The history of the Tellian continent can be broken down into several eras, each with a distinct identity. Each era will be discussed at length within VOLUME 3: HISTORY, but they are briefly described here to give the reader a cursory idea of their events, and how long they lasted. These descriptions are purely intended as auxillary reading or a refresher for the main, much more nuanced descriptions given in the following pages.
The beginning of the Archaic Era is impossible to give a definitive number to, as it predates recorded history. Very primitive groups were said to have formed small, nomadic hunter-gatherer groups within this time, but few ever formed full on societies, let alone civilizations. Towards the end of this era, the Old Gods are said to have appeared.
The Pre-Colonial era saw the development of the first true "civilizations" across Tellia, growing out of the tribes. It is characterized by, despite their presence, a general lack of contact with the Old Gods. Towards its end, the first visitor from another continent would visit Tellia.
The First Colonial Era was characterized, unsurprisingly, by colonies. They controlled the continent for the majority of the colonial era, seizing land from the tribes. Ultimately, fighting amongst themselves and inability to sustain themself without off-continent support would lead to a collapse, putting power back in the hands of the tribes.
The Sovereign Era was centered around the Sovereign dynasty, beginning with Renatus Tellion. The Tellian Empire would expand to cover almost the entire continent by the time of the eras end. While the empire would technically persevere, the benevolent rule and stability provided by rulers past would come to an end, leading to the Age of Despots.
The Age of Despots, while broadly united for most of its duration, was incredibly chaotic. Eventually, this chaos would culminate into the aptly named Last Battle, resulting in the collapse of the only constant holding the era together, the Tellian Empire.
Following the Last Battle, the Apocalypse's Edge began. The divinely appointed Waste Lords ruled over the former empire with an iron fist, until infighting consumed most of them, leaving only the Union of the Void. Eventually, even that was overthrown by remnants of the old colonies.
The Second Colonial Era saw colonies rise to prominence once more, but it was more in conjunction with the tribes than over them. Though tensions were high, it was an age of relative peace, up until the near end with the War in Heaven. When the War in Heaven concluded, the Second Colonial Era came to an end as well.
Following the last of the ascensions, a dark age fell upon Tellia. In the interim between the Old Gods and the modern Gods of Tellia, it seemed as if there was nothing at all, leading to a general feeling of nihilism, with several competing barbaric factions competing for dominance and constantly warring. Eventually, following the First Return, this feeling receded, and was stamped out altogether as Returns continued.
The Reclamation essentially was spent repairing all that had fallen during the War in Heaven and Years of Shame. Colonies were reassembled, renamed, and removed alltogether, shaping the map of Tellia to be how it stands today. Significant religious and cultural developments were made as well, planting the seeds for almost every major modern political and social belief.
The Modern Era has, thus far, struck a balance similar to the Second Colonial Era politically. Both the tribes of Tellia and the colonies (still referred to as such, though many of them no longer are) are equally influential upon the continent as a whole. It has been largely peaceful as of 714 A.F.