Relative: -6,000 to -3,800
OC: -1,036 to 1236
This period is fairly well documented, and most of the records are
reliable, at least within context, because the one in power always
writes history to their advantage. Regardless, it was during this
period that the stage was set for most of what we find in space
today. Intelligent races spread around the galaxy like wildfire,
civilizations rose and fell, and wars were fought left and right.
And through it all, the mighty Spelljammer floated about like a
ghost, silently watching.
Ascension of the Syllix
Relative: -6000
OC: -1036
During this year, the Syllix entered space using the first true
spelljamming helms. Their helms were called Magestars, and worked
in a matter similar to the contemporary lifejammer. It would be
nearly two centuries before they would become the dominant race in
space, however.
Founding of the Syllix Emirate
Relative: circa -5800
OC: circa -836
The exact date is in question, but at about this time the various
Syllix kingdoms were united under a single group of leaders, who
formed the Syllix Emirate. Within a decade, the Emirate would be
renamed the Chitin Empire, named after the Syllix homeworld,
Chi'tan (supposedly). Chi'tan, in turn, is named for the substance
chitin, which makes up the exoskeleton of insects, arachnids,
crustacians, and some amphibians.
First Thri-Kreen space travellers.
Relative: -5500
OC: -536
Again the exact date is in question, but by this time the
Thri-Kreen were traveling in space, using spelljamming technology
of their own and not that of the Syllix. The Thri-Kreen, being a
subject race of the Syllix, however, would not become a major
player is space for some time.
Arrival of the Arcane.
Relative: -5450
OC: -486
Nobody has been able to determine where they came from, and they
won't say, but as soon as the Arcane arrived in the worlds of the
Chiten Empire, they quickly established themselves as the best
merchants around. At first their goods covered all natures of
products, but as time wore on they became more and more concerned
with spelljamming technology, using helm designs that were better
than anything else available. They were able to carve out a
monopoly on most of this technology, which they hold to this
day.
The Age of Ascensions
Relative: circa -5050
OC: circa -486
With the Chitin empire quickly sprawling all over the known
spheres, the Syllix begin to use intelligent species native to the
various worlds as both skilled and unskilled laborers. This
eventually resulted in several races becoming acquainted with
spelljamming. The motives of the Syllix were far from altruistic:
they had an empire to run and they needed laborers to do it.
However, the results proved positive for everyone: the Syllix had
control of their empire's economic resources, and the primitive
races gradually became advanced races. Collectively, these new
space travellers were referred to as "client races" of the Syllix.
The Thri-Kreen, who controlled about ten percent of the empire in
their own right, eventually followed suit.
The Founding of Evermeet
Relative: -5035
OC: 1
The elven kingdom of Evermeet in Realmspace is the oldest
functioning government in the known spheres. At the time, the elves
were simply a client race of the Syllix, who cared little for their
internal doings, or even that the elves were experimenting with
spelljamming technology on their own. They were simply one race of
several dozen, and as long as they kept their lawn in order, the
Syllix were unconcerned.
To put things in perspective, the tiny Evermeet spacefleet became the core of the mighty Imperial Navy, over 4000 years later. The elves are not proud of their humble beginnings as servants to the salamander-like Syllix, and for a time they tried to erase all record of this. Sadly for them, the fact is too well documented to erase completely, so eventually they went from denying their origin to embracing it, proclaiming themselves the successors of the Syllix. If this is the case they have done very well: they even make the same mistakes.
Formation of the Tears of Selune
Relative: -4803
OC: 233
Sages have yet to adequately describe the sudden appearance of the
Tears of Selune. All accounts indicate that they simply appeared
out of nowhere. Two theories have been posed: that they are the
byproduct of a battle between two dieties, or that they are the
remains of a small planet that was somehow destroyed near Toril and
Luna.
Zenith of the Chitin Empire
Relative: -4500
OC: 536
At its height, the Chitin Empire had full control over 20 spheres,
partial control of another six, and outposts all over the galaxy.
The empire had 25 space faring races to its credit, as well as over
100 ground based races and a total population that numbered in the
trillions. The Chitin Empire, which by now had existed for over a
millennia, would enjoy about two centuries of prosperity. The
Syllix were harsh rulers, but so long as everyone pulled their
weight, they were fine.
When troubles came, however, they came quickly and in droves. As the Syllix rulers became more decadent and more tyrannical, several of the client races began to rebel. Most rebellions were crushed without quarter before they became widespread. By -4200, they had increased in number to the point where the Syllix couldn't control the empire any longer. At first individual worlds were lost, then entire spheres.
The Screaming Migration
Relative: -4000
OC: 1036
The long series of revolts came to a head around -4000, when the
Thri-Kreen declared themselves a sovereign nation. This initially
effected three spheres, and eventually spread to another six, so
naturally the Syllix resisted. Most of the client races native to
the effected spheres sided with the Thri-Kreen, and in the end the
Syllix were forced to grant the Thri-Kreen their independence.
This show of weakness spurred increased resistance in the rest of the Chiten Empire, and in the end the Syllix were literally forced to flee across the phlogiston. Many suspect that they moved on and simply set up shop elsewhere, while others think they died off. The Syllix that can be found today are pathetic in comparison to their ancestors. In fact, they are descendants of the servant caste.
This combination of internal strife and external conflicts completely destroyed the Chitin Empire, the largest political entity in recorded history. The Thri-Kreen Empire, which followed the same pattern as its predecessor would endure for another millennia. The Thri-Kreen were much more tolerant rulers, having once been client races themselves, but they lacked the tenacity and savvy of the Syllix. While the Thri-Kreen Empire would not suffer from external conflicts until near the end of its existence, it was constantly bereft with social problems that made it increasingly disjoint and ineffective.
Crusade of the Celestial Mantis
Relative: -4000 to -3800 aprox
OC: 1036 to 1236
After the collapse of the Chitin empire, the Thri-Kreen became the
dominant race in known space. In an attempt to secure their
position, they embarked on a series of small wars to convert the
natives of the old empire to their religion, that of the Celestial
Mantis.
The wars and missionary actions had mixed results, but in the end the Thri-Kreen gave up their attempt to conquer the universe by means of religious zeal. They turned instead to teaching and commercial endeavors.
With or without the Crusade, the Thri-Kreen maintained their dominance of space for several centuries.
The Height of the Oortlings
Relative: -3900
OC: 1136
The Oortlings are an example of a promising race that was crushed
while on the threshold. Based in Realmspace, the Oortlings lived on
comet-like worlds (which were actually fast moving earth worlds),
and were known for having a sophisticated, artistic culture. They
were small humanoids, perhaps related to halflings, who dabbled in
spelljamming. They are known to have explored most of Realmspace,
as well as parts of Greyspace and Spiralspace. Evidence of their
explorations have even been found in Solaris and Terraspace.
Civilizations in the Known Spheres
Relative: -3800
OC: 1236
By this time, there were thriving human, demi-human, and humanoid
civilizations in several of the former spheres of the Chitin
Empire, and in the current Thri-Kreen Empire. Examples included
Greyspace, Realmspace, Krynnspace, Athasspace, Solaris, Omnispace,
and many others. In a few isolated cases, humans and their kin
began to travel in space. On the whole this was not the case. With
the exception of the elves, space travel is only now being
"rediscovered" by most humans and demi-humans, who even today are
"dirtside" in outlook.
The Al'Malamut Empire
Relative: -3400
OC: 1636
In a noteworthy exception to the generally planet bound humans, the
Al'Malamut, a Ptahian theocracy, became the first human nation to
actively undertake spelljamming. Over a period of 100 years, they
quickly conquered four spheres, including one under the Thri-Kreen.
The empire would hold for a surprisingly long time, almost 1400
years. Humans have been in space, in some number, ever since the
Al'Malamut wars of conquest.
The Great Illithid Wars
Relative: -3078 to -3002
OC: 1958 to 2034
Prior to this time, the Illithids were looked at as just another
former client race of the Syllix with some rather unique eating
habits. Their unprovoked attacks on Thri-Kreen settlements changed
that perception very quickly.
It would appear that the Illithid kingdoms, which were centered at what is now Clusterspace (Astromundi), decided to conquer the known spheres, and for seventy five years they fought a series of wars with that in mind.
Many find it truly frightening that they almost succeeded. In -3003 they destroyed Ji-Trinan, the Thri-Kreen capital world. The entire planet was pulled into a permanent portal to the Negative Material Plane. The last enclaves of the Thri-Kreen empire vanished within the year, ending with the destruction of the Thri-Kreen homeworld, Sri-Knna. The planet was transformed into a lifeless rock by the Illithids. To this day it is nearly uninhabitable.
