Aodh In-Game Timeline

## Key Events

*These are events that every Aodhian knows about (unless they live under a rock) and which have affected the lives of all Aodhians, even if not present when they happened.*

Winter 1700 (I): The Crucible attack kills many, and leaves Aodhians paranoid. Eithne is closed for Vagabonds.

Spring 1700 (II): The kirin child, Ingrid is born, and presented to the crowd. Political meeting in Breim goes wrong.

Summer 1700 (III): First ancient kirin reappears in Aodh. Vindicators incite a slave escape from inside. All Aodhian slaves are branded. Aodh declares war on Serora.

Autumn 1700 (IV): The volcano Mt Oriel erupts. King Amadeus is murdered. A wyvern breaks out from under The Pearl and wrecks havoc before being placated by Isador. Isador is crowned King soon after.

Winter 1700/1701 (V): King Amadeus’ murderers are publicly executed. Vindicators destroy the vast majority of the slave records. King Soleil is reborn in Haven.

Spring 1701 (VI): Isador’s new spring festival is held for the first time. 80% of the city’s labor slaves are freed by Vindicators and a part of Dark District is destroyed. All private slaves are claimed by the state, causing city-wide riots. A wyvern attacks a host of nobles on a train ride to Opulence. The town of Ashlar is discovered to have been obliterated by King Soleil.

Desperate Measures: Owners are allowed to buy back their slaves from the state, if they can afford it.

Summer 1701 (VII): Aodh severs diplomatic ties to Talori. Evacuation efforts across Eithne intensify, refugees begin to flood New Valore. Smuggler hideout is destroyed and secret passages into New Valore blocked. New Valore prepares for an all-out war.

Between chapters: War with Serora ends. Refugee situation reaches a breaking point; city is closed.

Autumn 1701 (VIII): Alliance with Rogues and Flight against Talori. Ember is revealed to be Ignacio. Labor slaves revolt in the city. Opulence is besieged by a kirin army that is destroyed by Alya. Adviser Aleksei leads an effort to respond to the refugee crisis.

King’s Speech: King Isador removes workday length restrictions on labor slaves, and begins a campaign to disperse some of the people in the refugee camps outside the city.

Spring 1702 (IX): A strange building appears in the common district of New Valore, and grants several visions to those present. Situation with kirins is at a tense standstill.  The unrest in the city grows, culminating in civil protests that last for days.

June 1702 (White Wyvern Pt II & III): The King's wyvern, Sola, and soon after King Isador himself, are slain in battle against the conspirators led by Aleksei Aelius. Aleksei is crowned the new King of Aodh soon after.

## Pre-Game

History of Aodh

1656 - Future King Solaris is born

1676 - King Solaris is crowned

1678 - Alduin is born

1680 - Marcellus is born

1683 - Amadeus is born

1694 - Empress Merrill is born

1697 - New Years Ball starts the year with the murders of the royal family: Alduin and Marcellus are killed, along with many notable nobles, such as the 1st and 3rd consorts of King Solaris.

1699 - King Solaris dies during the summer. King Amadeus is crowned.

## Year 1700

### Chapter 1: Set a World Ablaze

*Around the turn of the year 1699/1700*

Vindicator terrorists blow up a part of the Crucible, and bomb the surrounding city. Vindicators pour into the ruins of the arena, turning a celebration into a frenzied melee. The raid is a first of this caliber. King Amadeus flees the scene as Advisor Isador leaps into the arena with a small band of Aodhians in an attempt to keep the terrorists from escaping. They are considered heroes for their efforts.

Another attack is launched on the Dark District, and a large number of labor slaves are freed.

Some slaves are claimed by the city and made into labor slaves. Some of the Vindicators responsible are captured and enslaved or killed.

The city of Valore is left in ruin, and a third of the labor force is lost. Desperate for repairs, Aodh enters into a treaty with Serora - new slaves in exchange for supplies.

In the aftermath, Vagabonds are completely barred from Eithne, and any attempting to enter are killed or enslaved.

### Chapter 2: Phoenix

*Spring 1700*

Eminent Ingrid, the first kirin in a thousand years, is born to Emin Lilith, and showed to all of New Valore and visiting War Forged dignitaries  in a grand Royal Naming. The child is set onf fire by Adviser Ember to prove that they are a true kirin.

The floor of the Pearl gives in, and the courtesans discover a dragon underneath the city. The passage is blocked off afterwards.

Chevaliers discover that wisps, believed to be the souls of kirins long dead, are disappearing from Darkwater Swamp.

Some captured Vagabonds are freed when Slave Traders intervene with their execution.

In Breim, the pygmy dragons King Amadeus smuggled in as an attempted gift cause havoc and destruction, ruining a chance at an alliance.

Serora breaks their treaty with Aodh.

### Chapter 3: Unravel

*Summer 1700*

Isador calls a meeting to discuss the future of Aodh. Afraid that Aodh’s incompetent king will make them appear weak on the world stage, Isador proposes finding a new King. The meeting stays secret.

A kirin pops into existence in the busy market.

A small excursion is launched to the caverns under the Pearl, and the result is a clutch of pilfered eggs, and one blind dragon hatchling.

Bloody Flanks attack and sink an Aodhian vessel carrying the War Forged Ambassador, and a number of Aodhian citizens. There are no casualties, but a portion of the cargo is stolen.

A Vindicator among the labor slaves incited them to rebel and attack a Chevalier. The labor slaves in question escape. As a result of their actions, all other slaves in Aodh are forcibly branded.

King Amadeus passes judgment on the Slave Traders who allowed Vagabonds to go free (in chapter 2), and arrives at a preposterously lenient sentence.
Aodh declares war on Serora for breaking their treaty.

### Crucible's Grand Reopening

The Crucible has been completely rebuilt, and the event is celebrated with great celebration and many fights among some of the best known Pit Fighters. The event goes peacefully, with no unexpected hiccups.

### Chapter 4: Ashes to Ashes

*Autumn 1700*

King Amadeus is murdered in his sleep.  Aodh enters into a three day mourning period. Several suspects are caught immediately, but later freed by Adviser Isador.

Unbeknownst to anyone, the young King is smuggled to Breim, barely escaping his assailants. He takes with him a number of his trusted friends.

Adviser Isador calls a meeting, and awards various promotions.

Eminent Lilith and her entire household are confined to the Soleil Villa.

The Dragon breaks out from under the Pearl, killing several people. It takes wing, and sets ablaze the farmlands surrounding the city, only to be tamed by Adviser Isador’s timely appearance.

In Ignis Sanctum, an ancient artifact comes to life when disturbed by the blind dragon hatchling.

In Vatros Sanctum, a gathering of labor slaves are privy to a discussion about freeing the slaves.

Miles away, a Chevalier warband is ambushed and some of them are taken prisoner.

Mount Oriel erupts, destroying the town of Magmire.

Isador is crowned King Isador, ending the reign of the Soleil line.

## Year 1701

### Chapter 5: Embers

*Winter 1700/1701*

One of the Chevaliers captured by Vindicators is questioned by the Court of Peers - not much information is gained. Just outside the Court doors, a group of slaves plot to depose Isador with the help of Vindicators, not knowing that there are some among them who are not slaves at all.

The ancient artifact of Ignis Sanctum is stolen from the artisan trusted with it. In the retrieval attempt the axe gets free, and flies towards Mt Oriel.

A group of citizens fall into the tunnels of Smugglers, but the Smugglers avoid capture or recognition.

Vindicators launch two operations into the city. One is cut short by crossing paths with Smugglers, who entrust their wards - a group of freed slaves - with them. The second group sets ablaze the largest records office in New Valore, destroying countless ownership papers and pedigrees of slaves. Several slaves make their escape.

The new Pearl is opened in the Artisan District, under the care of a new Mistress, Adler.

Lilith’s household, still under house arrest, accidentally free a mysterious Furia, but lose sight of the creature.

In Fernos Sanctum, the Flamines successfully summon Ignacio, who grants them a holy, ancient weapon, and the freedom of a slave.

In the Crucible, the criminals implicated in the death of King Amadeus are put to death by King Isador’s wyvern, Sola.

Far away, in Haven, a cosmis pull returns King Soleil, the last king of kirins, into existence. She promptly sets fire to the villa, injuring many.

Elsewhere, on the borderlands of Sirith, a combined troop of chevaliers and raiders are met by a fierce ambush of vagabonds, but come out victorious.

Further away still, a group of Aodhian merchants trade with their War Forged counterparts.

### Between Chapter 5 and 6

*Events from New Year until April*

Lilith and her household are officially freed from house arrest.

Assault on Serora begins in earnest. The port town of Mbira is taken.

Unbeknownst to the herd, Prince Marcellus is resurrected.

Communication from Ashlar is abruptly cut off during late March.

The Flamen of Ignis Sanctum, Tyrus, is murdered, and the Sanctum robbed.

### Chapter 6: As God Intended

*April 1701*

An adviser and a few Artisans decipher an old scroll predating God’s War and discover the true history of their supposed kirin ancestors.

An attempted theft of a mysterious egg goes awry, and the egg is later purchased by a notable citizen.

Isador establishes a new spring festival that is celebrated on the 10th of April. During the night’s festivities Vindicators and smugglers steal into the city, releasing 80% of the city’s labor slave population, and causing significant structural damage to the Dark District.

The very following morning, all privately owned slaves are rounded up and brought to the Dark District to replace the lost labor force. A few manage to escape, but for most part, the operation is a success.

Riots over the seizing of the slaves erupt around the city, focused on the mercantile and commoner districts. Most of them are quelled by nightfall, but smaller riots pop up around the city in the following days. Fernos Sanctum is sacked and damaged in the riots.

After the riots, a ensemble of nobility takes a train ride to Opulence, and is attacked by an enormous wyvern.

On the 15th, a small ambassador force of Flamine and their Chevalier escort leave for Ashlar. There they confront the kirin King, Soleil, who leaves them with an ultimatum: leave Eithne or burn.

Far away, in the burning heat of Sedo, the Aodhian army runs into a divine intervention, becoming an audience for a discussion between Alya and Ignacio. Their invasion of Serora is denounced by both gods, and soon, the Oasis closes in front of them.

### A Desperate Decision - Slave Returns

*May 1701*

A month after the breakout, the King announces that for a limited time, citizens are permitted to purchase back slaves claimed from the city, provided they have proof of prior ownership. The set pricing is steep, but still means that many commoners can’t afford to claim back their slaves, and even some in the upper class must pick and choose who to buy back.

The situation in the city calms somewhat as a result, but still breeds resentment. The labor slave population is still low, but has been supplemented by recaptured slaves and Seroran POWs.

### Chapter 7: Beacon

*Summer 1701*

Having found out about the Talori’s duplicity from their War Forged allies, the Talori Emissary is brought in for questioning, and alliance with Talori is severed. The Emissary is imprisoned, and the Agents in Aodh are exiled.

An ancient manuscript about the true past of Aodh is brought in for discussion and examination. Doubts are raised over authenticity, and for now, the discussion remains a secret.

Evacuation efforts are underway across Eithne. In the town of Sundown, the village turns out to be hostile and on the side of kirins, while in Hearth, the town is found to be already annihilated by kirins. Bloom refuses orders to evacuate, and prepares their own defense. Evacuees flood into the city.

Kirins launch attacks on evacuees and chevaliers alike. One such encounter takes place on the Sirith border.

In the Fernos Sanctum, tempers run hot and cold. Finally, Ignacio appears, telling his people that he loves them, but can not intervene on their behalf against the kirins. He does not explain why.

Chevaliers and smugglers clash underground, and although the smugglers manage to escape, their hideout is destroyed, and the tunnels they’ve used for their operations are mapped out by the Chevaliers. Secret entrances into Aodh are blocked.

In Serora, Aodhian war efforts continue, even as interest in war wanes due to difficulties back home.

In the far north of the continent of Eithne, Chevaliers manage an ambush on the Vindicators, and receive powerful intel against their enemy.

### Serora Mini Event: White Flag

*August 1701*

Aodh and Serora officially end the war between them. Aodhian troops return home posthaste, and join the efforts to fortify New Valore.

Around this time, New Valore closes its doors to refugees, as the city is at capacity. Only those with citizenship papers, as well as proof of housing and work in the city, are allowed in.

### Chapter 8: Wildfire

*Autumn 1701*

Aodh enters into an alliance with Flight and Rogues against Talori, promising to aid them financially and through trade.

Discussions around the ancient parchment continue, now headed by two Advisers. Adviser Ember reveals her true identity to be none other than Ignacio, and explains to his herd the reappearance of kirins, as well as revealing a part of their real past - the Aodhians aren’t the descendants of kirins, but of Serorans.

A number of citizens fall into a vision of the starscape, bearing witness to moments in the history of the kirins. In another part of the city, a labor slave riot wrecks parts of the Artisan district before being subdued by Chevaliers and citizen volunteers.

Smugglers discuss their future, and find potential aid in a strange new friend. Another of their number tries to convince a number of slaves to aid him in a plan of rebellion, but receives little support from the loyal bunch.

Outside the city, the refugee situation becomes increasingly dire, with thousands of displaced equines gathering in the fields and forests around New Valore. After the events of the chapter, Adviser Aleksei leads efforts to alleviate the crisis by personally housing and giving jobs to refugees.

In Opulence, volunteers and Chevaliers fight off a kirin vanguard, only to be faced with the brunt of the army. In a surprise to everyone, Alya descends from the sky and destroys the kirins.

A successful Chevalier raid on the old Vindicator Bunker destroys the location completely.

## Year 1702

### A New Year - Mini Event

*Turn of the year 1701/1702*

Aodh celebrates New Year with less pomp than usual. Champions and pit fighters perform in the arena, and the usual fireworks are skipped in favor of a military parade.

Aodh receives confirmation from Serora that they will aid in evacuation efforts. Preparatory work for the release of Serora-born slaves begins.

### King’s Speech

*February 1702*

King Isador appears before his people for the first time in months. He proclaims the herd’s difficulties to be a test, and promises they will overcome that test. With that, he has three announcements:

1. Serora has agreed to save some stranded refugees in exchange for freedom for slaves of Seroran origin
2. Labor slaves are no longer protected by the law that kept them from being worked earlier than dawn and later than dusk
3. Chevaliers will be dispatched to “clean up” the refugee camps outside the city, sending “unsavory elements”, as well as those deemed to be safe to return home, back to their villages.

### Chapter 9: And Yet, She Burns

*April 1702*

There is unrest in Aodh as spring comes, with King Isador’s attempts to retain normalcy taking a heavy toll on the labor slave force. The refugee camp outside the city has grown massive, even with Chevaliers intervening to chase people out. A group of dignitaries sent by the King to show goodwill at the camp see firsthand that all is not well at the refugee camp.

In the city Sanctums, strange things are afoot. In Oralee, ghosts of the past clue a select few into dangerous secrets, while at Palasa, a mysterious relic donated to the Sanctum sends those present into the past to witness Aodh’s history firsthand.

A strange building appears overnight in the Common District, and a group happening upon it find themselves locked inside, and transported across Hireath in an apparent show of force by a new god, Digend. The same building grants strange visions to a crowd gathered outside, fueling the fires of rumors circulating in the city.

Within the Soleil estate, a secret room is discovered, containing many controversial items and tomes. The room is resealed after, and kept a secret. Another group discovers secrets as well, this time underneath the ruins of The Pearl - a strange portal takes them across Eithne, and face to face with their enemies, the kirins.

The smugglers find their luck turning, as one group discovers a new, at least somewhat safe way out of the city. Another team makes contact with several well-to-do Aodhians who appear sympathetic to their cause, in a meeting set up by a mysterious benefactor.

As tensions in the city boil over, several days of protests are carried out. The peaceful gatherings are not swayed by wyvern nor Chevalier, and yet fail to catch the sympathy of the King. Even after the protests are eventually quelled, unrest remains, even with Isador stepping down with an iron hoof.

Meanwhile, outside the city, Serorans successfully pull off their Aodhian rescue mission, reporting their success via letter as they sail back to Sedo.

And, having been away from the city on a trip to a small, unassuming Aodhian village, Adviser Aleksei returns with a wyvern.

### White Wyvern Pt I: Rumors

*May 1702*

Dark rumors around Isador's rise to power begin to circle the city ever wider and louder. The tension in New Valore is high, and in secrecy, a group of equines meet to discuss the rumors - and to find if there's any truth to them. After being granted a vision of Isador's deeds, those gathered decide to continue to spread the truth in hopes of perhaps toppling his reign.

### White Wyvern Pt II: Momentum & White Wyvern Pt III: Usurper

*June 6-7th*

In the evening of the 6th, a group of conspirators gathers at the Goldhead to meet the prospective usurper - Aleksei of Aelius. Aleksei officially announces his plan to go after Isador's crown, and introduces them to the resurrected Prince Marcellus. The meeting is cut short when Isador's Chevaliers, and soon after his wyvern arrive on the scene. A heated battle ensues - a battle which leaves Sola, Isador's wyvern, dead, and leads the group to press on the momentum and prepare for an assault on the Palace.

Nearby, at the Azar Sanctum, an art showcase goes awry when a strange storm, and soon after the arrival of Sola destroy the mood. The irrate wyvern breathes flame upon the crowd before continuing on her way to Goldhead, where she is slain.

A large crowd is pulled to gawk at the wyverns body, prompting Ignacio to appear and take Sola's soul back to the stars. The crowd is then roused by those opposing Isador, and marches to the Hearthstone Palace.

After the battle at the Goldhead, Aleksei and his company sneak into Hearthstone Palace, and after hours of sneaking in the darkness, they finally meet the King on the third floor. In a heated battle Isador is slain on the royal balcony, in front of the large crowd that had gathered there to dethrone him. Aleksei is crowned King soon after.

## Current Situation

Aodh is currently at war with the kirins of Heralds of Ash. As a result, most of northern Eithne has been evacuated. The only major northern settlement that remains standing is Opulence. Contact has been lost with Sundown and Luxury, but there are no reports of their destruction either. Bloom and Harborside are still inhabited, but bolstering their defenses. Haven has been abandoned.

As a result of the war with kirins, the general opinion of kirins has begun to sour. There are rumors that kirins aren’t even their ancestors, and may have actually started the war, like other herds claim. Aodhian citizens transforming into kirins are still treated with respect, and kirins are not enslaved, but strange kirins trying to gain entry are treated with healthy suspicion, and require the same paperwork as everyone else to get in.

Aodh is also at war with Talori, but only in a supportive capacity. Due to this, and Talori’s isolationism, no trade goods or slaves from Aquore mainland have been shipped since chapter 7 (summer 1701). Rogues are welcome in Aodh’s ports.

The refugee situation in New Valore is dire. For months, thousands of displaced horses from the countryside and small settlements have crowded the area surrounding the city. These are mostly free citizens with only a few slaves. Despite King Isador's efforts to chase off any "needless" refugees, the situation did not improve. Currently, refugees are being employed as workers in fixing up the destroyed parts of Dark District in return for housing and food. The camp has slowly begun to empty out as a result, although there are still displaced people without anywhere to go. Refugees may still receive aid from private benefactors.

The atmosphere inside the city is tense. The poorer districts are still crowded by the refugees who have not been succesfully relocated. Unemployment is high, and poverty and petty crime are on the rise. Prices of some goods are inflated, but not yet to a terribly high degree. Upper class districts are more peaceful, but gates between districts are guarded during nights, and Chevaliers patrol more than usual. After Isador's death, the chain of riots and unrest have ended, but increased patrols are still kept up for everyone's safety.

Slaves are still being bought out by the city at every opportunity. New slaves brought into New Valore are few, and the city has first purchase rights. The dawn to dusk workday of Labor Slaves has been restored by King Aleksei, and Chevaliers have been instructed to try and stem the tide of deaths in the workforce by letting sick, injured or exhausted slaves take free days. Slaves of Seroran origin have been returned to their home country.