EB = Era of Beasts
BSE = Before Saint Era
SE = Saint Era
5000 EB to 1 BSE = Much warmer climates led to the flourishing of (now extinct) gigantic animals and plants. Nothing has survived from that time. It has evolved into the beasts that live in SE or died out. How humans were formed is unknown, but some theorize that they evolved for different beasts into humans. Bones of these creatures can be found all throughout the natural world, and many mythological stories have been made about these creatures.
1 - 1132 BSE = Before the Written Word was discovered. Humans existed in a central location on the continent to the north, and started exploring and settling other regions. Climate reduced in temperature and numerous species could not adapt and died, so humans needed to relocate to find food as numerous food sources died out. Hunting and gathering using primitive tools was starting to happen. In some caves there are drawings from this time. Havenholm scholar-historians have unearthed many bones and tools from this time period. Drawings and excavated remains are all scholars have to go off of.
1132 - 1454 BSE = Various groups begin setting up permanent settlements. Languages and accents start forming as groups migrate and live in different areas. Written word is discovered. Stories start to emerge from each region about simplistic religions of angry gods who consistently ask for sacrifices and offerings to appease their wrath, current Havenholm scholars believe these religions were bound in primitive beliefs and the bones of prehistoric creatures.
1454 - 1876 BSE = Regions are mostly ruled by families with the most strength who can dominate other families and provide protection from invaders, the elements, or food. Agriculture, architecture, and art are basic but advanced compared to the previous time period. Regions begin more accurately writing historical, religious, musical, and instructional texts.
1 - 21 SE = The first Saint to appear to humans is Antigone, in what is now known as Havenholm. She brought knowledge and healing to those in the region and allowed the people to flourish using her gifts. It took her days to learn the primitive language of the people in the region, and she taught those willing to learn her language. There were some interested in maintaining the culture and language of their people, and they migrated south and deviated from the newly named Havenholm. She was worshiped as a god, or as she called herself, a Saint.
21 - 25 SE = Numerous countries attempted to invade Havenholm, but were stopped by the advanced tactics, weaponry, and Antigone herself, who miraculously healed her wounded followers in war.
25 - 178 SE = More Saints appear in various regions of the world. Antigone knows of them all. Some she loathes, some she loves. They are all worshipped as Saints-Imperateaus, "The Ruling Saints." Soon every major populated region has a Saint that protects and teaches their followers. Each society advances thanks to their Saint's influence, but their knowledge learned varied from Saint to Saint. They all were known as the Saint of death, life, war, ghosts, knowledge, etc. This is a golden age of advancements. Art, music, architecture, education, improve drastically under the influence of the Saints. Entire religions are formed around Saints. Their forms of worship vary in different cultures and regions. Because people have mostly adapted to the language of the Saints, the world has one universal language. Accents and pronunciations differ, but most cultures can understand one another. Smaller groups outside of major city-states have held onto their languages and beliefs.
178 - 196 SE = War of the Many - Wars are started for land, natural resources, revenge, or love, and Saints go to war with their followers. Some Saints die in the process of defending their people by fighting against other Saints. More permanent boundary lines are drawn after these wars, and hundreds of thousands die during this time as regions vie for power. Havenholm serves as a mediator to warring countries, as they have evolved beyond wars for other resources or land. They only become involved when (they feel) another country's cause is unjust.
196 - 211 SE = The Great Culling. Demons are summoned through occult practices by the nomadic groups outside of City-states using "the ancient ways." Human sacrifices and horrific rituals bring about numerous savage demons that wreak havoc. This comes on the heels of the War of the Many. There are children who become adults not knowing what peace time looks like, starting from the War of the Many until this time. Saints and Humans are able to kill all Demons except one, who becomes a ruler of Urk'thill. By this point, countries and people are so tired of the wars, that they allow the Demon Knight to rule that region, so long as he stays in his country. Now though, he is known as the Demon King.
211 - 224 SE = An uneasy truce exists between City states. Many have allied with one-another through complicated treaties and post war alliances. Havenholm diplomatically quells potential conflicts through its Queen, Androta. She has kept peace in many countries with fresh wounds that have not yet healed. She is loved by many throughout the City states, but those who crave war do not love her meddling in the geopolitical affairs of other countries...
224 SE - Death to the Queen - Androta is assassinated by Ast’aral, the Assassin from the Forgotten Sands, who was given the task by her Saint. Meanwhile the God Killer has begun killing Saints, including Antigone and the Ghost Saint Maar'ul. War is once again unleashed upon the world because of alliances and vendettas, but many of the countries are still recovering from the last two great-wars, so Mercenaries with relics and Saint forged weapons are called in to fight wars in place of soldiers from regions.
Let the Brutality commence...