World Timeline

The **world timeline** lays out the most important events that define Eternia's history. The accuracy is openly questioned by scholars, with opposing accounts of history often contradicting the world view depending on the culture. This page nonetheless serves as an overview for what's widely accepted.

### Genesis

From the realm of Atmos, the world comes into being at the hands of the Creator, his Divine Spirits shaping the land, sky, and ocean. The First Born are scattered throughout the world, ethnicity varies depending on the region, but all share the common tongue.

Three hundred Heavenly Beings gather at the Temple of Light, surprised to find that the Creator did not join them as promised. They convene and debate, concluding that the Creator was destroyed by the strain of forming a new dimension, unable to see it through to the end. The Heavenly Beings lack intimate knowledge of the world, and they decide that it would be best to watch at a distance for now.

* Year 1 - In the Continent of Sheng, the First Born watch as Jiuweihu rises with the sun, the Divine Spirit's golden tails melting into the rays of light. On the other side of the world, inhabitants of Gehenna are witness to Ixchel devouring the setting sun, and then rising to the peak of a mountain with the moon. These early interactions shape the basis of the regions respective religions.
* 4 - Yggdrasil peaks within the Spirit World, and The Overseer goes about establishing the Eight Realms. The only spirits that dwell here at the time are Fae and Elementals.
* 15 - A temporary council is established within the Temple of Light. Lehiel is elected as the leader.
* 20 - Settlements have formed all over the world, culture gradually developing among the First Born. Disputes often occur but rarely lead to violence.
* 54 - In Valmasia, the first naval vessel is built, able to man thirty men. Margrave Wiscard sets sail for the east with a crew, but they're assumed to have drowned in the attempt.

### Year 84 - War of Blood: Apoproryia

Two brothers contest for leadership within the country of Apoproyia, Cain and Abel. Both are regarded as exceptional magi by the people, but Abel's popularity wins out, angering Cain, who goes on to plot an uprising. One by one, Abel's close allies are murdered, until Abel meets the same fate. Civil war begins within Apoproyria–thousands dying, the Heavenly Beings watching chaos unfold much like it did in Atmos. Lehiel argues for intervention, to guide the humans on the correct path before they devolve into Akuma. On the opposing side, Azrael denounces any kind of imposed law, having faith in the Creator's vision. There's division among the council on the issue, with many envious and confused as to how humans can commit such great violence but not descend into darkness.

Ultimately, the council votes in favor of ending the civil war. Lehiel, Kushiel, and Jaelthael appear within Cain's court, disguised as three robed travelers. Intrigued, Cain permits an audience. Lehiel asks what madness drove Cain to slaughter his own blood and start this war, but before Cain can reply, the Heavenly Being Jaelthael answers, "To prove he is superior." Cain acknowledges it as the truth, elaborating that the choice should be clear to the citizens of Appoproryia; if Abel was the right choice, he wouldn't have been the one to die.

Lehiel, disappointed with the brutality of men, tells Cain that the people of Apoproryia will elect a new ruler. Kushiel argues that it would be fruitless to do so, as Cain would simply attack once again. Jaelthael advises caution–act too boldly, and they may set a precedent that they'll come to regret. "I will not strike you down," Lethiel declares, "...You will not die, but you *will* repent for causing so much suffering." Before Kushiel or Jaelthael are able to object, Lethiel charged forward and drove Cain up through into the stone roof, true to his word, ascending toward the sky. There he was imprisoned, a sphere of blinding orange binding his arms and feet, resembling a second sun. Cain was unable to move, sleep, or age, stuck in a time lock, but his mind continued on, observing the land below.

It wasn't the end for Cain, however. Some centuries later, before the beginnings of the divine war, the fallen angels would free him from his imprisonment and use the kin-slayer as a subject in the first experiments of necromancy. This was the beginning of the vampire race.

### Year 85 - Treaty of Life

Angels descended to commune with the civilizations of the world, establishing a 'Treaty of Life' that must be followed by all peoples or divine punishment may come as a consequence. Some cultures accepted the decree, revering the otherworldly beings as gods, but many saw Angels as invaders dictating their will. The discontent persisted within the Angel's own numbers, and Azrael rose as leadership to the opposition of the current path the council was taking.

An original copy of the Treaty of Rights can be found within Library Dawn's restricted section, and is said to state:

* "You shall not give rise to anger or commit violence."
* "You shall not eat the flesh of man. Only consume the flesh of animals if vegetation is unavailable."
* "You shall not fall to deceit, only speak the truth and never find an excuse to do otherwise."
* "You shall protect those who cannot protect themselves if you are able."
* "You shall not be ruled by your lust, gluttony, or pride."

The council regularly gave its judgement, watching over the mortals. Serial killers and thieves were imprisoned and made examples of. Nonetheless, the discontent soon became outright resistance... When men raised arms, their forces were purged by the Angels with their superior magical tools and abilities.