0
Year 0 AS (After the Shift)
The Shift
In the old world year of 2112, Earth was forever changed by a cataclysmic event that unleashed volcanic eruptions, collapsing mountains, and mile-high tsunamis, reshaping the planet’s surface. Strange energies and new elements emerged from its core, bending the laws of nature and wiping out 99% of humanity. A few survivors found refuge in untouched cave systems, which became the foundation for humanity’s rebirth in a radically transformed world.
2 AS
Emergence
After The Shift devastated Earth, killing 99% of humanity, the only survivors were those who found refuge in mysterious cave systems that remained untouched by the chaos. When they emerged two years later, they discovered a transformed world and a new continent south of the equator—Thaloria, where strange energies and impossible minerals defied the old laws of physics.
4 AS
Graven Pointe Settled
In the fourth year after The Shift, those survivors moved on from the Caves to establish what would become Graven Pointe. Butted up next to the Dread Wastes and nestled into the foothills of the Gawlkinn Mountains, Graven Pointe would become the first human settlement in this new world. From its humble beginnings and makeshift shelters, Graven Pointe grew into a thriving community.
8 AS
8 AS
Steelwatch Settled
In 8 AS, hardy settlers established Steelwatch in the heart of the Dread Wastes after discovering a treasure trove of pre-Shift parts and machinery half buried in the shifting sands. Rising from the harsh landscape, its foundations built upon this discovery, the settlement quickly became Thaloria’s central trading hub. Known for its skilled engineers and merchants, Steelwatch’s bazaars draw traders from across the continent seeking both old-world artifacts and new innovations.
10 AS
Eden Settled
Founded in 10 AS in the far east region of Thaloria, Eden’s location proved perfect for rapid expansion. The settlement’s deep wells, rich soil, and naturally defensible position attracted settlers from across Thaloria, transforming it into the continent’s only large city. Eden’s population boom brought diverse talents and trades, establishing it as a cultural and economic powerhouse in this growing new world.
23 AS
23 AS
Neeka Blackthorn is Born
Born in 23 AS in Eden, Neeka Blackthorn entered the world as her mother departed it. Raised by her devoted father, a skilled engineer and craftsman, she grew into a curious and adventurous young woman. At nineteen, living in Eden’s bustling streets, Neeka’s life would become intertwined with the fate of Thaloria itself.
24 AS
Xulguns Arrive
In 24 AS, a Xulgun spacecraft crashed near Eden by the Ashen Volcano’s lava flows. The 43 survivors were nearly identical to humans except for iridescent skin patterns. The Xulguns possessed unique abilities and advanced knowledge that initially caused uncertainty among Eden’s population. However, their willingness to share their skills quickly made them valued members of Eden’s community. Their integration marked the beginning of a unique cultural exchange that could potentially strengthen Thaloria’s growing civilization.
26 AS
Solomon Comes to Power
In 26 AS, Solomon’s ruthless rise to power shattered the peace between humans and Xulguns when he murdered their Queen, stealing her 6-month-old child. Declaring himself Lord of Thaloria, he forced the surviving Xulguns into exile in the Dread Wastes, using the innocent child as a hostage to ensure their compliance. This brutal act would mark the beginning of Solomon’s tyrannical rule and create a deep wound between humans, xulguns, and independent settlements that would shape Thaloria’s future.
27 AS
Xulgana Settled
Of the forty-three original Xulgun survivors, only nineteen escaped Solomon’s massacre and survived the treacherous journey across the Dread Wastes. They established a hidden settlement along Thaloria’s western coast, where they would spend years planning and waiting for the right moment to rescue their infant queen from Solomon’s grasp. Their survival and determination would become legendary among those who opposed Solomon’s rule.
28 AS
Eden Divided
In a calculated move to enforce social hierarchy, Solomon divided Eden into three distinct wards: Fairebourne, a lavish district reserved for himself and the elite royals; Vanvale, where middle-class merchants and craftsmen resided; and Coghaven, where the working class struggled under harsh conditions. This division deepened the city’s social rifts and cemented Solomon’s control over Eden’s population, transforming the once-unified city into a stark symbol of his tyrannical rule.
29 AS
Ashen Falls Built
In 29 AS, Solomon transformed Ashen Falls from Eden’s waste disposal site into a nightmarish prison settlement. Surrounded by Eden’s towering cliffs, deadly lava flows, the ocean, and an imposing wall, this hellscape became home to outcasts and prisoners condemned to sort through Eden’s refuse and dispose of its dead. Those sentenced to Ashen Falls faced years of miserable existence in toxic conditions, with many never returning from its smoke-filled confines—a grim reminder of Solomon’s cruel justice system.
36 AS
36 AS
Netherstorm Wall Built
In 36 AS, the imposing wall of Netherstorm was constructed to confine the ferocious baldagaars within their place of origin. Designed as a barrier against their brutality, the wall has largely succeeded in keeping these monstrous beings trapped. However, on occasion, some baldagaars manage to escape, unleashing chaos upon the Dread Wastes. Their savage rampages stand as grim reminders of the land’s unforgiving nature.
40 AS
Arcmire Built
In 40 AS, deep in the Dread Wastes, the notorious Fat Man constructed Arcmire, a shadowy arena settlement built on human suffering. Far from Solomon’s watchful eye in Eden, this unsanctioned fighting pit forces captured victims to battle each other and fearsome beasts like baldagaars for the entertainment of bloodthirsty spectators. The settlement has become a dark marketplace where wasteland raiders trade in human cargo and dangerous creatures, each hoping to profit from the misery of others with every quill earned.
42 AS
42 AS
Current Year/Main Story
In 42 AS, nineteen-year-old Neeka Blackthorn and her Papa find themselves cast into the merciless Dread Wastes, dumped from one of Solomon’s airships alongside other accused criminals from Eden. Armed with only their wits and each other, they must navigate a savage landscape where wasteland raiders hunt for human cargo, escaped baldagaars roam in search of prey, and Solomon’s protectors ensure none escape their punishment. Their journey of survival through this unforgiving land will uncover secrets that could shake the very foundations of Thaloria.
