to the eldest daughter of the Caliph of the
Crescent Empire.
301 AV Birth of Alonzo alMahmud Josemaria, son of the High King of Castille and grandson of
the Caliph of the Crescent Empire.
ca. 303 AV The Coming of the Second Prophet. The Second Prophet Malak appears exactly as
predicted by the First Prophet (as recorded by Mattheus), accompanied by nine Witnesses. All are
from the Empire of the Crescent Moon. As the Second Prophet, Malak advocates strict codes of
behavior, denounces the Vaticine Church as hopelessly corrupt in the eyes of Theus, and calls for
followers to accompany him back to the Crescent Empire on a Great Pilgrimage.
305 AV Arrest of the Second Prophet. Imperator Alexius of the rump Western Numan Empire
orders that Malak be arrested and brought before him for questioning. The first attempt to do so
fails when the Witnesses form a protective circle around their leader that cannot be broken by
sorcery or weapons. The second attempt, with an entire army, is more successfulthe Witnesses

simply step aside when confronted, and Malak allows himself to be taken prisoner. But, during a
year of imprisonment, the Second Prophet refuses to speak. His Witnesses attempt to speak to the
Western imperator on his behalf, but little comes of this. Joseph of Aremacady, a follower of the
Second Prophet, leads a group of Vaticine converts to Avalon. He is credited with being the first to
bring the words of both the First and the Second Prophets to that land. He also secretly carries holy
relics to Avalon for safekeeping.
306 AV, Primus 1 The Exodus and Death of the Second Prophet. The Second Prophets
prison in what will eventually become the Castillian city of San Cristobal is mysteriously destroyed.
One surviving witness, a guard, tells of a blanket of bright white light, descending from on
high... Afterwards, Malak walks away from the wreckage unharmed and then disappears.
Malak arrives at Monte Joyas, where his Witnesses and 40,000 followers have already
gathered. Once together, they depart for the Crescent Empire on the Great Pilgrimage. One
follower, Marco, is told to remain behind and convey the words of the Second Prophet and his
Witnesses to the Vaticine Church. These writings eventually form the basis for the Second Vigil in
the Book of the Prophets.
Malaks miraculous escape leaves Imperator Alexius of the Western Numan Empire inclined
to believe the claims of divinity. However, he is also dubious about so many of his subjects leaving
the realm for an unknown fate. Three Numan armies are dispatched, with orders to turn the
Prophets group back.
Near the border town of Rahajeel, the Second Prophet and his entire group are massacred
by Crescents as they worship on Primus 1, 306 AV. Within an hour of discovery by the imperators
troops, all traces of the dead disappear in a mysterious storm. One of the imperators soldiers
gathers the scattered pages of Malaks last sermon, just before the storm comes. These writings
prove to be a continuation of the discussions between the First Prophet and the Tenth Witness
Mattheus.
The Kosar Invasion of Ussura. The Kosar, a Tumen tribe, unite under the leadership of Jaala
Khan. They embark on a war of conquest, conquering much of Ussura and threatening the Crescent
Empire.
Aleksandr Borisovich Tomiech, ruler of the Ussuran Kingdom of Veche, confronts the
approaching Kosar threat in a manner typical of his family. His soldiers secretly round up and kill as
many citizens as they can find that are old, infirm or insane. The bodies of these unfortunates are

then displayed for the benefit of the advancing Kosars. Sight of this self-inflicted carnage convinces
the would-be invaders to avoid Veche.
The Battle of Demetrians Pass. Five hundred soldiers of the Rurik Empire in Ussura, led by
Demetrian, block the mountain passes near Sousdal. They hold out against massed attacks from
Jaala Khans armies for three months, long enough for winter snows to force the Kosars
withdrawal. Demetrian and all of his troops die, but they save the rest of Thah from Kosar
invasion.
The teachings of the Second Prophet create a deep rift within Ruriks populace, with some
believing him a fraud and others a true messiah of Theus. To prevent civil war, Ruriks ruling Knias
finally rejects the Second Prophet and brutally represses all followers of his teachings. The Rurik
Empire is weakened, but survives.
307 AV The First Crusade. Imperator Alexius publicly blames the Crescent Empire for the
murder of the Second Prophet and his followers. The Western Numan Empires armies invade.
308 AV Establishment of the Hospital of the First Witness. Erik Schumacher, an Eisen
soldier, and his wife Francesca Ghiloni, a Numan healer, lead a group of former crusaders into
Crescent lands. At the port-city of Zafara, they establish a place devoted to caring for the sick and
injured of all faiths, sheltering in tents made out of old sails.
310 AV Birth of Franz Schumacher, son of Erik and Francesca Schumacher.
311 AV The Black Crosses of Zafara are founded. Death of Francesca Ghiloni Schumacher. To
honor her and her husband, the people of their hospital craft and wear rough tabards from the
sailcloth awnings that have come to serve as their symbol, marked by a black Prophets Cross,
emblem of the Vaticine faith.
312 AV Death of Imperator Alexius of the Western Numan Empire. Alexius is succeeded by
his son Corantine, a faithful Vaticine who is also a convert to the teachings of the Second
Prophet. Following the First Crusade, Imperator Corantine of the Western Numan Empire
conquers the remnants of the Old Republic of Numa in the territory of the Eastern Empire. He
declares the Faith of the Prophets as the official state religion of his reunited Numan Empire.

313 AV Death of High King Josemaria de Castillo. The Kingdom of Castille and the Caliphate
of the Crescent Empire are united under the rule of Alonzo Al-Mahmud de Josmaria as the High
King. This marks the beginning of seven centuries of cooperation between the two nations and their
people, although the kings powers are severely limited by the continued rule of the Numan
imperator and his people bitterly divided by the Crusades.
322 AV The Black Crosses move into a large building centered on Francesca Schumachers tomb.
The Hospital of the First Witness continues to occupy this structure to the present day. Franz
Schumacher, aged twelve, is soon after murdered by hired thugs. His grief-stricken father leads the
Black Crosses against those responsible for the crime. Within fifteen days, Zafara has been swept
clear of corruption, and the citys government given over to more honest people.
325 AV The First Corantine Convention. The recently-called Corantine Convention of the
Vaticine Church presents the Vaticine Credo to Imperator Corantine in Numa, unifying the cults
and teachings of the First and Second Prophets into the Reformed Vaticine Church and creating the
position of the Hierophant to serve as spiritual leader of the Church.
Death of Oscor Nikolai Novgorov, Knias of the Rurik Empire. When commanded to come
to Numa and sign the Vaticine Credo, he does journey there only to defiantly reject the Second
Prophet, the Vaticine Credo and Corantines authority as imperator and head of the Church. The
Knias and all but one of his entourage are then executed for heresy by the Numans. The sole
survivor escapes and returns to his homeland, to tell what has happened.
Establishment of the Ussuran Orthodox Church of the Prophet. The Ussuran Orthodox
Church of the True Prophet of Theus accepts the teachings of the First Prophet (except for those
recorded by Mattheus, regarded as the very worst liar and heretic); and rejects outright both the
Second Prophet and the authority of the Vaticine Church. The late Knias of Rurik Oscor becomes
the first martyr and confirmed saint of the new faith.
Erik Schumacher leaves Zafara, to visit his homeland of central Thah (present-day Eisen)
one last time. He is accompanied by sixteen of his original knights.

326 AV Grand Duke Vsevolod declares his city of Sousdal in Ussura a safe haven against the
newly founded Vaticine Church in the memory of Knias Oscor Novgorov. The Church sends an
armed force to take the city, but it is defeated in a vicious battle lasting two days.
ca. 327 AV The Ussuran Orthodox Church is formally established with its capital at Sousdal.
330 AV Death of Erik Schumacher, founder of the Black Crosses, near the village of Tannen in
central Thah (present-day Eisen).
331 AV The body of Erik Schumacher is returned to Zafara by the last two survivors of his honor
guard. He is laid to rest beside his wife. A representative of the Vaticine Hierophant visits Zafara, to
examine the activities of the Black Crosses.
345 AV The meeting of the Second Corantine Convention and establishment of the
Vaticine Church hierarchy. The Vaticine Churchs progress in attaining the goals of the First
Corantine Convention is evaluated, and a formal Church hierarchy established with five territorial
levelsthese being, in descending order; Hieros, Archdiocese, Diocese, Parish and Congregation.
To honor the Witnesses of both Prophets, the organization is structured around groups of ten.
At the bottom stands the individual church, or congregation. In honor of the Ten Witnesses,
the Church then groups upward in units of ten. Approximately ten churches make up a Parish. Ten
Parishes make up a Diocese. Ten Dioceses make up an Archdiocese. Finally, the ten Archdioceses
make up the Hieros.
Individual churches often make up the heart of the villages they occupy. They are
responsible for weekly, and in some cases daily, worship services. The officials at this level directly
minister their congregations, helping to celebrate joys and ease sorrows. They also educate the youth
of their congregation, which typically consists of little more than the catechism, but in some cases
can involve literature, history, and mathematics. The sanctuary of the local church is generally the
largest hall in any village or town, and is designed to comfortably seat everyone. As such, it will often
be used for town meetings and secular gatherings in addition to its religious uses.
There are several officials that can be seen on this level. Typically, each church houses one
priest, properly ordained and a full voting member of the parish. The priest will occasionally have
assistants, such as acolytes and altar boys, who are referred to as lay-people (the term lay indicates

anyone who is not ordained). If the church stands near a university or monastery, the priest may
have a deacon - a young person studying for the priesthood, but who has not yet been ordained. In
many ways, this is equivalent to a journeyman craftsman working with a master to finish his or her
training in more secular professions.
In larger churches, and especially in cathedrals, several priests work together to cover
all the duties. They take turns conducting services, hearing confessions, and handling the
administrative work. The most senior priest will often be referred to as a High Priest, to denote his
importance. On the other end of the scale are the very small churches. In some areas, such as
southern Eisen and the Vesten islands, there are widely scattered people still faithful to the Vaticine
Church. They can come together enough to warrant a small church, but cannot afford to support a
priest. In some of these cases, a priest travels between many villages, spending generally one week
in each location. In other cases, the village has enough affluence to support a vicar (a semi-retired
priest). She does not perform many priestly duties outside of Mass, nor does she vote in parishional
issues.
Oddly enough, it is on this bottommost level that the Vaticine Church is most involved in
politics. In most towns, the priest or vicar will not only command a great deal of respect, but will be
the most educated person in the area. His rhetorical skills also allow him to control most debates. In
general, however, the Church prefers its priests to stay out of political affairs, only using their
influence on behalf of the congregation.
Theoretically ten churches are supposed to make up a Parish, but that was often impractical.
Some parishes have as few as three churches, while others have as many as twenty. Parishes are run
by monsignors, who are elected from among the priests in the parish. In certain, rare cases, a
particularly well-suited (and well-connected) priest can become the monsignor of a parish to which
she does not belong, but this is uncommon in contemporary Thah. The Parish maintains a small
staff for. administrative duties, usually made up of priests who do not feel called to minister to a
congregation, and wish to serve Theus in other ways.
Their duties involve managing the churches of the parish, providing liturgical supplies, and
overseeing the priests. Additionally, the parishes are responsible for managing any Church-owned
lands within their borders. It is not unusual for a noble to leave land to the Church in their will, or
for a noble son to donate his inheritance when he becomes a priest. Over the years, these gifts have
added up to a tidy sum; at its height the Church owned as much land as any king. Much of this

land supports the Vaticine as an institution, but some of it effectively serves as the private homes
of high Church officials.
Monasteries and universities rank on the same level as Parishes in the Church hierarchy.
They contain a similar number of ordained personnel, and their place in their respective
communities is roughly equivalent. Monasteries are generally separate from the politics of the
Church, since the monks have specifically chosen to retreat from the world. However, monasteries
also serve as the major landowners of the Church, and may include acres of vineyards, farms, and
orchards which the brothers and sisters tend. With such an important role in the resources of their
Diocese, Abbots and Abbesses often cannot help but become entangled in larger issues.
Universities on the other hand, often willingly involve themselves in politics. Not only do
many of the scholars enjoy debating as a hobby, but they are also frequently located very close to the
political centers of their respective areas. Their influence is bolstered by the fact that many of the
priests in their Diocese attended the local university, and still have quite a bit of respect for
their old professors. However, the universities own little property (relatively speaking), and their
ivory tower reputation makes them appear very impractical. While their opinions are valued, the
priests generally turn to those who do real work to make the decisions.
Like parishes, modern Dioceses often consist of a little less than ten Parishes. However,
since the Dioceses cover much larger areas, their boundaries often remain fixed. Their borders
generally run along existing political boundaries, such as county lines, and will always stay within
a single nation or kingdom. Dioceses are responsible for running the parishes, monasteries, and
universities below them. They are also responsible for ancillary personnel, such as the Church
Guard, messengers, and lay servants. The diocesan level sees most of the financial management in
the Church, and requires a large administrative staff to function properly. As with Parishes, much of
this staff consists of priests, generally those with political ambitions. It is not uncommon for a
Diocese to elect a new bishop from among the ranks of the aides, rather than the monsignors of the
Parishes. After all, they know best how the diocese functions.
The head of each Diocese is the bishop. As with all Vaticine Church officials, bishops are
elected by the monsignors below them. Society often treats them as equal to nobility, regardless of
their birth. When a duke, eisenfurst, or prince assembles his council, he usually includes the local
bishop or bishops. They are not supposed to take an active role in politics, since the canon of the
Church specifies that they can act as mediators and authorities of knowledge only. Of course,

bishops can significantly affect the outcome of a debate by choosing what knowledge to share, and
when. Though they hold little secular power, bishops can be quite influential if they choose.
There are always precisely ten Archdioceses in the world of Terra. Generally, the Hieros
Council tries very hard to keep each Archdiocese at ten Dioceses, but that is often difficult. Each
Archdiocese is led by a cardinal bishop or simply cardinal, who serve as the equivalent of kings, and
have shaped the history of Thah on many occasions.
The responsibilities at this level are very broad. In addition to managing the Dioceses below
them, the Archdioceses must manage foreign missions, which can be exceedingly taxing. Their
primary duty, however, is to determine and enforce the canon and dogma of the Vaticine Church.
To do this, the cardinals meet on a fairly regular basis (generally twice a year) as the Hieros Council.
There, they debate points of law, questions of theology,and modifications to the administrative
structure of the Church. When the Hieros Council speaks, very few are willing to defy them.
The top-most level of the Church is the Hieros. This is simply the Church as a whole. There
is actually very little done at this level. The only officials are the Hierophant himself and his or her
direct staff. The Hierophant has certain powers specifically spelled out in the canon law, but mostly
acts as the head of the Hieros Council.
Many divisions could be found within the Church as a whole even before the establishment
of its formal hierarchy, and not simply along geographical lines. Over the years of Church history,
differences of opinion have arisen as to how Theus should best be worshipped. While some have
been radical enough to be labeled heresy, most were recognized as legitimate interpretations of the
Word of the Prophets. Various orders have come together, created by like-minded priests to pursue
these interpretations. Some are so informal as to only be marked by a symbol worn by members.
Others have their own initiation ceremonies and internal structure. Below are two of the largest and
oldest orders that came to prominence in the Church after the Second Corantine Convention.
The Gnostic Order stresses the gathering and teaching of knowledge. They dedicate
themselves to understanding the Creators puzzle and believe that humanity is close to the solution.
Their creed also stresses that it is important to bring all people to enlightenement. Thus, they spend
their time teaching anyone who will listen.
The Gnostic Order consists mostly of scholars and university professors, through a large
number of members are wandering monks, gathering and dispersing knowledge wherever Theus
may take them. Due to their close connection to the Vaticines universities (as well as most nonVaticine schools), the Gnostics have developed a fairly sophisticated internal structure, which allows

members to share information and resources effectively. The Headmasters of the various
universities, who are almost entirely Gnostic, annually meet in a Forum to discuss matters that are of
concern to the scholarly community of Thah, but not necessarily to the Church as a whole. This
Forum also acts as the primary outlet for concerns to the Gnostic Order, and the Headmasters act
as its de facto officers.
There are very few obligations put upon members of the Gnostic Order. The most
important is that they not hoard what they learn, but share it freely with all other members of the
Order. One can often recognize a member of the Gnostic Order by the hood attached to their stole.
They will also have the symbol of the Order, an open scroll with a Prophets Cross on it, somewhere
in their regalia.
In the present, the Inquisition has yet to directly attack the Gnostic Order, but Cardinal
Verdugo and several of his Knights did attend the Forum of 1667 AV. The atmosphere there was
very subdued, as might be imagined. The Forum was not held in 1668 AV for the first time in
centuries, supposedly due to the outbreak of the Montaigne-Castille War, but more likely because of
the Inquisitions influence.
One of the oldest and most revered Orders of the Church, the Benefactine Order is
dedicated to spreading the mercy of Theus. The Order rarely includes parish priests, focusing
primarily on monasteries and wandering monks. Many Church-sponsored and ordained doctors also
claim membership in this group. Their agenda is very simple and non-threatening. They will help
anyone in need, anywhere, at any time. The structure of the Benefactine Order is fairly rigid,
centering around a number of monasteries dedicated to its beliefs. The abbots of these monasteries
have a pecking order among themselves; the highest abbot is referred to as the Custos Salutis, who
represents the interests and the Order to the Hierophant. This consists of such things as requests for
aid in war-torn or disease-ridden areas, intercession with a troublesome lord, or provision for a
Benefactine monastery. When no Hierophant is in place, the Custos Salutis reports to the Hieros
Council.
In addition to promoting charity, the Benefactine Order was the first to establish a common
code for Vaticine monks and nuns to live by. Before this time, seclusion from the material world
was done at ones own discretion, and a monk was expected to find his own way into Theus grace.
The founder of the Order, known today only as St. Benefactus, devised a set of rules of conduct,
designed to bring the monks who followed him to enlightenment. This code is still used in one form
or another by most Than monasteries today. The symbol of the Order of St. Benefactus is a dark

window with a white candle in it. The Order has always prided itself on serving as a haven for the
needy, and Benefactine monasteries frequently give sanctuary and shelter to travelers.
347 AV Die Kreutzritter (The Knights of the Cross) are established. After much deliberation,
the Hierophant finally confirms the Black Crosses as a Knightly Order of the Vaticine Church, and
permits the Black Prophets Cross to be used as their insignia. The Orders first official leader, titled
the Hochmeister (Headmaster), is also confirmed at this time. Now known as die Kreutzritter, the
Orders activities centre on Zafara in the Crescent lands, where they maintain a peacekeeping force
and operate the Hospital of the First Witness.
Martyrdom of the Ussuran Orthodox Saint Covratski, who dies defending his faith from the
Vaticine Church.
376 AV Fall of the Western Numan Empire. The aged Imperator Corantine dies. His three
sons divide his Empire and its legions between them, but their lesser kingdoms quickly fall to
barbarian assault and internal strife. The last remnants of the Numan Empire disappear from Thah.

ca. 398-408 AV The first outbreak of the White Plague. 398 AV marks the first known
appearance of this horrific disease, first unleashed in the Crescent Empire. Many people die of the
White Plague, and many others in the resulting panic. Unexplained storms and earthquakes block all
access to Ussura, preventing the epidemic from spreading into that land
ca. 400 AV End of Firbolg Wars and Hugh OBannon Becomes High King of Inismore.
Hard-pressed in their ongoing wars with the Firbolg, the Inish receive vital aid from the Sidhe. The
Firbolg are finally defeated, and driven deep underground. To symbolize their alliance, the Sidhe
present the Inish with the Fal Stone, known in Inish folk songs as Old Molly. This magical object
is empowered to select the rightful Ard Ri or High King of Inismore by singing of his destiny. After
many hopefuls try (and fail) to claim Inismores throne, the renowned warrior Hugh OBannon is
chosen by the song of the Fal Stone.
ca. 416 AV After sixteen years on the throne, bringing peace and prosperity, the Inish High King
Hugh OBannon removes his crown, packs a bag, kisses his wife and tells her , Ill be back ... ,

then walks away. He is never seen again. With no heir to Inismores throne, a civil war inevitably
breaks out between the Inish tribes. The OToole family eventually seizes control and reunites the
island under the control of their High King.
ca. 430 AV The Prophets message arrives in Inismore for the first time. The Inish tribes listen
very carefully to the teachings of the Vaticine missionaries, and then kick them off the island.
446 AV Following a period of slow decline, the Kommenian family seizes control of the Kingdom
of Rurik in Ussura.
452 AV The Molhyni tribe in Ussura ferment a revolt against the ruling Kosars. They usurp power
following a fierce battle at the city of Goroduk, founding the new Ussuran nation of Molhyna. Peitr,
the chief of the Molhyni, dies after leading his people to victory over the Kosar at the city of
Goroduk. Anton, son of Peitr, adopts the surname Pietrov and establishes himself as Molhynas first
ruling Khan.
ca. 480 AV Birth of Koschei Pietrov (also known as Koschei the Undying), an early Khan of
Molhyna, who abdicates soon after the first Knias Douma (Council) in 527 AV favor of his son
Franczek Pietrov. However, Koschei retains his seat on the Knias Douma, and continues to actively
participate in Ussuras rule to the present day! How Koschei cheats death is unknown; but he has
not aged greatly, has survived numerous assassination attempts and is said to travel widely both
within and outside of Ussura. His loyalty to his kinfolk is well-knownthe Pietrov family still rules
Molhyna in the seventeenth century AV, and has expanded considerably through his numerous
marriages and liaisons down through the centuries. The full extent of Koscheis sorcery is unclear,
but believed to be considerable.
492 AV The peasantry of the Ussuran Kingdom of Rurik rise up against their rulers. When
Somojez responds by declaring independance, it effectively destroys the kingdom as a viable political
entity within Ussura.

518 AV Saska Tomiechevna, daughter of Veches Domiator, tours her fathers kingdom in Ussura.
She demands that her fathers liegemen visit her tent late at night. Those who refuse are found
ripped apart in the morning. A terrible ancient evil reawakens in Veche at this time.
520 AV Succession of Koschei Pietrov as Khan of Molhyna. He is credited with stabilizing the
young kingdom, moving its capital to Sladivgorod and instigating many reforms.
521 AV Marriage of Romain Tomiech, Domiator of Veche, to daughter Saska, soon after the death
of his wife. At their wedding, the couple bathes in the blood of 1,000 peasant girls.
522 AV - Birth of Ilhyna Tomiech, son of Romain and Saska Tomiech.
Death of Domiator Romain Tomiech, one day after the birth of his son. Saska Tomiech
seizes control of Veche as the new Domiator, and quickly proves to be even more insane than her
father.
Disappearance of Domiator Saska Tomiech and infant son Ilhyna. Matushka, the Little
Grandmother, forever imprisons both in a coffin of ice beneath Tara Oasalui Castle, the Tomiech
palace.
Succession of Valentin Vadomivich Tomiech, Saskas cousin, as the new Domiator of
Veche. He repeals a few of his realms more oppressive decrees, thereby easing his peoples burdens.
523 AV First Eisen Invasion of Ussura. Warlord Johann von der Velde, of central Thah
(present-day Eisen), leads an invasion of Ussura. His entire barbarian army is destroyed by a freak
ice stormin mid-summer!
525 AV Formation of the Five Kingdoms of Ussura. The First Knias Douma (Council of Kings)
is called. At the behest of Matushka following the barbarian invasion of the land, the Five Kingdoms
of Ussura (Rurik, Somojez, Veche, Molhyna and Gallenia) unite under a single banner for the first
time and a single ruler. Baveroc Fyodovich, a peasant herdsman from Rurik, is crowned as Ussuras
first Gaius (High King). From 525 until 1658 AV, all of the nations Gaiuses are commoners chosen
by Matushka, with a council of ruling kings from the other five kingdoms of Ussura known as the
Knias Douma to advise him. This system of government has existed essentially unchanged for over
a thousand years.

526 AV Eager to sweep away the horrors of his predecessors, Domiator Valentin Tomiech of
Veche in Ussura has Tara Oasalui castle renamed Valaamzhensky.
527 AV Abdication of Koschei Pietrov from the throne of Molhyna in Ussura, in favor of his son
Franczek Pietrov, though he remains the power behind the throne for a millennium to come,
extending his life through unknown sorcery.
ca. 533-858 AV This is the time of the short-lived Sui Dynasty and its much longer ruling
successor, the Tang Dynasty, in Cathay. It is an era of comparative peace and prosperity in the Far
East of Thah.
600 AV Carlemans Conquests. The Eisen barbarian king Carleman conquers most of Western
Thah, including regions of the former Western Numan Empire which will later become the lands
of Montaigne, Eisen and Vodacce.
609 AV Coronation of Imperator Carleman the Great. The barbarian king Carleman arrives in
Numa, and offers to ally with the Vaticine Church. Carlemans army is housed in Numas Calix
Parietis, a structure which Carleman describes as a great Stone Giant. The name sticks thereafter.
Carleman is crowned by the Hierophant as High Imperator of Thah, a replacement for the lost
Numan imperators.
Solomon Antone, one of Carlemans most trusted companions, establishes an elite body of
fighting men sworn to protect the Church known as the Vaticine Church Guard. Out of respect for
their founder, they still use his distinctive fighting style, and become known as the Swords of
Solomon.
In 609 AV the city of Tara in Inismore falls under a powerful Fae curse. Years later the
return of the OBannon breaks the Curse on Tara.
The Crescents build the city of Hilal, which is now known as San Cristobal in Castille.
654 AV - The Imperator Carleman dies, leaving his empire split between his three sons Charles,
Stefan and Iago. Charles becomes king of northwestern Thah (present-day Montaigne), Stefan

becomes king of north-central Thah (present-day Eisen) and Iago becomes king of south-central
Thah (present-day Vodacce).
ca. 656 AV The Birth of Vodacce. King Iago (the Imperator Carlemans youngest son) strives to
hold the north of his realm in south-central Thah against his brother Stefan. While he is thus
diverted, one Luis Delaga seizes control in the south of Carlemans former empire with the aid of
two other men of similar Numan aristocratic descent, named Lorenzo and Gallili. Of a prestigious
ancient Numan senatorial bloodline, Delaga strengthens his new Kingdom of Vodacce via cunning
leadership, and by providing refuge to talented exiles from abroad. Lorenzo and Gallili are granted
their own smaller kingdoms within Vodacce, essentially splitting up the realm between them.
Centuries later, direct descent from King Luis Delagas line is claimed by both Houses Villanova and
Caligara of Vodacce.
659 AV The Birth of Montaigne. Death of King Charles, the Imperator Carlemans middle son,
after a long illness. His widow, Isabeau, soon marries her cousin, Lon Montanus, another
descendant of the Numan aristocracy, who is made king of northwesten Thah. Their kingdom is
renamed Montaigne, after their family name.
686 AV The forging of the first suit of Dracheneisen (Dragon Iron) Armor. Two
cartographers named Posen and Heilgrund, respectively, working for King Stefan, Carlemans oldest
son who rules north-central Thah, discover an odd clay that can be refined into a remarkably light
and immensely strong metal called Dracheneisen or Dragon Armor in the Eisen tongue. This is soon
being used to make weapons and armor for Stefans warriors. Master craftsmen forge a special suit
of Dracheneisen armor for King Stefan. Stefan awards baronies to the two discoverers of the ore,
these creating the Posen and Heilgrund Konigreichen (principalities) of present-day Eisen. As a
special gesture, Stefan also gifts his new princes with parts of this first suit of Dracheneisen armor as a
symbol of his regard for their contribution to his kingdom. Posen is granted the sword and
Heilgrund the breastplate. This marks the beginning of two notable traditions of Eisen in the
centuries to come:

1) Eisens ruler may present portions of this oldest suit of Dracheneisen armor to those
considered worthy (such as newly-created Eisenfursts or princes), to be returned to the
Crown of Eisen upon their death.
2) They will award a newly-created Konigreichen (principality) to any person of any status
who discovers a new source of Dracheneisen.
Stefan denies all the other kingdoms of Thah any access to Dracheneisen. This ensures his
own realms military superiority, but creates bad blood with neighbouring Montaigne and Vodacce
for centuries to come.
A secretive order of Eisen craftsmen called Die Nibelungen are entrusted as sole custodians
of the knowledge of how to refine and work Dracheneisen. This gives them considerable political
influence within Stefans realm, influence that is still great in present-day Eisen.
691 AV The Birth of Eisen. King Stefan adopts the name Eisen (Iron) for his realm in northcentral Thah, symbolizing both the importance of the kingdoms most potent industry and the
character of its people. He is memorialized by his nation as King Stefan I, a wise and shrewd ruler.
782 AV Establishment of the Holy Republic of Eisen. King Gottschalk I of Eisen, descendant
of Stefan I, conquers most of northern Vodacce. Decisive to this victory are his cavalry, plus the
widespread use of Dracheneisen arms and armor within his army. The city of Numa is set aside by him
to be ruled by the Hierophant of the Vaticine Church. In response, the Hierophant carries out the
coronation of Gottschalk as the first Imperator of Eisen, taking the imperial title of his ancestor
Carleman. Due to its close association with the Vaticine Church over the next several centuries,
Eisen comes to also be known as the Holy Republic, though it is neither holy nor a true republic.
Introduction of the boar spear as the primary weapon of Eisen cavalry.
818 AV - The barbarian raiders of the northern seas are united under the name of Vestenmannavnjar
by the hand and will of the female warrior Gunnef Ravenhaired. Gunnef the Ravenhaired is then
chosen to be the first High King of the Vestenmannavnjar. Gunnef orders the construction of the
Thingvallvatn (the Fortress of the High King), which is finally completed around 830 AV. Located
on the Vesten island of Viddenheim, the Thingvallvatn is to be the traditional home of the
Vestenmannavnjar High Kings, and the central meeting place for the nations many tribes. Gunnef

Ravenhaireds first act as High King is to launch a series of raids against the Glamour Isles, which
continue for centuries.
Ca. 830 AV The Vestenmannavnjar, following in the tradition of their first High King, Gunnef
Ravenhaired, begin raiding Avalon, the Highland Marches and Inismore. Initially, the peoples of the
Glamour Isles are too divided to offer any meaningful opposition and the Vesten carry all before
them. As a result, the Vestenmannavnjar establish several settlements in the Highland Marches and
Inismore.
This year is also believed to be when the famed Vesten saga called The Last Battle of Hurngar
the Proud is written by an unknown skald. It is the story of an ailing Vestenmannavnjar chieftain who,
as his last mortal act, seeks out and dies in battle against the great serpent encircling the world. It
contains the first definite reference to The Dragons Teetha large reef northwest of Inismore,
said to be the maw of the Great Serpent. Generally described as a maze of storm-tossed waters
threading past numerous sheer pinnacles of black rock (the Beasts Fangs), the whole covered by
perpetual cloud (the Beasts Breath), it remains a place avoided by all but a scant few seafarers of
extraordinary skilland extraordinary courage.
ca. 845 AV - Elilodd, King of Eastern Avalon, raises an army and fleet, essentially Avalons first
navy, to battle the Vesten invaders. After a successful defense and counterattack, he finally makes
peace with the Vestenmannavnjar, then goes on to unify most of Avalon under his rule. Avalon
legend has it that Elilodd actually invades the Vesten islands before finally making peace with the
High King Gunnef Ravenhaired herself. Vesten legend claims that Elilodd never leaves Avalon. The
Sidhe present King Elilodd with a holy artifact called The Graal. As long as Elilodd and his
descendants guard the artifact, Avalon shall receive the blessings of the Sidhe. During Elilodds
reign, the people of Avalon first begin to take an active interest in the world and its affairs outside
their own isles.
ca. 858 AV Death of Empress Wu Tsie Tien, the first female ruler of Cathay. Central authority
breaks down within her realm after her death as the Tang Dynasty collapses and loses the Mandate
of Heaven, with the various provinces all going their separate ways under the control of various
Cathayan warlords.

874 AV The Fifth Corantine Convention. It is determined at the meeting of the Fifth Corantine
Convention that the Vaticine Church can arbitrate political disputes between the nations of Thah,
but must always remain neutral. Vaticine priests are prohibited by the Church at the Fifth
Convention from possessing land, businesses or noble titles.
888 AV Destruction of the Invisible Sword. The existence of a previously secret anti-sorcery
organization is uncovered, ironically, by a Strega, or Vodacce Fate Witch, in 888 AV. All members
of the group are hunted down and slain by her husbands soldiers. Little else is known of the
organization, other than claims that it originated in Numan times.
900 AV Death of Gunnef the Ravenhaired, High King of the Vestenmannavnjar. Ash
Dagfinnrson is chosen to be the new High King of the Vestenmannavnjar. Not as skilled a warrior
as his predecessor, he encourages exploration southwards from the Vesten islands into Thah
proper, and into the seas west of Avalon.
900 1300 AV The Reign of the White Plague. The White Plague spreads across Thah once
more in outbreak after outbreak across almost four centuries, eventually killing a full third of the
population in the final and most devastating of the eruptions. Castille is spared much of the
suffering due to the actions of the Vaticine Church, which strongly cements the loyalty of its people
to the teachings of the Prophets.
914 AV The first of several White Plague pandemics over the next four hundred years breaks out
across Thah. Vodacce is hardest hit, with entire cities swept clean of life. Montaigne and the
Crescent Empire also suffer heavy losses, while Castille is largely spared the worst loss of life.
918 AV Extinction of the Von Drachens and the Eisen sorcery of Zerstrung. The entire
Von Drachen family, greatly-feared tyrants in Eisen, are massacred whilst gathered in the family
castle, taking the Eisen sorcerous art of Zerstrung to Legion with them. Their holdings are annexed
by a rival, one Karl Sieger.
ca. 930 AV The Song Dynasty established in Cathay. Cathay is largely reunited during this time by
the new Celestial Emperor of the Song Dynasty. The Song sees a time marked by encouragement

and a rapid development of the Cathayan arts and sciences to a level unrivaled in the rest of Thah.
947 AV A stranger, known only as Bartholomew, gifts the Hierophant of the Vaticine Church with
a valuable necklace. With one hundred rubies set in the shape of the Prophets Cross, and inlaid with
large amber cabochons at the three main points, it is subsequently known as the Blood Cross.
Various stories claim that this precious item once belonged to the First or Second Prophets (or
both!), and either has great healing powers or, conversely, carries a terrible curse.
960-1024 AV This period marks the lifetime of Hroswitha of Stahlfort, an Eisen nun of the
Vaticine Church famous for authoring many thought-provoking comedies and satires.
972 AV, 15th of Primus Birth of the Third Prophet. The Third Prophet is born in Castille.
988 AV Founding of the Order of Saint Gregor. The knights of this Order are sworn to uphold
the decrees of Eisens Imperator, and are answerable only to him.
ca. 1000 AV Highlander Leila MacDonald travels to the Vesten Isles. Legend holds that she
translated the Grumfather Cycle, a text which might explain countless aspects of that nations past,
from Old Vesten into Than, but no copy has even been found.
1000 AV The Coming of the Third Prophet. A mysterious individual starts performing miracles
in northern Castille, first appearing at the site that will later become home to Vaticine City. He
preaches that neither sorcery nor Crescent influence should be tolerated in lands faithful to the
Vaticine Church. Hierophant Honorius meets with him at Monte Joyas, and becomes convinced
that he is a genuine servant of Theus. He deposes the Castillian ruling family of sorcerers with the
backing of the Vaticine Church.
1002 AV Death of Bishop Felipe de Gallegos. Incensed by previous injustices, Crescents riot in
the Castillian city of Malaga. The Bishop of Malaga, Felipe de Gallegos, tries to calm the mob, only
to perish at their hands. The Third Prophet immediately calls for a new Holy Crusade against the
Crescent Empire in revenge, unleashing a civil war within Castille between his supporters and the
pro-Crescent nobility, including the new High King Garcia.

1002-1011 AV The Second Crusade (also sometimes called The Peoples Crusade)
begins. The Third Prophet and his followers seek to purge Castille of all Crescent influences. They
are opposed by Castilles High King and many of his nobles. Simualtaneously, the nobles of
Vodacce spearhead an invasion of the Crescent Empire. After early successes, both Vaticine armies
bog down against increasing opposition.
1008 AV - With the Second Crusade going badly on both fronts, the Third Prophet asks Hierophant
Honorius for assistance. In response, Vodacces powerful navies join the fight at the request of the
Hierophant.
1009 AV El Fin del Cielo (The Fall of Heaven). High King Garcia, Castilles pro-Crescent
monarch, is defeated in battle at Malaca by the anti-Crescent nobleman Raymon El Sayyid (The
Master) Sandoval, a devout follower of the Third Prophet.
1010 AV The Battle of Los Llanos del Sangre.Vodacce nobles and crusaders are defeated at the
Battle of Los Llanos del Sangre (The Plains of Blood) supporting the forces of the Third Prophet in
Castille against those of the pro-Crescent Castillian nobility who still oppose him.
1011 AV End of the Second Crusade. The Crusaders finally prevail in Castille over the remaining
pro-Crescent nobility, but the invasion of the Crescent Empire has been smashed, with Crescent
forces now pushing towards Vodacce.
House Lorenzo of Vodacce, long feared for their cruelty and outright sadism, rise to
prominence in that realm as the holders of one of its many princely thrones. Having often claimed
to be the true rulers of Vodacce, they seem close to achieving exactly that. However, after the start
of the Second Crusade, many Vodacce nobles had perished, with the Lorenzos taking especially
heavy losses. In the wake of these losses, House Lorenzos influence unexpectedly wanes.
Fall of the Lorenzos. Mad Queen Marrietta, wife of King Vinchenzo Lorenzo and the
most powerful Strega (Fate Witch) of all time, attempts to destroy the entire Crescent Empire with
her Sorte powers. Instead she, her familys island in souther Vodacce and everyone on it all
disappear forever. The sea still sometimes turns to blood where the Lorenzos island used to be in
southern Vodacce.

1012 AV The surviving members of House Lorenzo regroup on the Vodacce mainland and soon
split into two separate noble housesthe Biancos and Serranos. The two new ruling families
become bitter rivals almost immediately and, in certain respects, are even more feared than the
Lorenzos ever were. The Crescent army halts its advance towards Vodacce and withdraws for
reasons unknown.
The establishment of the Vaticine Inquisition. The Third Prophet establishes a special holy
order within the Vaticine Church known as the Inquisition, committed to seeking out and destroying
all forms of heresy.
The Third Prophet deposes the Hierophant, in favor of a man of his own choice. He also
decrees that the seat of the Church will permanently move from Numa (in Vodacce) to Vaticine City
(in Castille). A number of cardinals, mostly from Vodacce, vehemently object to these changes and
take up arms against the Third Prophet.
With the Second Crusade sputtering to a halt, Vodacce remains in disarray and the Vaticine
forces are too exhausted to continue the attack. Fighting will continue sporadically for the next three
centuries on the borders between Western Thah and the Crescent Empire, depending on the zeal
of the reigning Hierophant.
1012-1019 AV The Hieros Wars. The Third Prophet and his allies openly battle Vodacces
cardinals and the aristocracy of the city of Numa for control of the Vaticine Church and the right to
establish the new seat of the Church in Castille.
1014 AV Coronation of Ramon Sandoval, El Sayyid, as the new High King of Castille. In
contrast to the nations previous rulers, and those of most other nations in Western Thah, his
family line lacks any sorcerous blood or descent from the Numan senatorial class. This marks the
establishment of the ruling Castillian House Sandoval.
Four of High King Ramon Is most loyal knights refuse to accept any rewards. Instead, they
ask to be allowed to continue serving their king as his personal champions. Their request is
accepted, and the four become the first of Castilles Royal Guard. The king honors them by granting
a new surname to them and their familiesHernando de los Reyes (Brother of the Kings).
Return of the OBannon. In 1014 AV, Inismores Fal Stone weeps and sings, marking the
return of the OBannon. He kills the ruling OToole High King, declares himself the new Ard Ri,

and raises an army that conquers all of the Vestenmannavnjar settlements on Inish soil. All of the
defeated are allowed to stay, provided they swear fealty to their new lord.
1018 AV Capture of the city of Numa by Imperator Friedrich II of Eisen, an ally of the Third
Prophet, a major setback for the Vodacce cardinals and their allies.
1019 AV End of the Hieros Wars. The decisive defeat of an attacking Vodacce army in Castille
ends the Hieros Wars and the Third Prophet declares Castille to be the new, rightful seat of the
Vaticine Church. Vodacces cardinals finally yield to the Third Prophet. Castille becomes Western
Thahs new center of learning and religion. Construction of the Vaticine City begins.
The Lightning Guard of the Montaigne kings is formed in 1019 AV in response to the
Vaticine Churchs destruction of the sorcerer-kings of Castille, as Montaignes rulers seek to avoid a
similar fate.
1020 AV - A convoy of three ships bear the Vaticine Churchs most valuable treasures (including the
famed Blood Cross) from Vodacce to their new home in Castille. Pirates attack, but are defeated by
the Kreutzritter guards. The Hierophant honors the bravery of Die Kreutzritter by awarding the
Blood Cross to the Orders Hochmeister.
1021 AV Abdicating the Inish throne once more, telling his court, Ill be back, the OBannon
returns to wandering and the High Kingship of Inismore is eventually reclaimed by the powerful
OToole family after a period of infighting.
1023 AV King Herygh of Avalon decides to split his realm among his three sons. His youngest son
Prince Athrwys objects, saying that the land always needs but one ruler. Angered by this insolence,
Herygh disinherits and banishes Athrwys, who flees to Inismore. King Herygh of Avalon dies
almost immediately after his argument with Athrwys. Heryghs two other sons are soon feuding over
rulership of the kingdom. Civil war erupts across Avalon.
1028 AV The Battle of Three Roads and the Montaigne Conquest of Avalon. The battered
armies of King Heryghs two oldest sons clash yet again. Prince Athrwys unexpectedly arrives with

an Inish army and defeats both. He forgives his brothers, saying, Avalon must be united, or we
shall surely fall.
As if in response to his words, an invading army from Montaigne arrives on the field, led by
King Henri du Montaigne. Despite a brave fight, the combined Avalon-Inish armies are crushed.
Gravely wounded, Athrwys flees, pursued by Henris men. Upon arriving at a pond, he shouts out in
Cymric and flings something into the water. Athrwys is then killed by the Montaigne. Whatever he
threw in the water, believed by some scholars to be the Graal, is never found.
The Conquest of Avalon. Montaigne crushes the last remnants of Avalon resistance, and
imposes its rule over the entire island. There follows a century-long Montaigne occupation of
Avalon, Inismore and the Highland Marches. The Sidhe flee with the Graal and the power of
Glamour fades across the isles. Bards, druids and holy men are put to death wherever found by the
Montaigne in the name of the Vaticine Church. It is forbidden for anyone to speak or teach Cymric,
Avalon and the other isles native language. The Montaigne overlords spread knowledge of Church
Than and their own vernacular language, a derivative of Old Republic Than, across the isles,
which gradually homogenizes the native language of almost all of their peoples. The influx of Old
Montaigne and Than words gradually transforms the Old Avalon tongue from a mixture of Cymric
and proto-Eisen to a hybrid tongue composed of words from Cymric, Eisen, Than and Montaigne
influences. The occupation ends only in the mid-twelfth century AV when a native Avalon monarch
of mixed Avalon and Montaigne descent claims the throne and restores the independence of the
Glamour Isles.
1030 AV The Death of the Third Prophet. The Third Prophet dies in his sleep in Vaticine City
the night after he completes the composition of the Fourth Vigil, which predicts events leading up
to the Last Day. These writings also assert that the infernal lord known as Legion will defeat the
Creator, Theus, if sin and heresy among men remain unchecked. The Vaticine Church declares a
two-year-long mourning period, and adds the Fourth Vigil to the Book of the Prophets, the sacred
scriptures of the Church.
From this time forward, sorcery is outlawed across all the realms of Western Thah, and
sorcerers go into hiding from the Vaticine Inquistion for the next five hundred years.
1034 AV The Second Eisen Invasion of Ussura. The Eisen launch another invasion of Ussura,
however, a series of freak earthquakes and blizzards force the army to retreat before it is destroyed.

1035 AV Death of High King Ramon I of Castille. He is succeeded by his son, King Alphonso I,
the Brave.
ca. 1050 AV The establishment of Outremer, the Crusader Kingdom. The Outremer, a large
spur of coastal land captured by the Vaticines from the Crescents, comes under control of the selfproclaimed (and Church-backed) King Balfour of Urfa. The fortunes of this realm ebb and flow
with the Crusades for the next two centuries, with periodic reinforcements in the form of Than
warriors seeking glory, booty and land. Most survivors will eventually leave, but there are always
some who stay behind to defend hard-won lands against the always-hostile Crescents.
1072 AV Death of High King Ramon II, the Wise, of Castille. He is succeeded by his brother,
High King Pedro I. The new High King is memorialized as the Pretender. This is not because of
any doubt as to Pedro Is rightful succession to the Castillian throne, but because of his (mostly
ignored) claim to hold authority over the Hierophant and, hence, the entire Vaticine Church.
1073 AV Death of High King Pedro I of Castille. He is succeeded by his nephew (Ramon IIs
son), High King Carlos I.
1088 AV Sacking of the Library of Alexia. Vaticine crusaders attack the Crescent city of Alexia,
famous for its beauty and immense library. Several Vodacce noble families subsequently acquire
many books and scrollsat least, until the Vaticine Church demands that all of this booty be gifted
to the Hierophant.
Documents from the Great Library at Alexia are donated by the five Cardinals of Vodacce
to the Hierophant, and are placed in Numa. This action helps these cardinals consolidate their
power base in the Vaticine Church.
1099 1312 AV The New Crusades succeed in conquering a portion of the Crescent Empire for
the Vaticine Church, adding to the size of the Crusader Kingdom of Outemer.
ca. 1110 AV Construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria begins. The Vaticine Church
commences design and construction of a cathedral over the Tomb of the First Prophet near Numa,

replacing the rather humble church previously there. The project drags on for the next two and a
half centuries with successive Hierophants, Church officials, Holy Orders, monarchs, builders,
artisans and benefactors of every stripe all bitterly squabbling. Innumerable delays, alterations and
extensions are imposed for every conceivable reason. The final result is immense (second in size
only to the Great Cathedral of the Prophets in Vaticine City), horrifically expensive (cost
incalculable, but several Holy Orders and at least one monarch are bankrupted by it) and remains
incomplete to the present day.
1118 AV The Holy Order of the Poor Knights of the Prophet is established. Formed by
Hughes Allaix du Crieux of Montaigne, the Poor Knights are sworn to guard lands seized in the
Crusades and protect pilgrims to the holy places within them. The Order becomes a mainstay of
Vaticine Crusader forces in the Outremer.
1133 AV The first recorded corrida (bullfight) take place in the city of Tarago, as entertainment for
Castilles nobility. These events soon become an important part of Castillian culture.
1134 AV The Establishment of the Order of Saint Victor. The formation of this Vaticine
missionary order is seen as a peaceful alternative to the Inquisition in fighting against apostates,
heretics and infidels. Amongst other tasks, it seeks to bring heretics back into the Church voluntarily
through preaching and logical debate.
The Victorian Order began in 1134 AV as a more peaceful and long-term alternative to the
Inquisition. Heresy was once again uppermost on the minds of the Church leaders. A young
monsignor by the name of Victor came out of Eisen, where he had been fighting a large sect of
heretics. Rather than arresting and executing the cultists, he talked to them. He was a gifted orator
and tenacious debater. Within five years, he had broken the power structure of the sect and
converted the majority of them back to the true Vaticine faith.
News of his work spread rapidly through the Church. He left his position as monsignor to
travel, battling heresy with truth, and encouraging other priests to do the same. He also asked the
cardinals of the Hieros Council to create a new order of priests dedicated to preaching the Word of
the Prophets, and carrying it to those who had not yet heard it. With his talent for argument, and his
popularity in the Church, he soon convinced them to agree.

Victor founded his first monastery near Gottkirchen in Eisen. He modeled it largely along
Benefactine lines, with one primary difference. He strongly encouraged speech and argument among
his monks. He emphasized that a learned man had a constant advantage over an unlearned
opponent in debate, much like a trained swordsman has an advantage over a peasant. Logic, history,
and theology were his focuses, but he never saw any learning as useless. For his early monks, he
would only take those who had already attended university, but the Order has eventually come to
accept others, and train them themselves.
The Order today includes the finest preachers of the Church, as well as most Vaticine
missionaries, who feel that their time is best spent bringing new members into the Church,
particularly among the natives of the Midnight Isles and the New World. The old monastery at
Gottkirchen is still the center of the Order, and constantly works to win the Objectionists in Eisen
back to the Vaticine faith.
ca. 1147 AV Construction of the TorRosa fortress begins. Crusaders start building a large citadel
on the coast of the Outremer.
1153 AV Queen Eleanor of Montaigne causes much scandal by having her husband declared
legally dead (he is actually away on the Crusades), and then marrying the recently-independent King
of Avalon. Her new husband soon goes off to the Crusades as well. In his absence, Eleanor
becomes taken with the old tales of Avalons heroes. She has these stories translated from the
original Cymric language into Montaigne and Than, and does what she can to change Avalons
taxation and legal systems for the better. Glamour slowly returns to the land during her rule as the
Sidhe favor her actions. Eleanor is memorialized as Avalons Beloved Queen.
ca. 1157 AV Completion of TorRosa. With its command of both land and sea trade routes, this
Vaticine fortress becomes one of the most important Crusader strongpoints in the Outremer.
1157-1199 (?) AV The life of Robin Lovaine, better known in Avalon legend as Robin
Goodfellow. A former Crusader and minor noble of Avalon, he leads the resistance against Prince
Charles oppression of the Avalon people. Money and goods taken by Prince Charles men are
seized, and returned to the people by Robin and his fellow outlaws. To more effectively battle Prince
Charles, he eventually goes so far as to fake his own death. Robin marries his lifelong sweetheart

(Queen Eleanors daughter) and later helps establish the Council of Free Nobles. Ultimately, his title
and lands are restored by the rightful King of Avalon.
1158 AV Death of Enrique II, the Mad, High King of Castille. Unable to cope with the
responsibilities of the Castillian Crown, Enrique II takes his own life. He is succeeded by his
brother, Ramon III, the Noble.
1170 AV Death of Ewan OToole, High King of Inismore. An Avalon lord claims the throne, and
Avalon strengthens its hold on Inish lands, a subjugation of Inismore that lasts into the fourteenth
century AV.
1172 AV Edouard Duhamel, the first Duc of Dechaine, commissions the building of a great
memorial and mausoleum for the benefit of his descendants. The Montaigne noble is especially
pious, striving to atone for the sin of sorcery by various means, including barring all of his children
from learning Porte.
1173 AV Construction of die Posenstadt. Baron Gerhard Posen of Eisen starts building a castle on
the island of Insel. The results endure as both House Posens official residence and one of Thahs
strongest fortresses.
1174 AV Eisen has its first ever Beer Festival. It is so popular that it becomes an annual event after
this date and is soon famous across Thah.
1175 AV Fall of the Serranos. The last known member of Vodacces House Serrano, a
descendant of the Lorenzos, launches a trading venture into the Crescent Empire. This venture ends
disastrously. Bankrupt, the Serranos are permanently exiled to Vodacces mainland, their status
reduced to that of peasants. Their island fell to the control of House Caligara.
Death of Avalons Queen Eleanor. She is betrayed by her friend, Archbishop Harold
Guissard, and hung as a traitor by her brother-in-law, Prince Charles of Avalon.
Prince Charles then appoints himself as Regent of Avalon, supposedly until his brother the
absent King of Avalon returns from the Crusades and takes back rightful control of the realm. He
restores the anti-Cymric laws and imposes heavy taxes across Avalon and the other isles.

1177 AV Robin Lovaine returns home from the Crusades, and witnesses Prince Charles
oppression of the Avalon people. The young noble is soon organizing resistance against him.
1193 AV Torrential rains cause severe floods in Numa, virtually destroying the farming district of
Pianura and damaging others.
1195 AV More severe flooding in Numas Pianura district, wiping out all efforts at recovery since
the previous flood.
1196 AV Still more floods in Pianura. Rebuilding is seen as a lost cause and the area is abandoned
by all except the lawless and those with no other place to go.
1199 AV Death (allegedly) of Robin Goodfellow, in a skirmish with Prince Charles troops.
However, his legend grows, with reported sightings and deeds continuing for nearly twenty years
thereafter.
1207 AV The Third Eisen Invasion of Ussura. The Holy Republic of Eisen launches a third
invasion of Ussura. As before, disastrous weather inflicts heavy casualties and forces the army to
retreat.
1215 AV Prince Charles loses control of Avalons holdings in Montaigne. In a rash attempt to
reclaim these lands, he orders an Avalon invasion of Montaigne. His army is soundly defeated, and
Charles is publicly humiliated.
The establishment of the Council of Free Nobles. A group of Avalon nobles led by Robin
Goodfellow forces Prince Charles to sign a document that places limits on his authority. This is to
prevent Avalons monarchs from making arbitrary decisions in the future.
The coming of Robert the Dark. A new leader rises to power in the Highland Marches.
Unusually for that nation, he disclaims alliance with any particular Highland claninstead gaining
widespread support through skill at arms and sheer force of personality.

1216 AV Prince Charles of Avalons nephew, son of Queen Eleanor and her husband the former
King of Avalon, who is now himself the rightful King of Avalon, returns from the Crusades in the
Outremer and deposes Charles.
Death of Harold Guissard, Archbishop of the Church of Avalon. He is defrocked by
unanimous vote of the other Avalon bishops, charged with treason by the new King of Avalon, and
then hung from the same gallows that Queen Eleanor died upon. Robin Goodfellows lands and
titles are restored to him.
1217 AV El Ano de Tres Reyes (The Year of Three Kings) in Castille. Castille has three High
Kings within one year. The first High King, Alfonso II, the Desired, perished of a wasting disease.
He was succeeded by his son, High King Ferdinand, the Beautiful, who suffered from the same
malady and who died only seven months later. This lead to the coronation of High King Juan I, a
cousin of Alfonso II.
Death of Edouard Duhamel, Duc of Dechaine and the last survivor of his family. The
extinction of his ancient line, through a series of misfortunes, had embittered the once pious Duc to
the verge of outright heresy against the Vaticine faith. He is laid to rest beside his three children in
the splendid mausoleum he built. Rule of Dechaine goes to House du Crieux.
1218 AV The Battle of Dun Val. Under the leadership of Robert the Dark, the Highlanders
defeat their foreign overlords from Montaigne and Avalon at the Battle of Dun Val.
1219 AV Coronation of Robert the Dark as High King of the Highland Marches. He also
founds the House and Clan MacDuff, separate from the other clans of the Marches. At least in part,
this isolates his bloodline from the web of grudges and feuds that have divided the Highlanders for
centuries allowing him and his successors to more effectively act as an arbiter of Highland disputes
and avoid the constant civil strife that had long characterized Highland culture.
1223-1279 AV The life of Giorgio Tourelle. Giorgio Tourelle was arguably the greatest knight and
swordsman of his time, author of one of the oldest known books on swordplay, and developer of
many tactics that evolve into standard broadsword and longsword techniques by the seventeenth
century AV.

ca. 1230 AV The establishment of the Yuan Dynasty of Cathay. Originally the leaders of a frontier
tribe, the Yuan lead a rebellion against the previous dynasty, the Song, and end up conquering much
of Cathay. There is a great deal of strife and division in the Celestial Empire at this time.
1243 AV The Hieros Council of the Vaticine Church bans outright the establishment of any new
Holy Orders. There are already so many that the Church bureaucracy has serious difficulty coping
with the burden.
1250 AV The Castillian monk Juan Bautista Rael edits a version of the Four Vigils, in which each
book is subdivided into chapters and verses. The lessons of the Book of the Prophets thus become
far more accessible to all.
1261 AV The Declaration of Connickmoor. High King Robert II, the Just, of the Highland
Marches formally establishes the legal system of the Highlands with this royal proclamation.
1267 AV The Declaration of Deference. The Hierophant announces the Declaration of
Deference, which holds that the rulers of all realms recognizing the faith of the Prophets are bound
to give deference to the wishes of the Hierophant as Theus Vicar on Terra even in secular matters.
Construction of the Stein. Imperator Stefan III of Eisen builds a large fortress around die
Wachtturm (a gigantic Syrneth tower built of Drachen bones). It overlooks the junction of Eisens
two largest rivers (Der Roth and Der Rosturm), and is the center of the Iron Nations defense for
the next three centuries.
1270 AV Ceyr al Ansari of the Crescent Empire writes his famous treatise on poisons and
antidotes.
1287 AV Death of Francesca, a Vaticine nun. Renowned for her piety and good works, she is
eventually canonized by the Church as Saint Francesca of Gallili and becomes one of the most
popular saints among the common Vaticine believers of Thah for centuries afterwards.

1291 AV The Battle of TorRosa and Twilight of the Outremer. After instigating a successful
divide and conquer strategy against Vaticine Crusader groups in the Outremer, famed Crescent
Caliph Salahdar turns his full attention, and the bulk of his army, on TorRosa. The fortress there is
the strongest in the Outremer, and is the home of the Poor Knights, a mainstay of the Crusaders
forces. After weeks of heavy bombardment by catapults, ballistas and trebuchets, and with no
prospect of relief, it becomes clear that TorRosa cannot hold out against the Crescents.
Severy Etalon du Toile, Grand Master of the Poor Knights, and the Poor Knights garrison
in TorRosa, along with a few Kreutzritters, all ride out to battle Salahdars much larger army faceto-face. None return.
Salahdars army is expected to overrun the Crusaders in TorRosa, but instead withdraws
after the final charge of the knights, satisfied with their victory over the Poor Knights. Despite
those Crusaders still holding out elsewhere in the Outremer, the losses at TorRosa are a decisive
blow to Vaticine ambitions. Already flagging, Western Than support for the Crusades all but
disappears after 1291.
1294 AV The unpopular High King Carlos II, the Cruel, of Castille falsely accuses his brother,
Prince Sancho, of being in league with the Vodacce. Castilles Royal Guard is ordered to execute
Sancho for treason, but refuses to do so. The stature of the Royal Guard is such that no other
Castillian dares to confront them, and Carlos II backs down in disgrace.
1295 AV Abdication of High King Carlos II under extreme pressure from the Castillian nobility
and the Vaticine Church in favor of the same brother he accused of treason. The newly installed
High King Sancho decrees that his nephew (Carlos IIs son) is to remain heir to the throne instead
of his own son. For this action and others, he is memorialized as Sancho the Just. High King Sancho
decrees that Castilles Royal Guard will henceforth have a new name. Their mantle is changed to
include the heraldry of the royal House Sandoval and they are known as Sandovals Guard from this
date forward.
ca. 1300 AV Official beginning of the Vodacce Renaissance as recorded by later scholars and
historians. The Vodacce Renaissance sees a blossoming of artistic and scientific thought, forming
the basis of a great mercantile empire that dominates Western Thah financially and commercially
up to the rise of the Vendel in the sixteenth century AV.

1305 AV Death of Robert III, High King of the Highland Marches, at sea under suspicious
circumstances. His brother, Malcolm I, takes the throne since the heir, Prince Duncan, is only 3
years old.
1307 AV The Holy Order of the Poor Knights of the Prophet is declared heretical by, firstly, the
King of Montaigne and then by the Hierophant of the Vaticine Church. The Hierophant also
decrees that all sovereigns of Thah acting against the Order are entitled to keep half of the Orders
substantial wealth, with the other half to go to the Church. It does not take long for all of the Poor
Knights to be arrested and their properties seized.
1308 AV Final Destruction of the Poor Knights. Death of Jacques du Mugeot, the last Poor
Knight and former Grand Master of the Order. Like all of his fellow knights, he is burned at the
stake for heresy. As he is tied to the stake, du Mugeot foretells that both the Hierophant and
Montaignes king, both of whom are present at the execution, will die within the year. This
prediction proves to be accurate.
End of the Second Crusade and the Fall of the Outremer Kingdoms. No Crusaders remain
in the Outremer, all having retreated back to Western Thah or been slain by the Crescents. The
Vaticine Church closes Western Thahs borders with the Empire of the Crescent Moon,
establishing a chain of outposts to enforce this ban. By virtue of their service to (and influence
within) the Church, the only group permitted to visit or trade with the Crescents from now on are
Vodacces House Bernoulli.
1312(?)-1355(?) AV The life of Captain Justice Rogers. The first pirate to achieve true fame across
Western Thah, Rogers was the namesake of the Jolly Roger flag, and creator of the Rogers
swordfighting school for use aboard a ship as well as the main inspiration for every Than
freebooter since. Born in Avalon, he spent much of his career raiding Montaigne shipping, with
most of this plunder returned to its rightful owners, the Avalon people. The final fate of Captain
Rogers and his crew remains one of Thahs most famous mysteries. His birthday, 30 Septimus, is
still traditionally commemorated by many pirates as Saint Rogers Day (though Captain Rogers
was certainly never canonized by any church!).

ca. 1319 AV Establishment of the Ming Dynasty in Cathay. Victors of a revolt against the Yuan,
the Ming strive to improve the lives of the lower classes of Cathay, but soon prove they have little
interest in foreign trade, unlike their predecessors who first allowed foreigners, including the
merchants of Vodacce, to carry out regular trade missions with Cathay during the thirteenth century
AV.
1323 AV Death of Malcolm I, High King of the Highland Marches, who is slain by his nephew,
Prince Duncan. Duncan is then coronated as the new High King and hailed as a national hero for
restoring the true MacDuff line to the throne without civil war. Unfortunately, he has been totally
unhinged by his uncles cruelty, seeing plots and assassins everywhere, and soon becomes known as
Duncan the Mad. Many members of the Clan MacDuff are exiled, imprisoned, executed or closely
watched at the new High Kings order.
1329 AV This year marks the first recorded encounters with the mysterious Fhideli and Tibesti
nomads, in Somojez in Ussura. They prove to be a proud, independent people with their own
distinctive culture, and are commonly distrusted by other folk.
1334 AV Ussuran Orthodox Saint Sergius of Radonezh leaves his monastery at Siev, in order to
preach his faith to the Kosars.
1342 AV Death of CeyCeyrr Aydamir Jildaki, famed Crescent alchemist, after concocting and
drinking a potion he was certain would prolong his life.
1347 AV Another outbreak of the White Plague sweeps across Thah, with the isle of Avalon hit
particularly hard by this round. Almost a third of the population of Thah dies in this outbreak, the
worst since the first struck four hundred years before.
1348 AV The Last Eisen Invasion of Ussura. The Eisen attempt yet another invasion of
Ussura, this time under the command of General Ernst Heilgrund, who musters one of the largest
armies ever seen in Thah to this time. It gets further into Ussura than any other, but is annihilated
by a massive flood at the Ekaterina River. Eisens imperator forbids any further attempts by his
nation to invade Ussura.

1349 AV The Crescent Caliph arranges the marriage of his daughter to a minor noble of Somojez
in Ussura. Although a kidnapping ultimately prevented the marriage, a treaty was formed between
the nations.
1353 AV Establishment of the Noble & Learned Adventurers Society of Luthon & Lovaine. Lord
Ainsley Johns, Earl of Breneth, presides over the first meeting with four friends (read close political
allies). Their organization is to serve as a social club and sponsor for persons seeking to explore
exotic lands.
1355 AV Disappearance of Captain Justice Rogers and his crew. After raiding a Montaigne
treasure ship, his vessel, The Jolly Rogers, is chased by a fleet of warships to the previously unknown
isle of Syrne. When the pursuers arrive, they find only the empty pirate shipcaptain, crew and
treasure all having inexplicably vanished. The entire Montaigne fleet, and their prize as well, are lost
shortly afterwards in a ferocious storm, with only a few survivors to tell the tale. The fate of Captain
Rogers, his crew and the treasure remains unknown to this day.
1360 AV Coronation of Murakhan alTazir, a famed general, as the first Sultan (King) of the
Crescent Empire. The older title of Caliph falls into disuse among the Crescents. To aid in the
ruling of his Empire, Sultan Murakhan establishes an assembly with representatives from all of the
Crescent tribes called, simply enough, the Council of Tribes or Meklis Kabale in the Crescent
tongue.
1367 AV Construction of the Heart of the Drachen Cathedral begins. Father Piessel begins
construction of a cathedral on a hill overlooking the Stein in Eisen. Particularly noteworthy is the
use of Drachen skeletons (common in the area) as the primary building material.
ca. 1368 AV Richter Masthoff is unjustly imprisoned by an Eisen baron. Whilst in the dungeon, he
writes a considerable number of books. These writings also contain coded messages for his family
and supporters.

1369-1412 AV The Life of Cristoforo Scaravese, the author of Means to Ends and Victory, widely
acclaimed commentaries on Vodacce politics. The Vodacce nobilitys wholehearted adoption and
twisting of his ideasintended to satirize what he sees as the meaningless and savage nature of
Vodacce politicsso appalls Scaravese that he gives up writing forever. The remainder of his life is
spent in Dionna, as a vassal of the Villanovas.
1373 AV The Adventurers Society begins collecting charts and rutters from various sources,
seeking to establish accurate navigational information for the waters around Avalon, the Highland
Marches and Inismore.
1375 AV Establishment of the Order of Saint Francesca of Gallilli. A deluge of petitions
induces the Hieros Council to lift its ban on the establishment of new religious orders. The
Francescan Order seeks to emulate their patron through charitable works and vows of poverty.
Eventually, they are to become one of the Vaticine Churchs largest monastic orders.
In 1287 AV, an old nun died in a small village in Vodacce (see above). As word spread, the
entire Church mourned her passing. Fifty-four years later, she was canonized as St. Francesca. In
1375 AV, the Hieros Council, under a deluge of petitions, agreed to lift the century-old ban on new
religious orders. Thus was the Francescan Order born. Although many stories circulate about St.
Francescas life and deeds, very few facts are actually known about her. She was Vodacce, and
approximately seventy-five when she died. Church records show that she was elected Mother
Superior of her nunnery in 1253. She stepped down from that post twelve years later to travel. It
is mostly these later years that inspired so many.
Francesca was known throughout Vodacce for her charity and good works. She would help
the poor and destitute whenever she came across them. She never claimed any possessions other
than her robe, sandals, and walking stick. Anything else that she received went right back to the
needy. She also had some basic medical knowledge, and would frequently tend the sick and diseased.
Some claim that she began the tradition of professional nurses, but if so, it took almost three
centuries to catch on after her death. Her followers loved her dearly, and the nuns at her convent
sought to emulate her in every conceivable way. They often left their cloistered halls after a few years
to spread their good works even farther. The inheritors of this tradition would eventually form the

core of the Order. Like the Benefactine Order, this Order focuses on good works. There are some
important differences, however. The Benefactines tend to work on a large scale, trying to ease
famines and rebuild cities after disaster. The Francescans tend to work on a small scale, focusing on
individual people and families. For this reason, the Benefactines must be highly organized, while the
Francescans have almost no central leadership.
The most striking difference is the Francescans dedication to their vow of poverty.
Members of this Order never keep more possessions than they absolutely need. In turn, any church
and most people will give them food and shelter for as long as they need it. Anything above their
basic needs that they receive, they immediately give to the needy. Some noble families have
disappeared entirely when the prime inheritor of the estate joined this Order, donating all the lands
and possessions they owned to the Church.
Today, the Order is the second strongest monastic order, behind the Benefactines. However,
they do not follow the Benefactine Code, and run their retreats very differently. Rather than being
remote and self-sufficient, they are often found in the middle of large cities, acting as a combination
hospital/shelter/soup kitchen. They can be easily identified by their light blue robes and stoles. In
addition to being exceptionally charitable, they are known for their extraordinary pacifism.
1376 AV Consecration of the Heart of the Drachen Cathedral. The Heart of the Drachen
Cathedral is an awe-inspiring structure of Drachen bones overshadowed only by the nearby
Wachtturm. The main steeple is over eighty feet high, formed from a Drachen skeletons tail and
needing two hundred men and eight oxen teams to haul upright.
1377 AV Death of Highland Marches High King Duncan the Mad, apparently after committing
suicide by poison. He is succeeded by his daughter High Queen Catherine the Graceful. Catherine
pardons all MacDuffs exiled or imprisoned by her father.
1380-1400 AV Life of Andare Del Casigula Rosa, the White Knight of Vodacce. Revered as the
greatest knight in Vodacce history, Andare joins die Kreutzritter at an early age and, as an adult,
plays a vital role in the Churchs war with the sorcerous House Bianco.
1381 AV The leader of the northern Molhynan Kosars of Ussura rides with his family and tribe to
Siev. There, all are formally baptized into the Ussuran Orthodox Church.

Death of Catherine the Graceful, High Queen of the Highland Marches, in childbirth. Her
son, Malcolm, survives. Malcolm the Lion is immediately crowned as the new High King of the
Marches. He is only 1 day old. A lengthy Regency period follows, during which a succession of
Highland clans act as the young kings guardians.
1382 AV Formation of the Die Seeadleren (The Sea Eagles). As a reward for years of
distinguished service, veteran soldier Horst Dressler is granted permission to establish a regiment
directly sworn to the service of Eisens imperator. Much of Dresslers experience comes, notably,
from shipboard actions and other duties along Eisens waterways. This becomes the traditional
specialty of his new regiment, something which few other elite Eisen units do.
ca. 1383 AV Arrival in Vodacce of Manuel Chrysolaras, a scholar related to Castilles House
Sandoval royal family. He acts as a Castillian Ambassador to the Mondavis and Caligaras, seeking
allies for Castille against attack from Avalon.
1384 AV Death of Sir Christopher Canfield, respected Avalon explorer and Adventurers Society
member. His methodssetting clear objectives, thorough pre-planning, accurate record-keeping and
working with local inhabitants to learn more about the regionhave become the standard to which
all other expeditions are compared.
1386 AV San Cristobal, the capital of Castille, is hardest hit by the outbreak of the fourth
pandemic of the White Plague across Thah with High King Enrique III and his entire family
amongst the dead. A time of great uncertainty follows for Castille, with no clear heir to the throne
from House Sandoval. Despite being a possible heir to the Castillian throne, Manuel Chrysolaras
chooses to stay in Vodacce, reasoning that his claim is weak (and perhaps suicidal). Instead, he
marries a daughter of House Mondavi and becomes a scholar at the University of Laurentia. Instead
Jacques Cesar Praisse du Rachetisse of Montaigne (a distant cousin by marriage to Enrique III) is
crowned as the new High King of Castille. Most Castillians bitterly resent having a foreign monarch,
and the Hieros Council denies him the title of Rex Castillium, both of which impede his ability to
rule. Members of Castilles Royal Guard return from Ussura with Tomas Sandoval, a cousin of
Enrique III. High King Jacques is forced by popular acclaim to abdicate in favor of Tomas
Sandoval, who is remembered as High King Tomas the Summoned.

1387 AV The Adventurers Society finally publishes complete charts for the waters around the
Glamour Isles. Whilst expensive, they do prove to be a boon to both Than seafarers and overall
trade to the isles.
1388 AV Death of Richter Masthoff, who becomes one of Eisens most famous authors. The
Eisen baron imprisoning him is deposed by a revolt, orchestrated by Richter from his prison cell
through the use of coded writings. Unfortunately, one of the barons last acts is to have everyone in
his dungeon killed, including Richter Masthoff.
1389 AV The Battle of Razgrad. Sultan Murakhan and his volatile oldest son, Prince Bayazed,
lead an army to victory against rebels in the Crescent Empires northeast. Sultan Murakhan is slain
in the battle and is immediately succeeded as sultan by Bayazed. Bayazed executes his uncle,
alongside the rebel leaders. Despite being on the sultans side during the battle, Bayazeds uncle is
accused of plotting to seize the throne for himself.
1390 AV Highland Marches High King Malcolm, age 9, is taken on a hunting trip by his erstwhile
guardians in Clan MacDonald. Malcolm is kidnapped by the Boyd family of Kirksoulis, who raise
him and act as Regents for the Highland Marches for the next five years.
1391 AV Death of Arleigh Hess, respected professor and a nun of the Vaticine Church. She calls
for sweeping reform in the Vaticine Church, and is arrested for heresy. Her trial begins in the
morning, and she is burnt at the stake that night.
1392 AV Adoption of Andare del Casigula Rosa, age 11, into die Kreutzritter. Training is
uneventful, apart from a number of dreams and visions the boy has, predicting that he will lead a
great crusade against evil.
1394 AV First publication of Means to Ends. Cristoforo Scaroveses book is immensely popular,
becoming a mainstay of Vodacce political thought and a direct refutation of traditional Vaticine
morality in governing a state even though Scarovese claims he write the book as a satire.

1395 AV Highland Marches High King Malcolm, age 14, is ransomed by the Boyds to the Clan
MacLeod. For the next two years, the MacLeods use the Regency to increase their wealth at the
expense of rival clans, especially the MacDonalds.
1397 AV End of Regency for Highland Marches High King Malcolm. Execution of Callum
MacLeod, head of the clan, at the order of the king. Malcolm immediately overturns all decrees
made by the MacLeods during their time as Regents. Malcolm proves to be a just and noble High
King, who rules the Highland Marches well.
1400 AV The Bianco War. The Vaticine Church receives proof that the wealthy House Bianco in
Vodacce worship Legion and indulge in other sacrilegious practices. The Vestini, an ambitious noble
family of craftsmen, are granted permission to destroy the Biancos once and for all. Aided by the
Inquisition, the Church Guard and die Kreutzritter; the Vestini attack the Bianco estates. The
Biancos use strange powers (unquestionably the result of Legion worship) to stave off this assault.
Kreutzritter Andare del Casigula Rosa rallies the Church forces and turns the tide of battle. The last
of the Bianco family are cornered in their central manse in the city of Quattro Alle (later renamed
Fontaine). The Vaticine Inquisition tries them in absentia and finds all guilty of the blackest of sins.
Before any captures or arrests can be made, the Bianco manse erupts into an inferno. None of the
Biancos escape. Andare del Casigula Rosa dies soon after the fall of the Biancos. His body is
entombed nearby, in the chapel at St. Ivo della Sapienza. The Vestini become a new ruling house of
Vodacce.
This battle marks one of the first sustained uses of cannon during a siege by the Vaticine
Church forces. Gunpowder had first entered Western Thah from trade with Cathay sometime in
the early 14th century AV, and began to slowly be adopted for use first with siege weapons like
primitive cannon and then as highly inaccurate and dangerous handguns intended to replace archers
and crossbowmen in certain situations. Firearms technology began to rapidly develop during the
fifteenth century AV, though it would not become a major battlefield force outside of sieges and
naval battles until the early sixteenth century AV. Already by the fifteenth century AV, the
matchlock arquebus and the heavier musket were in use, and the use of the wheellock pistol
transformed cavalry in the sixteenth century AV.

ca. 1400 AV Admiral Hai Ping and the Bao Chuan. Cathay assembles a mighty fleet of ships to
explore the seas, contact other nations and open up trade. Central to this fleet are the Bao Chuan
(Treasure Ships), arguably the largest and most seaworthy vessels existing anywhere on Terra.
Commanding this great endeavor is Admiral Hai Ping, one of Cathays most experienced mariners.
1402 AV Gallegos Folly. A fleet of ships sails westwards from San Cristobal in Castille, in search
of new lands across the ocean. Cristobal Gallegos, the expedition leader, vows to be the first Than
to circumnavigate the globe. He and his entire fleet are never seen again. Upon hearing of Gallegos
endeavor, the Adventurers Society hurriedly launches its own attempt to circle the globe first. This
expedition also disappears without trace.
1403 AV The Hochmeister of die Kreutzritter leads an expedition to reestablish contact with the
Orders Hospital in Zafara in the Crescent Empire. Their ship, the Vigilant, enters the Forbidden Sea
and is never seen again. Also lost with this group are various relics, including the Blood Cross.
1407 AV In Vodacce, this years House Falisci wine is named Amore de Falisci. Many
connoisseurs say it is the finest vintage ever produced anywhere.
1411 AV The Battle of Tannen and the Destruction of die Kreutzritter. The Black Crosses
have risen from humble beginnings to become a powerful and very wealthy order of knights.
Hierophant Logan III condemns all Kreutzritters for heresy, citing proof of corruption and unholy
practices. Imperator Arvid I of Eisen gathers an army to enforce the Churchs edict, and destroys
the entire Order in battle near their Tannen estate in Eisen. Considerable wealth (over 6 million
Vodacce senators worth) is seized. The only remnant of the Order to survive is the Hospital of the
First Witness in faraway Zafara.
1412 AV Death of famed Vodacce political philosopher Cristoforo Scaravese, allegedly from food
poisoning.
1413 AV Death of King David II of Avalon. His sixteen year old son, King David III, takes the

throne and proves more than equal to the challenge. Within five years he has unified Avalon and
conquered part of Montaigne.
1413 1422 AV David III of Avalon leads a number of successful actions against Montaigne and
claims several western provinces. On his death, his ten-year old son David IV is forced to deal with
internal disputes.
1414 AV Death of Bayazed, Sultan of the Crescent Empire, of a wasting disease. With no strong
successors, the Empire goes into a slow decline from poor leadership.
1415 AV Death of Manuel Chrysoloras. He is most famous for translating ancient manuscripts
from Than to other languages, notably Castillian and Avalon, thereby opening other nations to the
Vodacce Renaissance. Several of his apprentices go on to become famous in their own right,
including the reknowned artist-inventor Lonardo Vinchenti.
1422 AV First publication of The Encyclopedia of Demonology & Witchcraft, written by Cardinal
Lonardo Vincenzo. Based largely on experience gained battling House Bianco in 1400, this book
remains the Vaticine Churchs primary reference work on Legion worship and related occult
subjects.
King David III of Avalon dies unexpectedly of a wasting disease. His ten year old son, King
David IV takes the throne, but political infighting impedes his ability to reign.
1423 AV The Vaticine Church sets out to catalog and verify all known Holy Relics. Major
problems soon arise. Despite confirming that the Third Prophets corpse is wholly intact in his
tomb, investigators also locate 107 fingers of the Prophet in Castille alone. Rather than offend
influential noble families who possess most of the relics in Western Thah, the Church quietly
abandons the project.
1425 AV Avalon is forced to relinquish the last of its claims to western Montaigne lands as the
kingdom is consumed by political infighting during the reign of the boy king David IV and cannot
effectively defend the gains made by David III.

The Battle of Lochcarn. Malcolm II the Lion, High King of the Highland Marches, is slain at
the Battle of Lochcarn. His brother, Kenneth, takes the Highland throne. High King Kenneth,
remembered as Black Kenneth, is tried, condemned and hung by the Highland Council of the
Clans within less than a year for murdering his brother, King Malcolm II, at the Battle of Lochcarn.
This sets an unusual precedent in Highland law, proving that no one is above justice in the land,
even the High King. Iain the Solemn, Malcolm IIs son, is crowned High King. He rules with
wisdom and piety.
1429 AV Discovery of the Midnight Archiepelago. Discovery of the island of Marcina, in the
Midnight Archipelago, by Castillian explorer Esteban Guzman. He discovers two native tribes
therethe Erego, who are being invaded by the warlike Urub. Siding with the Erego, Guzman uses
his ships cannon to repel the invasion. Grateful, the Erego become staunch subjects of Castille.
ca. 1432 AV Hai Pings Last Voyage. After six highly successful voyages of discovery to the
west of Cathay, Admiral Hai Ping is ordered to fully explore the Huo Zhi Zou Long (Corridors of
Flame). He and his fleet never return, believed to have been obviously consumed by demons.
Further exploration beyond Cathays borders cease, seen as too dangerous and of no benefit to the
Seven Kingdoms.
1438 AV The printing press using movable type is invented in the city of Psen in Eisen, by the
Vaticine monk Tobias Vogel who hopes to use the new technology to more easily spread the
teachings of the Book of the Prophets.
1440 AV Discovery of large gold deposits on Marcina in the Midnight Archipelago by a Castillian
missionary there to convert the native tribes to the Vaticine faith. Colonists and fortune-seekers are
soon flocking to the island. Pirates and privateers from other Western Than nations also sail there
in large numbers to prey on the ships bearing wealth back to Castille.
The Erego natives of Marcina tell the Castillians that a much larger landmass exists further
to the west called Aztlan, and to the north of it lies the forested lands of Wabanahkik. The Erego
claim that Aztlan is even richer in gold and other treasures than the Midnight Archipelago, but is
inhabited by fierce tribes who worship demons and traffic in blood and human sacrifices. Castillian
explorers begin to probe westwards in search of Aztlan, while explorers from Avalon and Montaigne

eventually head northwards to Wabanahkik, which they name Arcadia. These new lands ultimately
prove to be so extensive that the people of Western Thah name them the New World.
1444 AV Marriage of Mehmut ben Seliman, of the RuzgarHala tribe, to the eldest daughter of the
reigning Crescent Sultan. Deeply impressed by the young mans qualities, the Sultan soon names him
as heir. Upon becoming Sultan, Mehmet and his descendants of the Seliman dynasty prove to be
especially capable rulers of the Crescent Empire and do much to reverse its slide into political and
economic stagnation.
ca. 1450 AV The White Silk Fleet. At this time there are rumored sightings of ghostly ships,
manned by skeletal crews, in the Corridors of Flame. They are said to be part of Hai Pings lost fleet,
cursed for all eternity for mutinying against their admiral. Allegedly, Hai Ping and the loyal portion
of his fleet passed through the maze, and sailed eastwards to an unknown fate.
1457 AV Ordainment of Thomas Cranmer as the Bishop of Camlann in Avalon. He is murdered
after refusing to obey certain demands he judges immoral from his erstwhile friend, the Duke of
Camlann. The murderers were henchmen of the dukes, who took the initiative upon themselves to
rid their lord of someone they believed to be a disloyal recipient of their masters patronage.
Horrified by what has happened, the duke has Cranmer honored throughout the land, and
successfully campaigns to have him canonized by the Vaticine Church.
1458-1513 AV The life of Gisla Ilse von Reichmond. Von Reichmond is the daughter of an Eisen
diplomat, who accompanies her father on many visits to foreign lands. Many times she duels with
men who do not realize that she can fight as well as them (if not better). She is still revered by many
Eisen women in the present day as proof that being a woman does not mean being weak in combat.
ca. 1460 AV The well-known knight Bastion dies. His death is considered by most historians to be
the beginning of the fall of chivalry in Western Thah. Within only fifty years, the dominance of
armored heavy cavalry on the Than battlefield will be a thing of the past, though the mystique of
the aristocratic knight will survive into the present day.
ca. 1470 AV Sultan Mahamat II of the Seliman Dynasty embarks on an ambitious program of

redesign and beautification for Iskandar, the Crescent capital city. It is to become the most beautiful
city in the Crescent Empire and, arguably, the world.
1473 AV The merchant guilds humble the King of Montaigne when they successfully force him to
back down on a program of new taxes upon their commerce. This incident indicates the growing
power of commerce and finance in the economies of the kingdoms of Western Thah. A vibrant
middle class is coming into being in the cities and towns, and the power of the great feudal lords
across the region is declining.
1478 AV Death of Albert Tuttenberg. A low-ranking Eisen guardsman at the Stein, Tuttenberg
gives his life to singlehandedly foil a pirate attack. A small memorial is built in his honor.
1479 AV Completion of Sousdals Assumption Cathedral. Vodacce architect Presclau
Fioravanti blends traditional Ussuran styles with classical Vodacce proportions. The end result is
acclaimed as an ideal of Ussuran iconic art.
1489 AV Birth of Mathias Lieber, the future founder of the Objectionist Movement.
1497-1558 AV The Life of Jorge Argento. Argento proves to be a renowned Castillian swordsman,
who masters every fighting style of his nation known at the time; and who writes several books on
swordfighting, the most notewothy being Los Paradjos de Defensa (The Paradoxes of Defense).
Ferociously patriotic, he denigrates the styles of all other nations and conducts a famous debate via
correspondence with the Avalon swordsman Geoffrey Donovan. Surprisingly, Argento never duels,
claiming that this cheapens the purity of his art. Instead, he concentrates on writing and teaching.
1498 AV Investigation of the Adventurers Society by the Vaticine Church. Questions are raised as
to whether the groups activities are heretical, though no final judgment is rendered.

1499 AV The Adventurers Society representative Lord Egan, the Earl of Carroll, has an audience
with the Vaticine Hierophant Joaquin II. The Hieros Council chooses to drop the Churchs
investigation of the Society following this audience, but also decides to never again support or
sponsor their activities.
In Vodacce, the 1499 AV House Falisci wine is named Ninnananna (Lullaby) de Falisci.
Enemies of the Falisci poison much of this wine at the source, so that drinking it proves (at best)
risky.
1501 AV On the Vesten island of Grimstadd, an entire village starves to death after its jarl (ruling
warlord) takes all of their grain for his own band of warriors. Frustrated by constant neglect from
the islands noble class of jarls, most of whom are only interested in feasting and raiding, Vestens
lower orders, the carls (free farmers) and the thralls (unfree laborers), ask the High King to call an
Althing (council) specifically for them. The Althing agrees to allow the members of the lower orders
to travel from the Vesten Isles to learn about trading, commerce and finance in order to improve
their standard of living so they are no longer reliant upon the whims of the local jarls.
1504 AV Death of High King Juan III, the Great, of Castille from the White Plague. He is
succeeded by his sickly heir, Pedro II.
1504-1569 AV The Life of Geoffrey Donovan. Geoffrey Donovan was a master swordsman, the
creator of the Donovan swordsman school and author of A Treatise on Proper Defense. For his entire
life, he is a fervent Avalon nationalist who openly despises all of the foreign rapier styles. Every
foreign swordsman Donovan ever meets is challenged by him to a duel. After retiring from dueling,
he concentrates on teaching and manages to live to a ripe old age.
1506 AV Death of High King Pedro II, the Infirm, of Castille. His wife, High Queen Beatrix,
assumes the throne as regent until the birth of their child. Beatrix dies in childbirth and her son,
Ramon V, survives as the new High King. Don Armando Ramirez de Aldana, the late High
Queens brother, is appointed as the Regent of Castille until Ramon comes of age.

1508 AV Ordainment of Mathias Lieber as a priest of the Vaticine Church at the age of nineteen.
1513 AV First printing of On the Wholeness of Scripture, written by the Eisen priest Mathias Lieber
when he is twenty-four years old. The book contends that Theus is not found solely in the world He
created, but within the words mankind uses to express His will and truths. The idea is considered
radical, but one that the Vaticine Church finds no theological problem in embracing.
The Caligari-Villanova Feud. Vodacce Prince Aldo Caligara rashly brags that any true
descendant of Luis Delaga, the founder of Vodacce, cannot be defeated when the family name is at
stake. Guiseppi Villanova publicly shames him into a wager and duel, in order to prove this boast.
Aldo Caligara is soundly defeated, thereby compelling his house to change their name from Caligara
to Caligari. Their rightful heritage denied, the Caligaris have borne a deep grudge against the
Villanovas ever since.
1514 AV The Adventurers Society assembles an expedition intended to reach Cathay. The ship
departs from the port of Dionna, against the wishes of the Vaticine Church.
1516 AV The first meeting of the Vesten Carls Council. The Vesten lower orders establish a
new, permanent Althing at the behest of the carl Inger Holmstrom. It is a de facto ruling council
composed of carls (free farmers) and thralls (unfree laborers or serfs) in the city of
Kirkjubaejarklauster. It soon becomes a form of day-to-day central government for the Vesten
nation in opposition to the cruelty and mismanagement of the noble jarls. Imperator Franz II of
Eisen reaches an agreement with the Carls Council. In exchange for protection against retribution
by the Vesten jarls and their retinues of warriors, the Imperator of Eisen is granted a permanent seat
on their council. Appalled by the sudden turn of events and the sudden intrusion of the Eisen Holy
Republic into his sphere of authority, the High King of Vesten orders the Carls Council to disband.
However, the imperators detachment of Eisen troops prove more than a match for those few
Vesten warriors that can be mustered at short notice. The High King finally concedes the political
legitimacy of the Carls Council and allows it to continue to function unmolested, provided the carls
continue to recognize the sole authority of the High King to rule the Vesten islands. Within a few

years the Carls Council has effectively seized political power from the Vesten jarls, many of whom
are always away on raids. The establishment of the Carls Council marks the first attempt of Vestens
middle and lower classes to claim economic and political power for themselves away from the
traditional nobility.
The Vodacce artist Leotano Vinchenti updates the Cuore Governo (Heart of the State)
building in the Vodacce city of Guarre de Puertofino. His beloved dies during this work, so the main
entrance is subsequently marked with a small plaque reading For My Lost Rachele. The building is
still known as the Rachele, and is said to be a testament to romantic love.
1517 AV The Publication of Liebers List and the Founding of the Objectionist Movement.
The young priest Mathias Lieber, twenty-eight years old, compiles a list of ninety-five questions, later
remembered as Liebers List, concerning questionable practices and theological doctrines of the
Vaticine Church. Lieber nails the list to his bishops cathedrals front door in the month of Octavus,
1517 AV. Intended to incite theological debate and eventual reform, these questions are widely
printed and distributed across much of Western Thah within weeks. Church officials immediately
accuse Lieber of heresy. The charges work their way up the Vaticine hierarchy to the Hierophant.
Return of the Adventurers Societys Cathayan Expedition to Than waters. Unfortunately,
the ship arrives in Porta Spatia in Vodacce at the height of a White Plague outbreak. None of the
members of the expedition survive, and everything brought back is lost in the looting and chaos that
follows.
Coronation of High King Ramon V, the Boy King of Castille, at the age of eleven. He is
remembered as one of Castilles wisest and most benevolent rulers.
1518 AV The Trial and Escape of Mathias Lieber. Liebers teachings are officially condemned
in 1518 AV by Hierophant Leto VIII. Mathias Lieber is summoned by the Hierophant to Vaticine
City, to appear before the Hieros Council. A three-day theological debate ensues with Cardinal
Thomas Chandler and ends with Lieber excommunicated from the Church and condemned to
death. Lieber is rescued from his cell by several knights sent by his friend and protector, Imperator
Franz II of Eisen, who agrees with many of Liebers criticism of the Vaticine Church. Lieber goes
into hiding in Eisen and, during the next few months, translates all of the Book of the Prophets
from its traditional Church Than into common Eisen so the common folk can read it and
understand it without the help of the Vaticine priesthood. He also puts his personal theology to

paper in a journal later published as Liebers Book. Hierophant Leto VIII learns of the Eisen
complicity in Liebers escape from Vaticine City, and demands Liebers return. The Imperator
refuses and, given Eisens military strength, the Hierophant has no choice but to back down.
At around this time, the Ussuran military gives up on the use of the shieldwall in its infantry
tactics, finding it ineffective when facing massed fire from musket-equipped enemy infantry battle
squares.
1521-1589 AV The Life of Marie-Louisa du Montrose. Born a peasant, Marie-Louisa du Montrose
rises to become one of Montaignes most famous (or notorious) courtesans. She marries four times,
wins several fortunes and loses several more, gains the favor of kings and travels much of Western
Thah. Her later years are spent on her Charouse estate, where she writes her memoirs, conducts
various liaisons, does charitable work and is viewed with horrified fascination by most of the
Montaigne royal court. Of her five children, one enters the Vaticine priesthood, one becomes a
successful pirate, one elopes with a Tibesti and the remaining two marry well into the Montaigne
nobility.
1525 AV Objectionism Declared Heretical. The Vaticine Churchs Hieros Council officially
declares Mathias Liebers religious reform movement, now called Objectionism because its
adherents object to many of the practices and theological beliefs of the Vaticine Church, to be
heretical.
ca. 1526 AV Creation of the Durchsetzungburg swordsmen school, by students and faculty of
Eisens Durchsetzungburg University.
1526 AV At the age of twenty, High King Ramon V, the Boy King of Castille, finally receives the
title of Rex Castillium from the Vaticine Hieros Council, granting him his majority and full authority
over his realm.
1527 AV King Henry IV of Avalon, called Henry of Camlann or sometimes the Bloody Boar, by
the chroniclers, plots the assassination of Richard Lovaine, his foremost rival for the throne of
Avalon. This conspiracy is revealed by one Albert MacCormick, who discovers the direct
involvement of Lord Devin Johns who is aiding Henry IV in the assassination plot and is a fellow

member of the Adventurers Society. Lord Johns is subsequently tried and executed for treason by
Henry IV, who declares he had no involvement in the plot, but popular support for Lovaines claim
on the Crown of Avalon increases dramatically. Open civil war eventually ensues between the
supporters of Lovaine and the Crown. Albert MacCormick also dies at this time, from injuries
sustained in a hunting expedition.
1528 AV The Birth of the Vendel League. In 1528 AV the Vesten Carls Council changes their
realms formal name from Vestenmannavnjar to Vendel. The alteration is justified as easier for
everyone (especially foreigners) to pronounce, with other traditional names of places and even
people soon being shortened as well. Traditionalist Vesten are infuriated, seeing this as dishonoring
their ancestors and their history. The rift between the old and new ways in the Vesten Isles deepens.
1531 AV The Battle of Bedgrave. Despite brilliant tactics, Henry of Camlanns army is defeated
and he is slain by Richard Lovaine at the Battle of Bedgrave, bringing the Avalon Civil War to a
climactic end. Richard Lovaine is crowned King Richard II of Avalon, establishing House Lovaine
as the new ruling dynasty of the kingdom.
1534 AV At the command of King Richard II, the armies of Avalon invade Inismore, seeking to
bring that island under Avalon control once more.
1535 AV Publication of The Graal, a collection of traditional (and once illegal) Avalonian folk
stories.
1541 AV The armies of Avalon crush the last remnants of Inish resistance, and impose its rule
over the entire island, leading to a new period of unwanted Avalon rule for the island nation.
1546 AV Birth of Vincenzo Caligari, the future Prince of House Caligari in Vodacce, and a
notoriously long-lived Synreth artifact collector.
1547 AV The Coup de Jarnac. Montaigne nobles Francois de Vivonne and Guy de Jarnac duel
over an exchange of insults. Vivonne is the kings champion and considered the better swordsman,

but the more popular Jarnac defeats him with a single swift cut across the back of one knee. This
type of attack is immortalized as the coup de Jarnac.
Death of High King of the Vestenmannvnjar Eindridi Utterson. The traditionalist Vesten
warrior Ulf Hvsgaard is selected as the new High King of the Vestenmannvnjar. He is known to
openly despise the Vendel. He challenges the Vendel Council and questions their actions at every
turn.
1548 AV Unhappy about the defeat of his champion Francois de Vivonne the previous year, King
Herold II du Montaigne bans both dueling and trial by combat in his kingdom. Montaigne nobles
begin hosting illegal duels, which the king chooses to ignore.
1549 AV First publication of A Treatise on Proper Defense, written by the Avalon master swordsman
Geoffrey Donovan.
1552 AV Cardinal Alfonso Ordunez writes a report on the overcrowded and inhumane state of
Castilles prisons. He proposes that a completely new type of prison be built on an island.
1554 AV Retirement of master swordsman Geoffrey Donovan from dueling, due primarily to his
advancing age.
1561 AV Deeply impressed by Cardinal Ordunezs ideas, Castilles High King Felipe II, the Proud,
decrees that a prison be built on La Palabra de Dios, an island just southeast of Castille. This prison
will have no guards or wallsprisoners will have all they need to survive, but otherwise be left to
their own devices. Cardinal Ordunez reasons, Perhaps if they are forced to build their own
civilization, they will grow to appreciate its blessings.
1563 AV Completion of the Castillian prison on La Palabra de Dios. Within a month of
opening, half of the prisoners have been rescued by pirates seeking new recruits. The remaining
prisoners form several tribes that spend most of the time warring with each other.
The Vaticine Church calls for art that instructs and cultivates piety. The so-called Baroque
style is one result. A number of Baroque artists rise to prominence in the various noble and royal
courts of Western Thah.

1565 AV Disappearance of the Vesten High King. The Vendel are barred from a vital trade
port in Montaigne, with several of their ships docked there being seized to protect the trade of
native Montaigne merchants from foreign competition. The Vendel Council and High King Ulf
Hvsgaard bitterly argue over a responsethe Vendel want to employ Eisen mercenaries, and he
wants to send his finest jarls to destroy that city. The High Kings warriors attack without the
Vendel Councils permission, only to be wiped out by the Montaigne. Eisen mercenaries hired by
the Vendel Council finally resolve the matter with the Montaigne without firing a single shot. The
High King disappears from Thingvallvatn shortly afterwards, never to be seen again. Ulf Hvsgaard
is the last Vesten High King to publically declare his crown for over a century. The Vendel League
assumes overall control of the Vesten Islands. Trade and commerce become the new heart of the
Vesten economy.
1569 AV Death of Avalon master swordsman Geoffrey Donovan. Unlike a great many duelists, he
dies peacefully in bed.
1570 AV The Firework Dam. In Montaigne, work begins on a dam that will provide the king
with a new fishing lake. Saboteurs conceal gunpowder in the dams foundations, which is detonated
during the opening ceremony. The explosion and ensuing mayhem destroys the dam, kills three of
the kings entourage, floods a nobles entire estate and showers forty tons of debris over several
miles in all directions. Francois Goddard du Rachitisse, the saboteurs leader and a self-styled
member of the Rilasciare, becomes the most wanted man in Thah.
1571 AV Crescent pirates attack the House Bernoulli-owned island of Amozare in Vodacce and
are driven back.
Walls and fortifications are completed around the Castillian island prison of La Palabra de
Dios, to prevent further escapes or outside interference. The prison is soon nicknamed La Bucca,
for the smoked pork produced there for export.
1572 AV The Battle of Marcina. On the island of Marcina in the Midnight Archipelago,
Castillian colonists and the hostile Urub tribe wage a week-long battle. The colonists claim a great
victory but both sides survive and retain control of their lands, suggesting more of a draw. In the

wake of the Urub assault, Castille builds a chain of fortresses across Marcina known as La Murulla
de Urub, to protect its colonists from future Urub attack.
1574 AV Death of the Sultan of the Crescent Empire without an heir. The Council of Tribes or
Meklis Kabale, selects a member of the Kurta-Kir tribe to be the new sultan. The ends the rule of the
Seliman Dynasty and establishes the Muradin Dynasty of sultans upon the Crescent throne.
1582 AV A Vaticine Church delegation led by Father Ricardo Mateus of Castille visits Cathay. The
group has an audience with that nations Celestial Emperor.
1585 AV The Hierophant employs the Avalon scholar Cameron MacCormick (great-grandson of
the Adventurers Society member Albert MacCormick) to research and trace the travels of the
Prophets.
1587 AV For the first time in 1587 AV, Vaticine Church records refer to the Objectionists as
being a church in their own right, rather than simply as heretics.
Imperator Weiss III of Eisen is crowned and will be known to history as Weiss the Great.
Escalating Vaticine-Objectionist hostilities across the Holy Republic have pushed the Iron Nation of
Eisen to the verge of sectarian civil war, but Weiss III defuses these tensions by decreeing freedom
from religious persecution in his realm and allowing every man and woman to worship Theus
according to the dictates of his or her own conscience.
The establishment of the Discoverers Society. Whilst examining a battlefield of the Hieros
War, Cameron MacCormick uncovers the first known evidence of the ancient Thalusai race of
Syrneth. He and five associates decide to pool their knowledge and resources to unravel this new
mystery, calling their alliance the Discoverers Society.
1589 AV Allario Caligari, a founder and major financial supporter of the Discoverers Society, is
caught selling artifacts stolen from Society excavations. He is expelled from the Society which, in
consequence, loses funding and many artifacts, which are re-claimed by the Vodacce House
Caligari and its allies. The remaining members of the Society are dogged by ill-fortune hereafter.

Death of Marie-Louisa du Montrose, the renowned Montaigne courtesan. Mourners at her

funeral include many people who benefited from her charity, as well as Montaignes monarch and
dignitaries from several other kingdoms of Thah.
1590 AV Publication of La Chateau du Montrose, the complete memoirs of the late Marie-Louisa du
Montrose. The six volume work proves immensely popular. It also triggers several major scandals in
Montaigne and elsewhere across Thah.
ca. 1591 AV Deacon Johann Adamus von Bell, an Eisen Objectionist obsessed with timepieces,
arrives in Cathay. Despite barriers of language and culture, he does manage to study the Cathayan
lunar calendarand even locate a few minor errors.
1593 AV Formation of the Montaigne Musketeers. King Lon XII of Montaigne and
Imperator Siegfried II of Eisen quarrel and their nations go to war. At the Battle of Lierre-Vallee,
Die Grenzeruaeber, one of Eisens elite military units, penetrates deep into Montaigne territory and
heads for the town of Lierre-Vallee (The Valley of Lilies), where King Lon is encamped. The
newly-raised 3rd Musketeer Company blocks, attacks and eventually drives off the larger Eisen
force. In honor of their valor, King Lon forms the survivors of the 3rd Musketeer Company into
the Montaigne Musketeers. They are charged by decree with the protection of the ruler and the
people of Montaigne. A flood of patriotic volunteers quickly swell the Musketeers ranks. The
original companys ranking officer, Lieutenant Francois Duarte de Levignac, is appointed by the
king as the Commander of the Musketeers. The king and he work together to set out the new
organizations Code and Oath. A violent quarrel between Levignac and Montaigne General Praisse
du Rachetisse forces the Musketeers to seek resources and future recruits from outside of the
Montaigne Army.
Creation of the Valroux style of swordfighting, by Francois Valroux du Martise. The school
is proclaimed illegal in Montaigne, but proves to be popular regardless. Three masters of the illicit
style (one of them General Praisse du Rachetisses nephew!) offer their services in training
Musketeer recruits, and are welcomed.
Valeria of Marcina is canonized by the Hierophant and becomes the Vaticine Churchs
patron saint of sugar cane and those who work to cultivate it.

1594 AV Montaignes Musketeers march into Charouse, the capital of the kingdom, for the
first time. By the order of King Lon XII, their spacious new barracks include an academy for
scholarship and legal studies. These buildings are soon widely known across the city as Montaignes
Pride.
1597 AV Death of Andrew MacCormick, older brother of Cameron MacCormick, and of Lord
Stephen Johns II of the Adventurers Society. Both men perish on Montaignes Lil du Bete (Island
of Beasts), the highly dangerous royal hunting grounds, in the same hunting accident. With the death
of his brother, Cameron MacCormick inherits the family estates. Family obligations force him to
withdraw from the Discoverers Society, which is effectively disbanded.
1598 AV Establishment of the Explorers Society. Cameron MacCormick converts his ancestral
home in Avalon into the headquarters of a new organization, with similar goals to the now-defunct
Discoverers Society.
Establishment of Jennys Guild. Arrest of Jenny Malone, a young Avalon prostitute, for
the murder of a violently abusive customer. The court finds her not guilty, making Avalon the first
nation of Thah to legally recognize self-defense as a Creator-given right for men and women
alike. With much popular support, Jenny Malone begins organizing Avalons prostitutes into a guild
of their own, which soon becomes known simply as Jennys Guild and begins to spread across
Thah.
ca. 1600 AV Arrival in Cathay of several astronomers from different parts of Thah, seeking to
learn from the Cathayans. There is some minor success, but the newcomers soon come under threat
and are forced to flee the country.
Establishment of the Wu Dynasty. The Celestial Emperors of the Wu Dynasty succeed the
crumbling Ming Dynasty relatively peacefully. The Wu strive to reform Cathays massive and
inefficient bureaucracy of mandarins, and to improve relations with other nations, opening up the
Seven Kingdoms to limited trade and commerce with other peoples across Thah.

1600 AV La Buccas First Revolt. Over nine-tenths of the prisoners of La Palabra de Dios, now
called simply La Bucca, and a third of their guards, die in an unsuccessful uprising. Cardinal
Ordunezs experiment is labeled a dismal failure by the Castillian Crown, and the island prison
becomes a dumping ground for those deemed unfit to live anywhere else.
Establishment of the Vendel League. Vesten establishes an oligarchic system of Guilds
which, in effect, becomes the realms new government. Trade flourishes, and the Vendel League
soon challenges Vodacces position as Western Thahs leading economic power, breaking the
centuries-old monopoly of Vodacce merchants and bankers on commerce and finance on the
continent.
The Start of the Scientific Revolution. Rapid advances in the material economy of
Western Thah driven by the development of commerce and finance, along with the Objectionist
Movements focus on individual empowerment, the discovery of the Midnight Archipelago and the
New World, and the secular, humanist scholarship of the Vodacce Renaissance, combine to unleash
a new spirit of skeptical inquiry among the Than intelligentsia at the turn of the seventeenth
century AV. Particularly in regions where Objectionism is strong and the power of the Vaticine
Church to assault presumed heresy is weak, such as Avalon, the Vendel League and parts of Eisen,
scholars begin to probe the secrets of the natural world using tools like experimentation and an early
form of the scientific method.
ca. 1605 AV A Than ship is wrecked on the island of Alvara, in the Thalusian island group. The
sole survivor, a Vodacce known only as Lon, becomes the first human to set foot there. He writes a
detailed journal about the islands numerous hazards, which he leaves behind when escaping the
island for an unknown fate.
1605 AV The Battle of the Kings Guards. Ill-feeling between Montaignes traditional royal
bodyguard, the Lightning Guard, and the newly-created Montaigne Musketeers erupts into a major
public brawl in the Montaigne capital city of Charouse, causing numerous injuries, considerable
property damage and the deaths of two Musketeers. Lightning Guard Captain Lucien du Montaigne,
a noble descended from a cadet branch of the royal family, convinced that the Musketeers plan to
kill him, sends hirelings laden with gunpowder to destroy their headquarters, Montaignes Pride
(along with a sizable portion of Charouse!). Fortunately, this plot is uncovered by the Musketeers
before any damage can be done, and the hirelings soon confess. Captain Lucien du Montaigne is

executed for high treason, and becomes the first member of the Montaigne royal family to face such
a fate in over three centuries. To prevent future such incidents, King Lon XIII of Montaigne
decrees that the duty of the Musketeers is to protect Montaigne and its people, and the duty of the
Lightning Guard is to protect the monarch.
1606-1658 AV The Life of Don Millano Rios del Aldana. Don Millano Rios del Aldana is a
renowned Castillian swordsman who achieves the rank of Master at the extraordinary age of 16. He
is one of several Castillian nobles of the early seventeenth century AV credited with successfully
revitalizing the Aldana swordsman school.
1608 AV The first microscope is invented by an unknown scholar in Vesten. The Vendel Leagues
growing commercial wealth and culture of skeptical inquiry free from the confines imposed by the
doctrines of the Vaticine Church is transforming it into a center of scientific inquiry and
technological advancements.
1610 AV A group of forward-thinking scholars of the Vaticine Church led by Caspar Gallus make
use of the growing body of new knowledge and considerable artistic skill developed by the
techniques of the Vodacce Renaissance masters to complete their map of the Interior of the
Human Body, the first detailed studies of human anatomy and physiology since Numan times. This
work is completed by dissecting the corpses of soldiers slain in battle, dissections which are
technically forbidden by the doctrines of the Church.
It is in this year that the flintlock firing mechanism for firearms is first invented by a
gunsmith at the court of King Lon XIII du Montaigne in Charouse. The flintlock slowly replaces
the more primitive matchlock and highly expensive wheellock mechanisms that preceded it. The
flintlock allows a firearm to be used without the danger of having a lit match exposed to the weather
or misfortune, and without the expense of a wheellock. Though flintlock muskets and pistols are
major improvements over existing firearms, it takes some time for the more widespread and cheaper
matchlock arquebus and musket to be replaced, and flintlock muskets do not become the military
standard across Thah until the later decades of the seventeenth century AV.
King Lon XIII du Montaigne becomes the only Than monarch ever to order the
execution of two nobles for illegal dueling. The large crowd at the execution in Charouse very nearly
riots in support of the criminals.

Birth of Lon XIV, son of Lon XIII, and heir to the throne of Montaigne.
1613 AV Establishment of the Knights of the Rose & Cross. Mysteriously distributed
pamphlets in Montaigne, Eisen and Castille proclaim the existence of a previously unknown group
called The Knightly Order of the Rose & Cross. The Vaticine Inquisition is unable to discover
anything further, and the Hierophant demands that, the men of the Rose & Cross make themselves
and their intentions plain. There is no immediate response for many months.
The White Plague threatens another outbreak in Castille. But this time, effective quarantine
methods are deployed by the Crown that quickly snuff out the outbreak before it can gain real
purchase, saving tens of thousands of lives. Similar methods are soon put into practice by
governments across Western Thah, which seriously reduce the death toll of plague outbreaks.
At this time the majority of swordsmen in Western Thah abandon the use of the longsword
and buckler for lighter weapons such as the rapier and the maine-gauche, though a minority prefer
the use of the various types of military broadswords and backswords like the cutlass. Some
swordsmen of the Highland Marches, Eisen nobles and among the Vesten traditionalists prefer to
use two-handed weapons such as the claymore, the zweihander or even the battleaxe and shield.
By the early seventeenth century, the people of Montaigne, once a citadel of the Vaticine
Church, have become far less devout in their faith, in part because of popular discontent with the
Vaticine Inquisition and the overall growth of interest in more secular matters and in the sorcerous
arts, particularly among the Montaigne nobility.
1614 AV Coronation of King Richard IV of Avalon. At the start of his reign, Richard IV is a
staunch and devout supporter of the Vaticine Church, and is a particular foe of the Objectionist
Movement.
The Jennys Guild receives a Chair as a legitimate Guild in the Vendel League because of the
sheer revenue that it generates.
The Rose & Cross Knights respond to the Hierophants demand. Three men wearing the
Seal of the Rose & Cross foil an assassination attempt against a Montaigne cardinal. They flee before
anyone can recognize or question them. Next, a few weeks later six men wearing the Seal of the
Rose & Cross save a Castillian princess from kidnappers. Afterwards, the rescuers escape. Finally, a
man wearing the Seal of the Rose & Cross rescues a Vendel merchant from a burning building. He
also evades questioning by the authorities and vanishes.

1615 AV One hundred and fifty men and women of high station openly identify themselves as
members of The Knightly Order of the Rose & Cross. Included in this number are the
Hierophants high advisor, the first daughter of King Lon XIII of Montaigne, the heir-designate of
the Vodacce House Vestini and two senior members of the Adventurers Society.
1617 AV Declaration by the Hierophant that the Knights of the Rose & Cross are, official
servants of the Church and Makers of Justice. The Knights soon become popular, if still often
anonymous, heroes in regions of Thah still loyal to the Vaticine faith.
1620 AV Founding of the Royal Fraternity. Avalon scientist Jeremy Cook founds the Royal
Fraternity for Scientific Minds in the Avalon capital city of Luthon with the patronage of King
Richard IV of Avalon. The organization becomes the first state-supported institution in Thah
dedicated to scientific research.
Birth of Magnus Desaux du Montaigne, the future founder of the Swordsmans Guild.
1621 AV Death of High King Alfonso III, the Prudent, of Castille. He is succeeded by his son,
Salvador I.
1622 AV The Avalon Reformation and the Establishment of the Church of Avalon.
Desperate for a male heir, King Richard IV of Avalon petitions the Hierophant for a divorce from
his queen. The petition is rejected, and Richard IV responds by having Parliament pass the Act of
Supremacy. He becomes the Supreme Head of an independent Church of Avalon, which
conveniently grants him permission to divorce and remarry. From this time on, Avalon becomes a
staunch supporter of Objectionism, even as the Church of Avalon remains largely identical to the
Vaticine Church in doctrine and rituals.
The Camille Regency of Montaigne. In 1622 AV King Lon XIII du Montaigne dies. For
the next six years, until his son and heir King Lon XIV comes of age, Montaigne will be ruled by
Queen Camille du Montaigne and her lover, Cardinal Maurice dArgeneau. The young king is cruelly
mistreated under their ministrations. It is a time of repressive laws and heavy taxation, with the
overturning of many of the reforms made by previous monarchs that had lifted the tax and feudal
service burdens on ordinary Montaignes.

Admiral Alisse Praisse du Rachetisse of the Montaigne Navy is sent to Vraisse, with orders
to rid the wealthy Montaigne port of its pirate problem.
Montaignes Comte du Bete is devoured by a giant asprey. Ironically, he perished on Lil du
Bete (Island of the Beast), the royal (and highly dangerous) hunting grounds which he is responsible
for maintaining. His title remains vacant until 1667.
1623 AV The Lefarge Treason. Sebastien Lefarge, Captain of the Montaigne Musketeers,
attempts a coup detat against the Montaigne throne to overthrow the evils of the Camille Regency.
He is arrested by several of his own men, then tried and condemned for treason. Christine Valroux
du Martise is appointed as the new Captain of the Musketeers. She was the leader of the group of
Musketeers that deposed Lefarge.
1624 AV Birth of Miles Donovan, son of the Avalon swordmaster Oolac Donovan, great-greatgrandson of Geoffrey Donovan, and a founder of the Swordsmans Guild.
1625 AV In Vodacce, House Faliscis grape harvest is atrociously bad this year. As a jest, the
resulting wine is bottled and sold as Montaigne de Falisci. Due to subsequent efforts of patriotic
Montaigne to acquire and destroy every bottle of this vile stuff, it quickly becomes the rarest and
most valuable of all Falisci wines!
1625-1657 AV The Life of Gogil Anton Isaakovich. An Ussuran noble, Isaakovich is notorious at
the court of the Gaius for his gambling, carousing and romantic escapades. In one famous duel, he
loses his right eye, upon which he tells his opponent, If you do that one more time, Ill never look
at you again.
1627 AV Disappearance of an expedition led by Darius Olaf, one of the Explorer Societys most
experienced members.
Birth of Alcide Mondavi, heir to the principality of House Mondavi in Vodacce. His father
builds a triumphal arch to celebrate.

1628 AV End of the Camille Regency in Montaigne. King Lon XIV du Montaigne is
crowned at age eighteen. Embittered by years of mistreatment by his mother the regent and her
lover, he promptly banishes Queen Mother Camille du Montaigne to a remote country estate for the
rest of her life. Cardinal dArgeneau remains at court, but without any influence. Despite hopes that
the new king will soon ease the growing tax and labor burdens on the common people of
Montaigne, this proves not to be the case.
Admiral Alisse Praisse du Rachetisse comes under pressure from his superiors in the
Montaigne Navy after five years of pirate-chasing has left him empty-handed and the port of Vraisse
no better off. Finally, in desperation, he resorts to an unorthodox use of the sorcerous discipline
known as Porte in his further attempts at eradicating the scourge of piracy. A Porte-blooded arrow
is fired into a known pirate ship, and then a boarding party passed through a portal to it. Something
goes horribly wrong. When they appear on the pirate ship, the fifty boarders have become
bloodthirsty monsters. In the ensuing battle, that ship is destroyed, along with all onboard, but the
Montaigne port has been cursed ever since. Mysterious shipwrecks and other strange happenings
lead to most sailors, from 1628 AV on, shunning those waters.
ca. 1629 AV Birth of Wu Shang Fon, future Celestial Empress of Cathay.
1629 AV Castilles national Ajedrez competition is won, for the first time, by a colonial native of
Marcina in the Midnight Archipelago.
1630 AV Death of Queen Camille du Montaigne. Her last words are to curse her son, King Lon
XIV, vowing that he will never have any sons of his own.
1631 AV Marriage of King Lon XIV du Montaigne to his first wife Estelle, a commoner. Many
Montaigne nobles oppose the marriage, thus destabilizing his reign.
Lester Peecke, a commoner of Avalon, demonstrates his skill with the quarterstaff by
soundly defeating three swordsmen at Montaignes Royal Court. Because of the ill-feeling this causes
among the Montaigne nobility, he makes a hurried return to Avalon.
Death of High King William the Holy, the first ruler of the Highland Marches to be openly
Objectionist. His son, Robert V, takes the throne.

1632 AV Tubingen dueling becomes popular in Eisen. Named for the southern town where it
began, the fighting style emphasizes the endurance to withstand high levels of pain, rather than
matters of skill.
Birth of Faulk Fischler, the son of an Eisen fishermanand future Eisenfurst of the Fischler
Konigreich of the Eisen Holy Republic.
Birth of Vladimir Goroduk Drakov vPietrov. His father, Drako Goroduk Stanimirov
vPetrov, Knias of Molhyna, is said by some to be the cruelest ruler in Molhynas history.
1634 AV Creation of the Robertson School of swordfighting, by the Avalon David Robertson. He
successfully combines elements of Avalons Donovan and Castilles Torres Schools, to create a new
fighting style using rapier and cloak.
1636 AV The War of the Cross begins. A new and dark era in the history of Thah begins with
the death of Imperator Weiss III of Eisen, a moderate in religious matters in a nation where faith is
openly divided between Vaticines and Objectionists. His cousin Reifenstahl, a devout and fanatically
outspoken Vaticine, becomes the new Imperator of Eisen. Fearing that Imperator Reifenstahls rule
and religious policies will lead to the imposition of the Vaticine faith on the whole of Eisen,
Objectionists in the southern baronies of Eisen revolt, only to be quickly defeated by the army of
General Helmut Stauss in service to the imperator.
The Vendel League uses the Eisen conflict to vastly expand its economic power across
Thah, Ifri and the Than colonies in Arcadia and the Midnight Archipelago. The Vodacce Princes
finally realize the threat to their economic power and start a quiet economic war with the Vendel.
1637 AV The Last Battle of the Stein. In the War of the Cross, the well-known Eisen noble
General Stefano Wulf commands a volunteer Objectionist army that invades northern Eisen from
Vesten. Their surprise capture of the fortress known as the Stein is a major setback for the
previously superior Vaticine Eisen forces. The absolute hold of the Vaticine Eisens on the nations
Objectionist-majority north has been broken. Two quotes from this battle have been immortalized
in Than legend:
Matthias Stark, commander of the Stein, upon sighting Wulfs approaching army, You sly
bastard. Youve got me, havent you?

Stefano Wulf, after witnessing the death of Matthias Stark, Poor fool. He let his honor kill
him.
General Helmut Stauss, one of Eisens most experienced and respected military leaders, is
slain by Objectionist forces. After redeploying his Vaticine Eisen army northwards to face Wulf,
Stauss is assassinated at his country estate before battle can be joined. General Dehmer takes
command of the Vaticine forces in Eisen.
Birth of Timur alAslan Cihangir, future Sultan of the Crescent Empire. His birth is marked
by a she-wolf sneaking into his familys tent and birthing a cub at the same time. Ancient prophecies
about this indicate that Timur will be the greatest ruler in Crescent history.
1638 AV General Dehmer proves to be an incompetent leader for the Vaticine forces in Eisen.
His larger army starts blundering all over Eisen, doggedly chasing Objectionists, yet out-maneuvered
and out-fought by Stefano Wulf at every turn.
Disappearance of the famous Captain Philip Gosse and his Gentlemen Pirates. They retire
from piracy to an uncharted island paradise, somewhere in the western ocean.
Birth of Donello Falisci, heir to House Faliscis Vodacce principality. In celebration, his
proud parents name that years wine Festa de Falisci.
1639 AV Death of Cameron MacCormick, founder of both the Discoverers Society and the
Explorers Society.
Establishment of the Alchemists Guild in the Vendel League.
Revival of the Aldana School. This year sees the evolution of an updated form of the Aldana
swordfighting school, by Don Millano Rios del Aldana and others in Castille. It proves extremely
popular, and is credited with revitalizing the previously fading school. Don Julian Rivera del Rios
publicly accuses Don Millano of having stolen his ideas for Aldana. He makes a number of attacks
against Don Millanos holdings, which results in him being outlawed by the Castillian
Crown. Disappearance of Don Julian Rivera del Rios. His accusations about House Aldana remain a
subject for some gossip.
General Wulfs Objectionist army finally retreats from the Stein, leaving it in ruins.
Death of Queen Estelle du Montaigne. She has borne her husband five daughters and no
sons. The bereaved king has all of the doctors who attended her executed.
Birth of Fauner Konrad Posen, heir to the Posen Konigreich in Eisen.

Syrneth ruins are discovered in the Vodacce Mountains.

1640 AV First known appearance of the fanatical Crescent corsair Kheired-Din.
Marriage of King Lon XIV du Montaigne to his second wife, Princess Rosa Velasquez de
Sandoval of Castille.
1642 AV Ordainment of Esteban Verdugo, the future Grand High Inquisitor, as a priest of the
Vaticine Church.
Birth of Valentina Vestini, future wife of Prince Giovanni Villanova of Vodacce.
Death of Lester Peecke. Despite his fame, he refused to teach his quarterstaff fighting
methods to others. There are no known students or heirs.
Death of Robert V, High King of the Highland Marches, from the White Plague. He is
succeeded by his 11 year old son, James II.
1643 AV Birth of Katerina Fischler, younger sister of future Eisenfurst Faulk Fischler and future
wife of Gaius Ilya Sladivgorod Nikolovich of Ussura.
The Great Duel. Famed Castillian swordsmen Manuel Salvador de Aldana and Antonio
Rodriguez de Gallegos duel, to settle once and for all, for the benefit of their students, which of
their respective fighting styles is the superior. They agree to fight until first blood, with ten minute
breaks every hour, but end up battling for twenty hours without any blood being drawn. Eventually,
a blister on Gallegos hand bursts and, on that basis, the two elderly masters mutually decide that
honor has been satisfied. They end the duel, and retire to town for a drink together.
1644 AV Founding of the Swordsmans Guild. Master swordsmen Magnus Desaux du
Montaigne, Linnae Knute and Miles Donovan establish a guild to regulate dueling and oversee the
interests of professional swordsmen throughout Thah. Support is gained for the Guild from the
Vendel League and the monarchs of Avalon, Montaigne, Eisen, Castille and the Highland
Marches. When granting his acceptance of the Swordsmans Guild establishment in his kingdom,
King Lon XIV du Montaigne also legalizes the Valroux swordfighting school. Practitioners of the
style have grown to include several of his own relatives, as well as much of the Lightning Guard and
the Montaigne Musketeers. Members of the Torres swordfighting school decide against joining the

Swordsmans Guild. They reconsider soon enough, but it is more than twenty years before the
school finally receives Guild sanction.
1645 AV Marriage of Gaius Nicholai of Ussura to Chevaliene Rois et Reines of Montaigne.
Appointment of Esteban Verdugo as High Inquisitor of the Vaticine Inquisition and Bishop
of the Vaticine Church.
Death of Queen Rosa Velasquez du Montaigne. She has borne King Lon XIV three
daughters and no sons. Her sudden death and seemingly rushed burial in Montaigne raises
suspicions in Castille. Relations between the two nations sour as a result of the suspicions of the
House Sandoval.
1646 AV Disappearance of Elaine, an Avalon noblewoman, from her wedding. The Great Druid
of Avalon, Derwyddon, confronts her at the altar and removes her to a place unknown.
1647 AV Marriage of King Lon XIV du Montaigne to Morella Caligari, a Fate Witch of Vodacce.
1648 AV The Crescent pirate Kheired-Din makes his first known raid on Western Thah. His
corsairs attack several coastal towns from his base in northern Ifri, taking many citizens as slaves for
his galleys.
Birth of Dominique du Montaigne, the ninth (and last) daughter of King Lon XIV.
Disappearance of Silan, the head of Ussuras Bogatyr School.
ca. 1649 AV Coronation of Wu Shang Fon as Empress of Cathay in her own right. She is
comparatively young to hold the Celestial Throne and only the second woman to ever rule
Cathay.
1649 AV Discovery of a previously unknown Dracheneisen deposit near the Sudenlache in Eisen by
the fisherman Faulk Fischler. In keeping with tradition, Imperator Reifenstahl of Eisen makes him
an Eisenfurst (Prince). Given the strains of the ongoing War of the Cross, taking large areas of land
from other previously loyal Eisenfursts to create this new barony alienates the imperator even
further from many of his nobles.

Birth of Ilya Sladivgorod Nikolovich, the only child of Gaius Nikolai of Ussura and
Chevaliene Rois et Reines. It is whispered that Ilyas parents somehow trick Matushka into a
promise that he will be the next Gaius of Ussura. The succession of a noble to the Ussuran throne
breaks the age-long tradition of the Gaius coming from the Ussuran peasant class.
ca. 1650 AV The Castillian Navy has grown to possess over three hundred men owar by the
middle of the seventeenth century AV. Drawing on the resources of its colonies in the New World
and the Midnight Archipelago, Castille had become Thahs greatest naval power.
1650 AV The Inish Uprising. The Inish revolt against the oppressive rule of Margaret, the Iron
Queen of Avalon, with backing from Montaigne. Fifteen Avalon lords are assassinated within the
first month. In retaliation, numerous Inish priests and churches are burned by the Avalon.
1651 AV Return of the OBannon. Inismores Fal Stone weeps and sings, marking the return of
Hugh OBannon from the Otherworld. Under the leadership of the restored Inish High King, the
war with Avalon shifts even more strongly in Inismores favor.
1652 AV Death of David Robertson, creator of the Robertson School of swordfighting in Avalon.
He is killed in an illegal duel with a Donovan swordsman. His assistant, Jack Webster, takes over
leadership of the school but refuses to change its name out of respect for his master.
Death of the Grand High Inquisitor, head of the Vaticine Inquisition. Esteban Verdugo is
chosen as his successor. Verdugo then declares that the new scientific principles of Empiricism are
heretical, as faith must always trump reason.
Birth of Prince Salvador Bejarano de Sandoval. He is second in line to the Castillian throne
but will be remembered to history as Good King Sandoval.
1653 AV Giovanni Villanova kills a fellow Swordsman in an illegal duel. The Swordsmans Guild
sends ten Razors (Guild enforcers) to deliver justice. None of these master swordsmen are ever seen
again. Every year thereafter, Villanova sends a piece of one of them to the Guild, as a reminder.
Appointment of Martin du Huet as Master of the Hunt by King Lon XIV. The title
includes responsibility for the hunting ground of Lil du Bete.
The Swordsmans Guild tests and offically sanctions the Andrews School.

1654 AV The death of Queen Margaret of Avalon, the Iron Queen, leaves no clear line of
succession to the throne, giving rise to yet another civil war across Avalon. The Highland Marches
declare their independence from Avalon during this strife, having been a protectorate of the larger
island for some time.
John Harmond, a one-legged swordsman, fights four separate duels in one morning. He
wins them all, without getting so much as a scratch.
Creation of the Ambrogia swordsman school by Veronica Ambrogia, a reknowned Vodacce
courtesan.
1655 AV A merchant vessel traversing the Forbidden Sea finds a cask floating in mid-ocean.
Sealed inside is the logbook of Alessandro de la Hoya, famed captain of the pirate ship Bruja Negro.
Apparently, he had been entrusted with the guardianship of a secret island, only to go mad and
poison himself and his entire crew. The location of the hideout and its treasure trove remains a
mystery.
1656 AV Return of the Graal to Avalon. Elaine, Queen Margarets half-sister, returns from an
unexplained ten year absence, bearing the long-lost Graal of Avalon. By virtue of this, and through
being a previously unknown illegitmate daughter of King Richard IV, she claims the throne of
Avalon. With most of Avalon rallying to her side as the closest living heir of royal blood, the civil
war is soon over. The power of Glamour and the Fae also returns to Avalon.
Mad Hugh Jack OBannon calls a ceasefire in Inismores war of independence with
Avalon as soon as Elaine is declared Queen of Avalon.
Death of Tuqo AlRamar, High Priest of the Crescent Empire, after a long illness. His
decrees had become erratic and particularly strict in recent years so, despite the great respect he
commanded, there is some relief across the Crescent lands after his demise. The successor as High
Priest is his protg, Farat AlAgzlik.
Jasper Peecke, grandson of Lester Peecke, begins teaching the Peecke Quarterstaff School to
others.
Selection of Vincent Bernadore to be the new head of the Explorers Society, succeeding
Edwina Coleson. The Adventurers Society dispatches an expedition into the Crescent Empire, led

by Jack McNitt. His policy of learning and (where possible) adopting local customs earns him
considerable respect among the Crescents, and is a major factor in that expeditions success.
Formal betrothal of Katerina Fischler, sister of Eisenfurst Faulk Fischler, to Ilya Sladivgorod
Nikolovich, heir to the throne of Ussura. The betrothal occurs after Nikolovich sees a portrait of
Katerina Fischler and is instantly smitten. She is 13 years old, he is 7. Terms of the engagement
include a food-for-arms trade agreement between the Fischler Konigreich (principality) in Eisen and
Ussura.
The development of improved microscopes leads to the science of entomology, while the
Inquisitions power grows in Castille, retarding the spread of scientific progress in that realm.
Thahs first newspaper, The Steinhalt Gazette, begins publication in Eisen. With the coming
of Niklaus Trague in 1664, it changes its name to the Freiburg Gazette.
1657 AV With the admission of Ravenild Hibbott as its first female member, the Royal Fraternity
for Scientific Minds in Avalon changes its name to become The Royal Association for Scientific
Minds. It is more simply called the Royal Association thereafter.
The Swordsmans Guild tests and officially sanctions the Robertson School.
Foundation of La Universidad de Arciniega in Castille, by the wealthy scholar Alvara
Arciniega.
1658 AV Elaine is formally crowned as the Queen of Avalon and succeeds in uniting Avalon
under her rule. Inismore and the Highland Marches swear allegiance to her though they keep their
own rulers in place, uniting to create a Triple Kingdom of linked, yet autonomous nations across the
Glamour Isles. Elaine also moves the capital of Avalon from Luthon to the newly restored city of
Carleon.
Death of Gaius Nikolai of Ussura and his wife Chevaliene. When skating on the iced-over
Ekaterina River one night, both fall through the ice and drown. The hair of their 9-year-old son, Ilya
Nikolovich, turns white that same night, marking him as the new Gaius of Ussura. His upbringing
and the rule of Ussura are taken over by two of the Knias DoumaMarkov vNovgorov and
Drakov vPietrov. These boyars take the boy and torture him mercilessly for the next seven years, in
an effort to break his will to their own purposes.
Death of Haakon Vils, Vendels Guildmaster of Sailors. His successor is Allen Trel, who
advocates improved relations with the traditionalist Vesten.

Death of Don Millano Rios del Aldana, of natural causes. He was the last survivor of the
group credited with reviving the Aldana swordsman school. His son, Don Francisco Guzman del
Aldana, becomes the new Master of the Aldana School.
The Swordsmans Guild tests and officially sanctions the Villanova swordsman school, after
swordmaster Nicodemo Villanova successfully (and unexpectedly!) applies for its acceptance. Why
his Prince, Giovanni Villanova, tolerates this (and allows Nicodemo to live) continues to mystify
many.
First known appearance of the pirates known as the Crimson Rogers. Led by the mysterious
Captain Reis of the Crimson Roger, their savagery and tendency to leave no survivors make them one
of Thahs most feared pirate groups.
Death of the Headmaster of La Ciencia, one of Castilles most prestigious universities, who
is murdered by a petty thug.
1659 AV Defeat of the Castillian Armada. Salvador Aldana de Sandoval, Salvador I, the High
King of Castille, orders the construction of an armada to sail against Avalon. Commanded by
Admiral Hernando Arciniega de Orduno, Castilles Armada sails forth to conquer Avalon in 1659
AV and depose Queen Elaine because of her support for the Objectionist faith across the Triple
Kingdom of the Glamour Isles. Plagued from the start by poor organization, unfavorable weather,
piracy, overcrowding, leaky ships, inadequate supplies and sheer bad luck; the fleet is finally defeated
by Avalons privateering Sea Dogs led by Captain Jeremiah Berek. Thirty-six thousand Castillian
sailors and soldiers, including Hernando Orduno, perish. Admiral Ordunos nephew, Captain
Enrique Orduno, leads the Armadas battered remnants back to Castille. Of the 180 ships that first
set sail, only 39 remain.
Retirement of Claude Desaix du Paix, Captain of the Montainge Musketeers. His successor
is Jean-Marie Rois et Reines, fianc of Anne du Montaigne, King Lon XIVs sixth daughter.
The construction of Liebers Cathedral begins. Located in the city of Kirk, this expensive
new project of the Vendel League is expected to take thirty years to complete. It will be the tallest
structure ever built by Man, and the crowning glory of the Objectionist Movement. Some also see it
as the Vendels supreme gesture of defiance to both the Vaticines and the Vestenmannavnjar.
Brendon Stafford is selected to be Head of Sea Exploration for the Explorers Society. The
Society has only five ships, but he soon increases this number into a proper fleet.

Selection of Lorraine Weller to head the Avalon branch of the Jennys Guild as Guildmaster.
At age 25, she is the youngest person ever to achieve that status.
Discovery of a new vein of Dracheneisen near the Stein, by the common soldier Nicholas
Trague. In keeping with Eisen tradition, Imperator Reifenstahl confers upon him a new principality.
Unusually, the only land Trague wants (and is granted) is all that is visible from the top of Die
Wachtturma comparitively tiny area.
A Castillian physician writes and publishes the first accurate medical description of typhoid
fever following his experiences treating patients in his homeland.
1660 AV In the aftermath of the Castillian Armada disaster, the Orduno family, previously
regarded as Castilles premier sailors, are disgraced and relegated to minor posts in the royal
government. Appointment of Prince Javier Sandoval, heir to the Castillian throne, as Admiral of the
Navy. He works to restore Castilles naval supremacy through an ambitious program of reform,
innovation and expansion.
Rededication of Crieux House, a Chapter House of the Rose & Cross. Huge donations from
House Allais have made it the Orders biggest and most splendid Chapter House, and the third
largest house in all of Thah.
Construction of a pencil factory in Castille. It is Thahs first known use of the assembly
line concept of mass production.
1661 AV First publication of The Rational Chemist, written by the Avalon scientist Jeremy Cook.
The controversial book denounces the old practices of alchemy and advocates the new science of
Empiricism. Cook is excommunicated from the Vaticine Church. The book causes a huge
controversy and the Inquisition demands Cooks death as a heretic.
Foundation of the Steil Academy by Oskar Steil, a cousin of Imperator Reifenstahl of Eisen.
His school emphasizes exemplary leadership and inspiring personal loyalty in ones followers. This is
markedly different from the detached (and, perhaps, more ruthless) principles of the well-known
Unabwendbar School.
Creation of the Snedig swordsman school by Vesten surgeon Tor Snedig. His new style
combines elements of the Leegstra School with detailed anatomical knowledge and the use of a
rapier.

At the urging of Lord Ryefellow, Avalon scholars begin studying air pollution and its effect
on health.
Denunciation of the humor theory of the human body, by Vendel physician Franz Deleboe,
who publishes a new map of the bodys physiological processes and holds that disease is the result
of assaults upon the biological mechanisms of the body, not imbalances in its fluids or humors. Not
long after he denounces the theory of the humors, which dates back to the Numan period, Dr.
Deleboe is kidnapped and burned at the stake by persons unknown. In truth, he was murdered by
the Vaticine Inquisition, although they do not admit to their role until 1668.
1662 AV Invention of the air pump, by Jeremy Cook, Avalon scientist and inventor, though he is
murdered by the agents of the Vaticine Inquisition before he can reveal his new invention to the
public. A group of scholars calling themselves The Invisible College manage to save his notes and
thus preserve his discoveries.
Publication of Nouvelles Montaigne by Lucien Sices. A collection of short historical stories set
in the arena of a princely court, the book is very popular. It also inspires other so-called historical
novels.
The Explorers Society, in cooperation with the Adventurers Soociety and various of
Avalons sailors and scholars, seeks to create improved and updated charts for the waters around the
Three Kingdoms. One particularly unsettling discovery is made almost immediatelythere are
several charts for the area around the Dragons Teeth, and a few for parts of its interior from
various times, but absolutely none agree on anything. It is almost as if the Dragons Teethmove
around.
A servant accuses Cardinal Erika Durkheim of Eisen of consorting with demons of Legion.
She is interrogated by the Inquisition for three days, before being acquitted. Shortly afterwards, the
Inquisition publicly apologizes to the cardinal.
Invention of a device that produces static electricity from a rotating globe of sulphur, by
Castillian scholar Maria Alverado.
1663 AV Appointment of Pedro de Avila as Castilles Governor of Marcina in the Midnight
Archipelago.
Coronation of Timur alAslan Cihangir as Sultan of the Crescent Empire.

Retirement of Madame Kaatje Fanse, Vendels Guildmistress of Jennys. Her protg,

Lorraine Weller, is named successor.
Death of Knias Drakov Goroduk Stanimirov vPietrov, the cruellest and most evil man ever
to rule Molhyna. He is succeeded by his son Vladimir who, against all odds, seems both sane and
compassionate. Vladimir repeals many of his fathers decrees and disbands the Oprechnina
(Blackness of Hell), his fathers dreaded guardsmen.
Responsibility for care of the young Gaius Illya of Ussura is now borne solely by Knias
Markov vNovgorov of Rurik.
1664 AV Introduction of the Vendel Leagues guilder currency. The guilder proves to be
extraordinarily successful. The guilder is introduced by the Vendel as a way of dominating Than
currency and replacing the Vodacce senator. The act escalates the unspoken trade war between
Vendel and Vodacce across Thah.
Death of High King Salvador I of Castille, after a long illness. His elder son, Crown Prince
Javier Sandoval, is expected to be crowned as the new monarch within weeks. However, Crown
Prince Javier disappears from his rooms in Castilles Royal Palace shortly before his fathers death.
Thorough searches of the Palace and the rest of the city give no indication as to what has become of
him. Very highly regarded, Javier had been expected to take the Castillian throne unopposed.
Resignation of Pedro de Avila, Governor of Marcina, amid accusations of corruption and
treasonous conduct. Appointment of Maria Suarez, of mixed Castillian-Marcinan parentage, as
Acting Governor of Marcina.
Retirement of Red, Master of Vendels Usury Guild, after nearly sixty years service. As
architect of the guilders rise, he is considered most responsible for the Vendel Leagues
extraordinary economic success. He names Gunther Soloman as his successor.
Completion of Le Chateau du Soleil (The Palace of the Sun) for King Lon XIV of
Montaigne. Montaignes vast new royal palace has lavish accomodation for the royal family and
several hundred courtiers, a ballroom that can hold four hundred dancers at once, six separate
gardens, twenty fountains, three hedge mazes and a wine cellar with over two acres of space. King
Lon and his daughters move in immediately. The Old Palace in Charouse is converted for use by
foreign dignitaries.
King Lon XIV openly defies the Vaticine Church by revealing that he is a Porte sorcerer,
stating an intention to openly use his magic after 500 years of the Montaigne nobility keeping their

abilities a secret to avoid persecution by the Church. He next offers refuge in Montaigne to all other
sorcerers across Thah. The Vaticine Church is horrified by this outright defiance of its oldest
prohibitions by one of the strongest kingdoms on the continent.
Discovery of the Setines, a previously unknown Syrneth race, in an area around the CastilleVodacce border. As it turns out, several examples of their skeletons and technology have previously
been found but misidentified.
Dedication of Carleon House, a Chapter House of the Rose & Cross, in the capital of
Avalon.
Niklaus Teague completes repairs to the Stein. He names his new principality Freiburg in the
hopes of attracting new trade, after which The Steinhalt Gazette newspaper changes its name to The
Freiburg Gazette.
Gaius Ilya of Ussura escapes from his captors into the frozen wilderness around the city of
Sladivgorod. He receives a visit from the legendary Firebird, who shields him from the elements and
allows him to survive.
1665 AV After months of debate, the Vaticine Church crowns the thirteen-year-old Salvador
Bejarano de Sandoval as High King Salvador II of Castille, later remembered as Good King
Salvador. This follows months of uncertainty after his older brother Crown Prince Javiers
disappearance. The Hieros Council, influenced by the Inquisition, denies the young monarch the
title of Rex Castillium, severely limiting his authority.
First appearance of the masked Castillian swordsman known as El Vago (The Vagabond).
He rescues Lucinda Garcia, a peasant girl, from being burned at the stake by the Inquisition. Other
exploits by the hero are soon being reported all over Castille. El Vago joins the High Kings close
advisor, Don Andres Aldana, in foiling an assassination attempt on Good King Salvador. In truth,
they are one and the same man.
Death of Magnus Desaux du Montaigne, in a duel. His seat in the Swordsmans Guild is
imherited by his only son, Frantz Desaux du Montaigne. The Swordsmans Guild tests and officially
sanctions the Snedig School.
Professor Alain Louvain seeks to impress King Lon XIV (and gain funding) by
demonstrating his theory of flight, using a large hot air balloon. The display ends in disastrous
failure. Louvain is imprisoned for disappointing His Most Gracious Majesty.

Discovery of the island of Kanuba, far to the southwest of Castille, by an Avalon and an
Eisen ship sailing together. Contact is made with the natives, who prove to be friendly after some
early misunderstandings. Establishment, on Kanuba, of the Avalon colony of New Fenshire and the
Eisen colony of Vogeldorf.
Discovery of the rotation periods of the planets Guer (24 hours, 40 minutes) and Re (9
hours, 56 minutes) in Terras solar system by an anonymous Vodacce astronomer, identified only as
Antonio to elude the agents of the Inqusition.
The midwifery forceps are invented in Avalon.
Tamara vRiasanova, Knias of Gallenia, rescues Ilya Sladivgorod Nikolovich, heir to the
Ussuran throne, from his captivity and brings him to Pavtlow. Ilya is then formally crowned as the
Gaius of Ussura, upon his sixteenth birthday. Unlike all preceding Gaiuses, the ceremony is not
attended by Matushka. Markov vNovgorov, Knias of Rurik, Ilyas former captor, is fed to the same
dogs that he used to force the young Gaius to share a kennel with. Markovs son, Aleksi
vNovgorov, becomes the new Knias of Rurik. For his acts of vengeance against those who had
previously wronged him, Gaius Ilya quickly earns the nickname Ilya Grozny (Ilya the
Terrible). Gaius Ilya Sladivgorod Nikolovich marries his betrothed Katerina Fischler soon after his
coronation.
The Crimson Rogers sink the Avalon mercenary ship Highland Piper near the Midnight
Archipelago. The Pipers captain fights bravely, earning a new nickname when Captain Reis says of
her, What a bloody bonnie lass. Somehow, Bloody Bonnie McGee escapes and returns to port
in a life boat, and is the only known survivor of an attack by the Rogers.
First issue of The Luthon Weekly is published in the Avalon center of trade and former capital
of Luthon. It is Avalons first newspaper.
Several outbreaks of the White Plague are noted in Avalon, Castille and parts of Montaigne.
The disease passes before Vaticine Church scholars are able to diagnose the cause.
Imperator Reifenstahl of Eisen finally replaces General Dehmer after decades of bloody
stalemate in the ongoing sectarian civil war in Eisen. The much wilier General Gietl takes command
of Eisens Vaticine army in the continuing battles of the War of the Cross.
1666 AV The End of the War of the Cross. Death of General Stefano Wulf, leader of the
Objectionist forces in Eisen. He is unexpectedly killed by a desperate Vaticine bauer (farmer), whose
livestock is being confiscated by Wulfs troops. Without Wulfs leadership, the north of Eisen is

rapidly reconquered by General Gietls Vaticine army. The forces of the southern Objectionists are
not expected to be able to withstand the coming Vaticine assault.
The Castillian-Montaigne Invasion of Eisen. Seizing the opportunity provided by Wulfs
death to keep Eisen weak before the country can be reunified under the Imperators rule, the armies
of both Castille and Montaigne invade Eisen from the west, sending the Holy Republics forces
reeling. Religiously divided and militarily weakened, with its economy decimated by thirty years of
sectarian strife, Eisens once renowned armies cannot stand against the invaders. Of special note
during the invasion is Colonel Francois Etalon du Toille of Montaigne, who leads his regiment in
capturing vast tracts of Eisen land. He thus comes to the favorable attention of both his superiors
and his monarch, and is soon promoted to the rank of General by Lon XIV.
The Treaty of Weissberg is signed. With Eisens armies unable to halt the Castillian and
Montaigne armies from driving across the Holy Republic, Imperator Reifenstahl of Eisen sees little
choice and surrenders to the invaders, signing a treaty that surrenders a third of Eisens territory to
be divided between Montaigne and Castille. The signing of the Treaty of Weissberg marks the
official end of both the invasion and the War of the Cross. Virtually all of Eisen is in ruins, with at
least one-third to one-half of the original population either dead or having fled elsewhere.
The lands ceded to Castille are, basically, the entirety of the konigreich of Erich Sieger
previously a loyal subject of the imperator. Siegers reaction is to eject the Vaticine Church from his
realm and then salt the land and destroy all crops, to deny the invaders anything of value.
Unsurprisingly, the Castillians decide that forcibly seizing the area is not worth the trouble. Sieger
retains control of his lands, such as they are, though he remains a bitter foe of both the imperator
and the Vaticine Church, whom he counts responsible for the betrayal.
The Eisen lands ceded to Montaigne are auctioned at the royal court in Charouse by Lon
XIV to feed his insatiable need for new sources of revenue, and are bought by the Sices and Michel
families. Respectively, these purchases form the basis for Montaignes newly formed eastern
provinces of Sices and Gloyure. The new owners, formerly wealthy merchant clans, are elevated to
the Montaigne nobility by the Crown as House Sices and Michel, respectively.
Montegues Stand. An army of Castillian Vaticine zealots, backed by the Inquisition,
marches on Charouse. Intent on the capture or death of the infidel King Lon XIV, they evade
most of Montaignes army and soon face the gates of Chateau du Soleil. There, a single infantry
company led by one Corporal Montegue uses unorthodox tactics to defeat these invaders. In the
wake of the successful defense of the kings palace, Corporal Montegue is promoted to become the

new High General of Montaigne, at King Lons insistence. In addition, High General Montegue is
married to the kings youngest daughter, Princess Dominique du Montaigne. In the aftermath of the
Inquisitions assault, King Lon XIV renews his defiance of the Vaticine Church. At his order,
several of Montaignes cathedrals are demolished or forcibly converted to other, more secular uses.
Death of the Hierophant in Montaigne. In an attempt to repair relations with Montaigne,
the earthly leader of the Vaticine Church leaves Vaticine City for a state visit to Charouse. Whilst
there, he (allegedly) falls victim to the White Plague. Cardinal dArgeneau and all nine of
Montaignes archbishops disappear soon after, effectively crippling the Vaticine Churchs leadership
in the kingdom. The Hieros Council now cannot appoint new cardinals or even select a new
Hierophant for at least three years. Furthermore, orders of the Vaticine Church such as the
Inquisition are now freed of all outside restraint. Cardinal Erika Durkheim, originally sent to
Montaigne to assist Cardinal dArgeneau, becomes de facto head of the Church in Montaigne. Given
the attitude of the king and the nobility towards the faith, the Vaticine Churchs standing in
Montaigne has never been lower. The increased political strength of the Inquisition also leads to a
slow down in scientific research and discovery across Thah.
In the wake of the Hierophants death and the disappearance of the Montainge archbishops,
King Lon XIV du Montaigne proclaims that he is lEmpereur of Montaigne, the imperial title
previously bestowed only by the Vaticine Hierophants upon the rulers of the Holy Republic of
Eisen. In addition, Lon now flagrantly wears the ring of the missing Cardinal dArgeneau in public.
In the wake of the War of the Cross, Linnae Knute is appointed as the new head of the
Eisenfaust School, by Imperator Reifenstahl, the previous holder of that post. Since Eisenfaust is
regarded by many as Eisens national swordsman school, this causes some dissent as Knute is only
Eisen on his mothers side, as his father was a Vesten. However, Reifenstahl has enough authority to
force his choice upon the school.
The Second Revolt of La Bucca and the Foundation of the Brotherhood of the Coast.
Prisoners led by one Captain Allende seize control of the prison island of la Palabra de Dios, known
as La Bucca, and several Castillian ships. They then declare themselves an independent nation-state,
governed only by themselves in a democratic fashion with no king or nobility. Given the difficulties
inherent in retaking the island, plus growing political uncertainties closer to home, the Crown of
Castille chooses to delay any response. The former prison becomes a haven for the pirates of Thah,
and a new, more formal organization of pirates, called buccaneers because they were founded on La
Bucca, comes into being. It is known as the Brotherhood of the Coast, or sometimes the Black

Brotherhood. Brotherhood pirates become active across the western ocean, from the New World to
the shores of the Crescent Empire.
Disappearance of Jasper Peecke, Master of the Peecke Quarterstaff School in Avalon.
Further teaching of his fighting style is left to his students.
Discovery of the spectrum of visible light by the wealthy Castillian scientist and lensmaker
Alvara Arciniega, using prisms of glass he ground himself. The Inquisition attempts to capture him
at his home and hang him, but he is also a skilled swordsman and defeats those sent to take him.
Arciniega escapes to the countryside.
1667 AV Death of the Imperator of Eisen. Despondent about all that has happened to his
nation, Imperator Reifenstahl commits suicide in his palace near Gottkirchen, leaving no direct
heir. Death of Eisenfurst Stefan Heilgrund II, along with his wife. The Heilgrunds were
Reifenstahls hosts when he hung himself, and they also committed suicide rather than live with his
blood on their hands. Their only son, Stefan Gregor Heilgrund III, becomes Heilgrunds new
Eisenfurst.
Rise of the Eisenfursten (Iron Princes). With the imperator dead, no heir and multiple
claimants to the Iron Throne, Eisen loses its last shards of central authority. Eisens remaining
konigreichsWische, Posen, Hainzl, Heilgrund, Sieger, Fischler and Freiburgbecome, for all
intents and purposes, independent states, united only by a common language and culture. The
remnants of the Iron Nations central military are disbanded, with many of the troops turning to
mercenary service or swearing fealty to one or another of the Iron Princes.
Joseph Volkner, Reifenstahls personal butler, inherits the Imperators Chair in the Vendel
League. This surprise bequeathment in the imperators will, written just before his death, makes
Volkner one of the richest men in the known world.
The Montaigne-Castille War begins. Angered by the recent assault by Castillian fanatics
upon Montaigne, Lon XIV decies that the time has come to wipe the Vaticine Church from the
face of the world and bring the Castillian masses under more enlightened leadership. On his order,
Montaigne launches a surprise invasion of Castille in the spring of 1667 and quickly seizes most of
Rancho Torres. In Montaignes opening move of the war, the Castillian port of Barcino is also
captured. The unexpected treason of Don Marco Ontiveros del Ochoa allows the port city to be
seized by Montaigne forces almost immediately after Lon XIV declares war. But the turncoat
Ochoa does not benefit for long from his treason and is slain after a confrontation with General

Francois Etalon du Toille suddenly turns violent. The Montaigne general sustains a head injury and,
thereafter, is a changed man. The Ochoa family name is declared anathema within Castille, due to
the treason of Don Marco Ontiveros del Ochoa, son of the family patriarch. Ochoa family members
are killed, imprisoned or forced into hiding.
Through High General Montegues brilliant leadership, Montaigne rapidly occupies most of
the Torres and Zepeda Provinces in the westalmost half of Castilles total land area. In eastern
Castille, Montaigne troops approach El Morro, Castilles mightiest fortress, and Vaticine City comes
under threat. High General Montegue is then unexpectedly recalled to Charouse. Despite
Montegues successes, in the late summer of 1667 command of Montaignes invasion of Castille is
abruptly relegated to several subordinate generals. LEmpereur Lon XIV gives Montegue command
of 100,000 troops, the largest army ever raised by Montaigne, and orders him to conquer Ussura.
Under new leadership, Montaigne troops assault El Morro, but are repelled with heavy
losses. With the eastern front thus weakened, Castillian forces counterattack and push the invaders
back across El Rio de Della. Elsewhere, General du Toilles Montaigne army captures the city of San
Juan, in Castilles west, after eight days of heavy fighting. Enraged by the delay and losses incurred,
du Toille has the citys survivors rounded up and burned alive in the city square. Castillian resistance
to the invasion is revitalized by this savage act, as many outraged subjects of the Castillian Crown
vow to avenge this atrocity, remembered as the San Juan Massacre.
In the late fall of 1667, Castilles General Montoya halts the Montaigne southward advance,
at a line of fortifications hastily built across the Zepeda Province known as La Muralla al Ultimo,
the Last Wall. General du Toille orders an immediate all-out attack on a broad front, intending to
quickly overwhelm the defenders by sheer weight of numbers. The Castillian defenses hold, and
Montaigne losses are again severe. The Montaigne-Castille War settles down into a stalemate.
The Montaigne-Ussura War begins. Montaignes massive Ussuran invasion force arrives
at the port of Odyesse in northern Ussura. The city is quickly taken, and the Montaigne Ussuran
Expeditionary Force penetrates deep into Ussura. Montague marches his army slowly towards the
Ussuran capital of Pavtlow hundreds of miles away, moving forward despite Matushkas
supernatural efforts to stop him by turning the very weather against the Montaigne.
Essential foodstuffs previously distributed to Montaignes lowest classes is now diverted to
sustain the war effortand increase the wealth of certain nobles. Food shortages begin to take a toll
in Montaignes largest cities and across the countryside. Discontent against the nobility and the
monarchy, always high in Montainge, begins to reach explosive proportions.

Introduction of grenades to the Montaigne Armys order of battle. A grenade in this era is an
iron sphere filled with black powder with a fuse of matchcord. While effective, the new weapon has
disadvantagesthe average life-span of a Montainge grenadier is two and a half battles.
Death of the infant daughter of Knias Vladimir of Molhyna in Ussura, killed in an explosion
in her fathers palace. In the fear and uncertainty that follows, the Knias regathers the feared
Oprechnina and condemns his wife to death as he seeks the perpetrators.
Reknowned Vodacce sculptor Pascal Vestanzi comes to Charouse. His sculptures are soon
enormously popular in the Montaigne royal court. Whilst journeying from Charouse back to
Vodacce, Vestanzi mysteriously disappears and never arrives at his destination.
Death of Gunther Soloman, Master of the Vendel Leagues Usury Guild. He is assassinated
at a masquerade ball, with either Vesten sympathizers or the Rilasciare believed responsible.
Solomans successors prove unequal to the task of managing the Guild, so the former Master of the
Guild, Red, is soon reinstated.
Appointment of Henri Riche du Paroisse as Comte du Bete, the first Comte of this line since
1622, after he complains to lEmpereur Lon XIV about the poor hunting on Lil du Bete. The
Comte seizes entire herds of sheep from his province, having these borne by the use of Porte
sorcery to the island to feed the beasts there and thus help improve the hunting. Those peasants
who previously depended on the sheep for their livelihoods now face starvation. The latest Comte
du Bete is eventually killed by a sheep, sent berserk by its arrival on Lil du Bete through the unholy
dimension through which users of Porte travel. Again, the title falls into disuse and is believed to be
cursed.
First performance of the opera Vincenzo & Bellaza, written by Bartholomeus Corradin, a
previously obscure Vodacce playwright. The opera is widely acclaimed, and Corradin becomes
famous across Thah.
Diego Torres de Zepeda, a Castillian bureaucrat, debunks Avalon medicinal quack Jasper
Wellfellow in a scathing letter to a series of periodicals.
Opening of Avalons first coffee house in the capital city of Carleon. Owner Edward Buck
gets the idea from similar establishments seen in Vodacce using coffee imported from the Crescent
Empire.
Appointment of The General, an Eisen mercenary who answers to no other name, as
Admiral of the Montaigne Navy, by lEmpereur Lon XIV himself. This surprise promotion is due

to Lons impatience with growing pirate raids on Montaigne shipping, and the inability of his
admirals to deal with it.
Death of Frances Chandler, one of Avalons best-known playwrights. He is found dead in an
alleyway, apparently the victim of a robbery.
LEmpereur Lon XIVs cousin, Olivier du Montaigne, a Rose & Cross patron, is found
guilty of murder and sentenced to death. A group of Knights from his Order save him, literally at
the last minute, when they arrive at the gallows with indisputable proof of his innocence.
Death of Vendels Guildmaster of Blacksmiths. Sela Cole is chosen as his successor. She is
the first woman to ever take that particular Guild Chair.
Gjving Asbjornsson stumbles into a mystic cave, and the Living Runes mark him as the
new High King of the Vestenmannavnjar. He refused to acknowledge his position and tells no one
what has happened.
1668 AV During this year, on dates unknown
The Inquisition announces its agents killed Franz Deleboe in 1661, having gained sufficient
power within the Church with the death of the Hierophant to declare all scientific experimentation
to be heresy displeasing in the eyes of Theus, a radical stand against Church doctrine that formerly
welcomed the exercise of Mans reason in pursuit of the secrets of Creation.
The wealthy scientist Alvara Arciniega invents the first reflecting telescope while in exile
from the Inquisitions attempt on his life.
Wolffron von Hazel, a young Eisen composer, begins touring Montaigne seeking a patron.
Captain Jeremiah Berek is apparently lost in a clash with Captain Reis of the dreaded Crimson
Roger.
The Swordsmans Guild tests and officially sanctions the Torres School. Jack Webster, head
of the Robertson School, plays an important part in bringing this about. The Swordsmans Guild
tests and officially sanctions the traditional Vesten Kjemper and Urostifter Schools.

Apocryphal Timeline of Future Events

The following events are apocryphal, and may or may not have occurred depending upon
which version of the 7th Sea universe is preferred. These events were originally a part of the
continuing metaplot of 7th Sea 1st Edition.
1668 AV
Secundus, 1668: The wealthy scientist Alvara Arciniega constructs the first reflecting telescope
while in exile.
Secundus 2, 1668: The city of Fornuft is founded on the Vesten island of Viddenheim.
Secundus 29, 1668: An earthquake off the coast of Vodacce uncovers an abandoned keep, built
into the shoreline cliff of House Falisci territory.
Tertius 3, 1668: After months of heated fighting, the Castillian Army is forced to retreat from San
Augustin. The Montaigne seize control of the city, using its naval facilities as a marshaling ground
for their own navy. Without San Augustin as an anchor and base of operations, General Montoya is
forced to abandon plans for a counterattack. The Castillian army on the western peninsula prepares
to repel a Montaigne assault.
Tertius 1030, 1668: El Vago strikes at numerous locations along the Montaigne front, disrupting
supply lines, sabotaging cannon emplacements, and attacking squads of Montaigne soldiers.
Tertius 16, 1668: A Vesten vessel scuttles a merchant ship belonging to Vodacce Prince Giovanni
Villanova.
Tertius 23, 1668: The Vodacce Prince Vincenzo Caligari dines with Cardinal Beppo Mueso, asking
the Vaticine Church for permission to trade with the Crescent Empire.
Quartus 1, 1668: Montaignes General Du Toille launches a second assault on the Castillian fortress
of La Muralla al Ultimo. A stirring defense by General Montoya, plus the Vagabonds guerrilla
activities, spell defeat for the Montaigne.
Quartus 14, 1668: Castilles Admiral Orduo launches an assault against the Montaigne fleet. His
superior tactics allow him to shatter their blockade of the Castillian western peninsula. The
Montaigne fleet is scattered across La Boca del Cielo, and supplies can once more be shipped to
General Montoyas army.
Quartus 21, 1668: Admiral Alazais Valoix takes command of the Montaigne Navy. He promises a
swift resolution to the Montaigne-Castillian War.

Quartus 26, 1668: After receiving a letter from his wife brought to him by adventurers out of
Montaigne (see The Ladys Favor in the 7th Sea 1st Edition GMs Screen), General Montegue orders a
retreat from Ussura. His forces march straight towards the northern Ussuran port of Odyesse,
where ships of the Montaigne Navy wait to take his army home.
Quartus 2930, 1668: Princess Dominique du Montaigne, wife of General Montegue, goes into
labor. She and her Fate Witch Anna conduct the secret ritual required to transfer the babys
sorcerous power into her. The ritual succeeds, but the baby is stillborn and Dominique is left barren
but now possessed of the sorcerous abilities of Port. The only daughter of Lon XIV born without
sorcerous ability, its lack had caused her father to ignore and belittle her for most of her life.
Dominique is rendered irretrievably insane by the ritual and seeks vengeance upon her father,
determined to one day rule Montaigne in his place.
Quartus 30, 1668: Captain Jeremiah Berek of Avalon is lost at sea.
Quintus 210, 1668: Lon XIV commissions the raising of new taxes and instigates a series of laws
designed to punish the Vaticine Church. Oppression in Montaigne reaches an all-time high.
Quintus 8, 1668: Beatrice Caligari arrives in Charouse to comfort her sister, the Imperatrice
Morella.
Quintus 10, 1668: Beatrice Caligari is slain while conspiring with her sister. Morella is placed under
heavy guard and forbidden to leave the Chteau du Soleil.
Quintus 15, 1668: The Battle of Derevyanniy. By feinting towards the city of St. Tremult, General
Montegue draws away the Ussuran army waiting for him in the Derevyanniy forest. The Montaigne
Army slips safely through the lines, and casualties on both sides are limited. However, subsequent
Ussuran partisan attacks slow the Montaigne progress toward Odyesse.
Quintus 23, 1668: The Battle of San Felipe. Admiral Valoix of Montaigne attempts to launch a
counterattack against the Castillian Armada, targeting various ports along the Gallegos peninsula.
Admiral Enrique Orduo of Castille anticipates the move and engages the Montaigne fleet off of the
coast of San Felipe.
Sextus 2, 1668: Fearful of possible Vesten encroachments into the Crescent Empire, Prince
Gespucci Bernoulli of Vodacce orders his ships to attack and sink any Vesten merchant vessel they
might encounter in Crescent waters.
Sextus 5, 1668: Captain Allende is captured in the port town of San Felipe by agents belonging to
Vincenzo Caligari.

Sextus 15, 1668: The Single Shot. Admiral Orduo refuses to board a vessel belonging to The
General, an Eisen mercenary working for Montaigne. He is arrested by the Inquisition and charged
with heresy.
Sextus 21, 1668: Without Orduo to oppose him, Admiral Valoix launches a devastating series of
Montaigne naval and ground attacks against the Gallegos peninsula. He inflicts heavy damage upon
the Castillian infrastructure in Avila, San Felipe, San Gustavo and elsewhere.
Sextus 23, 1668: Castillian troops turn back an attempted crossing of El Rio de Delia by the
Montaigne Army.
Sextus 24, 1668: The Battle of Ekaternava. Montegue arrives at the Ussuran city of Ekaternava, just
as Ussuran partisans are engaging the Montaigne forces there. Montegues quick action allows the
Montaigne Army to escape the island and continue their retreat.
Late Sextus (2130), 1668: The Siege of Freiburg. A vein of Drachenesien possibly the largest ever
recorded is found beneath the city of Freiburg in Eisen. Two armies, one in the service of
Eisenfurst Fauner Psen and one commanded by Eisenfurst Stefan Heilgrund, soon lay siege to the
city in an effort to claim the mine for themselves. The citys defenders eventually fight off the
armies, and Niklaus Trgue takes control of the mine. (See the Freiburg boxed set for more
information.)
Julius 6, 1668: Admiral Orduo is tried by the Inquisition and found guilty of heresy. He is moved
to the Castillian fortress of El Morro, there to await execution.
Julius 7, 1668: Montegues army finally reaches the Ussuran port city of Odyesse. Saboteurs in the
pay of lEmpereur Lon XIV have burned his ships to the ground. Exhausted and bereft of supplies,
the army has no choice but to head west into Eisen.
Julius 20, 1668: Eisenfrst Reinhard von Wische reawakens from his lengthy coma. He immediately
reassumes rulership of his principality with Gisela Inselhoffer, whom he believes to be his dead wife.
Corantine 1, 1668: Thahs mystics all simultaneously awaken with a terrible vision of the Island of
the Sunken Eye. Their visions grow worse as time goes on.
Corantine 15, 1668: The Battle of Salzsumpf. General Montegues army is met in eastern Eisen by
an army lead by Eisenfurst Fauner Psen Despite a valiant defense, Montegues forces are defeated.
Karl Steiner flees in terror and Psen takes Montegue hostage; the Montaigne general is left a
comfortable prisoner in a fortified estate on the Psen frontier.
Corantine 22, 1668: On the day of Orduos execution, the Eisen mercenary known as The
General arranges a daring rescue of the condemned Castillian. He and his crew use Port magic to

breach El Morros defenses, then avoid Castillian reprisals by pulling their ship into a gigantic Port
hole, the largest ever created.
Corantine 25, 1668: Montaigne Admiral Valoix strikes for the heart of Castille: San Cristobal itself.
By destroying it, he hopes to paralyze the Castillian armies and allow Montaigne to complete its
conquest of Castille.
Corantine 30, 1668: A band of escaped prisoners steals a Syrneth-made water vessel from the heart
of Vincenzo Caligaris island in Vodacce. The act triggers a cataclysmic reaction and the island sinks
beneath the sea.
Septimus 1, 1668: Triggered by the combined efforts of a renegade member of the Explorers
Society and the Crescent Corsair Kheired-Din, an ancient Syrneth island Cabora rises from
the depths of the Mirror.
Septimus 4, 1668: LEmpereur Lon XIV refuses to pay the ransom for the release of General
Montegue, who remains the unwilling guest of Fauner Psen.
Septimus 5, 1668: Admiral Valoix is thwarted in his bid to capture San Cristobal by the timely
efforts of Admiral Orduos wife, Margaretta Orduo.
Septimus 8, 1668: Admiral Valoix kills the Port messenger sent to bring him back to lEmpereur
Lon XIV to face the monarchs anger over the failed effort to take San Cristobal. He is named a
renegade and a traitor by the Montaigne Crown.
Septimus 13, 1668: Private Jerome of Montaigne returns home from the Castillian front. After
finding bruises on his lovers wrists, he kills the womans husband in a fit of rage and is arrested for
murder.
Septimus 19, 1668: Assassins strike at five of the remaining six Vodacce Princes. Four of them are
thwarted, but Prince Alberto Lucani is struck down, leaving no clear heir to his title.
Septimus 20, 1668: In a lightning-quick move, forces belonging to Vodacce Prince Alcide Mondavi
invade territory belonging to the Lucanis, Villanovas, and Caligaris. Mondavi is aided by Eisen
mercenaries under the command of Erich Sieger.
Septimus 22, 1668: Rilasciare member Arnaud du Charouse makes an effort to present the
document of grievance known as the Commoners Cause to lEmpereur Lon XIV. The document
pleads for an end to many oppressive taxes, an easing of sanctions against the Vaticine Church
which is still popular among the Montainge lower orders, and the formation of an elected National
Assembly to advise His Majesty on matters of the state. Lon refuses to even allow Arnaud past
the gates of the Chateau du Soleil.

Septimus 24, 1668: Private Jerome arrives in Charouse, to be held before his execution. The
spectacle of a loyal soldier being led in chains to his doom sparks a riot, which quickly spreads to all
corners of the city. With the bulk of the Montaigne Army occupied in Castille, Lon XIV lacks the
forces to quell such widespread unrest.
Septimus 25Octavus 15, 1668: The Start of the Montaigne Revolution. The Charouse rioting soon
escalates into a full-blown revolution across the city and Montaigne. Montaigne nobles are attacked,
government offices looted, and royalist sympathizers jailed. Many Montaigne nobles flee the
country for exile in Eisen, Vodacce and Avalon. Others are caught and either imprisoned or flat-out
executed.
Septimus 25, 1668: LEmpereur Lon XIV announces the dissolution of the Montaigne
Musketeers, who have shown some sympathies with the goals of the Revolution.
Septimus 25, 1668: Princess Dominique du Montaigne disappears from her rooms.
Septimus 27, 1668: LEmpereur Lon XIV flees Charouse, and boards a ship bound for safe
harbor. The ship vanishes at sea.
Septimus 27, 1668: Princess Miriam du Montaigne is caught and executed by rioting mobs.
Octavus 3-4, 1668: Princess Evelyn du Montaigne is arrested and executed after trying to board a
ship for Avalon.
Octavus 4, 1668: Princess Rosamonde du Montaigne is arrested after trying to save her twin sister.
Ocatvus 5, 1668: Princess Rosamonde du Montaigne is rescued by her sister Princess Ysabette as
she is lead to the executioners block. The two retreat to the open seas, becoming Montaignes most
wanted criminals.
Octavus 10-11, 1668: Princess Nicolette du Montaigne is caught as she tries to flee to Eisen. She is
tried by a kangaroo court and executed by hanging.
Octavus 10, 1668: Jacobs Political Society calls for the formation of a new government in
Montaigne.
Octavus 12, 1668: The body of LEmpereur Lon XIV du Montaigne is found hanging from a tree
near the Montaigne shoreline.
Octavus 14, 1668: Eisenfrst Georg Hanizl defeats an attempted coup by one of his advisors, Philip
Knef. The mad ruler takes on the personality of a great conqueror, and launches plans to invade a
neighboring knigreich (principality).
Octavus 17, 1668: Vincenzo Caligari is forced from his hiding spot within his former territory in
Vodacce.

Octavus 18, 1668: The Treaty of Cabora is signed by all the major Than powers. The Ussurans
refuse to allow any expeditions heading to the island of Cabora to dock in their ports, and the
Vaticine Church fortresses in the Forbidden Sea redouble their efforts to stop interlopers.
Octavus 30, 1668: Eisenfrst Georg Hainzl launches an attack against his neighbor Eisenfurst Faulk
Fischler. The invading force disappears without a trace.
Nonus 7, 1668: The establishment of the Montaigne Republic.The first Montaigne Parlement is
assembled, consisting of elected representatives from every province. They are lead by the Council
of Eight, elected by their peers, who dictate the Parlements agenda and hold its most important
posts.
Nonus 8, 1668: A group of Montaigne nobles announces the creation of the Montaigne
government-in-exile in the Eisen city of Siegsburg. They are lead by the Empereurs daughter
Princess Anne du Montaigne and her husband, Jean-Marie Rois et Reines.
Nonus 14, 1668: Peace talks between Castille and Montaigne conclude. Montaigne agrees to a
peaceable withdrawal from Castillian territory in exchange for reparations and the ability to maintain
a garrison in Barcino. Castille reluctantly agrees to their terms.
Nonus 18, 1668: The Montaigne Council of Eight successfully negotiates the return of Montaignes
Ussuran army from Eisen. They cannot meet Fauner Psens ransom demands for General
Montegue, however, and maintain lEmpereurs lie that he was killed while returning to Montaigne.
Nonus 19, 1668: Admiral Valoix is reinstated as head of the new Montaigne Republican Navy. His
first mission is to hunt down renegade nobles who threaten the security of the new Republic.
Nonus 21, 1668: Jacob Faust briefs the Explorers Society on the disposition of Cabora. Based on
his testimony, the Explorers Society agrees to finance new expeditions into the western ocean.
Nonus 28, 1668: Amnesty is offered to all Montaigne nobles who will renounce the use of sorcery.
The surviving members of the Montaigne royal family will be allowed back into the country
provided they renounce all ties to the throne. None of them do. Practicing Port is punishable by
the loss of the offenders left hand. The wearing of gloves is outlawed in Montaigne.
Decimus 7, 1668: The Montaigne Council of Eight sells off Lon XIVs possessions in an effort to
finance their debts.
Decimus 30, 1668: Valentina Villanova of Vodacce murders her own children.
Prophets Mass 3, 1668: In an effort to escape the wrath of the Prince, Valentina Villanova and
Juliette board a ship bound for Vesten.

Prophets Mass 6, 1668: On the eve of the New Year, Eisenfrst Niklaus Trgue commits suicide.
The Wachtturm collapses soon thereafter.
1669 AV
Primus 13, 1669: Logan Sieger becomes the new Eisenfrst of Freiburg. He vows to rebuild the
city, founded on the noblest ideals of Eisenfrst Trgue.
Primus 30, 1669: The Vaticine Church tells Prince Alcide Mondavi to end his invasion of the other
Voddace principalties or face excommunication.
Secundus 2, 1669: Alcide Mondavi halts his advance and makes peace with the four remaining
Vodacce Princes.
Secundus 17, 1669: Eisenfurst Stefan Heilgrund launches a secret expedition into the Schwarzen
Walden.
Tertius 13, 1669: Margaretta Orduo successfully petitions the High King of Castille for a new
expedition into the western ocean.
Tertius 29, 1669: New Explorers Society expeditions depart from Carleon to points west.
Quartus 12, 1669: An emissary from the State of Kosara arrives to negotiate with Gaius Ilya of
Ussura. He is killed before he can deliver his greeting.
Quintus 3, 1669: Pro-royalist politicians attempt to seize control of the Montaigne Parlement. They
fail. The ringleaders are arrested and laws are enacted to prevent a potential coup from taking place
again.
Quintus 23, 1669: Jyrgal Timurbek declares Kosaras independence from Ussura.
Sextus 6, 1669: Thieves in the pay of Sarah MacDonald steal the Faery flag from MacLeod territory
in the Highland Marches.
Sextus 2530, 1669: The Vestens annual Althing is held in the High Kings court of Thingvallvatn.
For the first time, a member of the Vendel Guilds George Skard attends the proceedings.
Julius 15, 1669: Bloody Feast Day. Aristide Baveux and Eugene Suchet du Crieux, two members
of the ruling Montaigne Council of Eight, are assassinated by a band of pro-royalist sympathizers. A
third assassination attempt against Council of Eight member Jean-Marc Navarre is thwarted
in the nick of time. Leadership in the Council of Eight suffers a terrible blow, and de facto power over
Montaigne falls into the hands of Rilisciare leader Arnaud du Charouse, the only man remaining on
the Council of Eight with the organizational skills to handle it. This day becomes known in the
annals of the Montaigne Revolution as Bloody Feast Day.

Julius 16, 1669: Hubert du Gloyure arranges a spectacular funeral for the slain Council of Eight
leaders. The display whips the citizens of Charouse into a frenzy of violence against all
counterrevolutionaries.
Julius 19, 1669: Master Val Mokk and Mistress Sela Cole of the Vendel League appear together in
public.
Julius 24, 1669: The Council of Eights assassins are captured in an abandoned estate outside of
Paix.
Julius 2527, 1669: The Assassins Trial. Arnaud du Charouse attends the proceedings, though he
does not participate in the prosecution. The evidence against the assassins of the Council of Eight is
overwhelming and they are sentenced to death.
Julius 28, 1669: The assassins are executed in front of the Chateau du Soleil. The last to go hints at a
wider conspiracy and further acts of violence to come against the Montaigne Republic.
Corantine 4, 1669: In a law dubbed Statement 15, Arnaud du Charouse creates the Committee of
National Welfare to pursue all enemies of the Montaigne state.
Corantine 10, 1669: The Frenzy begins. All amnesty for Montaigne nobles is revoked. Practicing
sorcery is now punishable by death. A new exodus of Montaigne migrs escapes the country and
the slaughter to come.
Corantine 16, 1669: Arnaud has fellow Council of Eight member Madeleine du Chatelaine tried and
executed for treason, claiming that she orchestrated Bloody Feast Day.
Corantine 19, 1669: Moderates are removed from the Montaigne National Parlement and executed.
The Frenzy begins a new, radical phase of the Montaigne Revolution as anyone deemed an enemy of
the Republic faces le coiffeurthe guillotine.
1670 AV
Montaigne
Impressed with the courage and dignity of her prisoner General Montegue du Montaigne (and egged
on by back-room negotiations with the Vaticine Church), Eisenfurst Fauner Psen decides to let
him go free from his captivity in Eisen. In fact, she offers to give him funds and troops to march on
Montaigne and restore the monarchy. She hates chaos, and has seen more than enough in her own
nation. It is clear to her that the Revolutionary government in Charouse has no idea how to run a
country, and that their good intentions have deteriorated into terror and bloodshed. Montegue
agrees with her in principle, but wishes to learn the whereabouts of his wife before committing to

restoring order in Montaigne. Thanks to her intervention, Montegue has a very secret reunion with
Princess Anne du Montaigne and Jean-Marie Rois et Reines, the heads of the Montaigne
government-in-exile, who agree that he is the best man for the job. They pledge their support and
that of Cherie Montaigne de Aldana as well. The stage is set for a triumphant return to bring peace
to the greatest nation in Thah.
Arnaud de Charouse, lader of the Montaigne Republics Council of Eight, had become an
uncontrollable tyrant, and along with the Commission of National Welfare, continued the relentless
pursuit of enemies of the state. He feared for the loss of what he felt he had built, and saw a
fearful future for Montaigne if the monarchy were to be restored. The Frenzy grew in intensity as
the Council of Eight sent hundreds of people a day to le coiffeur. The populace began to realize that
he was every bit as bad, if not worse, than the ruler they were so eager to depose. Then came the
rumors. Montegue was alive. Montegue had returned. Montegue was marching towards the capital
with an army of liberators. Alarmed by the growing reports, the Council of Eight dispatched its spies
to ensure that the Peoples General never reached Charouse.
A somber Montegue emerged from a final encounter with his insane wife, Princess
Dominique du Montainge, now a sorceress at the cost of their stillborn sons life, determined to at
last bring freedom to his country. With Eisenfurst Psens troops in support as well as allies in
the Vaticine Church and other companions he led a growing army towards the Montaigne capital.
Peasants began to flock to his side. Swordsmen pledged themselves to his cause. The assassins sent
by the Council of Eight were thwarted, and though the Montaigne Musketeers threatened to cause
some trouble, they too were sickened by the Revolutions bloody excess. Montegue could be no
worse than the fanatics in Charouse.
As a man of the people, Montegue realized that the Revolution had brought some muchneeded reform and pledged to create a more sensible political relationship between the Montaigne
Crown and the Parlement. He believed that Arnaud and the Commission of National Welfare
should be brought to public trial and forced to face the people they had tormented. The Council of
Eight tried to rally its most loyal troops, but Montegues forces tossed them aside like rag dolls. They
arrived in Charouse to cheering crowds, seized the Parlement building, and arrested the leaders of
the Revolution. In a heartbeat, the Frenzy had ended, the bloodshed stilled.
The trial was swift. Members of Parlement, sensing a change in the political wind,
denounced Arnaud du Charouse as a tyrant and sentenced he and his closest advisors to death. The
Committee of National Welfare was to be disbanded, and its leaders (including Marie Paix) to be

executed as well. In the interests of clemency, the remainder of the Council of Eight was spared, but
sentenced to permanent house arrest and barred from ever holding political office again. Montegue
was hard-pressed to protect the prisoners from death at the hands of eager vigilantes, but he realized
that the Frenzy could never truly end without one last display. On a cold and sunless morning, the
architect of the Montaigne Revolution climbed the wooden stairs and proudly offered himself as le
coiffeurs last victim. His final words rang across the square. Tyrants surround you and tyrannys
friends conspire to rob you of hope. I have acted only in the interests of my people, and I pray that
my best efforts outlive the flaws for which you condemn me. You must smother the enemies of the
Republic or perish with it. Vive le Revolution!
With that, the Frenzy came to an end and the Peasant General ascended the throne as King
Montegue I, the new monarch of Montaigne. He wasted no time in putting his house in order.
Quietly aided by his surviving sisters-in-law, the daughters of Lon XIV, he set about reforming the
Montaigne government, using Queen Elaine of Avalons innovations as a guide. Parlement remained
intact (though the more vocal members were quietly encouraged to step down) as an advisory body
to the king, with provisions left in place to prevent the sort of abuses that both the Revolution and
Lon XIVs government had inflicted. The Musketeers returned to their position as defenders of the
king and Montegue soon turned out a new set of tenets for them to enforce: guarantees of liberty,
religious freedom, and due process. The Revolutionary flag of Montaigne remained intact (no one
wished to be reminded of Lon), but as a symbol only. Le coiffeur fell silent, and while deep problems
still remained, Montaigne finally looked to the future with a sense of hope.
1671 AV
Castille
Despite the fact that Montaigne was a hated enemy, young High King Salvador II de Sandoval of
Castille felt emboldened by the actions of General Montegue to take a stand for his own freedom.
He decided he would be king a true king and he could think of no one else to be his queen
than Maria-Soledad Rivera y Aldana, daughter of Don Andrs Aldana, the man known as El Vago.
Even as the High King professed his love for Maria-Soledad, Cardinal Verdugo launched a
plot to bring down El Vago, once and for all, and deliver the troublemaker into the hands of the
Inquisition. Verdugo and his agents had spent months laying the plans and now the trap would be
sprung. Little did he know what consequences his scheme would have.

Sadly, luck was not with the good Don that day and he walked into betrayal with a trusting
heart. Before he realized what had happened, he was surrounded by Inquisition guards and beaten
senseless. When he awakened, he knew he was in a dungeon but did not know where. Every time he
tried to query the guards he was met with silence and more blows.
Aldana sat, because he was too weak to stand, before a panel of four Inquisitors that included
Cardinal Verdugo. A list of his crimes were read and confirmed by witnesses whom Aldana had
never seen. The sentence, swiftly delivered, was death by hanging. In the morning. Aldana realized
that none of his people knew where he was and it would take a miracle for someone to betray the
fanatical churchman amid such surroundings. All he could do was pray.
Much later than night, Maria-Soledad awakened from her sleep. A distraught servant told her
that Don Andrs was a prisoner in the Cardinals dungeon and sentenced for execution at dawn for
his crimes against the nation as El Vago. The girl flew out of bed and frantically began making plans
for his rescue. She would lead the assault herself and batter down the doors of the Cardinals estate
until he released her father. Before dawn, the small plaza outside Cardinal Verdugos palace was
rapidly filling with people. The execution of El Vago was to be public, to reassure the populace of
the Churchs strength. Some of them could not believe that Don Andrs was a vicious criminal.
Surely the good Cardinal had made some terrible mistake! Others could not believe that he had been
caught, and were prepared to take action. All they needed was a spark.
In the cold grey dawn, the crowd watched in stunned silence as Inquisition guards led a
bruised and battered Don Andrs Bejarano del Aldana, nobleman of the highest rank and the most
renowned swordsman in Castille, up the stairs of the wooden scaffold. As the hangman placed the
noose around the Dons neck, the Cardinal, who was standing next to a stony-faced young king,
spoke in a calm, steady voice. Much to the dismay of the assembled members of Los Vagos, MariaSoledad was nowhere to be seen and more Inquisition guards moved silently into the plaza.
People of Castille! You see before you a traitor of the worst kind. An angry murmur rose
from the crowd, which was stilled by the Cardinals upraised hand (and a threatening movement
from the guards.) A man who earned the trust of our young king, only to betray him at every turn,
using his power and influence to foment revolution! At last we have found El Vago and now he
must pay for his treason with his life! A woman screamed from deep in the crowd but was
immediately quieted.
Verdugo wasted very little time in the proceedings. He did not grant Don Andrs the
opportunity to speak any final words for fear that his poison would taint the hearts and minds of

the faithful. The Cardinal did not even grant him the courtesy of a blindfold. The hangman placed
the thick rope about Aldanas neck and waited for the signal.
At that moment, the sound of hoofbeats filled the plaza as a band of riders thundered up to
the crowd. The figure at the front, pulled back her hood to reveal the white-masked face of El Vago.
He is here! El Vago is here! someone shouted, and the crowd erupted into bedlam. In the
ensuing pandemonium, the crowd rushed the guards and fighting broke out. No one but the
executioner and the accused saw the Cardinal give the signal. Aldana smiled at Verdugo with a look
of triumph and pity as the rope snapped around his neck. The guards tried to move on the small
band of horsemen, but the riotous assemblage gave them no opening. Those close enough to strike
back were overwhelmed by the Vagos. Maria-Soledad charged forward onto the scaffold, sword
drawn. She held the weapon to the executioners throat and screamed at him to cut the rope.
Gathering her fathers body in her arms she collapsed on the wooden platform. A murmur rose and
became a roar as the people saw what had happened. They turned towards the steps and the
Cardinal, their mood ugly and threatening.
The king had the sense to pull the priest back inside the building and ordered the remaining
guards to bolt the door. His voice was harsh and strained, but undeniably that of a ruler. It appears
that you have made a grievous error, Cardinal. You have murdered an innocent man.
Your Majesty knows that is not true.
What I know is irrelevant. The people have seen you condemn Don Aldana as El Vago, yet El
Vago even now stands over his body. In their eyes, you have executed an innocent.
The Cardinal moved to retort, but Salvador II held up his hand. At this moment, I hold the
power of life and death over you. The crowd is maddened. Unless something is done, they will
batter down the doors and overwhelm my guards. Will you stand on that balcony and attempt to
calm them before they tear you limb from limb? Do you trust your tongue enough to risk your life
on it, Esteban?
All of the color drained out of the Cardinals face. You will tell them, your Majesty. You
will go out there and speak to them
Why should I do that? Sandoval smoldered. Why shouldnt I command those doors to be
opened and let the crowd deal with you as a traitor deserves?
A long silence reigned. Then from ashen lips, Verdugos voice dripped with venom. What
do you want?

Salvador smiled sharply. I want the title promised to me when I first took the throne. I
want the authority that is mine by right, and which you have conspired to keep from me all these
years. I want Rex Castillium, your Eminence.
That that will take time, the Cardinal sought to stall the inevitable.
Time is something you no longer have. You have bled Castille dry for too long and now I
plan to set my people free. What say you, then? Will it be my Crown or your life?
Verdugos eyes were furious, defiant, unbowed. But he lowered them with greatest
reluctance and bowed before the young man. I submit to your wishes, my lord King. It shall be as
you command.
Salvador did his best to hide the surge of joy and perhaps of terror that he felt. A wise
choice, Cardinal. The two men stepped up to the door and Verdugo shouted, Open in the name
of the King!
A great state funeral was held and Don Andrs was buried alongside his wife with all the
honors befitting a hero of the nation. After the services, the newly-crowned High King came to pay
his condolences privately to the girl he loved. Even in her mourning garb, her face as white as snow,
she was impossibly beautiful and he thought his heart would break to see her so distraught. She
made a formal curtsey but would not take his hand.
I am so sorry. There was nothing I could do.
She looked at him, her face white and shining with a flood of tears.
He was a hero. He loved Castille. And he loved you.
Her voice was a harsh whisper. El Vago was too late to save him.
The young king placed his hand on her shoulder. All of Castille mourns with you, my lady.
We shall not see his like again soon.
She nodded and then straightened. Your Majesty, you have paid me the great honor of
asking me to marry you. I did not have a chance to share this news with my her voice broke
slightly, father before he died. I must now ask that you give me time to conduct a proper mourning
period before I give you my answer.
My dearest love, you may have all the time you need. Know that I am ever your champion
and I swear to you that your fathers death will not go unavenged.
Castille needs no more bloodshed, my lord King, but I thank you for your kindness. And
now if you will excuse me She curtseyed once again and exited the room, leaving behind a
young man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Vestenmannavnjar

With the help of some like-minded heroes, the Vesten Raider Yngvild Olafssdottir managed to
locate several of the Living Runes, including Kjt (Flesh), Ensomhet (Solitude), and Host (Harvest).
She admonished them to accompany her, though her purpose was at that time unknown. Kjt
refused, but the other two shook off their lethargy and followed her path.
Her task was not yet completed. As far as she knew, Stands (Calm) was somewhere in the
Mirror Sea and Kyndighet (Skill) waited somewhere along the southern coast of the Crescent
Empire. There had also been stories of a Vestenmannavnjar healer in Castille who might have been
Bevegelse (Empathy). Hers was a quest for the hardiest of adventurers with a desire to see parts of
the world that most Thans will never hear about let alone see in their lifetimes.
(Assuming she or her allies can collect enough of the Living Runes, Yngvild then plans to
prove that the legend of Gte is true and sail to the West to find him. Should she find the means,
she may even travel to the fabled lands of Valhalla to consult with the Living Runes trapped there:
Krieg, Lidenskap, Kjlig, Styrke, and Villskap. As to why she needs them, it remains a mystery for
now)
1672 AV
Avalon
Sir Bors was making his final pass through the halls of the private quarters in Carleon before
retiring for the night when he heard a commotion in Queen Elaines chambers. His sword was out
and he was through the doors practically before his heart beat twice. What he saw froze him in place
as he tried to understand the picture before him. There was blood everywhere. Sir Lawrence Lugh
knelt beside the Queens bed, his sword on the carpet beside him, its pristine blade now crimson. A
creature perched on the windowsill like a bird of prey, pointing at the scene and laughing maniacally.
The inert form of Elaine, ruler of the Glamour Isles, lay motionless on the bed, her skin the color of
ash, making a start contrast to the blood that drenched her gown.
Meryth (for that was indeed who crouched in the window), looked at Sir Bors, her normally
flat dark eyes gleaming with madness. The Queen is dead! Long live the Queen! With that she
leapt out into the air and vanished into thin air. Upon hearing those words, Sir Lawrence Lugh let
out a strangled cry of such anguish that Sir Bors thought the ironhanded knights heart surely must
have cracked. Lugh looked down at his hands and said in a strangled whisper, Tis my hands that

are bloody now. Farewell, my beloved. Sir Bors moved towards his brother knight but the former
Sidhe was too fast. Lugh rose to his full height and before the guards who had gathered at the
door could react he pushed past them and fled.
Follow him! yelled Bors as he turned to attend to his Queen. A swift examination revealed
that she was not dead but close to it. The knight began to shout orders as he worked to staunch the
flow of blood from her side. Where in the name of Legion is Derwyddon?
Hours later, the royal chamber had been restored to some semblance of order. The Queen
lay upon fresh bedding, her wound healed through the combined efforts of powerful Glamour
mages and those wise in the ancient ways of healing. A steady pulse beat in her heart but she
remained still as stone. There was no question that there was more at work here than a stab wound
from a human blade.
Sir Bors convened the Knights of Elaine and the Queens advisors in an emergency session
and presented the problem. While the Queen still lived in a sense, she might as well be dead. When
pressed to appoint a Regent, Bors declined and made it clear that his first duty lay in protecting
Elaine, not replacing her. Any selection, he reasoned, would incite controversy, and could plunge the
nation back into civil war. The assembled nobles agreed that a message must be sent to the High
King James MacDuff, offering him the Crown of the Glamour Isles, and a deputation was selected
to head to the Highlands.
News travels fast but bad news travels faster. The High King knew about the attack on
Elaine even before the nobles arrived with the message from Sir Bors. He entered the council
chambers with a heavy heart to meet with as many of the Highland Council of Advisors as could be
convened on such short notice. Even the MacBrides were there, more than a little interested in
whether they would at last have their long-desired separation from Avalon.
The handsome MacDuff explained the situation, that the Queen of Avalon had suffered an
attack both physical and magical, and even now lay somewhere between life and death. When he
told them that he had been offered the Crown of Avalon, to rule over both nations as one, gasps of
surprise and anger met his words, as well as some expressions of incipient victory among the
Separatists. As honored as he was by the offer, he explained, he could not in good conscience make
a decision without discussing it in Council. Heated debate amongst the Highland lairds ensued. The
MacBrides and the MacDonalds saw this as a chance for true independence without a queen,
Avalon would be in no position to argue.

In the end the decision was the MacDuff s alone, but he was a wise man and knew that he
must do as he has always done. Were he to assume the throne, many Avalonians would consider
him a usurper, and the Marches would be torn asunder as well. Civil war looked likely, and he would
not allow the Marches to fall into chaos not even for the sake of the queen he loved. With
greatest reluctance, he concurred with the MacBrides, and declined to take the Avalon throne.
Jack OBannon of Inismore knew about Elaine almost the moment after it happened. That
damned Maab! What was she about? Upsetting the balance in the Glamour Isles meant that he
would be sucked into that stupid war among the sisters. Yet he, like MacDuff, declined to act
directly, instead leaving Avalon to whatever fate lay before her.
With no clear successor and Elaine showing no signs of improvement, it didnt take long for
things to deteriorate. Although Piram showed restraint in his public behavior, he felt a thrill when
Meryth came to him and told him the whole story of how she had confronted the Queen and her
heartsick lover Lugh in the royal bedroom. The Queen was shocked into silence by Meryths words
that she was the Elaines unborn daughter and Sir Lawrence flew into a raging fury. He then
lunged at Meryth, who stepped aside at the last minute and watched with satisfaction as the knight
drove his sword into his beloved Elaines side.
For Piram, nothing could be better. Now that the Sidhe-loving wench was as good as dead,
those stupid do-gooder knights would have their hands full hunting down that poor iron-handed
madman. The way to Carleon was now cleared of his main opponents, save one. And while
MacAllister could not be dissuaded, he could be distracted. The time had come for Piram to seize
his destiny
Shortly after the horrific accident, Bors received orders from the Sidhe Queen to meet him
at a designated place and bring the Graal with him. This was what he feared the most, the moment
when the Sidhe would take back the Cup and with it the gift of Glamour, leaving the Triple
Kingdoms without the magical protection they had long enjoyed. With a heavy heart, he prepared
himself as instructed, and risking his life once again for his nation and his Queen, undertook the
dangerous mission to the ancient Grumweald to meet with the Sidhe Queen and plead for clemency.
In a secluded part of the forest, in a circle formed with the most powerful magic ever cast in
mortal lands, Sir Bors and Sir Gwydd brought the Graal before the Sidhe Queen and the Lady of the
Lake. The Queens face was grave as she explained that Meryths action s had greater implications
than anyone realized. By striking Elaine, Meryth and through her, the Sea Queen Maab had
stuck against the two fae rulers. The Sidhe Queen could not allow such an insult to stand; the

lands of Bryn Bresail would now be plunged into war. It would be war on a scale that most humans
could not comprehend or survive, should they choose to aid either side. For the good of the human
world, the Sidhe needed to withdraw
Realizing that Elaine did not give up control of the Glamour Isles willingly, the Sidhe Queen
decided that the Graal must be taken back under Sidhe protection until such time as peace and
stability returned to the land. While she wished to take the gift of Glamour with her, she knew that
without it, mortals would have no protection against the depredations of sorcery and its affect on
the Barrier, and thus she agreed to leave its power intact. However, she warned, mortals must
learn to respect the Sidhe or pay the consequences. She offered Sir Gwydd the chance to remain
among his people for the war that is to come. The young knight was torn between his divided
loyalties, but rather than take arms against anyone, he vowed to find Sir Lawrence Lugh and save
him from his madness. That left Bors free to protect the comatose Elaine as best he could
Bors himself disappeared, along with the rest of his Black Knights, after carefully leaving
day-to-day affairs in the hands of a series of administrators. But he did not go far. As Elaine
lay comatose in her castle, attended by a few loyal servants while the tapestries and finery around her
slowly began to rot, whispers circulated of an unseen protector of knights who never showed
their faces, but watched and waited for signs of attack. Soon thereafter, the bodies of several men
under Pirams banner appeared outside the castle, butchered like hogs. The severed hand of another
would-be assassin arrived at Pirams castle some time later, clutching a pachment which contained
the seal of the Triple Kingdoms. Piram soon stopped sending attackers to finish the job on Elaine
it wouldnt matter once he seized the throne and other would-be rulers took the hint as well.
Elaine may have been helpless, but her Black Knight guarded her still and no enemy could
see him until it was too late. Meanwhile, Pirams army grew, as did those of other petty lords willing
to take advantage of a land without a ruler. Day-to-day affairs continued but an air of uncertainty
settled over the Glamour Isles, and Elaines Knights were hard-pressed to keep the peace. On the
ocean waves, the Sea Dogs continued their patrols, keeping the other Than nations at bay, but even
their bravado diminished. When Priam struck, no one knew what damage he may do. Avalon
hovered on the brink of chaos, marking a time of great danger and most certainly tragedy the
perfect setting for heroes willing to take up the cause and see it through to the end.
And where was Derwyddon in all of this? Maab dealt with him well before striking against
Elaine. By the time the blow fell, he lay imprisoned in a single pearl, unable to influence a future
which he could see all too well

Brynn Bresail
The Highland girl raised her daggers at the approaching Sidhe, her blue eyes sharp as
diamonds. No, she spat. Our bargain is done!
The Lord raised an inhuman eyebrow. But the story is ready. Captain Reis awaits you
Ive already killed him, again an again an again fer yer amusement! Ive stabbed him, shot
him, filleted him like a halibut thousands of ways to tell the same bloody tale! And now a little
bird tells me that crimson sails are flyin on the seas of Thah that Reis has returned to the world
of the living. She leveled her weapons at the creature in front of her. Ye lied te me. Ye reneged on
our bargain. Im leavin this lookin glass kingdom o yers, an Ill gut any of ye who tries te stop me!
The Sidhe walked forward, his face condescendingly cruel. You will do as we command,
mortal woman, or suffer the consequences. The Court wishes to be entertai
With a flash the blade sliced across his cheek, leaving a gash that glowed with power. The
Sidhe uttered an ear-piercing shriek as pain flooded through his body, the first such sensation he had
ever felt.
The girl grinned through clenched teeth. Was tha entertainin enough fer ye?
The Lord looked down at her, his face sculpted fury. He raised his hands as the Glamour
magic flowed across his fingertips, ready towipe the insignificant speck in front of him off the
Enough! The voice behind him was regal, imperious. Lord Greenleaf, you forget yourself.
She struck me, my Lady! he growled, the evenings revelries forgotten. She STRUCK
me!
The Queen of the Sidhe loomed over him, staring at his wound with cold disdain. The
weapons pain you? Good. It will not be the last time. She gestured with her hand. Go. The war
council is gathering. We shall have no feast tonight; this mortal is no longer your concern.
The Sidhe lord paused, his features frozen in pain and fury, then nodded curtly and vanished
in a wreath of mist. The Highlander regarded the regal creature before her, her weapons still raised.
In other circumstances, the Queen spoke without emotion, we would find a most horrid
punishment for your insolence.
The girl never blinked. As opposed to what Ive been doin? How many thousands o years
did ye make me fight him? How many centuries did I spend killin and dyin fer yer amusement?
Only as many as you agreed to in our bargain.
Not anymore. Ye lied to me, yer Majesty. Reis sails again.

Does he? The Queen smiled patronizingly, as if to a small child. Then our agreement is
sundered. As are many others too many to count. War is coming, Highlander. Bryn Bresail is no
longer welcome to your kind. You and your compatriots must leave. Now.
The girl considered her words for a moment, and then lowered her daggers. Home? Yer
sendin me home, just like that?
The union between our peoples is broken. The Sidhe have come under attack from a
deadly enemy, and mortalsmortals are a luxury we cannot afford. The Queen raised her hands
and a shimmering pool of water appeared between them. Go. We thank you for your service and
warn you not to trifle in our affairs in the future.
The girl stared at the Sidhe Queen, understanding slowing creeping across her face, and then
stepped into the pool. Good-bye then, she gripped her hat as the waters engulfed her.
May I never see Bryn Bresail again.
The Queens voice echoed after her. When you see what state your
precious Avalon is in, Bonnie McGee, you may think differently.
The war within the Sidhe world meant a drastic change in the Seelies relations with mortals.
Many fae retreated from Thah back to Bryn Bresail, preparing to defend their queen from the
forces of Maab. A few remained behind, preferring the comforts of the mortal world, but they were
but a handful. The Unseelie, on the other hand, reveled in the retreat of their cousins. Dark
creatures within Avalon grew bold and daring, tormenting the mortals as never before. The Sidhe
Queen and her cohorts paid them no mind. They had troubles of their own to worry about.
Similarly, the mortal humans within Bryn Bresail were released and returned to Thah
often without warning. The Sidhe knew that their fragile minds would crack beneath the coming
conflict and, like any caring pet owner, set them free rather than let them suffer. Avalonians who
had spent eons within the Seelie Court suddenly found themselves back in Thah in some cases,
thousands of years after they left. Not all of them could survive the return to a mortal life. Some
went mad at the sudden shift in sensations. Some had already been driven mad by their captivity
among the Sidhe.
In the days and weeks after the exodus, hundreds of lunatics wandered the Avalon
countryside, seeking respite from torments only they could see. Thankfully, many mortals possessed
the strength of mind to make the transition back to Than life. They brought with them valuable
insight into Bryn Bresail, and some became valued experts on the Sidhe and their culture. Most
prominent among their number was Bloody Bonnie McGee, a Highland privateer who once sailed

with the Sea Dogs. She had struck a dark bargain with the Sidhe in order to destroy the dread pirate
Reis; in exchange for their aid, they expected her to reenact her climactic fight with the pirate for
their amusementover and over again. Bonnie found herself trapped in the same moment of time,
engaging in the same fight against a phantom Reis in countless different ways. But her will was
strong and as time went on, she chaffed against their prison. Finally, she broke free of the spell and
was allowed to return to the mortal world. She found herself back in the Highland Marches, Queen
Elaine in a coma and her native island contemplating secession from the Triple Kingdom.
Though part of her longed to return to the Sea Dogs, she knew she could never sail again as
one of them; memories of those days were just too painful. Instead, she presented herself to High
King MacDuff and offered her services as a sailor. The MacDuff tasked her with forming a new
Highland Navy, to defend the island against external threats now that the Sea Dogs had other
problems. Within a few months, she commissioned numerous new vessels, outfitted aging ships
with fresh cannon and sail, and convinced several honorable privateer crews to swear allegiance to
the Crown of the Highland Marches.
Her efforts ruffled some feathers among her old mates in the Sea Dogs, but she quietly
smoothed them over, and now High Admiral Bonnie McGee commands some twenty vessels
from the deck of her flagship, the Shattered Mirror. Her privateering days over, she hopes to bring
some legitimacy to her newfound position and perhaps close the widening gap between her native
land and Avalon. She never speaks of her days among the Sidhe, and smart sailors know better than
to ask.
1673 AV
Vestenmannavnjar
An emergency Althing was convened at which Magnus Brybjulffrsson confronted Gjving
Asbjornsson and forced him to accept the burden the Grumfather laid upon the one-eyed rogue as
the new High King of the Vesten. During the gathering, which Yngvild attended with the Living
Runes she had gathered, an old woman was carried into the hall on a stretcher. It was Gunrud who
could no longer wait for Fate to bring Fornuft back to her and so swallowed poison. She expired
with a last farewell to Fornuft who stepped forward from the crowd and stabbed himself before
anyone could stop him. They were burned together on a funeral pyre and Bevegelse agreed to take
their ashes to the West where they could be together.

Magnus realized that he would never be High King because his destiny lay in another
direction. The time of the Vestenmannavnjar was drawing to a close; Gunruds suicide only sealed
the impending sense of doom among the Althings attendees. Only two choices remained: stand and
fight the inevitable, or draw away and seek a new home in the far western oceans. Asbjornssons
path was clear: with the help of Yngvild, he would take the present Living Runes along with
those who wished their people to have a future into the great Western Ocean to find a new
home.
Magnus, his ambition stymied, chose the alternate path. Gathering likeminded tribes and
warriors to his side, he swore to give his king the time he needed to make his exodus. Ragnarok had
come, and he would die so that his people might survive. Over the past two years, relations between
the Vendel League and Vestenmannavnjar had gone from bad to worse. As the boats were being
built and the battlements readied, High King Asbjornsson sent a deputation to Kirk demanding
gold. The Vendel League did not take kindly to be held up and extorted, and resolved to end the
Vesten question once and for all. It was easy to find men to fight for you when you had a lot of
money, so the Vendel Guilds spearheaded an aggressive effort to hire the best money could buy and
teach the barbarians a final, terrible lesson.
(Thankfully the war probably will not be long, but it will be deadly and most probably will
spell the end of the ancient culture save for those willing to leave their homeland behind without
looking back and sail West with their High King to whatever fortunes await.)
1674-1675 AV
The Vaticine Church
Thanks to the efforts of a brave band of heroes the twelve imprisoned Montaigne
archbishops were finally rescued from their long captivity in 1674 AV, paving the path to a restored
Hierophant. The Vaticines wheels turn slowly however, and certain factions within the Church had
no wish to obey an unquestioned leader after so many years of near-autonomy. The archbishops
selected Victor Allais de Crieux as the new Montaigne cardinal to replace the murdered dArgeneau.
With this election, the Hieros Council was restored and could now move to set the Churchs house
in order.
Their first act of consequence was to judge Cardinal Verdugos actions against Don Andrs
del Aldana. His callous miscarriage of justice had compromised him, harming the Churchs efforts to
reassert its authority after so many years of setbacks. Although the Council agreed not to revoke his

title, he was summarily removed from their deliberations, and allowed to vote only by proxy. Further
ascent up the ladder was out of the question. As a sign of his repentance, Verdugo withdrew to a
secluded monastery at the foot of La Sierra de Hierro to contemplate his actions and pray for the
souls of those whose lives he took. His chair was draped in black as a reminder that even the faithful
can be corrupted.
The Hieros Council established a branch of the Church Guard to ferry important matters to
him, and to collect his votes on those issues which the Council deemed necessary. In exchange for
his withdrawal, Verdugo convinced the Council to retain the Inquisition, for the forces of Legion
remained whether men did good deeds or ill. A number of former Inquisitors betook themselves to
the monastery to do penance with the Cardinal. Laymen joined him as well, including a Montaigne
named Edward Boucher who had served as the Committee of National Welfares jailer (and who
escaped King Montegues justice by the skin of his teeth). Verdugo believed that Bouchers ability to
detect sorcerers would be very helpful to his new Order.
With Verdugo out of the way, the debate about the new Hierophant began. The process was
long, lasting several years and hampered by the logistical necessities of reestablishing the Hieros
Councils supremacy. Matters were further complicated by the sudden death of Cardinal Sergio
Bilardo, whose advanced age finally caught up with him in the middle of a heated debate. After a
review of possible candidates, an Eisen bishop named Ferenc Orlund von Durenstad succeeded to
Bilardos seat. Blessed with a classical education and an extremely fine mind, the new cardinal was
not an enthusiastic supporter of the Inquisition, which made him appealing to many of the others.
He maintained a strict sense of justice and personal integrity, and always maintained the proper
devotion to Theus even as he contemplated the ways in which the world is designed and what mans
role in it might be. The cardinals then launched an intensive internal review with an eye to finding
someone who could withstand the political forces that plagued the Vaticine Church. Cardinal Erika
Durkheim had always been regarded as the frontrunner for the position of Hierophant, and with her
hand in the rescue of the archbishops (it was she who arranged for General Montegues release), she
seemed to be a shoo-in. But privately, she realized (perhaps with the encouragement of certain secret
societies) that the evil within her could not receive that kind of power. Rather, she opted to serve as
kingmaker, parlaying her political influence and hoping to do what good she could from behind the
scenes.
Cardinal Christina made a play for the position but Durkheim confronted her in secret and
threatened to reveal her Novo Ordus Mundi connections should she push the issue. (No one is

quite sure how Durkheim learn of such connections, but it is possible that a bad of noble heroes
played some role)
In any case, Christina was rebuffed by her colleague and quietly withdrew her name from
consideration. Cardinal del Falisci declined the nomination because he wished concentrate on
restoring Montaigne. Cardinal Lucani was too old and his Lorenzo blood gave some other Hieros
Council members pause. Cardinal Mueso took a quiet back seat to distance himself from any
association with the disgraced Verdugo, while Cardinal Ciosa made a strong initial showing, but
also declined the position due to his age.
In the end, after nearly three years of often-interrupted deliberations, the Hieros Council
decided that the Church needed new blood to pave the way to the future. The vote went to
Ferenc Orlund, the new Cardinal from Eisen. Shocked and humbled by his rapid rise, he assumed
the title of Hierophant just as Thah faced her greatest challenge
1675 AV and Beyond
The New World
Blue Heron was excited that she was finally old enough to take her place as a watcher on the
shore. Ancient stories told of travelers who had come from across the water, and who would
someday return to the vast continent which her people called home. Would the young
Haudonosawnee girl be blessed by the gods? She scanned the horizon ceaselessly, looking for the
tell-tale signs of white that moved above the blue waves.
Then it came. She saw it in the sunlight, far out to sea: something that was not a cloud! She
danced along the pebbled shore, willing the vision to come closer, to prove itself real. Time moved
slowly, as if it were a dream. But at last, there could be no question! Sails! Excited as she was, she
waited a little longer. She wanted to be absolutely certain that the warriors did not laugh at her. With
her heart almost beating out of her chest, she watched as the square sheets of white drew closer.
She blinked her eyes several times and rubbed them hard. These were not ships! They were
huge creatures with arched necks and many long arms that pulled them through the water! Blue
Heron ran as fast as she could, making the call of the bird for which she was named, to let the
warriors know that she had seen something. She was out of breath when she reached the first pair of
guards, gasping out her story of great sea creatures headed for the shore. They tried to calm the
young girl. Are you certain these are not the huge vessels of the people with corn-colored skin?
They drew a picture in the dirt.

No! No! These are like birds, with arms! She waved her own in the air in a rowing motion.
You must come now!
Giving the warning call, the warriors dashed for the beach as the dragon-prowed
longboat drew slowly closer
The Midnight Archipelago
The room was literally festooned with treasure rich fabrics, strings of pearls, and gilt
chests overflowing with coins and gems. A huge four-poster bed dominated the room, and a young
Montaigne girl sprawled on the silk as she watched her sister get dressed. After lacing her ornately
carved leather corset, the beautiful brunette pulled on a pair of sturdy rose-colored boots and laced
them as well. She stuck a wicked looking dagger in her wide black belt and a pistol in her right boot,
then reached for her main weapon, a moir-bladed Crescent scimitar. She placed an outrageous
plumed hat atop a riot of waist-length dark curls as her bright blue eyes sparkled.
The girl on the bed smiled and said, You know they call you La Reine de Nouvelle
Charouse?
The dark-haired girl smiled back at her sister and said, Hmm, it has a good sound, does it
not, Rosamonde? Isabelle, the Pirate Queen! The two former Princesses of Montaigne laughed with
the joy of those who had escaped death.
Do you ever think of going back? Rosamonde asked quietly after a time. They say the
new king is doing quite well, and Anne is one of his chief advisors.
Back? Isabelles blue eyes twinkled with mischief. Why in Theus name would we do that?
All they can offer us is a palace. She threw open the window to her cabin, letting the warm tropical
sun shine in. Here, dear sister, we have the world!
Somewhere in Western Thah
There were thirteen high-backed chairs arranged around an oval table. Some had occupants
while others were empty, awaiting the arrival of late-comers. Alvara Arciniega, creator fo the first
reflecting telescope, surveyed the men and women in the room. Two chairs remained empty but he
did not wait for them to be filled.
Thank you all for attending this meeting. As you know, events have taken a turn for
theinteresting throughout our world. Im sure you have all heard of the discoveries to the west,
and I know you would be lying if you said you expected it. We stand at a threshold. Great danger

awaits our illustrious order and, if we play our cards right, great opportunity as well. We have
chairs to fill, new members to induct. I ask you to consider your nominations well. As you know,
ours is a daunting task and cannot be undertaken lightly.
Well, said Hughes Sices du Sices with a typical Montaigne shrug, it is what it is.
The Castillian looked at his colleagues and smiled coldly. Actually, my friends, it is what we make
it