Brief General History of the Faerun and Toril

Last Update: April 23, 2004


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The Age of Myth

Toril Creation Myth

In the beginning the Order was created from the void, and the various dimensions of the Helix took form and from this emerged the Elder God, Lord Ao, creator of the world of Ao-Toril. It began as a wonderful paradise, but soon became infected with the taint of Khos. Thus was born The Time of the Endless Night , when Ao-Toril was a demon infested world of darkness, horror and blight. From this hell, Lord Ao sent his two beautiful twin goddess-daughters: Selune and Shar. The twin sisters drove the demons into the Nether Realms, created the moon, and remade the world of Ao-Toril into Abeir-Toril, or Toril Rebron, creating Chauntea the Purifier (The Great Mother, goddess of Toril) to look after his creation, Lord Ao was pleased and he retired to his astral infinity.

Once alike in temperment, Selune and Shar became polar opposites of one another, one light(Selune); the other dark(Shar). As Shar and Selune fought, from their battles were created the other deities and other powerful spirit forces. Lord Ao established the Peace of the Great Writ, imprisoning Selune in a tomb deep within the moon of Abeir-Toril, and Shar deep within the depths of the world. There they sleep and dream, Selune dreams of beauty and hope, and Shar nighmares of darkness and dispair.

Lord Ao gathered the warring Younger Gods of Abeir-Toril and issued them each their Writs on stone tablets. These set out the responsibilities and mandates of each of the Younger Gods, so that they may know their place within the New Order of Lord Ao. Bane and Myrkul stole the Tablets of Fate , in order to alter their writs. Lord Ao recovered the Tablets of Fate, and so that none of the Younger Gods of Abeir-Toril would dare to steal them again, Lord Ao punished the gods by forcing them out of the Astral Dimension and into mortal bodies called Avatars. Lord Ao sealed his Astral Infinity, locking within for all time the Tablets of Fate, and then retired to a great vault beneath the Temple of Eternity, in the Spine of the World, to rest.

The Dragon Epoch:

Dragons and giants rule Toril at this time.

The Faeruna arrived on Toril in the Last Epoch of the Age of Myth: The Epoch of Successions, and establish a network of fixed portals across the world of Abeir-Toril known as the quizathek. Elves and dwarves begin entering through this portal and settle in small but growing communities all over Faerūn. The dwarves overthrow the giants and start their empires. Toward the end of this time, the elves start doing the same against the dragon overlords of this era. The Faerun helped establish the dominance of elvishkind over the continent now known as Faerun.

The Elvish Age

The Epoch of the New Dawn [50,000 to 25,500 BP]

During this epoch many intelligent beings arose on Toril. Foremost amongst these were the Five Patron Races

  1. The Zauri- Patrons of Dragonsand Saurial racers
  2. The Aasimar -Patrons of the Avian races
  3. The Faeruna - Patrons of Elvishkind.
  4. The Vharnu - Creators and Patrons of Shapechanging races such as the Locathah, Lycanthropes and Dopplegangers
  5. The Phaerimms- Patrons first of the humans and later Goblinkind.

The Phaerimm made their appearance on Toril, bringing humans into the lands that are now Kara-Tur. They taught humans how to build the Gate of Worlds to challenge the Elvish portal network. The Elves led by the Faeruna attacked the Phaerimm led humans in the Patron Wars . During the course of this conflict, they attacked the Gate and broke its fixed link creating a shifting vortex through which came forth the natives of other realms - dwarves, gnomes, giants, etc. These made their own advances in culture, magic, military and technology. Eventually the Gate of Worlds was fixed and sealed and the Phaerimm driven from Toril.

The Gilded Epoch: [25500 to 15500 BP]

The elves reach their peak here, more than 15,000 years ago. The great elven civilizations of Faerūn include Aryvandaar, Illefarn, Ilythiir, Keltormir, Miyeritar, and Shantel Othreier. With the elves' success against the goblinoids and dragons and giants, the other races thrive in safety and begin the slow climb on civilization.

Highlights:

*25,400 to 22,000 BP: Glory of Sharlarion and Aryvandaar:

. The elven forest community of Sharlarion increased in population and spread into the surrounding forest, hills, and lowlands. Establishment and flourishing of the elvish realm of Aryvandaar (Present Day: High Forest).

*25,100 BP: Founding of Shantel Othreier:

This elvish colony is established and flourishes.(Present Day: Green Fields).

*24,700 BP:Founding of Ilythiir:

Establishment of the elvish colony of Ilythiir (Present Day: Shaar & Forest of Amtar).

*24,600 BP: Founding of Syņrpiir

: Establishment of the elvish colony of Syņrpiir. (Present Day: Ankhwood and Chondalwood).

*24,500 to 17,400 BP: Wars of the Kindred:

Sundering of the Elvish Nation into the various elvish offshoots due to a dispute over the Rings of Athalanoruie. Skirmishes between the various elvish tribes particularly the Orishaar and Ilythiir continue off and on for seven millennia.

*24,400 BP: Founding of Illefarn:

Establishment of the elvish colony of Illefarn (Present Day: Ardeep & Kryptgarden Forests and parts of the Dessarin valley).

*24,000 BP:Founding of Orishaar:

. Establishment of the elvish colony of Orishaar by the Aryvandaari (Present Day: Duskwood & the Shaar).

*22,900 BP: Founding of Thearnytaar

Establishment of the elvish colony of Thearnytaar (Present Day: Thornwood).

*22,500 BP: Founding of Eiellūr:

Establishment of the elvish colony of Eiellūr (Present Day: Winterwood).

*20,300 BP: Founding of Miyeritar:

Establishment of the elvish colony of Miyeritar (Present Day: High Moor, Misty Forest), by the Ilythiiri , ancestors of the dark elves due to political differences with the elves of Sharlarion and Aryvandaar (ancestors of the gold elves) in the Kindred Wars.

*19,300 BP: Founding of Miyeritar:

Establishment of the great elvish colony of Keltormir (Present Day: Forest of Tethyr which spanned all of Tethyr, Amn, Erlkazar, and Calimshan) by elves of Thearnytarr and elsewhere (ancestors of moon elves), seeking peace and simple lives away from the strife of the Kindred Wars.

*19,000 BP: The Satyrwood Alliance:

The independent elvish realms of Thearnytaar, Eiellūr, and Syņrpiir (ancestors of green elves) open discussions of unifying the elves of the Satyrwood (Present Day: Thornwood/Chondalwood). An alliance is created duirng the process of unification.

*18,600 to 18,300 BP: The War of Three Leaves:

The most intensive conflict of the Kindred Wars. The unification of the Satyrwood is thwarted by dark elven Ilythiiri spies and assassins, driving the three realms of Thearnytaar, Eiellūr, and Syņrpiir into a fratricidal war. Ilythiir's influence is not discovered for centuries.

*18,500 BP: The First Retreat:

Elves migrate from Thearnytaar, Eiellūr, and Syņrpiir and Syņrpiir to Selmal Basin the Inner Sea. This begins aseries of elvish "Retreats" into the region around the Sea of Fallen Stars.

*17,800 to 16,200BP: The Aryvandaari Ascendancy:

The elvish Vyshaan clan rises to power in Aryvandaar under Cothonal Ivósaar Vyshann. The triumphs of Vyshaan lead to the end of the Kindred wars. Aryvandaar's leader begin attempts to diplomatically and peacefully annex first Sharlarion and then Miyeritar into their realm and under their control.

*16,500 to 15,500 BP: Human Influx:

Tribal barbarian clans of humans who roam Kara-Tur, hiding and hunting in the great forests and avoiding the greater races of elves, giants, and dragons begin migrating into the Faerun.

The Third Elvish Epoch [15500 to 11500 BP]

This epoch saw the decline of Elvish civilization and dominance in the Faerun and the emergence of Human civilization in the Faerun.

Highlights:

*15,500 to 15,300 BP: The Glory of Aryselmalyr:

The building of the undersea capital of Aryselmalyr sparks the Battle of the Keladian Corals and triggers two hundred years of war between the sea elves and other undersea races, with the Sea-elves on the ascendancy during the fighting. The Battle of the Hyuddin Shallows marks another great sea-elf victory and the Peace of the Sea.

*15,400 to 14,300 BP: The Glory of Miyeritar:

Miyeritar becomes the center of elven Art and High Magic on Faerūn.

*14,300 to 11,500 BP: The Crown Wars:

Skirmishing and trade interference starts between Aryvandaar and Miyeritar trigger another round of fraticidal warfare between the Elves, known as the Crown Wars. The Crown Wars begin with the rise of the Vyshaantar Empire of Aryvandaar. After centuries of fruitless diplomacy, the impatient, grasping rulers of Aryvandaar attack Miyeritar and begins putting political pressure on Shantel Othreier to join them or suffer the same fate. For nearly three millenia of of elf battling elf weakening Elvishkind for all time. The two greatest events of the Crown Wars that still have impact on the Protectorate are the Dark Disaster and the Descent of the Sulalfar . The Dark Disaster utterly destroyed the forest realm of Miyeritar, leaving the blasted plains that are now the High Moors. Perhaps due to the savagery of the Crown Wars or other factors long lost to time, the Dark Elves became worshippers of Araushnee during this era, broke away from their brethren, and after much warfare and cruelty they descended beneath the planet's surface to become the Deep Elves. Elvish dominance over Faerun ends during the Crown Wars, which end with the establishment of Evermeet and the Elvish Peace.

The Human Age

First Netheril Epoch [11,500 to 7,000 BP]

This epoch saw the rise of the greatest of all Human civilizations in the Faerun, the Netheril.

Highlights:

*11,500 to 10,900 BP: The First Era of the Netheril:

The Netheril were human mercenaries in the Crown wars, who adopted much of the arts and civilization of their elven patrons. Dwelling in the land that is now Anauroch, the Netheriluin, as it was known then, was lush and green, with plains, forests, rivers, and lakes. Several fishing villages along one of these lakes chose to ally for mutual protection forming the Netheril League. Soon, they became a great civilization of their own. They founded fifty great cities, most of whose names have been lost to time.

*10,900 to 10,400 BP: The Technomantic Era:

Six hundred years after the founding of the Netheril League, an adventurer now known only as Finder discovered the ruin of an ancient civilization from Ao-Toril. Within the ruin he found one hundred scrolls made of flattened gold, each bearing keys to powerful magic, its learning, and its use. He bore these artifacts (which he named the nether scrolls for his homeland) back to the Netheril and shared them with the arcanists there, who made their contents available to all citizens. Once again magical research skyrocketed -- this time beyond what most mortal creatures believed could be possible. This period, later called the Technomantic Era, resulted in the creation of many new kinds of magic items and innovative spells. During this time, the Netheril made contact with the dwarven kingdom of Delzoun, and, after several years of negotiations, they developed a profitable and peaceful trade between them. Today the term netherilin (literally of the Netheril) is often applied by folk of the Protectorate to practicioners of artiface and technomancy.

*10,400 to 9900 BP: The Mythallar Era:

Perhaps the greatest invention ever to come out of Netheril was the mythallar, a magic device that would forever change the way of life for all people of the empire of magic. First created eleven hundred years after Netheril League's founding, a mythallar was a brightly glowing crystal 150 feet in diameter that served as a magical battery, drawing huge amounts of power and sending it outward to a radius of one mile. Within this radius, other magic items could draw on the mythallar's power instead of having to tap into the source of magic directly, allowing the creators of these items to make them more quickly, efficiently, and cheaply. Suddenly these quasi-magical items (which did not function away from a mythallar) were as common as jewelry, and even the common people of Netheril League had access to powerful and convenient magic that would make their lives easier. With less work to do, the Netheril turned to art and architecture to bring joy into their lives, creating flying sculptures of precious metals and strangely shaped beautiful buildings held up by the sheer power of magic itself. The most important consequence of the creation of the mythallar was the flying citadel. The most powerful Netheril arcanists used magic to slice off a mountain peak, turn it over, and affix a mythallar to the center of its flat side, using the power of the mythallar to hold the mass of rock in the air. These arcanists then created buildings on these flying rocks, which became flying citadel. Eventually one could see over a dozen of them in the sky, and on each flying citadel the Technomancer that created it, held absolute power. These flying cities, or enclaves, were the supreme manifestation of Netheril's power and glory. Zhentil Keep is the last known surviving specimen of the Mythallar Citadels.

*9900 to 7950 BP: The Era of the Glorious Empire:

Sixteen hundred years after Netheril's founding, enough technomancers were developing advanced magic that a new floating citadel lifted into the skies every year. On these citidels, the common people eventually had less and less say in their government and were taxed and forced to work on projects to further the experiments of the city's archmage founder. Some archmages used their cities as staging grounds against old rivals or even as forays into other dimensions. Everything on a floating city became secondary to its archmage's quest for knowledge and power, and dozens of enclaves wandered the skies above Netheril League's loose borders. After a major war broke out between various flying citadels of the The Netheril League, the hithertofore independent cities fearing an ever widening war that could threaten their civilization,united into the Empire of the Netheril under the great Archmage Mylardin, with its capital of Darmarsk. With the great flying citadels darkening the skies, the most powerful Netheril technomancers began to fear that they would eventually crowd themselves out of existence and decided that another wave of expansion was in order. Avoiding their sometime elven allies to the east they chose to expand westward into the lands of the "barbarian" humans who did not practice arcane magic. The Netheril created several well-guarded outposts along their border with the barbarians, which would allow them to spy on their neighbors and protect trade caravans in that area. Because these outposts were not near a mythallar, the Netheril technomancers found themselves forced to develop powerful magic items that would work outside the influence of a mythallar, and some of these powerful items still exist to this day.

*7950 to 7868 BP: Return of the Phaerimm:

It was this addiction to magic which caused the Netheril Empire's downfall. The Netheril eventually found themselves at odds with the evil Phaerimm, who returning to Toril after many millenia absence, sought to domninate the world, and found the increasing sophistication of the Netheril civilization to be the greatest threat to their ambitions. As great as the Netheril were in the magical arts, the Phaerimm still possessed an even greater magical sophistication turned the magic of the Netheril against them. The Phaerimm under their "Sky Admiral" Olostin captured Zhentil Keep and eliminated the other flying citadels of the Netheril.

*7868 BP: Folly of Karsus:

Trying to save his people, the great Netheril wizard-emperor, Karsus in the 3,632nd year since the founding of the Netheril League, attempted to create a spell that would steal Mystryl's (goddess of Magic) essence and help Netheril regain its former glory. The spell backfired destroying the Netheriluin and Mystryl in a moment of glory sacrificed herself to save the cities of Anuria, Assram and Hlondeth from the general destruction (now called the Buried Realms in Anuaroch). Despite the catastrophe, Karsus having witnessed the destruction of his civilization was turned to stone, but at the same time became a god, and is credited with being the only mortal to attain godhood with a single spell. His stone form is now worshipped as an idol in the Lost Temple of Karsus in the Anuaroch.

*7640 BP: Birth of Mystra:

The Slain Goddess Mystryl was reincarnated as Mystra and in the process was created the Weave the essence of all modern magic in Faerun was formed.

Epoch of Old Empires [7,000 to 4004 BP]

This period saw the foundations of the later human civilizations of the Faerun and the arrival of goblinoids on Toril.

Highlights:

*7000 to 5500 BP: Glory of Imaskar:

The Imaskari, a race of Artificers, founded the city of Imaskar. They created portals from which they acquired countless slaves. Some of these slaves escaped and eventually founded the region now known as Mulhorand and Unther. Eventually there was a general slave revolt that detroyed the Imaskari and Imaskar.

*6800 BP to 4900 BP: Glory of Narfell and Raumathar:

One thousand years after the fall of the Netheril, two empires of magic rose east of the Sea of Fallen Stars: Narfell and Raumathar. Their constant conflicts and wars eventualy spelled their mutual doom.

*6400 BP: Ambril's Bane:

Dwarves kill human tomb robbers on the slopes of Mount Kellerak, including an heir to the throne of Coramshan. Three millennia of war between Coramshan and Shanatar ensues, with the elves allying with the dwarves.

*6350 BP: Battle of Karlyn's Vale:

The dwarves of Shanatar slaughter the last major giant tribes of the south. Later, a monstrous likeness of Karlyn, the warleader of the dwarves, is built over the course of two centuries to honor him. The Murabir (warlord) Mihr of Coramshan seizes much of High Shanatar while the dwarves are fighting the Giant Wars to the north.

*6320 to 2600 BP: Dwarven Renewal:

The dwarven realms of Oghrann, Haunghdannar, Gharraghaur, Belsimer, Ammarindar, Delzoun, Ironstar, the Fallen Kingdom, and Dareth are founded and flourish as dwarves flee the constant warfare enveloping Shanatar.

*6300 BP: Glory of Mir:

The First Kingdom of Mir is founded in the lands west of the Darthiir Woods and south of the Wurlur (present-day: River Ith). For the next 300 years, Mir and Coramshan aggressively expand eastward and share the conquered territories until their defeat by the kingdom of Jhaamdath.

*6280 to 3200 BP: The Glory of Calimshan:

Coramshan and Mir unite under Ukhar IV to form the Calimshan Empire, which claims all lands south of the Wurlur (present-day: River Ith) and west of the Iltkazar Mountains.

*6083 BP: Clash at Earthrift:

Two elven princes are accidentally killed in a dwarven-instigated landslide, and the alliance between the elves of Keltormir and the dwarves of Shanatar falls apart.

*5952 to 5830 BP: The Warrior's Plague:

Plague hits Calimport and Almraiven. Known as the Warrior's Plague, after the berserk rages and battle madness in those afflicted. Plague later spreads across the Phaerun causing much disruption. The Fifth Rysar of Jhyrennstar convenes under the warrior Cothonal Khilseith and the Quest for the Golden Periapt, that brings about the end of the Plague ensues.

*5819 BP: Glory of Gharraghaur:

Rise of the dwarven realm of Gharraghaur, centered on present-day Mirabar.

*5775 BP: The Plague of Terror:

A plague mysteriously only affecting Calimport drives many mad from imagined spectral foes and other fears. As a result of the plague, the entire waterfront and other inner parts of the city burn as a few dockworkers imagine great sea monsters attacking the city.

*5500 to 5300 BP: The Seven Citadels' War:

Skirmishes break out between the elite forces of Siluvanede and the fledgling forces of Eaerlann (with support from Sharrven). These conflicts the first among surface elves, since the Elvish Peace, last for the next 200 years, and are sometimes collectively referred to as the Sixth Crown War.

*5420 to 5160 BP: Glory of Belsimer:

The dwarven realm of Belsimer is founded by Torhild Flametongue. The dwarves of Belsimer built the Halls of the Hunting Axe, the Hall of Four Ghosts, Hammer Hall, the Stronghold of the Nine,Stone Bridge. and Southkrypt. Belsimer crumbles when Torhild is slain, and its' people flee south to join the Fallen Kingdom.

*5274 BP: Founding of Illusk:

Three hunting clans and five fishing villages on the northwestern coast of Faerūn unite under a single leader. The humans call their community Illusk, naming themselves after the elven nation Illefarn, whom they attempt to emulate.

*5100-4815 BP: Glory of Ammarindar:

Rise of the dwarven realm of Ammarindar.

*5000 BP: Founding of Cormanthor:

The Cothonal Oacenth of Jhyrennstar falls ill; the Ruling Trials last from Midsummer to Harvestide; the three elfblades are forged. Cothonal Kahvoerm Irithyl becomes the ruler of Semberholme, Jhyrennstar, and Elvencourt, all of which form the elven nation of Cormanthor.

*4900 BP:Establishment of Delzoun:

The Shield Kingdom of the dwarves, Delzoun is founded.

*4800 to 4500 BP: Glory of Mulhorand:

The freed slaves of the Imaskari founded Mulhorand. Their kingdom grew at a prolific pace and conquered nearby lands.

*4780 to 4412 BP: The Goblingate Wars:

The Great Portal known previously as the World Gate, is reopened by Phaerimm wizards bringing savage goblinoid races into Toril. Thus it becomes known as the Goblin Gate. These goblinoids flooded through these gates and attempt to conquer Toril. During these conflicts, known as the Goblingate Wars, the Nether Prince Set killed the sun god Re (the first recorded deicide in the Realms). Set then murdered Osiris who succeed Re but Horus absorbed the divine power of Re and became Horus-Re. After a long era of conflict and barbarism, The World Gate was finally resealed, and the goblins pushed northward towards the Spine of the World. Zhentil keep made its first re-appearance since the fall of the Netheril during the Goblingate Wars, as a flying bastion of the goblinoids. Zhentar the Undying makes his first appearance in association with Zhentil Keep, calling himself the "Scourge of Toril".

*4500 BP: Birth of Thay:

Empire of Mulhorand torn by a mage revolt in the province of Thay. Thay became an independent nation and is known to be under the rule of the cunning Red Wizards even to this day.

*4412 BP: Battle of the Portal:

Final Defeat of the Goblinoid host and the banishment of Zhentil Keep at the Great Battle of the Portal

*4400 to 4012 BP: Djinn-Efreet War (Skyfire War):

A Djinn, Calim and an Efreet, Memmon fought over Calimshan. There, they began the Skyfire War and the two battled for over four hundred years largely thorugh proxies. Their conflict was finally averted by the magic of the elves, who placed the two genie lords in a large gem now known as the Calimmemmon Crystal. Followers of these elementals made peace and found the realm of New Coramshan (now Amn) from the ashes of Calimsham.

*4060 BP: Foundation of Chondath:

What began as modest logging and fishing villages eventually became known as Chondath and its people colonized much of the area around the Sea of Fallen Stars. Chondath is believed to be the cradle of modern humans in the Realms as we know them today.

*4054 to 4004 BP: First Scourge of the Sky Pirate:

Zhentil Keep after centuries of being thought a myth, returns to Toril and becomes the center of a 50 year rampage across Faerun. The Sky Pirate, Zhentar (who made his known appearance in Faerun during the Goblingate Wars) was finally banished to the Nether Realms under circumstances now clouded in mystery by the mists of time.

Second Netheril Epoch 4004-2000 BP

Highlights:

*4004 to 2268 BP: Era of the Sky Lords

Six Netheril Sky Citadels return to the Faerun, their origin is uncertain. Some claim they were sent through time in the First Netheril Age, others think these were built by relict survivors of the Netheril who had been biding their time. The Netheril create a Sky Empire, dominating much of Faerun. At first they are the impetus for the a new flowering of civilization and the magical arts in the Faerun, but eventually the Sky Lords of each of the Sky Citadels become degenerate and corrupt, perhaps as the result of magic of longevity, and begin to war on each other tearing the civilization they built apart. In the Battle of The Red Skies (2268 BP), the Sky Citadels of Sky Lords were destroyed in a great vortex whose nature is a source of great debate among sages.

*2260 to 2000 BP Second Scourge of the Sky Pirate:

The vortex that eliminated the Sky Lords as a menace to Faerun, ironically exchanged it for a scourge perhaps more terrible in terms of devastation, the return of Zhentil Keep and Zhentar the Undying. Zhentil keep mysteriously vanishes after a terror campaign across the Faerun that lasts more than two centuries.

Epoch of Twilight [2000 B.P.- 1903 DR]

This Epoch saw the further decline of Elvish and Dwarven civilization, and a general decline of human civilization with some exceptional periods of renaissance. It is divided into two eras:

Era of The Grand Alliance 1st to 8th Centuries DR

Highlights

*2000 BP/ 1 DR: The Dalereckoning:

The modern calendar began with the compacts between the humans of the Dalelands and the Elves of Cormanthor known as the Grand Alliance who raised the Standing Stone as a symbol of the vows to respect each other's ways of life.

*200 to 300 DR:Glory of the Grand Alliance:

The alliance, forged of the efforts to end the Second Scourge of the Sky Pirate, came into its full glory with the return of Zhentar the Undying, Zhentil Keep and its minions in the Wars of the Goblin Lord.

*300 DR to 712 DR: The Peace of the Great Compact:

Faerun in general was at peace, with the expansion of the Grand Alliance into the Great Compact of the Realms. The Dalelands and Cormanthor are the heartland of Faerun civilization in this time.

*712 DR to 799 DR: Dawn Cataclysm:

A divine event known only as the Dawn Cataclysm resulted in some upheavals among the Faerunian Pantheon. This point in time is tied to the formation of the Harpers , the arrival of Iyacthu Xvim (and the imprisonment of Moreander It also marked the Wars of the Great Compact (766-787) in which the harmony of the Realms was shattered, and the departure of the Elves of Cormanthor (799 DR).

The Era of Tumult and Tranquility [8th-20th Centuries DR]

Highlights

*8th-11th centuries DR: The Time of Tumult:

This was time of warring petty states, goblinoid incursions and predations by Zhentil Keep. It was an age of sorrow, ruination and decline.

*11th-15th centuries DR: The False Dawn

. Waterdeep is founded during this period, and expands as a glorious empire,which is undermined by the Harpers leading to a period of chaos leading to into the Time of Troubles.

*15th-17th centuries DR: Time of Troubles (The Godswar)

: The Myrkul and Bane stole the Orb of Ao triggering the Godswar (or the Avatar Crisis) one of the most chaotic events in more recent history. With the helm, forced the immediate reincarnation of all the younger Gods, transforming their powers,mandates and creatung havoc with the fabric of the universe, before the Orb cracked and vanished. A number of gods including Myrkul and Bane were destroyed and their essences and mandates stolen by other deities. A period of warfare, goblinoid incursions, and barbarism.

*17th-19th centuries DR: The Time of Tranquility:

The two centuries folowing the Epoch of Troubles were a period of unparalleled peace, prosperity and hope. This glorious age ended with the re-emergence of Zhentil keep and the the foundation of the Zhentarim .

*19th-20th century DR: Founding of the Moonsea Imperium:

The Last two centuries of the Human Age saw the destruction of the Elvish-Human Moonsea Leauge, and establishment of the Moonsea Imperium by the goblinoids. It marked the birth of the dreaded Zhentarim (Imperial Secret Police) and Zhentaril (Goblinoid Imperial Guard). Zhentar the Undying, Scourge of Toril, who had raided and pillaged Toril off and on since the Goblingate Wars, re-emerged as the leader of a resurgent goblinoid expansion.

The Goblin Age

Epoch of the Zhentarim Dawn 2004 DR-

2004 DR: The Proclamation of Zhentar:

On the dawn of the year 2004, Zhentar the Unseen, taking advantage of a favorable astrological alignment makes the formal proclamation of a New Age. Speaking, as he always does,indirectly through his goblin mouthpiece Ghilgutha, Zhentar pronounces himself the Supreme Overlord of Toril and proclaims the Protectorate of Faerun. He announces his intention of bending first the Faerun, and then all of Toril to his will. He declares the end of the Human Age and the beginning of the Goblin Age. Thus begins the Zhentarim Dawn.