History

Main Page > History


 * Deep History


 * The War of the Dead


 * Spreadsheet with Full History and Year 10 Game Timeline


 * Spreadsheet with Kelmourne history leading up to the War of the Dead] (dates uncorrected)


 * Calendar

Prehistory
See Deep History.

History in Amartain is generally understood to begin with the Age of Empires, and specifically with the founding of Cardmoor and its calendar and writing system. Much happened prior to that, of course, as surveyed in Deep History. The Age of Empires grew out of the end of the Elvish Dominion, when the Elves abandoned their role as rulers of Amartain and retreated to the Methelwere, leaving the mortal races to fend for themselves.

Year 0 to 660 (old calendar)
Year 0 marks the founding of the city-state of Cardmoor by humans on the Aeryk River in the central plains of Amartain. At the time, various dwarf tribes were spreading through the northwest mountains, the Haugeniks were a loose collection of sometimes-warring tribes in the southeast, the village of Tarbarad was growing in Dolendor, the city-state of Khashev was thriving to the east, and the Zebyssian Empire was growing in the southwest.

The city of Stonehelm, later to grow into a kingdom, was founded by dwarves in year 360.

In 437, Cardmoor was conquered by the expanding Zebyssian Empire. In the subsequent period of oppression and enforced religious conformity, the illicit Church of the Four actually increased its adherence from the subjugated people of Cardmoor. Many of its core beliefs were codified during this time.

Kyre and Geddon, dwarvish settlements not politically connected to Stonehelm, grew and formed an enduring alliance during this time. the Zebyssian Empire clashed with Khashev. The Haugeniks had a series of wars with Dolendor.

In 570, Lord Kelmourne escaped from occupied Cardmoor with his followers. An old noble family belonging to the Church of the Four, the Kelmournes founded the Kingdom of Kelmourne on Haugenik land.

Cardmoor successfully revolted against Zebyssian rule in 660.

Year 660 to 1336 (old calendar)
After winning its independence from the Zebyssian Empire, the city of Cardmoor begins its expansion, ultimately becoming the Empire of Cardmoor. The Zebyssian Empire declines, suffering a series of pirate raisd from Tannish as well as internal coups, and ultimately falls apart. A huge cathedral of the Church of the Four isbuilt in Cardmoor. Transition from Bronze Age to medieval-equivalent technology is under way.

The Kingdom of Kelmourne continues its expansion as well, pushing against Dolendor and containing the Haugeniks into the Esterlands. Geldren is discovered in Tammelhorne around year 700, ultimately giving Kelmourne a strong military advantage. The Deathblade and four Elemental Geldren Blades are forged.

Around 800, Greyport is founded as a port city for the Empire of Cardmoor. Cardmoor also conquers Khashev, renaming its capital city Rindamoor. Kelmourne conquers Dolendor. Martak is founded on the ruins of the Zebyssian Empire; its rulers are a noble Zebyssian family turned warlords who have grown rich on the slave trade. Cardmoor and Kelmourne remain allies, with sea trade through Greyport and overland trade between Rindamoor and Tammelhorne.

In 860, Kelmourne reaches an accommodation with the remaining Haugeniks, claiming the Esterlands as part of the Kingdom of Kelmourne but allowing self-rule by House Waerhaug.

The next few hundred years are relatively stable in Amartain, though battles between dwarves and orcs in the northern mountains seem neverending. After some tension between Martak and Cardmoor, relations normalize around the slave trade, with the Slavers' Guild gradually becoming the center of both nations' economies.

Around 1300, the dwarves of Stonehelm discover a small pocket of Upfall rock.

Year 1336 to 1374 (old calendar)
Prince Rion Mattanhaft of the Kingdom of Kelmourne is born in 1336.