Pre-history
Out of the mists, eight gods create the world and divide its peoples and creatures among them. Only UL and Aldur stand apart, choosing no clan, tribe, race, or creatures for their own. Humanity began to form budding civilizations, guided by their divine patrons.
After a time, Torak—dragon god of the Angaraks—smites Aldur and covetously steals her Orb, a powerful artifact said to contain all the power of creation, and all the wisdom to wield it. The first war embroils the whole world, pitting the western tribes and gods against Torak’s many followers.
Eventually seeing his armies routed by the unified forces of his brethren, Torak commands the Orb to split the world, cleaving the land in twain and creating the Great Eastern Sea. In retribution for being so brutally and brashly used, the Orb burns Torak with a fire that will never extinguish, with pain that will never cease.
Modern history stems from this creation of the world’s two continents: the West and Mallorea. At this time the gods—save Torak—leave the world, though they promise to continue guiding their chosen peoples through dreams, portents, and prophecy.
Humanity is thus largely left to its own devices, still reeling from the ravages of the first war and the loss of their gods. Civilization slowly rebuilds.
515
The Tolnedran empire is formally founded with the building of Tol Honeth.
1000
The Alorn king and his three sons—Cherek Bear-shoulders, Algar Fleet-foot, Dras Bull-neck, and Riva Iron-grip—along with an aged disciple of Aldur, cross the great frozen North, infiltrate the Mallorean capital of Cthol Mishrak, and steal the Orb of Aldur from the sleeping god Torak.
In order to protect the Orb from Torak’s forces, which begin to trickle into the west across the Great Eastern Sea, the Alorn peoples divide themselves into independent countries. Thus was founded Cherek, Algaria, Drasnia, and Riva, each charged with the sacred duty to defend the West in general and the Orb of Aldur in specific.
1115
A band of roguish treasure-hunters from Tol Honeth are slain after discovering gold in the streams of Maragor. In response, the Tolnedran army puts every last Marag man, woman, and child to the sword, driving their god mad and making the lush valley uninhabitable, its riches beyond reach. A monestary at Mar Terrin is established in an attempt to atone for the genocide.
1418
The Arendish civil war begins between four competing duchies. Wacune and Erat are eventually overrun and destroyed, leaving Mimbre and Asturia to fight for control of the country in a brutal and bloody stalemate that will come to define the kingdom.
1627
The founding of Sendaria begins as a means to keep the Arendish civil war from spilling into neighboring countries. Their first king, a rutabaga farmer, is decided by popular vote.
2000
Nyissan assassins attack the Rivan royal family, ending their line. The combined forces of the Alorn nations march on Nyissa and burn every city to the ground, sparing only their capitol. It is highly suspected the swamp-dwellers were paid by priests of Torak to execute the horrifying deed, perhaps to head off future prophecized events.
2221
A trade negotiator from Tol Honeth accidentally stumbles upon the subterranean Ulgos and drafts a minor trade agreement with the previously-unknown country. Most people remain ignorant about the goddess UL.
2875
The disfigured god Kal Torak marches on the West in a multi-year war culminating with a singular duel between he and Brand, Warder of Riva, on the fields of Vo Mimbre. In a staggering upset the god is slain, though many prophecies warn that deities cannot be so easily overcome. His body is spirited away in the night by forces unknown.
The official cessation of the Arendish civil war and other noteworthy standards of Western politics are codified in the Accords of Vo Mimbre.
3369
The Rivan Warder Brand discovers that the Orb of Aldur—the protection of which is the most important care of all in the West—has been stolen away, presumably by agents of the dead god Torak. The Western Kingdoms, caught wholly surprised, prepare for all-out war against their ancient foes.
Present day.