A History of the Fourth Age, Volume Three
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- Chapter 13: AftermathThe year is 819, and the world is still recovering from the cataclysm that changed everything just four years prior. As the people look to the heavens for answers in this tumultuous time, the worship of the Domains has become more prevalent now than ever before. The rebuilding of civilization has begun in earnest, though there is yet much work to do, and fear rests in the hearts of many. This fear, combined with the efforts of each kingdom to focus on their own reconstruction, leads to a time of relative peace across the continent. During this time, the previously isolated subterranean kingdom of Donkhu began to capitalize on trade with the human kingdoms, trading precious metals humanity needed to rebuild above in exchange for more common, yet vital materials needed to rebuild below. No one nation dares risk war in a time of total vulnerability, especially with the growing sentiment among the devout that the quake was a divine punishment for man's warmongering ways.
- Chapter 14: War ReturnsUnfortunately, history repeats itself, as it so often does. The children of man, generation after generation, slowly forget the lessons of the past, and repeat the very same mistakes of their ancestors. It is now the year 1025, and over 200 years have passed since the great quake. The Simaros kingdom has reclaimed some semblance of their former glory, having deftly fortified their island kingdom, New Pontium, over the centuries, and once more pose a threat to the neighboring human kingdoms. Fearing their power, and the thought of Simaros once more ruling the continent as an empire, Gwynia Avono conducts a preemptive raid on the border of the Simaros territory, during which they discover that the Simaros have been unearthing various artifacts of ancient power from the sea's depths. This discovery only spurs Gwynia Avono to further action, and in 1033 the War of the Runes begins as Gwynia Avono launches an all-out invasion of New Pontium, with Northgaelia summarily joining the fray.
- Chapter 15: The War of the RunesThe ancient magic that helped catapult Simaros to the imperial power they were in the last age was well known to man, and so they, too, embraced the power of these new runes dragged up from the ocean floor. The knowledge harnessed from these runes gave birth to terrifying magic the likes of which the world had never seen, and all sides were quick to leverage such power. Curses were cast, hexes were chanted, and creatures from the unknown augmented each kingdom's standing armies. Reality was warped as the very laws of nature bent before unholy spellcraft, and horrible atrocities ravaged all sides. It was only after 79 long years and an immense death toll that the war finally ended in one final, horrific tragedy.
- Chapter 16: The BurnIn the year 1112, an unknown mage utilized a combination of runes so powerful that it brought the very war to a screeching halt. In a catastrophic display of power, the very air itself in New Pontium was reaved, life everywhere on the island twisted and wilted in an all-encompassing curse known only as "the burn" to the Simaros. The burn not only became the name of the event, but of the island itself, as the horrific power of these runes has burned itself into the very land, and to this day the island is a place of only death and decay. Following the burn, Simaros promptly surrendered, its people displaced far and wide across the continent, most settling in coastal areas in which they could find refuge. So great was the catastrophe that even the human nations recoiled in shock at what had transpired, and any magic related to these runes was summarily banned. The faith of the Domains (that the sun protects all from the creatures beyond the spheres) was further perpetuated after this atrocity, and the religion itself spread across the continent under a new name: Domaanziin. Haunted by war, and burned by magic, the nation of Simaros was once again no more.
- Chapter 17: SkirmishesPeace once more graced the human kingdoms, but it was fickle and fleeting. In the year 1199, a short conflict sparked between South Umbardom and Gwynia Avono, the latter accusing the former of harboring the now-forbidden runes. Simultaneously, Northgaelia began to skirmish with the small, northern kingdom of Meromar over the latter's housing of raiders known to attack Northgaelian travelers, or so they claimed. In truth, Meromar was a small kingdom of little note in the annals of history, with a reputation as a peaceful nation, home to healers that could supposedly cure any disease. Meromar denied Northgaelia's claims, but unfortunately were powerlessly dwarfed by the nation's veteran armies, and were wiped out entirely.
- Chapter 18: The PresentThe year 1205 dawned on the land, and the hero Gregor Badon had led a brave charge, successfully repelling Gwynia Avono's forces from the shores of South Umbardom, and ending the series of skirmishes. An uneasy peace between the kingdoms once more graced the land and has lasted to this day. It is the year 1241, and sightings of living dead bear grim tidings. It will take the bravest humanity has to offer to combat this new threat, and it is my fervent wish that we rise to the challenge, without repeating the mistakes of the past. Never again do I wish to see war between kingdoms, especially with such horrid misuse of magic. Together we must stand united, opposing anyone who threatens our hard-won peace. It is with this sentiment that I, Horace Wheldon, end my task of chronicling this age's storied history. Perhaps one day the years that I am to live through shall find themselves catalogued in the not-too-distant future. After all, history shall always continue to be written.