The following is an archaic timeline discovered by Ushanak the Explorer in the caverns of the Hulderk Mountains...
Nerin Toth is hundreds of thousands, arguably millions of years old. Its first recorded history began over 900 years ago. King Oswald D'Arnte decreed that a geographic mapping and recording of all known history was to commence. This project consumed most of D'Arnte's life. He was over-thrown by Yelamakay el Tomath. D'Arnte lands had become El Tomath lands and Yelamakay el Tomath was crowned king. The El Tomath Kingdom was made up of the towns of Jemeroth, the location of El Tomath Keep; Medrath; Alemeir, and extended as far north as the city, Peregren. Yelamakay's reign lasted almost 50 years. Yelamakay passed and was laid to rest at the top of a distant mountain peak. His heir, Linus el Tomath succeeded him, as did Linus' heir, and his heir, and his heir. After many generations, Bram el Tomath died and his son, Sebastian, had been crowned king. Sebastian had his son who would one day be king. The scribes of Peregren classify Nerin Toth as having two periods, The Daybreak period, consisting of the time from D'Arnte's decree of recording. The second time period is known as The Reckoning, current day.
THE DAYBREAK999 B.R. (Before The Reckoning) -King Oswall D'Arnte of Jemeroth commissions all scribes of D'Arnte Lands to create a lexicon of the history, peoples, nature, and geography of Nerin Toth.
999 B.R. - 995 B.R. -The Dwarves of Hillkhan, BattleMead, and BattleAle enslave the Minotaur and Ogre races. The Arcane Sanctuary appears overnight.
994 B.R. - 978 B.R. - Minotaurs begin a grassroots resistance to the Dwarves. Fall of the Arcane Sanctuary.
976 B.R. - 969 B.R. - The Minotaur Uprising. Minotaurs fight for freedom against Dwarves. Many Minotaurs die. Ogres refuse to fight and are granted freedom.
968 B.R. - 949 B.R. - The elves of Kell Forest are first recorded. Princess Zoei Fantasy claims elves are from a place called "The Song of Life."
949 B.R. - King Oswall D'Arnte of Jemeroth was overthrown by Yelamakay el Tomath. D'Arnte lands become El Tomathian lands. Yelamakay el Tomath was crowned King of El Tomath.
948-899 B.R. - Death of Yelamakay. Prince heir, Linus el Tomath crowned King of El Tomath.
898-890 B.R. - Death of Linus. Succeeded by Robert el Tomath. Construction of Port Io.
889-885 B.R. - Construction of Port Skell.
884-722 B.R. -The "46-Year War and Inevitable Resolution of Peace" of the riverfolk halflings occurs. Death of Robert. Succeeded by Roberto el Tomath II.
721-702 B.R. - Death of Roberto el Tomath II. Succeeded by Salem el Tomath.
701-644 B.R. - (Records Missing)
643-305 B.R. - War of the Kell Elves.
304-98 B.R. - (Records Missing)
97-59 B.R. - Wrymm's Soul Volcano erupts. Knights of el Tomath began using sky-ships to combat piracy.
58-40 B.R. - Construction of the Mage Academy of Port Skell.
39-20 B.R. - Death of Bram el Tomath. Succeeded by Sebastian el Tomath. Pirates assume control of Port Skell.
20-1 B.R. - Birth of Kargin el Tomath. The Goblin Wars. Beginning of The Famine.
The Reckoning - The deadly plague of the undead sweeps across Nerin Toth. Countless lives are lost, and cities go into siege legislating powerful laws for entry. Piracy thrives.
1-3 A.R. (After The Reckoning) - Sarsethok decimates Jemeroth. Death of Sebastian el Tomath. Kargin el Tomath was crowned king. Tank Tallfellow, half-halfling/half-elf crowned king of the Kell Elves. Minotaurs of Azerath make peace with the city-state Peregren.
As per a known tradition, the Peregren Chronicle is a running diary of sorts that has been found time and time again in the wild lands of Nerin Toth, with short journal entries from a host of writers, each never having been heard from again, likely a victim of the undead plague, after adding to the Chronicle...
Peregren Chronicle 1
a notation by Sir Fillum Bernard of the Peregren Scribe Council
ITEM - It has come to the attention of his royal Duke Essington Aselbeck, that all visitors after proper placement and procedure initiations are met, are to read the following notice and take note of its contents. All laws are to be obeyed, any disregard will result in immediate exile, time in the stockades, or hanging.
The Acceptance:
It is known that the realm of Nerin Toth has been besieged by the unholy dead who have risen to walk the land and destroy the living. All visitors must be ready for the check and placement procedure. Homes and resources are scarce. The city of Peregren is aware of the homelessness problem and has passed it along to the committee. If one leaves the city they must re-check at the front gate, and go through the placement procedure. Anyone attempting to enter the city in any other manner will be killed on-site.
The Forbidden:
The following acts are prohibited at all times: theft, murder, rape, any form of cannibalism including but not limited to association with Civil Agents, forgery of goods or services, piracy association, witchcraft or sorcery, and treason. Each of these acts is punishable by immediate exile, time in the stockades, or hanging.
Peregren Chronicle 2
a notation by Sir Fillum Bernard of the Peregren Scribe Council
ITEM - The Mage Academy of Port Skell has sent word to the committee in Peregren that it still bans all practice of use from the elemental magic school of Blood. Any practitioners of this school of magic are forbidden. Violators will be executed on-site. The El Tomath Knighthood has agreed with the committee to reinforce the decree. The elemental magic school of Blood has been known to spread disease and create demonic catastrophes. King Sebastian el Tomath has ordered Peregren's Duke Essington Aselbeck and Prime Minister Zoei Fantasy to bar all Blood magic users from entry into Peregren.
ITEM - Famine rationing in Alemeir has begun. The disaster of Jemeroth has turned heads at El Tomath Keep. Work is underway to determine the cause of the famine. El Tomath Knights are being dispatched to all local villages to police the rationing.
ITEM - A violent outbreak occurred in Medrath two days ago. Dozens were brutally murdered in a Tanlaura temple. Witnesses who escaped the mass slaughter claim it was one individual who committed the crimes, however, El Tomath Knights have determined this to not be likely.
ITEM - The Sky Palace was spotted over Peregren two weeks ago, headed east. The Sky Palace is most infamously known for being the sky-ship of Captain Hellcat and her crew of criminal pirates. A group of halfling boys on a field trip from Ft. Fiel to Peregren first spotted the ship over the eastern guard tower.
"That ship is fast!" -Pister Segflip of Ft. Fiel, 13.
"It had cannons and was armed to the teeth!" -Igor Krimpleleg of Ft. Fiel, 15.
Captain Hellcat is believed to have stolen the ship and is still evading El Tomathian authorities at this time. Any information regarding Captain Hellcat should be reported to the authorities.
WANTED: Captain Hellcat and the Sky Palace crew. Captain Hellcat is accused of piracy, bootlegging, theft of royal property, evading the law, assault, public indecency, and public drunkenness. Any information regarding Captain Hellcat or the crew of the skyship, "The Sky Palace" should be reported directly to the El Tomath Knighthood.
Peregren Chronicle 3
a notation by Sir Fillum Bernard of the Peregren Scribe Council
SPECIAL PORT SKELL ANNOUNCEMENT EDITION!
ITEM - Maron the Incredible, of Port Skell, is once again extending his annual invite to all practitioners of magic across the realm to visit the Mage Academy of Port Skell.
ITEM - A massive grizzly bear was spotted outside of the walls in Port Skell. Do not approach the animal. It is believed to be dangerous and deadly. Report any sitings of the bear to The Crow's Nest Inn.
ITEM - HELP WANTED: Two spots have opened on the Misty Skipper, a transport ship that sails from Port Skell to Chetheron by way of Parr Bay. Must have a strong back, rigging skills, and a working knowledge of sewing. Interested parties should meet with Pete the Scamp at the north piers.
ITEM - Rationing in the towns of Alemeir and Jemeroth as well as El Tomath Keep has begun. Any need for food or wares should be addressed with local temples. Do not ask knights or guards for help. They are not in a position to offer such assistance.
Peregren Chronicle 4
Royal Decree of the noble, fair, and just,
King Sebastian el Tomath
The People of El Tomath Kingdom, Citizens of Peregren:
With the recent famine, it has come to the attention of both the royal court of El Tomath Keep and the committee of Peregren that rationing will commence within two days. The food shortage has stricken the realm for well over six months and as a result, a plague has also struck. The following procedures are to take place immediately.
All food items must be turned over to royal guards. Anyone caught hoarding will face trial with a punishment of imprisonment or exile. These are trying times for our lands and we must all come together for our shared survival.
All farmers must turn over all produce, meats, and other products to the kingdom. Compensation will be the result of a tax cut for agricultural families.
All fishmongers are required to report all imports to the committee of Peregren. Any violation of this will result in immediate confiscation of water vessels (including but not limited to rowboats, caravels, canoes, and ships of any size. Piracy remains a violation of the El Tomathian principle. All pirates are to be killed on-site or hung.
Meal times are at high noon and sundown. Meals are provided by local authorities and will consist of nutritious food items deemed proper by the Kingdom.
Private gardens are encouraged. However, all gains must be turned over to the kingdom. Private gardens do not fall under the Kingdom's opinion of farming and will not receive tax cuts.
The Kingdom Shall Always Provide.
~King Sebastian el Tomath
~Duke Essington Aselbeck
~Commander Val el Tomath
NOTE: Prime Minister Zoei Fantasy has stated in recent weeks that the rationing of food products in the kingdom is a violation of private rights, including land ownership, the right to privacy, and the right of prosperous livelihood.
"It is a sad day, when my friend, King Sebastian, has decided to create laws that benefit only the wealthy. These are trying times. As head of the committee, it is my responsibility to represent the people of Peregren. We are working tirelessly to come to a resolution and get farmers and fishmongers the proper compensation they rightfully deserve." -Prime Minister Zoei Fantasy
As a counter-argument to the Prime Minister, Duke Essington Aselbeck responded:
"While we respectfully hear the opinions of the Prime Minister, they are in no way a statement of the royal family. The knighthood will enforce all royal decrees."
Another committee meeting is scheduled for two weeks in Peregren.
Peregren Chronicle 5
I write this from the Black Desert. I have found myself as a part of a group of refugees, fleeing the death and destruction of Jemeroth. The undead came in waves, dozens of dozens, who would slaughter and maim, only to be defeated eventually and in their place dozens and dozens more, over and over again. The city and El Tomath Keep itself have fallen. They are the dwellings of corpses now, corpses who will eventually rise and join the ranks of the ghouls and ghasts that have ravaged the land. We have been left with no choice but to flee, and where to flee to we do not know. And so the group I am a part of travels south toward the Hulderk Mountains. It would seem it is our only choice. Rumors of dark elves controlling the mountain range to the south persist and those who spread them believe them with every fiber of their being, but none of us truly knows for sure. If you are reading this message then the carrier raven who delivered it made it safely to Port Skell. We would have sought refuge in Peregren but the lands between the capital and Jemeroth are too thick with undead for us to have any semblance of hope. If you are reading this, please send help. We have buried numerous refugees in the desert who have escaped the undead only to be done in by starvation and dehydration. A sky-ship is likely wishful thinking but we are desperate. We don't know how much longer we can last. Pray to Tanlaura that we find safety in the mountains.
Godspeed.
Peregren Chronicle 6
It is difficult to know how long it has been. The original documents of The Peregren Chronicle were discovered in The Black Desert six months ago. The documents were originally found on the body of a human male who had been amongst other fallen victims. Local rumors in Port Skell and Peregren believe the suspects to be the darklings from the Hulderk Mountains to the South.
As I write this new volume in the cold drafty room of The Ice Bison, I can't help but wonder about my predecessor. Who was he? According to the account of the El Tomathian court announcement he was just a scribe known as Sir Fillum Bernard. But who was he? Did he have a family? Was he alone? Was he an angry man or a man who had allowed his anger to consume him so much that becoming someone new was the only alternative? Was he a happy man? Or was he selfish to the point of believing if he was happy then so was everyone else? Was he resentful or forgiving? Did he know love or did he somehow forget how to love? Who was he?
He was a scribe. And it is my duty as a scribe to carry on his work.
-Dolphus McInter, Seventh scribe of House Macmann, currently seeking refuge in Port Skell.
Peregren Chronicle 7
It's been roughly two months since the last Chronicle. The busy bustle of Port Skell has been overwhelming. Every day the guards are fighting back the undead at the walls. Today, two of the pirate guards had an issue with a musket and almost didn't stop the ghoul from getting to the gates. Not that it would have mattered. The wooden walls and city gate are fifteen feet high. Nothing gets in or out unless approved by the gate guards first. Some days are worse than others. Two weeks ago a few dozen came from nowhere and the sheer weight of them broke the gate nearly. It took three days to repair it.
Rumor has come in that Peregren has been overrun. But this is Port Skell. Rumors are as commonplace as women and drink.
The group I'm with has secured safe passage on a ship through Parr Bay. Chetheron is still untouched by the plague. It may be the only safe refuge left. God knows Port Skell is anything but safe.
-Dolphus McInter, Seventh scribe of House Macmann, currently seeking refuge in Port Skell.
Peregren Chronicle 9
The group I am traveling with has been besieged by pirates. Our ship being used to cross the Parr Bay was taken by force. The twelve of us are now prisoners in the Chetheron Wood at an encampment that seems to have been here for some time. The pirate Captain who calls himself "Otis of the Ocean" has ordered me to begin recording his exploits. Several of his men have stated he couldn't read. The captain however doesn't seem to care. He stabbed one of the men to death who had brought it up and instructed me to do so anyway.
Tanlaura's might protect us.
-Dolphus McInter, Seventh scribe of House Macmann, currently seeking refuge in Port Skell.
Peregren Chronicle 10
Otis of the Ocean has force-marched us through the Chetheron Wood for days now. The man is relentless. I thank Tanlaura he and his men, all of which are vile scum, cannot read. The arrogance one must have to demand their exploits written when they can't even read them is astounding. Otis is a tall human, with a wild red mohawk and seems more like a fugitive with nothing to his name than any sort of pirate captain. He's a bully for sure and his men fear him. Word has it we are headed toward the city of Chetheron. Why the pirates are taking us there, I haven't a clue. The undead can be heard howling in the distance. Traveling the woods was smart, with so few living in them the chances of encountering zombies are much lower. Still, I'm positive the cries of the living dead are getting closer.
-Dolphus McInter, Seventh scribe of House Macmann, currently seeking refuge in Port Skell.
Peregren Chronicle 11
Otis of the Ocean has marched our crew over the last week through the Chetheron Wood. We are currently outside of the city of Chetheron itself where they've erected tall walls made of sharpened logs and have guards now. This is very different from the last time I visited. Likely meant to keep the undead out, much like the walls of Port Skell do. I'm hoping to conveniently lose this "report" somewhere near the city so that we might get help.
Whoever may read this, please send help. Otis and his men plan to attack the small city at dawn. There is no telling if he will let us live to see it or not.
-Dolphus McInter, Seventh scribe of House Macmann, currently seeking refuge in Port Skell.
