Historical Ages

Mythological Age

The time before humanity (including all sentient humanoids) is a time of much speculation among scholars. Little is known about this time, as we have very little information to go on. Various myths about this time have been shared from the oldest known tribes and some evidence of activity has survived to be uncovered by modern scholars. There is no lack of creation myths which survive even through modern times. Almost all of these myths speak of creatures, spirits, and outsiders, but not of mankind itself. It is believed by most that there was a significant amount of time which predates any species of man or modern animal.

Many cultures speak of beings known as the Ancient Ones which are believed to have walked the realm and shaped the world during this time. However, their time on this world was eventually to come to an end. It is unknown exactly why they left, or what role they took in the creation of this world. The Ancient Ones now only exist in the demi-plane of Heathandrus. When they left, the most powerful beasts and animals of the world competed for control of a world now open for conquest.

Tytonidae, The History of Scandiaca - Volume 1; Prehistoric Age, Part 1

Prehistoric Age

Before his time, the beasts and wilderness of the realm ruled supreme. The prehistoric age is the time when mankind was just another creature trying to survive; when his civilization was nothing more than small, family-like clans of hunter/gatherers who had no means of writing, no unifying language, no distinct culture, nor any land they called home. They worked with stone or wood tools and eked out a living by surviving the elements of nature to the best of their ability.

This is a time when the large, gray wolves ruled the land, massive squids ruled the sea, and the majestic owls and dragons soared supreme through the sky. Man was one of the hunted, and would only venture out so far as to keep his clan fed, but he would not hold dominion over any land he wandered through.

The biggest achievement mankind had was survival. He was successful at spreading out, and clans migrated across the whole of the continent. This began in the southwestern corner of the continent and spread north then east. It is believed that the earliest tribes of mankind split off and wandered the world. They were separated by forests, mountains, and rivers; and trade between tribes was a concept not yet realized. Once isolated from other clans, their descendants became the various races that now are familiar throughout Scandiaca. It is believed that the various sentient races descended from some original species of proto-humans.

Though the vast oceans surrounding Scandiaca proved too big a task to cross, the waterways leading to the islands off shore were within the people’s capabilities at the time. The Fonnis islands to the west as well as the island of Aruvyn to the northeast certainly were sites upon where mankind walked during this time.

We still have some remnants of civilization during this time. Most were simply stone tools used to butcher game, though some caves have been found with ancient pigments still on the walls, showing that art and culture had existed at the time. However, there were no signs of settlements which could be anything more than a small tribe or familial clan. The time was marked by migration and nomadism. That would not always be the case, however.

Eventually, mankind had learned that some plants could be reseeded into the ground and provide for the tribe the next year. This marked the invention of agriculture, and removed the need to migrate to new locations in search of food. This invention marks the end of this era, for it allowed humanity to settle down, and lay claim to lands that would give rise to the first settlements in Scandiaca.

Tytonidae, The History of Scandiaca - Volume 2; Prehistoric Age, Part 2

Dawning Age (The 1st Age of Man)

With the invention of agriculture, mankind was able to form permanent settlements in Scandiaca. Agriculture gave rise to the domestication of animals, and that eventually led to communities which formed around the common desire for food, shelter, and protection. The first settlement was called Brylor, and it would eventually become one of the largest cities the continent would ever see (the city-state which is now called “Myoran”). Towns and villages began to show up anywhere a population could be sustained.

The beasts which held dominion on the realm were held at bay; and some were even driven out of lands which they had ruled for centuries. This is when humanity became the dominant creature in Scandiaca. Many of the beasts from the prehistoric age became pack animals, food, or pets. Mankind conquered not only the land, but also the sea. Ships were built and the remaining nearby islands were settled. However, when ocean-going vessels were finally available, the people of the realm found out that the oceans far from land were near impossible to pass. Harsh storms, much more powerful than what is seen on land were encountered. Traversing the deep to get to far away lands was treacherous.

With a population boom happening all across the continent, populations soon competed for resources. Trade flourished, but so did war. When resources could be acquired through commerce it was done peacefully, but not all people were interested in barter. Minor nations, if you could call them that, emerged from nearby settlements, though many of them were easily destroyed when barbarians raided, beasts attacked, or crops failed.

City-states were the largest organization which existed, however. Other than controlling one large settlement, and perhaps some nearby villages, man was not organized enough to maintain an entire nation. However, after the founding of Brevikia, the Dawning Age came to a close.

Tytonidae, The History of Scandiaca - Volume 3; Dawning Age, Part 1

Kingdoms Age (The 2nd Age of Man)

Brevikia was the first of many nations. For the first time in history, mankind had control over more than just a settlement. Borders emerged as cities were unified. National governments were founded and lands were claimed. These kingdoms were both a great benefit for the people, and an agonizing bane.

Technological advancements in medicine and agriculture resulted in a large increase in the population which resulted in expansion across the continent. Many kingdoms sought further expansion and control, and those nations found themselves warring with other nearby kingdoms. This era is usually known as the bloodiest era in Scandiaca’s history. Many wars for control of land and resources were waged from all corners of the map.

Although many powerful nations were in existence, and many of those conquered lands of their enemies, their ambitions of controlling the whole of Scandiaca never was realized. At no point did any kingdom reach even 20% control over the land area. There simply were too many other nations which held power, and no effective way to rule over such a large area of land.

During this era, mankind sought to control the sea as well. The golden age of sailing meant that expansion of the coast of the mainland was realized to the fullest. Finally, the corners of the map were finally filled in.

Tytonidae, The History of Scandiaca - Volume 6; Kingdoms Age, Part 1

Halcyon Age (The 3rd Age of Man)

The dawning of the Eruben empire began this age. It began in Brendis Ban (in the northwestern corner of the continent), and the Eruben nation grew outward. However, although some expansion was due to conquest, the Eruben nation expanded diplomatically just as effectively. The fledgling empire was the first true democracy to exist, and the populace loved their freedoms.

At the height of the Eruben Empire’s power, it controlled the northern territory all the way east until it reached the Elder Weald forest. It controlled the entire west coast all the way down to modern-day Korid. Even Kingsburgh was within its domain. Though the Eruben empire did not control the entire continent, its influence was felt throughout Scandiaca.

The Eruben empire brought in an age of enlightenment which was enjoyed by the entire realm. Those who were not part of the empire sought to join it, or at least emulate it.

Tytonidae, The History of Scandiaca - Volume 10; Halcyon Age, Part 1

Feral Age (The 4th Age of Man)

It was not a foreign power nor internal corruption which brought down the mightiest empire the world has ever seen. It was the wilderness itself which broke it apart. It is during this time when we see the emergence of large, intelligent beasts. It is said that some saw wolves which were the size of an elephant, and snakes as long as a river. These beasts were unprecedented, and drove the people away from the forests.

The forest itself underwent a massive change. It grew wild and erratic; it emerged fast and the edges of the forests and swamps of the land expanded. Small hamlets were overgrown by the wilderness, or wiped out by attacks from feral beasts. This happened across the entire continent. Those who survived sought shelter in larger towns. But as time went on, the size of the settlement which were being attacked or lost grew. Eventually no small settlements remained. Then small villages were removed; eventually, even decent-sized towns were lost.

Mankind retreated behind the highest, strongest walls of the largest cities. Because of this, humanity’s presence in Scandiaca became sparse. Outside of the large city-states, there were few other protected areas which were deemed safe. This made travel between cities dangerous and fewer caravans braved the wilderness. As a result, the city-states lost contact with each other. Each one adopted their own cultures and laws. The Eruben Empire fell apart even though each city-state still believed they were in the same empire.

Eventually, after time went by, those larger than life beasts simply disappeared, and the advance of the wilderness halted. However, the world was immeasurably changed. One thing that did not return to the way it was before was plant life in general. More species of intelligent plants emerged and are still around today.

Tytonidae, The History of Scandiaca - Volume 13; Feral Age

Modern Age (The 5th Age of Man?)

This age is still debated by scholars. Those who believe we have entered a new age attribute the decline of wilderness hostilities and the reclamation of lands lost from the Halcyon Age. The presence of mankind across the land has expanded now that the threat seems to have subsided.