## IV. HISTORICAL TIMELINE (Reconstructed from Fragments)
### Pre-History: Ancient Temerant
The Ergen Empire:
- Composed of hundreds of cities
- Destroyed almost entirely during the Creation War
- Only 8 cities survived the onslaught
- Possible predecessor to current Atur
The Creation War (Exact dating unknown; extremely ancient):
- Conflict involving multiple powers (possibly gods or beings of immense power)
- Seven entities or sides (possibly corresponding to the seven Chandrian)
- Catastrophic destruction remade reality
- Changed the world fundamentally
- Resulted in Chandrian curse (beings marked with signs, unable to rest or die)
- Sealed knowledge in Doors of Stone (unknown location)
- Possibly sealed other things or beings
- Survivors possibly founded current civilizations
Myr Tariniel:
- Great city, center of learning or power
- Destroyed or removed from history during Creation War
- Possibly founded by survivors of Ergen Empire
- Located possibly at end of Great Stone Road
- Its location and nature now legendary; actual location unknown
- Connected to Lanre story and Lethani's founding
The Lanre Cycle (Legendary/Mythical):
- Lanre: legendary figure, possibly human warrior or king
- Possibly lived in Myr Tariniel era
- Stories vary: hero or villain depending on teller
- Some accounts suggest he was betrayed and destroyed
- Others suggest he destroyed Myr Tariniel
- Connection to Chandrian possibly (Haliax = Lanre in some theories)
- Sited in songs, stories, poems; truth obscured
- Related to Felurian possibly (romantically involved in some versions)
Possible survivors/founders:
- The Amyr: possibly emerged from Creation War survivors
- The University: possibly established by survivors or their descendants
- The Adem: possibly survived through isolation and discipline
- The Ruh: possibly preserved through songs and stories
- Other factions: origin unknown
---
### Historical Era (500-1000 years ago)
Aturan Empire Rise:
- Expanded from small city-state (Atur) to continental power
- Conquered or absorbed neighboring territories
- Established the University as premier learning institution
- Created centralized bureaucratic system
- At peak: controlled most of known world
Other Nations Form:
- Vintas emerged as independent feudal power
- Modeg developed as merchant oligarchy
- Commonwealth established parliamentary system
- Ceald organized as city-state confederation
- Small Kingdoms fragmented; never unified
- Ademre maintained isolation but grew influence through mercenary work
- Yllish maintained island independence and maritime tradition
---
### Recent History (Last 200-300 years)
Aturan Decline:
- Empire contracting; losing control of outer territories
- Local powers reasserting independence
- University increasingly independent from central government
- Capital authority weakening
- Possible succession struggles or instability
Rise of Regional Powers:
- Vintas consolidating through feudal system
- Commonwealth growing through trade and pragmatism
- Modeg strengthening through craftsmanship and commerce
- Ceald stabilizing through merchant networks
- Small Kingdoms continuing turbulent existence
- Ademre maintaining isolation and mercenary influence
Religious Development:
- Tehlin faith spreading/consolidating (monotheistic)
- Possible conflict between faith and magic (Amyr involvement)
- Church gaining political influence in some regions
Current Tensions:
- Vintas: succession crisis (aging Maer; uncertain heir)
- Atur: weakening central authority
- Trade routes shifting due to political instability
- Increasing Chandrian activity (erasing people, causing destruction)
- Increasing Fae incursions (crossing into mortal world more frequently)
- Possible brewing war (religious vs. magical? Mortal vs. Fae?)
---
## V. MYSTERIES & UNKNOWNS
### Geographic Mysteries:
1. What lies beyond the Stormwal Mountains to the east?
2. What continents exist across the western seas?
3. Where exactly is the Great Stone Road leading?
4. How many thin places exist and where are they concentrated?
5. What ancient cities exist as ruins throughout Temerant?
6. How large is Temerant actually?
### Historical Mysteries:
1. What exactly was the Creation War?
2. Who are the entities involved (the seven sides)?
3. What happened to Myr Tariniel?
4. Why are the Chandrian cursed?
5. What is sealed in the Doors of Stone?
6. Who are the Amyr and what is their true purpose?
7. How old are the Adem really and what do they know?
8. What is the Yllish connection to ancient history?
### Political Mysteries:
1. Is the Chandrian gaining strength or being opposed successfully?
2. Why are the Fae crossing more frequently?
3. What is the Amyr's relationship to the University?
4. Is there an organized opposition to the Chandrian?
5. What war or conflict is brewing?
6. Why is succession in Vintas uncertain?
7. What is Kvothe's role in upcoming events?
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## VI. FOR GAMEPLAY
This research document provides foundational knowledge for:
- Setting creation: Building cities, regions, and encounters grounded in established geography
- Faction placement: Understanding where each faction operates and their regional concerns
- NPC creation: Building characters with appropriate regional knowledge, accents, customs
- Plot hooks: Creating mysteries and conflicts tied to historical fragments and unknowns
- Atmosphere: Establishing tone appropriate to each region (courtly Vintas, mercenary Adem, mercantile Ceald, etc.)
- Travel: Creating realistic journeys between regions with appropriate hazards and timeframes