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.
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.
