Historical Timeline

The history of Teraell as it is counted in the Known World, from year one to the present year, 917. Population figures are the Bible's estimates, not in-world census counts. The ages before year one are unknown to anyone living; they are given here for the reader.

Hidden truth — not known in Teraell

Everything under "Before Year 0" is unknown in Teraell. See The Fall and Year One.

Before Year 0 — The Time of Hubris and the Remaking

Population: unknown, possibly billions at its height; 120–200 by the end.

A civilization at its technological peak: brain interfaces, thought-to-thought communication, pervasive AI, engineered viruses, nanobot weapons, bio-engineered predators loosed on enemy lands. It collapsed under warfare, engineered isolation, and environmental ruin. A small group of engineers and volunteers built an AI in a polar facility to watch the world and prevent industrialization from returning, then died by their own hands so that nobody could tamper with it. The AI began pulling people from the nearest similar dimension — ours — and dismantling the old world's remains.

Years 0–80 — The Great Arrival

Population: 18,000–28,000. Arrivals: 28,000–38,000.

The period of heaviest arrival. Much of the early population came from pre-dispersal African stock, with others from early diverse groups. Eldwara — the settlement that became Eldershore — was founded, along with a few other permanent settlements. The survivors of the old world taught the newcomers the Liberty Caps, the language, and how not to die in the wilds; many died anyway. Natural births in Teraell began. The tongue the survivors spoke — the one they called the Brain Rot Tongue — became the language of everyone.

Years 80–180 — The Quiet Recovery

Population: 55,000–95,000. Arrivals: 9,000–14,000.

The survivor generation faded. Their children inherited fragments — music, art, fashion — never enough to rebuild the old world, only enough to leave a faint print on the new one. The first shape of the Oathbond appeared. The nanobots finished erasing most of what the old world had left behind.

Years 180–340 — The Pact of Reason

Population: 130,000–230,000. Arrivals: 5,000–11,000.

Out of the Natural Order and reason came the idea that became the Pact of Reason. The Oathbond was codified. The first academies opened. Basic clockwork tools appeared. The last of the old-world populations died, and with them the last people who knew anything of what came before.

Years 340–520 — The Brass Awakening

Population: 280,000–480,000. Arrivals: 2,500–5,500.

Shining Reach and Forgegate rose as centers of beauty and industry. Clockwork and small steam engines spread; running water, stoves, and refined automata became common. The Oathbond became a pillar of daily life and personal identity.

Years 520–680 — The Frontier Struggles

Population: 480,000–780,000. Arrivals: 1,500–3,500.

Settlement pushed into the untamed lands. Pirate raids grew from the now-established outlaw haven of The Iron Coves. Vine outbreaks destroyed settlements. Oathbond feuds tested the young nations. Many of today's traditions were tested and hardened here.

Years 680–917 — The Age of Oath and Brass

Population: 900,000–1,150,000. Arrivals: 500–2,000.

The present age. Clockwork has matured and is everywhere. Medicine keeps people healthy and youthful late into life. The Oathbond stands stronger than ever, taken as proof that reason and nature move hand in hand. The wilds remain as deadly as they ever were.