The Precursor Empire was the mythical empire of the precursor elves which spanned from pre-Ruin continent of Aelantir to colonies all over the world. The earliest traced evidence dates the start of precursor elf civilization at 10,000 BA, with the empire and precursor civilization falling during the Day of Ashen Skies (also known as the Ruin of Aelantir) in the year 1 with the destroyed the elven homeland of Aelantir.
Everything below is notes
History[]
TODO
- ~10,000 BA - War of Broken Chains ends, elves free themselves from their draconic masters under Venaan's leadership
- 8000 BA - Age of Light begins, the precursors begin to expand and explore. Oldest recorded precursor relics outside Aelantir.
- 7700 BA - Usurpation of the Golden Scales. Lizardfolk lore. The precursor elves (in golden armour) destroy lizardfolk civilization, reverting them to tribals. During this time the precursor do not "rule" south sarhal but secretly observe them to allegedly research how an advanced civilization can recover from destruction, in addition to researching lizardfolk and naga magics/lore like space portals cos lizardfolk are aliens. Lasts until the Call for Reflection.
- Think of this as the precursor elves' first contact war. Its their first advanced civ they encounter (as djinn is ephemerous and dwarves are underground), so naturally: war
- 6229 BA - Emperor Arethon dies, his son Aldan (and Ducaniel's brother) succeeds throne
- 6200 BA - Call for Reflection. Aldan recalls all precursor elves back to Aelantir, giving them 1000 years to finish their business. Ducaniel stays and continues war.
- 6000 BA - Orcs released by Ducaniel (they would have been created a bit before)
Empire Amongst the Stars?[]
The idea that the precursors used magical gates to travel across the astral to different worlds is not a new one, and has been known in Cannor since the arrival of the elves. This concept of a Precursor Astral Empire is refered to as the Árhetana (literally meaning "Eternal", though to be interpreted as Eternal Empire, or Empire Continous).
The rediscovery of the Pillar of the Heavens in Aelantir only exacerbated the tales, and that the pillar was in fact a portal nexus of some sorts that connected the precursors of Halann with their subjects in other worlds - who findings claim closed off from the other side a century before the Ruin.
Theoretical History[]
Much of what is written about the precursors are assumptions and hypothesis by scholars
Industrial Capacity[]
- In general the concept of industry and refineries and stuff is simply too much for precursor empire. Like ok they had that but it was likely much more artisan than mass production.
- For example you can imagine making swords for the army: each sword is handcrafted by an artisan workshop with its own personal detailing and such, vs mass produced weapons of cast iron that you'd see in the 15th century onwards
Things are not mass produced. This is a population of immortals. In general people like things to last, and in general there is no great population surge (imo) that warrants needing to mass produce stuff.
OOC: Everything below is deprecated and old lore waiting to be revised -Jay[]
Rise of the Empire[]
The Empire was founded by Venaan, c. 50,000, in wake of the War of Broken Chains. It was decentralized, with republics and kings all owning territory, but all acknowledged the Precursor Senate. Venaan was elected as, officially, Rial(Ruler), but as the position was for life, it was technically an elective monarchy. The great city of Aesades was commissioned to serve as a capital for the Empire around this time. It was completed around 2,000 years later, and was then flown around the continent, as to keep the government close to the people. c. 44,000 BA, Venaan's only son, Arethon, was born. 4,000 years later, right before Arethon is considered an adult, Venaan dies, and Arethon ascends to the throne. He reformed the Empire, creating the Precursor Legions c. 38,000 BA, and centralizes the Empire, c. 35,000. Kings becoming princes, and republics become election-based governates. This is when the Precursor Empire is truly born. In 32,000 BA, the twins Aldan and Ducaniel are born.
Age of Light[]
Precursor explorers find Halcann in 30,000 BA, and swear to bring the Light of Civilization to the entire world. Within a millennia, the first colonies are established, notably Ueniande among them, and the Precursors established an alliance with the varied Genie sultanates, the first interspecies alliance made in recorded history. Both Insyaa and Haless are discovered, and colonies begin to be constructed there as well. In 28,000 BA, there was conflict with the Giants, the War of Subjugation, which resulted in the Precursor conquest of the north of Cannor. In 27,000 BA, contact with the Dwarovar is made, but relations rapidly turned hostile. Precursor records claim that the Dwarves attacked first, while Dwarven records claimed the Precursors attacked first. Modern scholars have determined it was Ducaniel. Conflict began, resulting in the War of Ages. The war went on for 2,000 years, until King Arethon perished in battle, in 25,000 BA. Aldan is crowned, and Ducaniel becomes the leader of the war effort.
Call for Reflection[]
Ducaniel marches, leading the Viridian Legion, breaking holds as he does so. He was sieging the Dwarven capital of Amldihr, when his attention was taken off the Dwarovar in 24,000 BA, as the North rebels. Giants and humans stand side by side, in defiance of the Precursors. The Giants crush the Precursors. Ducaniel goes back to fighting the Dwarves, but never comes that close to Amldihr again. In 23,000 BA, the Reflective Decree is passed, calling for decolonization and the return of Precursors to Aelantir, with a 1,000 year limit. It takes 2,000 years to see most return, and some don't at all.
Age of Reflection[]
Scholarly focus falls on science and magic. In 22,000 BA, five other flying cities are built. Lanaiande, Affelai, Tacenie, Harathil, and Dalaire. These ruled five regions of the Empire, centralizing it even further. Magic is explored to the greatest extents. In 14,000 BA, Aldan's only child is born. The Elfenbride. In 11,000 BA, Ducaniel returns.
War of Two[]
Ducaniel is welcomed as a hero. He is given one of these five kingdoms, Dalaire. It had rich forests and mines, and where most of the Empire's shipbuilding occurred. In 9,000 BA, The Elfenbride's womanhood celebration occurs. Ducaniel becomes infatuated with her, and kidnapps her. The War of Two begins. Ducaniel's supporters rise from across all of Aelantir, and clash with the Empire's Legions. After thousands of years, Ducaniel is pushed back to the heart of Dalaire. So, Aldan decides to end this once and for all. Dalaire is turned into a frozen waste, the population fleeing to the Ynn. The city of Dalaire was brought down, in 1 BA, and Ducaniel taken to Aesades. On a cold night, above the desert, Aesades fell, killing everyone inside, and causing the Ruin.