Conquest of Elysium 5 History of Elysium

Intro

Recorded texts from the in-game Scribes of Elysium

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The Dark Ages

The Dark Ages are the period of time when Man first comes to Elysium. Ruins of long-dead civilizations lie scattered through the realm and Dragons roam the lands. Fairy courts and Dwarven cities are not yet destroyed. Human influence is weak and the forces of Nature strong. There are few villages and even fewer cities in these early times.

Ages ago Terra sent a group of large ships to explore and settle new lands and that was how the first Humans made it to Elysium. Not many records remain of Terra, but it is remembered for being the center of civilization where greater magical marvels are constructed than anywhere else. One of the greatest wonders they constructed were the ships capable of crossing the Void and exploring new Planes, resulting in the discovery of Elysium. This was so long ago, that nothing remains of the ship except for the pieces ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀of wood that are on display in this very library.

Terra was also a very peaceful place where people could travel between villages without being ambushed by wild beasts. The aggressive nature of Elysium must have come as a shock to the first settlers who probably didn’t realize the danger they were in when they saw a Moose for the first time. Luckily, the explorers were well armed and managed to survive long enough to establish a few villages enough to get Humans a foothold in Elysium.

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Since that time, Humanity has come a long way and now we have countless small villages and even a few major towns. Mines have been established where good ore can be found and where the Dwarves haven’t already created a mine. The Dwarves have been here longer and have the best spots for mining, but luckily, they are not impossible to trade with, even though they are strange.

Wildlife is still a large problem and the attacks from the beasts are getting worse all the time. In the long run more forests must be cut down to spread civilization and keep the beasts away, but for now we have to fortify the towns and villages as well as we can. Luckily, the beasts have trouble attacking fortifications and that is something we must take advantage of.

The Agricultural Period

After the Dark Ages comes the Agricultural Period when Man subdues the wild lands of Elysium. Cities are rare, but hamlets and villages lie in every corner of the continent. It is a time of Heroes, Pioneers, and cunning Brigands.

Since Man first came to Elysium, much has changed. The wild forests have been tamed and cut down to make room for farms and villages. Wild animals, while still dangerous, are no longer a threat to the survival of Mankind. But a new kind of beast has become more prevalent. Without a centralized government to enforce law and order, Brigands and robbers have made the forests their home. They harass remote villages ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀and waylay unsuspecting travelers.

A few villages have managed to erect walls and a standing guard, and so the first towns were born. But the towns are few and far between, and you are advised to travel with a guard at all times. Some robbers are even bold enough to attack small armies and the strongholds of self-proclaimed Lords.

The Empire

The lands of Elysium have been unified into an Empire, forged from the colonies of the pioneers. The Emperor is popular among the citizens and a great capital city is being built from which he can rule. Forests are cut down at a swift pace to found new cities for the growing population. New military units are being developed to hunt down outlaws and to deal with the remaining aggressive Wildlife. The groups of Brigands that were a scourge of the land in earlier times have been almost completely eliminated.

When Mesentius the Wise was still young and only ruled over a small village he experienced the hardship of Elysium first hand. It was a time when Brigands thrived on the weak and where the beasts were numerous. Mesentius realized that men must stand united to make the future better for everyone. He managed to convince a few nearby towns that he was the leader to unite Elysium and they provided him with the means necessary to convince ever larger villages and towns. In a few years, Mesentius had the largest army Elysium had ever seen and all the larger towns had sworn to help him.

To celebrate the bright new future, Mesentius proclaimed himself Emperor and this became year 0 for the entire Elysium. Soon after, construction of a new Capital was started that would bring civilization to new heights. Mesentius used his military might to keep Wildlife at bay and bring law and order to the realm.

Civilization continues to thrive under the rule of Emperor Mesentius the Wise, may he live forever.

The Interregnum (Fallen Empire)

The waning days of greatness have given way to the Interregnum. The Empire has fallen. Battlefields and ruins of former Imperial glory litter the lands. Few cities and villages remain. Human lands are in chaos and Bandits are free to roam the countryside. The forces of Nature are

growing continuously stronger and have reclaimed much land from the Human inhabitants. Even worse, great acts of evil have been performed in the Capital, which has been turned into a stronghold of dark powers. Only a powerful leader will be able to rebuild the Empire.

In year 0, Mesentius was proclaimed Emperor of Elysium and started the construction of a mighty Capital that soon became the center of civilization. Mesentius’ rule was long and during his reign wildlife and barbarism was driven back and civilization reached new heights.

After Emperor Mesentius came other Emperors who continued on the way the great Mesentius had started and the Wild was held back, as was Brigands and other unwelcome elements. Then came the time for Emperor Livius II, the weak and unwise. He was a deeply superstitious man with a very low confidence in his ability to make good decisions. Livius II needed guidance on how to run the Empire and the Astrologers were more than willing to help.

The Astrologers Guild grew quickly in power and the High Astrologer would soon become the ruler of Elysium in all but name.

Always trying to push the boundaries of the craft, the High Astrologer started to build a large Pyramid that should help him gaze beyond the stars and into the furthest reaches of the Void.

It is unknown if the High Astrologer was already possessed by a horror at this stage or if it happened after having used his construction. The Pyramid was proclaimed a great success and the construction of three more pyramids was started. When the pyramids were completed, it was said that people could hear the High Astrologer laugh as Horrors passed through from the Void and brought madness and suffering to Elysium.

After this tragedy, civilization was almost non-existent, only those living far from the capital and the Pyramids survived. In the years to come, the Horrors started to disappear and Wildlife took over most of Elysium. Humanity has started to reestablish small villages, but life is very dangerous as the Wildlife is fierce and there might still be a stray Horror lurking in remote villages and the temples of old.

The Monarchy

From the ruins of the Fallen Empire, a Monarchy has emerged. Feudal Lords rule their estates from towers of stone, gathering power and influence in service to the King. The land is more peaceful than before and the taxes of villagers pay for troops to protect them from Brigands and to keep the forces of Nature at bay. There are many fortresses and towers, but the cities of the Empire have yet to be rebuilt.

Long ago a disaster almost wiped out all of civilization. Little is known of this disaster, but it is almost certain that Wildlife or otherworldly Horrors are to blame. Measures should be taken to keep these forces at bay, so that such a disaster never happens again.

The local Lords are now responsible for keeping their territories safe from Brigands, Wildlife, and other Horrors. The first Lord to bring order and Civilization back was Clovis and he was crowned as King in what became Year 1. Ever since he has been succeeded by his sons who have all been fair rulers that have continued to spread civilization through Elysium.

Now in the year 228, King Sigebert rules as the straight descendant of King Clovis and the future looks promising.

The Dawn Of A New Empire

Slowly and painstakingly, Elysium is returning to the glories it knew during the days of the Empire. Cities are growing once more and the future of Humankind looks bright and promising. But the hard years of the Monarchy are not forgotten and a Council of Elders has been formed to rule Humankind and to keep anyone from proclaiming themselves king. The Council rules from the largest city, but it is not nearly as large as the Capital of the old Empire.

After many generations of Kings, everyone worse than the previous one, the entire royal family was finally assassinated. A Council of Elders formed in the greatest city and started to rule over Elysium.

The Council of Elders are wise rulers and encourages trade between cities and the construction of more Libraries and Academies to educate the noble families. Cities are growing once more and the future looks bright and promising.

Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2614207624

History of Elysium