History of the Drankorian Empire

Beginnings of Empire

DR 1 - DR 331

The city of Drankor was founded in the year 4133 by the Dwarven count of years, which became the first year of the Drankorian reckoning. The early years of growth and recovery in the shadow of the destroyed forests of Alcarinquë are poorly recorded. By the end of this era, the fledgling Drankorian Empire has settled and controls the entire Istaros Watershed.

• 1 DR: The city of Drankor is founded by refugees from Hkar fleeing the wars of The Downfall
• 169 DR: Celadir is proclaimed the first Emperor of Drankor, laying claim to the coastal plains and the rich Istaros river valley.

First Age of Expansion

DR 331 to DR 528

While during the founding era the empire grew from its roots as a powerful city to a great river realm, during much of this time it was settling land left changed and unpopulated by the Downfall Wars, land that had once been occupied largely by the elven realm of Alcarinquë. In the DR 330s, Drankor began to spread its influence into lands populated by other human survivors of the Downfall Wars. This era was marked by expansion and increasing diversity in the imperial population, but also by war and tragedy.

• 402 DR: The Treaty of Marhavn is signed by Emperor Goristo, and establishes the Volta as the northern border of the Drankorian Empire; the people living in what is now Sembara and Cymea are imperial subjects.
• 525 DR - 528 DR: The Demonfire Wars, fought against a severe abyssal incursion. Emperor Ingwelir, a renowned wizard and warrior, died at the gates of Drankor defending the city against a demon lord.

The Peace of Drankor

DR 528 - 595

A great age of peace and prosperity across the Empire.

• 528 DR - 595 DR: The Peace of Drankor, a time of peace and prosperity in the aftermath of the Demonfire Wars. Ended by the fratricide of Oros the Cruel. Later known as the First Peace or the First Golden Age.

The Western Wars

DR 595 - DR 647

During this era, the Empire turns to conquest, and fights a series of wars in the west, conquering the western coast as far as Lake Valandros. See: Western Wars.

• 597 DR: The Battle of Yaroket (“Yah-roh-keht”), won by Drankor in the Myraeni Gap, begins the Western Wars and the conquest of the western coast by Drankor
• 634 DR: The Battle of Tawir Forest ends the Drankorian conquest of the west on the northern shores of Lake Valandros.

The Golden Age

DR 647 - DR 965

A long period of peace, and a time that recalled the early days of Drankor’s glory. Many significant institutions (such as what would become the Great Library of Chardon) are founded during this time, and for more than three hundred years the city of Drankor serves as the protector of all against extraplanar incursions and the evils of the world.

• 647 DR: The beginning of the Great Peace, sometimes called the Golden Age of Drankor, a period of 300 years of sustained peace and prosperity across the empire.
• 688 DR: The Sibyline Archives, which will eventually become the Great Library, is founded in the developing city of Chardon

Civil War

DR 965 - DR 997

Corruption and darkness grew in the shadows during the Golden Age. The age of peace ended abruptly, with the assassination of the Emperor and the beginning of the Drankorian Civil War.

• 965 DR: The Drankorian Civil War begins with the assassination of Emperor Helea by allies of the Omnis Pura, and is won by Emperor Vestian, associated with Omnis Pura

Dominion and Downfall

DR 997 - DR 1059

After the victory of Omnis Pura in the Drankorian Civil War, imperial rule grew increasingly oppressive. Apollyon, who took the throne in DR 1011, intensified the persecution of non-human peoples and religious dissidents, including the systematic slaughter of the peronar. He gathered powerful relics, using the Cloak of Rainbows to overcome the divine protections of Rostaurë and the Scepter of Command to compel obedience from his armies. In the end, the full might of imperial power was turned to raising Apollyon to godhood, only for his attempt to end in catastrophe as the First Plague spread through the heartlands of the empire, destroying nearly everyone it touched.

• 1001 DR - 1013 DR: The Dominion Wars, a series of attempted conquests to the east
• 1011 DR: Apollyon becomes emperor of Drankor.
• 1050 DR: Apollyon attacks the People of the Rainbow and steals the Cloak of Rainbows.
• 1051 DR: Apollyon sacks Estemar and destroys Rostaurë, using the Cloak to overcome the realm’s divine protections.
• 1053 DR: Apollyon creates the Scepter of Command on the Circular Island.
• 1059 DR: The destruction of Drankor by the First Plague.

Rulers

The emperors of Drankor, starting with the rule of Celadir, who was the first to proclaim the Drankorian Empire.