The Fall

The Fall is the series of civil wars that took place immediately after the destruction of the capital of the Ancoran Empire. The destruction of the capital, caused by a disastrous experiment with the Prima Ancora, triggered a series of uprisings throughout the empire. With the Imperial family nearly wiped out and most of the surviving army more loyal to regional governors than any of the distant relatives of the Emperor claiming they were the legitimate heir, there was very little hope that the empire would hold together. Indeed, Archmagus Torvalla predicted many of the details of what would come to be known simply as The Fall.
The Fall can be divided into three major phases:

The Troubles, a series of skirmishes fought between 4 of the surviving members of the Imperial family, all of whom claimed they were most closely related to the previous Emperor, and thus were the rightful heir. These skirmishes went on for months, and the lack of any decisive battles shook what little faith the people of the Empire had in any of these leaders.

The Foundings, a series of regional uprisings led by various dignitaries, primarily governors of various provinces of the Empire, who had lost their faith in the idea of restoring the Ancoran Empire. These uprisings declared independence, giving rise to many of the kingdoms that now make up the Sleeping Lands. Some of these newborn kingdoms were content to fortify their own borders, while others fought with each other, attempting to sieze territory from neighbouring kingdoms as they became established. This began in more outlying provinces, far from the influence of any of the Imperial family's struggles with the Troubles.

The Twilight of the Imperium, which began late in 2AE when several members of the Imperial family were assassinated the night before Kleitius the Pretender declared himself the first Emperor of a second dynasty of the Ancoran Empire. Through empty promises and outright bribery, he managed to secure the loyalty of a number of key dignitaries, positioning agents to sweep away much of the old Imperial family and gaining control a substantial military force. As he expanded his influence, more and more of the border kingdoms began to see his new empire an existential threat, and eventually formed a coalition army large enough to push him back. After several major defeats, Kletius was assassinated in 5AE by a disillusioned ally. By this point, every member of the Imperial family was either confirmed dead or unaccounted for.

After the death of Kletius the Pretender, the central territories of the Ancoran Empire fell into another decade of civil war before borders between the various factions stabilized. Despite some consolidation that has happened since, one can easily see the central provinces claimed by Kletius on a map, split into numerous small realms, while the outer provinces that declared independance early tended to claim much more substantial territories.

Start Date

1AE

Ending Date

18AE