Age of Monotheism—The Age of Spirituality—The Age of the Fish

Greater Forces of the Age include the good goddess of Magic; the Neutral Goddess of Naga; and the evil unified god of Death, Strife, and Tyranny.

This period emphasizes the continued advances in commerce and communication throughout various world regions. During this period, cross-cultural interactions led to the diffusion of new ideas and technologies. The state assumed a central role in promoting commerce. During this time, Islam, a religion based on the teaching of the prophet Muhammad, emerged in the Arabian peninsula. Clashes between Christians and Muslims, epitomized by the Crusades, became common. Innovations in industry and agriculture spread throughout Eurasia and Africa.

Banishment of the Gods

In this, the current age, Aom banished the Forces themselves to live in mortal (but Forceful) Avatar form on Urthe. The Forces set upon each other in what came to be known as the Godswar. The Forces of the Elder races sought communion with their people. It is from this event that the Common Era is reckoned as beginning. The Elves and Dwarves, in awe at this Supernatural crisis gripping the planet, and faced with their own Gods standing before them, declared a truce amongst themselves (Elves credit the Sea Elven King of the time with this successful negotiation, and name the Age for him, but both Elves and Dwarves are equaly proud of taking the high road, as deemed “befitting the nobility of the Elder Races”). But the wars of men carried on, and they often still do to this day.

The Godswar itself lasted 30 years, ending finally with the Martyrdom of the Force of Endurance in mortal form. Born on the Urthe as the Avatar Yehoshua(translated as “Aom saves”, in the Old Tongue) in the Age of Fire (Sunday October 20 in 5 BC is the Day that he was born in Bethlehem.), The Power of Endurance chose to be born as Yehoshua, an almost Forceless mortal infant Avatar, and went to his death willingly on a day celebrated as “Good Friday,” in 30 AD. When Aom raised the Force of Endurance again, an Immortal God once more, the Godswar had ended. The Ascension of the Force of Endurance happens 40 days after The Resurrection on Friday June 13 in 30 AD.

The Annointed

Some of the Elder Gods lay slain, and their portfolios were taken over by others. Many of the leaders of the nations of men renounced the Gods they had previously served, and Cults of Yehosua, known collectively as “The Annointed”, and minor cults of Aom swept across the Urthe. The Cults of Aom died out in the first century, but some form of “Annointed” faith become the official religion of many Human lands for many centuries to come. Although this widespread state of virtually monotheistic worship has persisted until this day, wars still broke out among Human nations over the years, often with different factions of The Annointed warring amongst themselves.

The Cosmic Event of 774

A great event took place at this time, the radiation of which is recorded in the tree rings of Urthe. Most sages attribute King Charlemagne with some responsibility for the event. Charlemagne began to subdue the whole region around Pavia in the early months of 774. Also known also as Charles the Great, an Annointed Paladin of legendary renown, Charlemagne was granted the Forces of a Patrician in the spring of 774 by Pope Hadrian I in Rome. He likely used his new Forces to defeat the last of the resistance.

No other Lombard dukes or counts made any attempt at relief and Desiderius made no strong counterattack. In the tenth month of the siege, famine was hitting Pavia hard and Desiderius, realising that he was left on his own, opened the gates to Charles and surrendered on some Tuesday in June.

Knowing these facts, it is likely Charles unleashed some magical force which left its mark for centuries that can be read within the trees.

Recent events

Recently, worship of the Force of Endurance has been waning, while other faiths are becoming resurgent. The great sages of the Urthe alive today see the signs all around them of the Age nearing its end, though no man alive today will likely live to see the next age emerge.