Chronology

Although the Alleyverse does not have lore or background in the traditional sense, the interactions between characters and guilds forms a loose history. The chronology of the Alleyverse is divided into 'eras' that have their own characters and storylines, with threads ending and many characters dying or taking a backseat following the conclusion of that era. Duels, guilds and OOC threads are not considered part of any specific era. On some occasions, members may create 'main plotlines' that involve large conflicts, such as the Guild War.

Occasionally, threads can survive the transition between eras, the most notable example being Devaan's Training Ground. The Alleyverse is currently experiencing Era 3.

## Era 0 - the Shadowdays

Era 0 of the Alleyverse was the time before the codification of the laws and customs of the city, as well as the construction of its landmarks. At the time, much of the science of Alleymatics was unknown, and many of the earliest posts (circa late 2015) surrounded the nature of the Alleyvillage and its various roadways.

### Description and Timespan

This era was largely focused around the exploration of the new universe and its system, as well as the implementation of early guilds and simple RP threads based around environments like shops. Beginning with the founding of the universe by Voidus, it ran until the creation of the Rules of Warfare and the implementation of the third person FFRP system.

While technically the first post that is considered part of the Alleyverse was 'The Newcago Court', modern scholars consider the thread 'People you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley' as the first proper Alleyverse creation, designed fully within the parameters of that universe. The thread detailed the members of the guild Dark Alley, which remains a major power within the realm to this day. As such, the beginning of Era 0 and thus the Alleyverse itself is marked at August 11, 2014. The final thread in the era was the Metallurgy and Investiture Sale (March 31, 2018) and, preceding that, the Liebrary guild thread. However, the event that is considered to conclude the Shadowdays is the Duel of Ages, which led to the aforementioned change in system and the beginning of the Alleyverse continuity proper with the publication of the Rules of Warfare on April 9.

Also notable is the long expanse of semi-inactivity between the initial establishment of Dark Alley and the exploration of the Alleyverse (the final thread being made on November 16, 2015) and the creation of the Drab Only Club (December 7, 2017), which helped revitalize interest in the guild and restart the formation of the Alleyverse.

Era 0 lasted for three years, seven months and twenty-nine days across seventeen threads, although it spent two years and fifteen days of that time as significantly inactive. The Era therefore was active for one year, seven months and fourteen days.

### Major Threads and Phases

#### The Early Alleyverse

* The Newcago Court (May 21, 2014)
* People you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley (August 11, 2014)
* Alleymatics (November 1, 2015)

#### Revitalization

* Drab Only Club (December 7, 2017)
* Canton of Combat (January 23, 2018)
* The Ghostbloods (March 14)
* The Duel of Ages (March 26)
* Completely Honest and Non-Cult Liebrary (March 29)

## Era 1 - the Guild War

Era 1 of the Alleyverse was based largely around the war between the major guilds, as well as the continued creation of new guilds, locations and systems. Much of the universe's lore and locations were developed during this time.

### Description and Timespan

Most scholars mark the beginning of the Era with the creation of the Rules of Warfare on April 9, 2018, and the switch to a third-person format around the same time, and the conclusion of the Era is widely agreed to be with the decimation of the Alleyvillage and the conclusion of the Seven Day War on August 18. The first Era 1 RP event was the Mediator guild thread, made on April 13.

Although Era 1 was not the longest, it was the most active, and therefore contained many threads and events. Most notable are the Challenge of Champions (which was created on April 11 and existed until the Sixteen Year Peace), the formation of TUBA (April 14), the breakup of the Ghostbloods (on April 26), the subsequent Guild War which formed the main plot of the first Era (from April 26 to August 18) and the election of the Alleyverse Mayor (July 14).

It was also during this time period that the Alleyverse received its own subforum on the 17th Shard site. Era 1 lasted for four months and nine days; the Guild War lasted for three months and twenty-three days, 88% of the total Era. Sixty-four threads were made during Era 1, although many of these were OOC or guild threads.

### Major Threads

(Non-major plot threads are in *italics*.)

#### Pre-Guild War and TUBA

* *Rules of Warfare* (April 9, 2018)
* *The Arena of Valor* (April 11)
* TUBA (April 14)
* Sons of War (April 22)
* The Puppeteers of the Dark Alley (April 25)

#### Phase 1

* The New Ghostbloods (April 26)
* Calm Before the Storm (April 26)
* The Deception of the Ghostbloods (April 27)
* The System of Justice (April 29)

#### Phase 3

* Divided We Fall (June 6)
* *The Alleyway Bar* (June 30)
* *The Alleyverse Elections* (July 3)
* *Devaan's Training Ground* (July 12)

## Sixteen Year Peace

The Sixteen Year Peace was the period between Eras 1 and 2 where very little of significance occurred. Conflicts between the Guilds were almost nonexistent during this point in time, and instead much of the activity was focused around developing specific characters.

## Era 2 - the Proliferation

This Era was largely without main plots, and instead focused on a number of smaller plots with no central focus. It was a time of great growth within the Alleyverse, as threads began to expand their scope and worldbuilding was created. A number of different plotlines were therefore of significance.

### Description and Timespan

The second Era began with the conclusion of the Seven Day War and the Sixteen Year Peace on August 18. The first significant thread, the Waystop, was created on August 19. The Era concluded on January 27, 2019, with the occurence of the One Year Interval. Era 2 lasted 162 days, or 5 months and 9 days; one month longer than Era 1.

The significant plotlines were as follows:

1. the Well of Descension and the Release of Voidus, centered around the Liebrarian effort to release Voidus  from his prison inside the barrier.
2. the Great Game, centered around the conflict between Hellbent and Dusk, which expanded to include the Guilds.
3. the Metamorphosis: Rise of Villainy, centered around the return of Solace and his attempt to reclaim power over the Ghostbloods and the City of Oasis.

There were many other plotlines that also occurred and interwove during this time.

### Major Threads

(Non-major plot threads are in *italics*.)

#### Late August/Early September

* Waystop  (August 19)
* City of Oasis (August 24) - later became part of Metamorphosis Plot
* DIDGERIDOO (September 3)

#### Late September/Early October

* Well of Descension (September 23) - Release of Voidus Plot
* The Ghostblood Ball (October 8)

#### Late October/Early November

* The Great Game (October 23) - Great Game Plot
* The North Sea (November 6)
* The Metamorphosis: Rise of Villainy (November 9) - Metamorphosis Plot
* Investiture For A Better Life Foundation (November 12) - Metamorphosis Plot
* The Forge (November 12)

#### Late November/Early December

* The Mountain of the Gods (November 22)
* The Citadel (December 7) - Great Game Plot
* Den of Thieves (December 10)

#### Late December

* Release of Voidus (December 30) - Release of Voidus Plot

## One Year Interval

The One Year Interval was the period of time between Eras 2 and 3. Very little took place during this time period.

## Era 3 (In Progress)

The current Era.

*I'll include a substantial summary of this one once the era ends -Ark*