Historic Erases of House D&D

Age of the Old Gods (-4230 to -1630CE)

Gods and primeval dragons created the world and populated it with elves and dwarves.

Over centuries the gods grew distant, and as they did elves and dwarves grew in magical power. Then the dwarves enslaved dragons and began a conquest of the world. The old gods returned, alarmed and angry. The massive dwarven empire was devastated. Elven kingdoms were caught in crossfire and collapsed as well.

The old gods left.

Age of the New Gods (-1630 to -850CE)

New gods arrived and created humans, halflings, and gnomes from the “templates” of elf and dwarf. Less magically animated, these races lived shorter lifetimes but approached life with a zest new to the world. Elves and dwarves withdrew into seclusion and gradually faded into myth.

Age of Magic (-850 to -500CE)

While perhaps not imbued with magic the way the elder races had been, humans showed an apt for magic. Wizards and sorcerers grew in power beyond anything mortal races had seen before, until it seemed their ability to change and shape the world might rival the gods’. 

The God Wars (-500 to -420CE)

Good gods grew concerned over the power some mortals displayed, while evil ones grew fearful. Good gods took small steps to reduce what mortals could do, but evil ones saw an opportunity. The evil gods created orcs and other monsters, vicious creatures made and bred for violence. They set these upon humanity. The gods drew their power from the faith of their followers, so the dark races were taught to be fanatical, and killing humans served to undermine the good gods. Gods evil and good warred, using the world as their battleground. They fought to the edge of oblivion.

The Dark Times (-420 to -50CE)

For centuries magic was gone, burned out or used up during the God Wars. Humans and halflings banded together in now scattered tribes to avoid and survive orc and goblin hordes and more. Gnomes retreated into the earth. Humanity survived more because orcs couldn’t plan without their gods’ supervision than anything else.

Age of Heroes (-50 to 200CE)

Heroes arose as magic slowly returned. Orcs and others were driven back into dark corners of wilderness or killed off entirely. Lands were resettled and new kingdoms formed.

Elves and dwarves reemerged from their seclusion to a world they hardly recognized. Continents had shrunk, others sank until only scattered large islands remained.

The Modern Age (200 to current (542CE))

Monster threats are reduced but still flare up. Without common enemies, conflict between kingdoms create recurring tensions and peace can be tenuous. Skirmishes spark but rarely turn into outright war. The northern lands are a spread of very large islands, and in several cases an island has one kingdom with no immediate rival.