History of the Spacefaring Civilizations of Elyrion

Below is detailed the general histories of Elyrion. The time between the rise of Anazca and the present day is divided into 4 major eras, each of which is then further subdivided into important periods. For further information about the Standard Star Date (SSD) system, see Timekeeping and Calendars.

A Great Silence - The Ley Wars, the Fall, and the Silence - 984-2230 SSD

The First Ley War, 984-1016 SSD

984: The buildup of tensions between the UCS and Oran reaches a breaking point. UCS strike fleets launch offensive actions deep in Oran space, accompanied by a declaration of war from both sides. The Federation joins on the side of the UCS, while proxy battles in the East only intensify.

>996-1014: In a series of battles near the now war-torn border, Orani superweapons devastate regional ley-lines, cutting off sectors on both sides of the border for several decades.

1014: Oran and UCS border sectors begin independently negotiating for peace. This kicks off a period of political instability within the UCS (then in the midst of a contentious election cycle) and Oran (where popular dissatisfaction with the ruling clan's leadership was beginning to trickle up the ranks), as anti-war factions vie for power with hawks who see the talks as an opening to strike a decisive strategic blow. The delicate politics of the Oran court mean that these challenges to the leadership represent a real threat to the Kingdom's stability.

1016: A much weakened Orani regime sues for peace. Having emerged with a governing majority in the 1015 elections, UCS moderates accept, and talks begin.

1017: Peace talks result in a preservation of the status-quo between the UCS and Oran. The Treaty Provisional Government (TPG) is established to rule over disputed territory claimed by Oran and the Federation. A Demilitarized Zone is created between the UCS and Oran. Both sides declare the peace a victory, though it is clear that many tensions have not been diffused.

The Treaty Peace, 1017-1095 SSD

1017-1092: The damage wrought to the Aether by both sides of the First Ley War shows worrying signs of both permanence and growth. The Navigator and the Forgemaster begin to work to stabilize the damaged ley-lines.

1092-1095: Many isolated border sectors are reconnected to the galaxy. Angered by the terms of the peace deal which prevented significant aid or support from flowing to the DMZ, they declare independence from their former states and refuse to return the fleets stationed in their space.

The Last Ley Wars, 1095-1147 SSD

1095-1133: The UCS and Oran are occupied by civil war with the breakaway territories.

1104: The TPG, taking advantage of the chaos caused by the civil wars, rapidly consolidates power over its territory, seizing control of all military forces stationed within its borders and mustering armed merchant vessels for service.

1133: The royal family of Oran attempts to flee a popular revolt in the Orol system. The ruler of the presumed-safe provisional system, seeing a chance to seize power, has them executed upon arrival. The new monarch is a vegetable, and the backing regent is corrupt and incompetent. The notion of central power, at this point, is laughable.

1133-1141: With its political machinery totally fractured, Oran’s civil wars spread from the border sectors to the home system; an assortment of monarchist, revolutionary, and secessionist factions emerge from the initial chaos, all violently seeking the throne.

1141: The ruling moderates of the UCS escalate the state of emergency in place since 980, cancelling Congressional elections amidst increasingly unfavorable polls. The uproar is as violent as it is sudden, and a handful of core sectors secede from the UCS in protest. The ruling party condemns the secession as treason, and declares war.

>1143: With the guarantors of the ley treaty indisposed or dissolved, the Federation demands the integration of the TPG’s territories. The TPG refuses, and the Federation declares war.

The Fall, 1147-1189 SSD

1147: Breakaway and rebel UCS fleets clash with the central government in the Rathyn system. The UCS deploys its most advanced Aether weapons in an effort to crush the ‘traitors’ decisively. The weapon is destroyed during its firing process, and the resulting magical turmoil results in an unstable rift in space being formed.

1147-1159: The tremendous instability unleashed by the Rathyn cataclysm critically damages the patchwork holding together the ley-lines. Energetic defects rapidly spread through space, inducing vast starstorms and tearing apart the ley-line network. The defects reach the Beacon in 1156, instantaneously vaporising countless systems and habitats within the Core Wastes. As the energies dissipate the gods extinguish the beacon, desperate to preserve their stronghold. With neither ley-lines nor the exertions of the gods, Starheart energy vanishes from Elyrion, ushering in an age of stellar darkness.

1158-1162: With no new sources of arcane energy to power merchant vessels, exotic technology, and weapons, most remaining governments attempt to ration what remains to keep communications systems and life support operational whilst supplying outlying colonies and stations; rogue fleets make short work of orbital reservoirs and station batteries, however, rendering interstellar travel impossible.

1189: the last faster-than-light transmission is made, broadcast from Dalamon H83. “Our batteries are low, and it’s getting quiet and cold. This is our last call”.