History of Virtaeus

1600 years after the creation of the world, a rift to the Plane of Fire opened. An ancient red dragon emerged from the rift, with creatures of fire in his wake. Their burning touch and appetite devoured all in their path, leaving the great desert of Jebilah in their wake. The first civilization of elves was destroyed, and most of the first inhabitants of Virtaeus were killed. Only a remnant of the elves survived to flee to a new homeland...or stay to guide and shepherd the new races that were created after the flames died down and a new era began.

At the beginning of the second age, the good and neutral gods created additional races of beings to populate the newly-depopulated world of Virtaeus.

At the end of the second age, a rift opened to the elemental plane of Earth. For seven days, terrible creatures poured from the rift and violent earthquakes tore the land itself apart. This Devastation broke apart the continent of Oshira into the elvish continent of Aladore and the main continent Hashad, and also smashed the former Eastern Wilds into Hashad, forming the mountain range known as the Minders' Memorial.

At the end of the third age, a rift opened to the elemental plane of air. This rift froze the northern part of the continent, including Frostfire Province, created the Windwild, and left behind a turbulent, dangerous upper atmosphere, as well as letting through elemental creatures intent on wreaking havoc. In addition, the servants of the dark gods set in motion their long-planned attacks from within and without civilized society. A full-fledged war for the survival of the civilized races was begun. Decades later, only a remnant of civilization survived. While they had withstood the worst of the external attacks and driven back the monstrous incursions from their main cities, the darkness still loomed strong in every corner.

At the end of the fourth age, a rift opened to the plane of water. The northeastern corner of Hashad was flooded, and the land beset by elemental creatures. At the same time, the forces of darkness attacked from all corners. For the first time, however, the civilized races had an organized defense in place. The allies of the Prismatic Compact fought heroically and effectively, and their efforts preserved much of the civilization they had set in place. Despite this, the victory came at a high price: many lives were lost, and northeastern Hashad remains underwater.