History Before the Age of Marada (-7400 CA to -1000 CA)
Written history began around 7,000 years ago with the rise of Eram-Ur. The Eldrien claim to have developed writing prior to the humans of Eram-Ur, and recent discoveries allude to even older civilizations, which predates even the Eldrien by tens of thousands of years. Today, however, most scholars stand firm in the assertion that civilization began when men set the first stones of Eram-Ur. However, even Eram-Ur had once been thought myth until the discovery of its 7,000-year-old ruins, so what new archaeological discoveries the future might yield remains to be seen.
The Legend of Eram-Ur
The poet Zercles wrote the epic myth of Eram-Ur in the Elinican Year 384, claiming to have heard the story on his visit to Suddaea, where he received a number of artifacts to support these stories. His epic was largely regarded as myth by the Maradians, and as a result, the epic remained nothing more than a fable for centuries.Eram-Ur, as described in the tale, was a city of spectacular beauty, located on the southern coast of Canath where once a great river flowed. Eram-Ur was the first City of Men built after the Fall of the Gods. Eram-Ur prospered for nearly 1,500 years, and had many great kings, heroes, and tales of wonder. Over time, however, Eram-Ur became complacent, arrogant, and hungry with greed. Therefore, the armies of Eram marched across the land and subdued their neighbors by sword and fire. The King, whose son had been killed in battle with a dragon, decreed that "dragons and all unearthly creatures" must be vanquished. For 100 years, the greatest warriors of Eram-Ur slew dragons, goblins, ogres, and all manner of monstrous creatures. The greatest of their warriors, Kolgarm, met in battle with an Ancient Dragon and drew near to victory when the dragon told him of an even greater beast: "the Dragon of all Dragons--the King who rules them all". The dragon told him that if he spared his life, he would tell the warrior where to find this mighty foe. Kolgarm suspected the Ancient Dragon of treachery, but decided to hear him out. They both swore an agreement that they would make truce and depart once the information was given. So the Ancient Dragon told Kolgarm he would find the Dragon-God on the great island far to the south, and presented him with a magical flying ship that could take him and his companions there. Kolgarm, however, tricked the dragon and slew him before departing.
The legend detailed the journey of Kolgarm and his companions and ended with their arrival on the great island (today thought to be Megonia). There, Kolgarm found the lair of the Dragon-God, and, in a terrible battle, the Dragon-God killed Kolgarm and all but one of his companions. The Dragon-God "devoured the mind" of the last surviving warrior and discovered that Eram-Ur was waging a war against the dragons. Shortly thereafter, Eram-Ur was reduced to a desert of smoldering ash. Thus ended the Legend of Eram-Ur.
This story was long considered a fanciful myth. However, in about 890 CA an expedition of archaeologists from New Antaria, following "hints" that Eram-Ur might have been real, discovered the remains of a very ancient city buried under the sand on the coast of Canath exactly where the legend told that it should be. An ancient riverbed was also discovered nearby, and the city appeared to have been destroyed by fire. Little else could be learned from the site, but many believe that it is the ancient sight of Eram-Ur, destroyed by the Dragon-God some 7,000 years ago.
Legacy of Kesh
The Prophet Kesh was born 5,500 years ago in Glaven, and by the age of 30 had become a famous and sought-after teacher, reviving the ancient religious traditions of the region. This religious revival led to the construction of great monuments and temples, many of which still stand today, including the ancient Ziggurat Temple of the Sun. Kesh also foretold the coming of "He who is Heaven's Light"--the Prophet who was to come after him (now believed by many to be Metros). The Empire of Keshim was founded some 40 years after Kesh's death, and was named in honor of Kesh. The Keshians backdated their calendar 100 years, to the supposed year of his birth.Keshim's growth was gradual, but they built countless momentum over the centuries. Some 500 years after its foundation, Keshim dominated most of Celania. However, by then the Empire was already in a state of decline, and in direct conflict the Kaffrian Empire for domination of the Medrean Sea and Sea of Isles. In 1200 of the Keshian Year, a series of eclipses foretold the collapse of Keshim, and 200 years later the empire did collapse as a result of civil war.
Second Age of Darkness
The Second Age of Darkness (the First Age of Darkness being the time before known history) was not a true "dark age". Indeed, Haikoning was undergoing a renaissance and in Tarrona, Tir'Ultsha and the Eldrien kingdoms were at their peak. The Kaffrian Empire also became a major power in Mesoria. The "dark age" simply refers to a lack of records concerning events on Celaphania for the 600-year period between the fall of Kesh and the rise of Elinica. Maradian scholars, biased toward Celaphanian civilization, considered this time period to be a barbaric dark age that ended with the coming of their great prophet and founder, Metros.Rise and Fall of Elinica
Elinican civilization arose from the humble villages of nomads-turned-farmers around the coastal regions of Medrean Sea approximately 4,000 to 3,500 years ago. Influence by Talic Eldrien, the Medrean Kingdoms unified around 3,400 years ago (2,400 years before the Common Age) under a council governing economic trade and mutual military treats. Although trade and military expansion were the primary goals of Elinica, the political structure of Elinica eventually became that of an empire. Approximately 500 years after its foundation, the Elinican Empire had grown to cover nearly all of eastern Celaphania and had established trade with Tarrona across the Sea of Isles. Trade routes were established with Haikoning as well, and this contact influenced much of Elinica's early development.For the next 500 years the Elinican Empire continued to prosper, but grew very little. Elinica eventually began to decline about 2,400 years ago (Elinican Year 1200), partially due to its cultural stagnation, but also because of internal feuding between the ruling families.