## Campaign Applications
### Using History in Play
1. Flavor & Atmosphere:
- Reference historical events to add depth to locations
- NPCs have opinions about historical events
- Ancient ruins feel truly ancient when players know history
- Religions/factions reference their historical role
2. Quests & Hooks:
- "Find location of Myr Tariniel"
- "Research the Battle of Drossen Tor"
- "Discover why Yll separated"
- "Locate pre-Cataclysm knowledge"
- "Investigate Inquisition crimes"
3. Faction Motivation:
- Amyr: Hunting Chandrian (ongoing since +850)
- University: Recovering Ergen knowledge
- Church: Maintaining spiritual dominance since +600
- Adem: Preserving traditions and defending mountains
- Ruh: Keeping history alive through story
4. World Consistency:
- Explain why magic is rare (Church suppression since +800)
- Explain why knowledge is fragmented (Ergen collapse)
- Explain why Chandrian are feared but obscure (Amyr secrecy)
- Explain why different regions have different cultures
### Historical Events GMs Can Reference
When describing locations, NPCs, or conflicts, reference history:
"The Church has dominated this region since the Aturan Rise, nearly 500 years ago. Before that, it was wild borderland, home to bandits and Ruh caravans."
"This ruin predates the Ergen Empire collapse. It's nearly 1,400 years old—remarkably preserved, which suggests magical protection."
"The Amyr have been hunting Chandrian since +850 years. For over 400 years, they've found fragmentary evidence, rumors, and signs. Your discovery might be the most concrete evidence in centuries."
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## GM Timeline Notes
### Dates Are Intentionally Vague
Temerant's timeline is deliberately uncertain. No culture has a unified calendar spanning all history. This means:
- Scholars disagree on exact dates
- Ancient events have margin of error (±100-200 years)
- This creates historical mystery
- Players can discover "lost knowledge" about dating
### Key Flexibility
Use this timeline as framework, not scripture. If a campaign element works better at a different time scale, adjust:
- Ergen Empire could have lasted longer or shorter
- Aturan rise could have accelerated or slowed
- Chandrian activity is ongoing (dates matter less)
### What Players Should Know vs. Discover
Early Campaign (players know):
- Church has dominated for ~500 years
- University is ancient and mysterious
- Adem are isolated warriors with old traditions
- Ruh keep history alive through story
Mid-Campaign (players discover):
- Ergen Empire was real and advanced
- Creation War unmade reality
- Chandrian are the real threat
- Magic was once common; Church suppressed it
Late Campaign (players discover deeply):
- Singers created/reshaped the world
- True names grant power over reality
- Amyr hunt Chandrian deliberately
- Myr Tariniel may still exist
---
## Historical NPCs (Long Deceased)
### Legendary/Historical Figures
Elodin of Yllien (Death: +950 years):
- Possibly one of first Masters
- Founder of Arcanum (possibly)
- Known to have spoken with Fae
- Dead ~350 years; legendary
High Therin (Death: +750 years):
- Early Aturan emperor
- Consolidated religious authority
- Founder of modern Church structure
- Dead ~550 years; historical figure
Shehyn of Adem (Death: +600 years):
- Legendary Adem leader
- Formalized Lethani philosophy
- Unified Adem schools
- Dead ~700 years; revered ancestor
The Chandrian Mark on Yllien (Creation War, date uncertain):
- Mysterious Yllish figure
- Possibly erased by Chandrian
- Historical records contradictory
- Details may be lost forever
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## Conclusion
Temerant's history is deep, mysterious, and playable. Use this timeline to ground your campaign in a world with real history, real stakes, and real mysteries waiting to be discovered.
The past shapes the present; discovering history is discovering power.