The years before the Rising are suffixed with AO, meaning Ante Orientem while the years after are suffixed with PO, meaning Post Orientem.
Ante Orientem
c. 1000 AO
Anfarwol arrives on Fio
Anfarwol
Anfarwol was an Eladrin from the Feywild whose appearance would change depending on the season, reflecting his self-proclaimed immortality. Anfarwol arrived on Fio via a portal of his own creation c. 1,000 years before the Rising. His supernatural influence on the land would make it bountiful, causing flora and fauna from the Feywild to emerge. This land would eventually become known as the Sylvan Kingdoms.
Anfarwol discovered Anfang and imposed his order on the disparate human societies. Enslaved by the immortal elf, the humans would spend almost a century carving the citadel of Caer Wraidd into the Asgwrn Mountains. Despite the hardship, the citadel’s construction would bring prosperity and unity to the human societies. The humans would name Anfarwol the immortal elf-king of Anfang. Anfarwol was murdered during the sacking of Caer Wraidd in 26 PO when Caelumites demanded he abdicate and recognise Prima Vita Sol Orbis as their new theocratic leader.
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Caer Wraidd is built
64 AO
Caelum Sol Orbis is born
Caelum Sol Orbis
Caelum Sol Orbis was an aasimar born from human parentage on the 24th day of Ascendentem 64 AO in the city of Anfang, now known as Caelum’s Landing. Raised by a religious family, Caelum quickly gained renown as a paladin of Lathander. His generosity and exploits protecting Anfang justified his rise to power in Lathander’s church. The Ascensus in Caelum chronicles Caelum’s struggle against Mundi Eversor and his ascent to divinity.
Caelum is described as being quiet and kindly but fiercely determined and dutiful. He had warm-tinted brown skin, white eyes, and is depicted sporting hair ranging from a buzz cut to short afro curls. Caelum had a distinctive silver halo on his forehead as a result of his aasimar heritage. The halo was passed down to his daughter, Prima Vita Sol Orbis and all her descendants. The halo has become the emblem of the Church of Caelum. The first of Lathander’s church to be given the title Grand Paladin, Caelum was tasked with protecting Anfang from the colossus Mundi Eversor in 0 PO, which would eventually lead to his ascension and the Rising.
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29 AO
Alberich Geboren is born
Alberich Geboren is born unto Anfarwol and an unknown human consort.
22 AO
Prima Vita Sol Orbis is born
Prima Vita Sol Orbis
Prima Vita Sol Orbis was the first and only child of Caelum Sol Orbis. She is hailed as the first Exarch and progenitor of more than thirty generations of the Sol Orbis family. Born on the 4th day of Niveus 22 AO, her benevolent reign would begin at only 48 years of age. Initially hesitant to shoulder the burdens of ruling a nascent theocracy, Prima Vita found courage in the counsel of Alberich Geboren, King Anfarwol’s last son. The two married in 26 PO. Her reign would last 85 years until her passing in 111 PO.
Prima Vita is described as being ethereally beautiful with delicate features. Statues often depict her with her hands cradled in front of her chest in a reserved manner. Aasimar descended from Prima Vita often bear Caelum’s distinctive silver halo on their foreheads. This has become the emblem of the Church of Caelum.
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0 AO
The Rising
The Rising
It is written in the Ascensus in Caelum that 1,000 years ago, the fiend Tenebrae conducted a ritual to grow the skeleton of a colossal war machine from the very earth beneath Discidium. Flying high above the Oratory, Caelum Sol Orbis watched in horror as Mundi Eversor erupted from the horizon, raining chunks of earth and volcanic ash down on Discidium. As Eversor began its approach to Caelum’s home, Lathander’s Grand Paladin soared across the Altum Sea alongside his winged paladins to intercept the colossus.
Engulfed in a radiant inferno, Caelum ascended to deliver a fatal blow to Eversor. The colossus’ dark heart exploded, releasing the Miasma from its corpse. The resulting magical shock wave enchanted deposits of resonite in the earth and the earthmotes began to rise. Fissures opened around Caelum’s home. At the very centre of the Relief, where his statue now stands, Caelum raised his wings in prayer. A mighty golden shield grew around Fundus and beyond as the storm consumed the world around him.
Only once the turmoil had subsided did Caelum fall to his knees. Having inspired faith in the people of Anfang, his body erupted into a coruscation of light, and he ascended to divinity. The city was renamed Caelum’s Landing in recognition of its saviour. Lathander’s church would eventually transition into the Church of Caelum.
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Post Orientem
2 PO
The Church of Caelum is founded
The Church of Lathander transitions into the Church of Caelum.
23 PO
The first successful flight of a hot air balloon
25 PO
The first successful flight of a glider
26 PO
Anfarwol is killed
Anfarwol is murdered during the sacking of Caer Wraidd when Caelumites demand he abdicate and recognise Prima Vita Sol Orbis as their new theocratic leader.
Prima Vita Sol Orbis becomes the first Exarch
Prima Vita marries Alberich Geboren and she becomes the first Exarch of the Church of Caelum, aged 48.
The First Sol Orbis Dynasty begins
27 PO
The Church of Caelum expands
The Church of Caelum begins sending missionaries to nearby earthmotes.
Prospero Sol Orbis is born
Prospero Sol Orbis
Born in 27 PO, Prospero Sol Orbis was the first child of Prima Vita Sol Orbis and Alberich Geboren. Prospero would lament in his mother’s shadow for decades until she finally passed away in 111 PO. Anointed Exarch aged 84, Prospero’s reign would last until his passing in 121 PO, a mere ten years. In that time, Prospero successfully introduced a new calendar to mark the four-year intervals between solar eclipses. The Prosperian Calendar is still in use today.
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29 PO
Pluvia and Nebula Sol Orbis are born.
Pluvia and Nebula Sol Orbis
Pluvia and Nebula Sol Orbis were twin sisters born unto Prima Vita Sol Orbis and Alberich Geboren in 29 PO. Furiously competitive, the pair would formally relinquish their individual claims to the exarchy when an overzealous fight between them almost proved fatal. Pluvia and Nebula would part ways soon after, leaving for the far east and west, respectively, to build new, peaceful lives.
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46 PO
Alberich Geboren dies
Alberich Geboren, husband to Prima Vita Sol Orbis, dies aged 75. Prima Vita would never marry again, though she would take several unnamed consorts.
92 PO
Nox arrives in Fio
Nox (Earthmote)
In 92 PO, the earthmote Nox emerged from a ring of aurora in the sky skew-north of Caelum’s Landing. The silver dragon Nox, who had bestowed his namesake unto the earthmote, flew down to Fundus in search of help. When confronted only with the nascent Church of Caelum’s zealotry, Nox returned home intent on securing a self-reliant future for his people in wintry isolation.
Nox is a fiercely independent and somewhat impoverished city state founded by the reclusive silver dragon, Nox. Nox does not rule the earthmote. Rather, he presides over the commune as adviser and mentor. This snow-capped earthmote sits high enough in the sky that its denizens may live under a perpetual night sky, illuminated only by a thin blue halo of daylight and ribbons of chromatic aurora.
Only a small proportion of the earthmote is populated. Wooden longhouses strengthened against bitter winds serve as the primary homes for the citizens of Nox. When the winter solstice arrives, citizens must shelter with the silver dragon in the belly of the earthmote. The cold climate also makes cultivating the land difficult. Nox is home to many avian and draconic races and those that prefer colder climates.
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111 PO
Prima Vita Sol Orbis dies
Prima Vita Sol Orbis passes away aged 133 and her first son, Prospero, becomes Exarch, aged 84.
The Prosperian Calendar is introduced
121 PO
Prospero Sol Orbis dies
Aged 94, Prospero Sol Orbis passes away without an heir after only ten years as Exarch.
The First Sol Orbis Dynasty ends
The Interregnum begins
An 82-year period of feudalism would follow Prospero’s death, lasting until the heirs of Pluvia and Nebula returned to Caelum’s Landing.
196 PO
The War of Accession begins
War of Accession
The War of Accession was a seven-year period of conflict between the heirs of Pluvia and Nebula Sol Orbis, Cor and Rex Sol Orbis. Cor and Rex arrived in Caelum’s Landing on the same day in 196 PO to lay claim to the exarchy. Their opposing ideologies would prove to have equal influence over the splintered Church of Caelum, resulting in the formation of two warring factions. The war would end with Rex’s defeat at the Battle of Fountainhead Falls in 203 PO. Cor chose to spare his cousin’s life. The newly crowned Exarch would go on to declare Rex Grand Paladin.
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203 PO
The War of Accession ends
Cor defeats Rex at the Battle of Fountainhead Falls and chooses to spare his life.
Cor Sol Orbis becomes Exarch
Cor is anointed Exarch and declares Rex Grand Paladin.
The Interregnum ends
The Second Sol Orbis Dynasty begins
204 PO
Madanau arrives in Fio
History
In 204 PO, the desert oasis Madanau appeared erde-west of Fundus in a whirlwind of sand. Initially enveloped by the Miasma, the enormous emerald dragon, Vulcan, emerged from his dormancy beneath Montanum to push Madanau beyond the border with his hurricane-like breath. Denizens who saw the dragon before he returned to his slumber have passed on the tale to future generations.
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Lydia Iremia journeys to Caelum’s Landing
Lydia Iremia
Lydia Iremia was an earth genasi healer who lived in the third century in the waning days of Cor Sol Orbis’ exarchy. Travelling from the distant lands of Montanum, Lydia set out to aid the denizens of Madanau after its perilous arrival on Fio. There she met Cor Sol Orbis, who was trying to convince Madanau to accept aid from the Church of Caelum. Sensing Cor’s intent to be benevolent, Lydia convinced the people to accept the Church’s offer and an embassy was constructed to facilitate the healing of Madanau’s wounds.
When Cor Sol Orbis became ill, Lydia offered her services as nurse to the ailing Exarch and the pair promptly fell in love. They married just before Cor’s death in 213 PO. It is believed that Lydia would sing a particular song to Cor at his bedside. Though commonly known as Saint Lydia’s Song, the song’s true title and composer are unknown. She would not become recognised as a saint until after the exarchy of Rex Sol Orbis, conqueror of Atada and Atado.
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213 PO
Cor Sol Orbis marries Lydia Iremia
Cor Sol Orbis dies
Despite the care of his wife, after a decade of failing health, Cor Sol Orbis passes away.
Rex Sol Orbis becomes Exarch
237 PO
Rex Sol Orbis invades Atada and Atado
Intense feuds between the fractured nations of Atada and Atado result in the deaths of several Church missionaries, prompting the Exarch, Rex Sol Orbis, to declare a holy war on the two earthmotes to the west.
241 PO
The Kingdom of Diamante is founded
Allied with King Dimas Fantoccio of the northern realms, Rex Sol Orbis is able to unite the nations of Atada and Atado in only four years. Inspired by the collective wealth of his new kingdom, Rex installs Fantoccio as the puppet-king of the newly proclaimed Kingdom of Diamante.
266 PO
The First Fundus Civil War begins
A series of incidents come to light exhibiting the current state of the Church and its oppressive form of government. A human named Anselm Chlodovech delivers the people’s demands to Rex Sol Orbis and his family.
274 PO
The First Fundus Civil War ends
The ensuing eight-year civil war concludes with a civilian march on the Oratory. When Rex Sol Orbis refuses to step down, Chlodovech executes the Exarch on his throne.
The Second Sol Orbis Dynasty ends
The Fundus Republic is founded
Chlodovech declares himself Chancellor of the nascent Fundus Republic and construction begins on the Ministerial Houses where his new government would take shape. A period of unrest would follow as Chlodovech’s Republic consistently failed to deliver the needs of its people.
411 PO
The Second Fundus Civil War begins
Chancellor Ewalt Niemann would turn to corruption and exploitation in order to accumulate the funds and resources he needed to stay in power. Auga Vigil, a proponent of the Church of Caelum, becomes aware of this corruption and begins a campaign to remove Niemann from office. Peaceful protests erupt into civil war with Vigil unwittingly becoming the new voice of the Church and the people.
416 PO
The Fundus Constitution is signed
Facing increasing resistance as support for Vigil grows across the Republic’s territories, Niemann is eventually deposed by his own senate for his refusal to surrender. Niemann’s envoy and adviser, Klemens Frey, would sign a charter alongside Vigil in 416 PO. Since this date, the Church of Caelum has been a constitutional theocracy. The power of government resides with the people, while the Exarch serves as head of state. However, it is still commonplace for the nation to be known simply as the “Church”.
The First Vigil Dynasty begins
Auga Vigil assumes the role of Exarch after some encouragement from their peers, given their blood relation to the Sol Orbis family. A new Vigil dynasty would begin while Frey would take on the new role of Chairman at the Ministry.
617 PO
Little Nox separates from Tenebrae’s Refuge
Erde-south-west of Fundus, the earthmote known as Tenebrae’s Refuge is constantly weathered by the Fountainhead Falls. In 617 PO, the eastern side of Tenebrae’s Refuge is abandoned when it becomes clear the erosion will inevitably cause the earthmote to split in two. The new smaller earthmote remains stable and is named Little Nox.
748 PO
Ingenium arrives in Fio
Ingenium
The sprawling brass metropolis of Ingenium appeared in the skies north-east of Fundus in 748 PO, bringing with it a displaced but technologically advanced culture in the tens of thousands. Facing an energy crisis, they sought the assistance of the Church of Caelum while acclimating to the new world in which they found themselves.
Artifex Calligo, Ingenium’s prime minister, reached an agreement with Manus Sol Orbis in 756 PO to move Ingenium alongside Fundus’ north-eastern shore. Enormous resonance engines were constructed around Ingenium to provide thrust enough to move the brass earthmote. The agreement lead to advances in resonance engines, airships, street lighting and the establishment of a cable car network that provides convenient travel between nearby earthmotes to this day. Spiro Sol Orbis serves as Ingenium’s Prefect.
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756 PO
Ingenium is propelled toward Fundus
Artifex Calligo, Ingenium’s prime minister, reaches an agreement with Manus Sol Orbis to move Ingenium alongside Fundus’ north-eastern shore.
768 PO
The Antiquan Armada invades Gwerdowra
Jowan Aubrey successfully repels the Antiquan Armada at Penzance, now known as Sullivanwick.
899 PO
The Commission is founded
The Commission
The Commission for the Research of Offshore Worlds, affectionately called Crows or simply the Commission, was founded by Glimback Toestubber in 899 PO. Originally known as the Explorer’s Guild, Crows secured government funding in 923 PO when approached by Ardeat Sol Orbis to begin prospecting new earthmotes for colonisation. Though in the employ of the government, Crows continues to work independently, conducting research into the Miasma and the curious beasts that reside within. They operate out of Crowswood Place on Fundus.
Order of the Lantern
The Order of the Lantern is a clandestine organisation of Blood Hunters who undergo a ritual that allows them to safely navigate and research the Miasma.
Notable Members
Glimback Toestubber, Adelaide Burkhart,
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- Bartholomeus Fairchild Human member of the Commission, author of Barty’s Guide to Caelum’s Landing
- Droleg the Wit Hobgoblin oath of glory paladin and bard.
- Corvus Secretive, masked wood elf. Arcane archer with a wide-brimmed hat. Expert monster slayer.
- Subira Elderly sphinx tabaxi housekeeper. Former assassin.
- Tuperk Orange-crested aarakocra balloonist.
- Kalyptos Black dragonborn monster slayer ranger.
- Owain Harengon wild magic sorcerer.
- Tiamo Trouve Human lapidurgy wizard. Exiled diamond guard and tactician.
- Miyoko A petrified dinosaur rider from Primal Antiqua, 744 PO.
- Lathraia, Humanoid yuan-ti. Former Mallian spy, founder of the Order of the Lantern.
- Hadley Pinchbrew Halfling artificer, alchemist and portent wizard. Commission’s quartermaster.
- Doom Punk-ish, androgynous tiefling wild magic barbarian. Commission’s Beastmaster.
964 PO
Aura Sol Orbis is born
Aura Sol Orbis
- Race: Aasimar, Female
- Class: Paladin (Oath of Redemption)
- Background: Exarch, Prefect of Caelum’s Landing
- Born: 964 PO, Caelum’s Landing
Aura Sol Orbis is the Exarch of the Church of Caelum. She has warm-tinted brown skin and solid white eyes much like her father, and sports a long afro gathered into a high ponytail. She and her siblings bare the silver Sol Orbis halo on their foreheads. Those who are granted audience with Aura see her as a kind and understanding soul, while those closest to her know her to be solemn and somewhat lonesome.
Aura Sol Orbis was born unto Ardeat Sol Orbis and his first wife on the 14th day of Viridis in the Oratory on Caelum’s Landing. Much of her upbringing was focused on preparing for the day she would inevitably take over as Exarch. Though she shared a close relationship with her father, her politics would grow apart from his as she watched him perpetuate the Medusae Wars and the Church of Caelum’s expansionist practices.
Following the death of her father, Aura Sol Orbis was anointed Exarch on the 11th day of Flavum. Accepting her crown at only 22 years of age, Aura took a paladin’s oath of redemption, swearing to right the wrongs of the the Medusae Wars and help those affected reintegrate into society.
Aura would go on to declare her brother, Spiro Sol Orbis, Grand Paladin and Prefect of Ingenium, her sibling, Sana Sol Orbis, Prefect of Madanau and her sister Clara Sol Orbis, Prefect of Tenebrae’s Refuge.
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966 PO
Spiro Sol Orbis is born
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972 PO
The Inquisition is founded
The Inquisition
Founded in 972 PO by Exarch Ardeat Sol Orbis and Grand Inquisitor Tristis Veritas, the Inquisition is tasked with abolishing cults and misinformation contrary to the Church of Caelum’s doctrine. They are in direct conflict with the Crosscut Circle.
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975 PO
Sana Sol Orbis is born
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976 PO
Mallia arrives in Fio
Mallia
The gargantuan jungle earthmote, known to its inhabitants as Mallia, erupted from the seas erde-south-east of Fundus in 976 PO. Mallia is the largest earthmote in the Relief. This impenetrable jungle peninsula floats just above sea level, with thick vines cascading over its shores like medusan hair. The landmass continues into the Miasma, but none on the earthmote dare venture past the border.
It is the home of the Mallian culture, a unification of reptilian races ruled by the greater medusan queen, Vasilissa. The queen is known to bless only the most powerful and loyal of her subjects with the very curse she bears in order to create the infamous medusan warriors that command her armies. Mallia currently stands fractured between those loyal to the queen and those who have found sanctuary in the Church of Caelum. The rainforest serves as the border between these two factions.
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The Medusae Wars begin
The Medusae Wars
The Medusae Wars were a series of conflicts between the Church of Caelum and the Mallian Dominion that took place between 976 PO and 983 PO. In 976 PO, when the Church of Caelum sent an expeditionary force to Mallia, a newly arrived earthmote, to ascertain its eligibility for colonisation, the expedition was met by a tribe of “reptilian people with snakes for hair.” These were Medusae, warriors of the Mallian queen, Vasilissa, capable of turning to stone anyone who met their gaze. The expedition was quickly routed.
Despite this, the Church persisted with further expeditions to Mallia and succeeded in establishing trade routes with the nonaligned peoples of Mallia. The queen took the move as an invasion of her territory and declared war on the Church. Church missionaries were sent to Mallia in 980 PO to construct a hidden chapel outside the queen’s territory which would serve as a place of refuge for disillusioned yuan-ti. Within four years, the Church had incited civil war on Mallia.
The Medusae Wars lasted a further three years until the divine warriors of Caelum discovered a source of basilisk venom, an alchemical ingredient used to return those petrified by the Medusae to their normal state. On the 17th of Perventum 983 PO, a decisive battle was fought in the sky between several squadrons of Church gliders and squid-like Mallian aircraft south-east of Caelum’s Landing. The Mallian forces were routed by the Church’s superior firepower. Vasilissa was forced to sign an armistice in 983 PO, conceding the territories gained by the Church.
Many wrecks of Church gliders and Mallian flagellates can be found on the seabed beneath where the battle took place. Every 17th of Perventum, Caelum’s Landing celebrates Arrows Day. Kites are flown throughout the city to commemorate those who lost their lives in the wars, and in appreciation of the peace they helped to create.
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977 PO
Clara Sol Orbis is born
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980 PO
The Mallian Revolution begins
Church missionaries are sent to Mallia to construct a hidden chapel outside the queen’s territory, inciting a Mallian civil war.
983 PO
The Medusae Wars end
Following a decisive battle on the 17th of Perventum, Vasilissa is forced to sign an armistice, conceding the territories gained by the Church.
986 PO
Aura Sol Orbis becomes Exarch
Following the death of her father, Aura Sol Orbis is anointed Exarch on the 11th day of Flavum.
990 PO
Abyssus is discovered
Abyssus
Expeditions to this underwater city have been met with adversity, trying to combat the pressure of the trench’s depths and indeed its protective citizens. In 990 PO, an advanced submarine from Ingenium captured images of jellyfish-like structures at the bottom of the Vena Trench. The submarine was attacked on its return journey by triton riding giant sharks. Fortunately, the crew was able to escape unharmed. The crew, who until that moment had only inferred its existence, named the mysterious underwater city Abyssus.
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996 PO
Creed’s Hollow arrives in Fio
Creed's Hollow
In 996 PO, Creed’s Hollow emerged from the Miasma’s western border in a ring of hellfire, as if torn from Avernus and thrown by Zariel herself. The earthmote cast a menacing shadow over Madanau as it flew east, raining ash and bloodthirsty fiends down on the peaceful oasis. Madanau’s citizens were rushed to shelters while clerics from the Church of Caelum were dispatched to repel the invaders.
With the fiends defeated, monks from the Spirit Temple were able to arrest the earthmote and attend to its displaced denizens. The Church’s ambassadors were met by a village of tiefling farmers who, until recently, had been living in seclusion in Avernus, free of Zariel’s rule. Creed’s Hollow now enjoys healthy relations with the Church and trades in agricultural produce native to the Nine Hells.
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