History of Ardyn

The Founding was the first age of Ardyn. During this time the Gods brought forth mortal creatures to inhabit the realm and faced much resistance from chaotic and titanic elemental beings formed from the natural material of Ardyn itself. These creatures were known as the Primordials. The conflict with the Primordials culminated with the Gods splitting into three separate factions and a divine war between The Profane Gods and the Dawn Deities. The age ended with The Profane Gods being banished from Ardyn and the defeat of the Primordial titans.

The Second Age of Ardyn. Civilization was prospering for ages after the defeat of the Profane Gods. The Dwarves learned how to harness the rock and earth around them becoming skilled forge smiths. Halflings took to tilling the soil and beautiful flora and fauna spread across the lands. The elves continued to impress their creators, learning how to tap into the weave of magic created by Mystra that encompassed Ardyn. Primitive humans began to flourish near the end of the Blooming and took prominence across the world, eager to show the realm what they could be capable of.

The Magus Era was the third age of Ardyn. During this time, mortals tested the limits of arcane power and challenged the gods who had created them. It ended with the Profane Gods return to Ardyn and an assault on Aon.

The Scourging was the fourth age of Ardyn that encompassed the second war against The Profane Gods, which devastated civilization and in some cases rearranged the geography of the realm. The exact timeframe is uncertain as most written records were destroyed in the battles but it is estimated to have taken place over 1500 years ago. Following the assault on Aon, conflict against The Profane Gods was rejoined. Most cities that had sprung up during The Magus Era were reduced to ash, leaving Aon once again as the sole bastion of civilization. Historians estimate that no more than a third of the world's population survived this war. The age ended with the defeat of Tharizdun and the construction of the Divine Gate.

The fifth age of Ardyn, also known as The Restoration, encompassed the time after the Scourging. After the events of The Scourging and the construction of the Divine Gate, relative peace came over the realm of Ardyn for many years. Civilizations were able to begin anew and some races previously unknown quickly rose to prominence. In later years, the forces of the brutal and warmongering Adamant Ascendancy swelled on the continent of Krahl while various nobles and warriors squabbled over the lands of The Exalted Expanse resulting in countless civil wars and battles over the years with rulership changing hands every few decades. During this time, the elves of The Exalted Expanse further secluded themselves from the rest of the world, becoming sullen and angry that the warring races forced their beloved deities to leave them behind.

The Morning War signified the sixth and shortest age of Ardyn spanning only 2 years but holding one of the most important moments in the world’s history.

Celesta’s armies cornered the Archmage at his base of operations in the ruins of Dawn Bane until finally, Celesta alone, entered into his throne room. As she was within, Ardyn’s third moon curiously disappeared from the night sky as a massive wave of necromantic energy washed out of the palace. A few moments later, Celesta emerged from the keep with her radiant, dual-bladed scimitar “Hope’s Edge” bathed in the blood of the fallen Archmage.

Celesta's Reign was the seventh age of Ardyn.   Marked by the defeat of Archmage Vecruth, Celesta was crowned Empress over the Exalted Expanse and her influence spanned the globe. Her reign is most noted for her implementation of the Cleansing; a ban on arcane magic practices on the Exalted Expanse in response to the events of the Morning War. While much of her reign was peaceful; threats of civil war in her empire constantly loomed and an invasion from the swelling Adamant Ascendancy loomed over her lands like a shadow.   The age ended with the forces of the Celestan Empire lending their aid to overthrow the Adamant Ascendancy and beat back a near-catastrophic coup attempt by sycophantic members of the Purgers.   It was during this time that the Lysteri resurfaced on Ardyn--for the first time since the Scourging--in the form of a woman named Mokuyo; who, after toppling the Adamantine Archon, reformed the goblin nations of the Ascendancy and turned them into the Adamant Alliance.   Celesta's Reign lasted 124 years and most continents outside the Exalted Expanse benefitted from a relative peace during these years.

After a treasonous coup attempt by Purgemaster General Wolfhard Friedeberg, Empress Celesta and her allies defeat the rebellious Purgers and calls for an to the Cleansing.

The eighth and current age of Aryn.   With Celesta's Reign at an end, the new era of Ardyn was ushered in with a summit of the world's most influential leaders and scholars to discuss the future of the realm and name this new age.