Shadow Madness: World History FAQ Version 0.1 June 14, 1999 FAQ Compiled by: Ross J. Micheals rjm2@lehigh.edu ----------------------------------------------------------- Scattered across the world of Shadow Madness are various volumes of "The Compendium of World History." This FAQ is a compilation of the 10 volumes (I have found so far). Since I am still (relatively) early into the game, I am unaware if more than 10 volumes exist. I hope they do. The Compendium of World History Compiled by Miriam Cobster for the Archive of Arts and Letters, Karillon. Volume 1 (Magic Academy Library) The First Age: Prehistory BF: Before the Fall AF: After the Fall 14,000,000 BF Continents begin to shift and separate on Arkose. Siltheria remains connected to Khelestra at this time, though Dantyr does not. The continent of Airumel separates as well, settling into the Eastern Hemisphere south of the equator. 12,000,000 BF Fossilized remains from the Uhndrashi region suggest that the ultimate eating machine thrives on Arkose at this time. Equipped with a double jaw and rows of serrated teeth, one can only imagine what carnage the brute was capable of. 1,000,000 BF According to the Gadgeteers, and extraterrestrial scouting team of unknown origin arrives on Arkose, establishing a base on Airumel. Information gathered by the race of explorers at this base is somehow acquired by the Gadgeteers, who use it to find their way to Arkose. NOTE: In spite of numerous requests for information, the Gadgeteers have failed to provide the Archive of Arts and Letters with any more information regarding these ancient astronauts. -- Volume 2 (Magic Academy Library) 995,000 BF Airumel is struck by a series of cataclysmic earthquakes and related disasters. Most of the small continent is covered with water. Alien scouts are forced to leave Arkose. 700,000 BF Siltheria fully separates from Khelestra. Most of Airumel is below water. What remains eventually becomes known as the Cartoff Islands. 10,000 BF Prehistoric Toparri civilizations arise. 9,500 BF The Cataclysmic Inversion occurs. A calamity redistributes the world's landmasses, killing about half of the world's population in the process. The inversion results in the creation of a `bubble' of habitable area within the planet Arkose. Scientists are mystified as to how this `inversion' of the land masses could have happened, and point out that a natural disaster, such as a meteorite strike or a colossal earthquake, could not have been the cause. -- Volume 3 (Magic Academy Library) 8,500 BF Deep within the crust of Arkose, the Toparri thrive, and begin to practice crude, basic forms of magic using an unknown energy source. They name their land `Wyldern' and begin to explore their environment, unaware of the fact that there is life above on Arkose as well. 7,000 BF Toparri discover huge fissure in Wyldern. Further investigation reveals the Tunnel Between Worlds. First Toparri expedition to Arkose; end inconclusively as not one member returns alive. 6,800-6,500 BF Great Toparri War. Huge portions of Wyldern are razed by unimaginably powerful magic attacks. Ultimately, war ends as a result of total rejection of violence and conflict; adoption of pacifist ways begins. Political refugees and rebels manage to escape persecution and imprisonment; flee to Arkose through the Tunnel. Most are captured, though a few elude pursuit for good and go on to live in seclusion on Khelestra, Dantyr, and Siltheria. As a result, magic arrives on Arkose. 6,490 BF The Toparri begin to cultivate and shape the tanglewoods they call home, forming the earliest version of the Serene Gardens. -- Volume 4 (Karillon Hall of Wisdom) 6,400 BF Official Toparri settlements on Arkose are shut down, the inhabitants returning to Arkose. Rebel Toparri remain, however. 5,000 BF First sightings of primitive Orgs and Banori in Wyldern. Many Toparri believe them to be the results of experiments conducted by rogue scientists and magi; no conclusive evidence is brought to light. 4,500 BF Early Human civilizations form on Arkose; First Org civilizations appear in Wyldern. 4,400 BF Primitive hunter-gather style Banori tribes appear in Wyldern. 4,000 BF First appearance of the Mage-Kings on Arkose. The descendants of the Rebel Toparri, the first Kings bring advancements and true civilization to Arkose. The five Kings establish the royal bloodlines that would go on to rule Arkose for three millenia: Khelest, Silther, Uhndrash, Metabolas, and Dromya. -- Volume 5 (Karillon Hall of Wisdom) The Second Imperial Age 3,800 BF-3,792 BF First Mage War. The Kingdoms of Silther and Uhndrash fight for supremacy on their continent (then known as Ylmindia). Khelest remains neutral, as does Dromya. Metabolas intervenes on behalf of Silther, and the war ends with concessions given to Silther. 3,775-3,770 BF Second Mage War. Uhndrash forges an alliance with Khelest, and invades Silther. Metabolas, not willing to risk a war with Khelest, provides limited aid to their Siltherian allies. Dromya remains neutral. War ends with armistice, cedeing all but the Siltherian homeland to Khelest and Uhndrash. Khelest then takes most of the ceded land, infuriating Uhndrash-but not to the point of war. Tribal Wars being in Wyldern, leading to the Feudal Age. The Toparri, for the most part, remain neutral as tribes of Org and Banori struggle for dominance throughout the rest of Wyldern. Evidence of Toparri meddling in the affairs of others surfaces, as both the Org and Banori being to use crude forms of magic at this time. 3,666 BF Castle Khelest built. The seat of the Khelestran kingdom, it will eventually become the city of Karillon. Other mage kinds, impressed by the opulence and majesty of Castle Khelest, will begin construction of their won castles in the years to follow. 3,600 BF Castle Metaboline construction begins. First use of vessels upon the Deep Forest Sea, as clever workers discover a speedier way to get materials to Metabolis Island for the castle's construction. -- Volume 6 (Karillon Hall of Wisdom) 3,657 BF Castle Metaboline completed. Ziggurat of Uhndrash construction begins. 3,600 BF In an amazing act of unity, the Banori clans unite under one King. This unity allows the Banori to stand fast against the more numerous, but divisive Org War tribes. 3,597 BF Zigguat of Uhndrash completed. 3,582 BF Metabolinean Western Fortress completed. Its ruins later become the fondation of the town of LaFitte. 3,580 BF Castle Silther completed. It subsequently becomes the first town of Artelier. -- Volume 7 (Karillon Hall of Wisdom) 3,574 BF The Banori attempt to solicit the aid of the Toparri, with disastrous results. The polite refusal of aid by the Toparri is interpreted as an insult by the Banori King, who later attempts to invade the Serene Gardens. This act of violence is met by firm, non-lethan mystic resistance. The lesson is well learned; the Banori leave the Toparri along for many years afterward. 3,570 BF Castle Dromya completed: future site of the village of Fanoma-Tai. 3,500 BF First appearance of Magewarriors, in border disputes between Khelest-occupied Ylminia and Siltherian regulars. The Banori King claims and secures all land north of the Wyldern River (save for that claimed by the Toparii), leaving the Org Warlords to settle who controls the Southlands. 3,460-3,451 BF Third Mage War. Silther, Uhndrash, and Metabolas unite to repel Khelest from Ylminia. Invasion of Khelest is hamstrung by last-minute intervention of Dromya on behalf of Khelest. Ylminia is divided equally between Silther and Uhndrash. Metabolas vows vengance on Dromya for their role in the Third Mage War. -- Volume 8 (Karillon Hall of Wisdom) 3,400-3,380 BF Dromyan-Metaboline War. The two isolated kingdoms wage bitter war for decades. First war involving battles with conjured creatures. Drakes, Giants, Trolls, and Hydras introduced as bests of warfare. The extreme distance between the two kingdoms makes war grow increasingly impractical; war ends inconclusively due to lack of involvement from other kingdoms. 3,380-2,000 BF "The Golden Era." Warfare between the kingdoms is minimal, allowing for many great scientific discoveries and advancements. The villiages that will eventually become Barleygrove, Forestgrove, and Port Lochane are built during this period, adding to the kingdom of Khelest. In Wyldern, the first Org Empire is established. The Banori Kingdom warns the newly-crowned Emperor not to pursue any agressino against them. The Emperor agrees, as he is still consolidating his power. 1,968 BF Castle Brokul built in the Khelestran Mountains; future site of the village of Bene-Brokul. -- Volume 9 (Karillon Hall of Wisdom) 1,957 BF Castle Domhain built in Crescent Valley; it is the future site of the village of Anglerville. 1,956 BF Cyl Og Qar (City of Shadows) is established in SW Wyldern, later to beomce Cyl Og Sul. 1,952-1,940 BF The Org-Banori Wars. The Org Empire declares war on the Banori Kingdom, beginning one of the bloodiest periods of history in Wyldern. The death toll nears a million by the end of a series of battles. Ultimately, the Banori surrender to the Orgs, becoming subjects of the Empire. On Arkose, Khelest invades Dromya, successfully conquering that Kingdom. The Dromyan King is exiled to Silther. -- Volume 10 (Karillon Hall of Wisdom) 1,890 BF The Fourth Mage War rages. Also called the Grand War, it saw the alliance of Silther, Uhndrash, Metabolas, and the Dromyan Partisans against Khelest. Khelest is successfully invaded, though the invaders are halted in the Cresent Valley. A brutal period of stalemate follows, ending when the forces of Khelest are broken. As the allied troops prepared to march on Karillon, the Khelestran forces surrender. The armistice that follows frees Dromya and grandts tremendous concessions to the remaining allies. 1,865-1845 BF A sixth kingdom is established to `cripple Khelest." The bloodline of Tulia is made a part of the `noble house,' and ceded Eastern Khelest as its homeland. The weakening of Khelest is a crucial point in history; It marks the beginning of Imperial decline on Arkose. In Wyldern, the Toparri Schism occurs. Nagruk, leader to the rebels, is turned to stone. His followers, the Dendrokin, are exiled into the Tunnel Between Worlds. They find a radically different surface world when they arrive on Arkose. Many are killed; a few are captured and enslaved by forces of King Dromya XXI. A few manage to escape. In time, they settle in the rough wilderness at the bottom of the Deep Forest Sea, where they are eventually become known as the Navigators. -- All text (c) 1999 Crave Entertainment; I just typed it in. Fine people at Crave, please do not sue. If you'd like to help, please let me know. I haven't finished the game yet though, so if you *do* send me e-mail, please be careful about spoilers. Long live Edlin.