Fifth Era

## Fifth Era of the Tower

*We live in turbulent times, while historians are unsure whether the battles that take place in the upcoming wars will carry the weight of the era-moving battles that came before them, one thing is for sure. The major players are beginning to make their moves for the throne. -Glatheon Stormbender.*

## Current Era

Most historians believe that the tower has entered the fifth age after the skirmish on the Path of Pain; when the clash between the **Black Rose**, the **Red King** and **Varren Kai** had occurred. A clash like this hadn't been seen in thousands of years, as the fourth era was defined in totality by plotting in the shadows and slowly building arms. After this clash, many micro-conflicts began to sizzle in the background; set off during the uncertainty of the current hiearchies of these longstanding rulers.

* [As of Session #44] Characters in the adventuring party might know of the following plots that are brewing in the background:
	+ **Haggis Dilemma:** Powerful figures vie for power with the Grimke family, a mysterious trial with unknown circumstances that is certain to change the filial dynamics of the Grimke family forever. As it stands, Grigor Grimke the left-leaning ruler of the family rules with a gloved first. Unwilling to get his hands dirty for the sake of the family, dealing in secret deals rather than ruling as a proper leader would. George Grimke, Garruk Grimke's father vies for power within the family and wishes to run the show as his father did; to honor his father and his family more-so than Grigor ever could. His plots have even involved his ascender-son, Garruk; his son having a deeper role to play than he might realize.
	+ **Wilting of the Floral Lords:** The rulers of the Lower Towers, the 10 Flowers also known as the 10 Floral Lords have been under threat of assassination when donning their masks; several skirmishes involving the Dei'Ocule advanced-assassins and these lords have occurred, although the Lords have been slightly weakened.
	+ **3rd Tower War**: War has spread throughout the tower; sparked on by the hostilities on both sides of the tower as they met and fought over a vial of ichor that Gearby had been granted by Maxwell Darke --- one of the legendary heroes, an ascended Flayed God and one of the first heroes to have climbed up the entire tower. His essence was partially used in Gearby's synthesis of a Philosopher's Stone and, the other portion was absorbed by the leader of the Rifters and floral Lord, the Black Rose.
	+ **P.I.E Increased Activity**: Jupiter Eon's organization has recently undertaken several operations resulting in the continued safety of the tower; of which several time-traveling agents of his were responsible for sealing several opened rifts on Floor #33: Floor of Dwarves after amateur Ascenders opened them without sealing them properly. The agency is undertaking an investigation into the nature of who was hired to open the rifts and the motives behind the mastermind of the operation.
	+ **Towerball Centennial**: Raging on in the background is the highly influential game of tower ball, of which this event occurs once every century. An oddity in getting this setup, was the transition to a new era. As these events take place once every 100 years, they have been traditionally marked by even years (year 100... 200 etc.) and so the Towerball Committee made a last minute decision to have this event herald a new era. Members of the 10 families wage an uncouth war in spending on their towerball teams, providing them the most advanced equipment and training such that they can succeed in this game. Many conspiracy theorists (and some credible folks) would believe that the Committee itself is a political organization that limits the funds of the 10 families by stoking competition and money burning among the families. The most cracked would believe it was the creation by the Seers, or perhaps the Dei'Ocule to better control the 10 Families whose power rivaled that of the Red King's standing army.