A bit of background: the History of Palâdnith

With the third book of my epic fantasy series, the Palâdnith Chronicles (The Well of Secrets) now under way, I thought my readers might like more insight into Palâdnith, its people, history, religion and culture. To this end, here is an overview of the history of Palâdnith...

The recorded history of Palâdnith stretches back five thousand years. It is divided into five ages: The Age of Warlocks, The Age of Chieftains, The Age of Kings, The Age of Darkness and the Age of the Realms.

Journey of Shadows (Book One of the Palâdnith Chronicles) starts in the Year 357 in the Age of the Realms.

1. The Age of the Warlocks – this first is the first recorded age, which lasted for at least two millennia.

This was a crucial period for Palâdnith, the age in which the population exploded, cities were built and culture developed.

During this period, a secretive order of warlocks founded the Citadel of Lies and Deep-Spire. The name of these Warlocks was lost – only the name of the last warlock was recorded: Gregnor.

During the Age of the Warlocks, Moden was created by the powerful magic of the warlocks, which has now been lost. Moden was an underground prison – said to be accessible from a secret spot somewhere in Palâdnith, although no one has ever discovered where, not even the Sentorân. Those who were incarcerated there are watched over by the Keepers of Moden, strange shambling creatures that patrol the dark abyss. Once there you will never age, never feel hunger or thirst – and never die.

The warlocks and kings of old, and even the first realmlords banished their enemies to Moden using the Blood Stone. These are now lost, and as far as anyone knows there is no way in or out of Moden. There were originally ten of these stones, fashioned from the heart of a volcano. In order not to lose the stones, every time they cast them at the feet of their victims, the rulers would whisper a counter-charm which would bring the stone back after its use. This was lost with the last king – and for that reason only the first realmlords used the Blood Stones, and ran out quickly.

2. The Age of Chieftains – this age lasted 1300 years, and began with the fall of the Warlocks. The order turned inward and disappeared from the world after a lengthy battle within the walls of the Citadel of Lies.

The Sentorân were established during the second half of this age – warrior sorcerers dedicated to the protection of Palâdnith and the promotion of peace. There were also the first records of the Sister of Sial, an order of witch women living in the forests of Sude, in this period.

The population continued to grow, and the cities of Isenlock, Dunethport, Catedrâl, Haithwell, Tarrancrest and Narn are founded during this age.

The dominant language is Goranthian.

3. The Age of Kings – this age lasted 900 years and culminated in the War of the Realms that brought about the downfall of the aristocracy.

This age began with the chieftains of the six principal cities proclaiming themselves kings and defining their borders. Right from the beginning, there were border clashes.

The Sentorân were advisors to the kings of Palâdnith, but could not keep the rot from setting in as the six kings all vied for dominance.

The War of the Realms began eighty years before the end of this age, and ended with civil wars that tore Palâdnith apart.

4. The Age of Darkness – this age lasted 150 years. Chaos ruled before the Sentorân helped bring order to the world.

Deep-Spire becomes the Sentorân’s stronghold.

Poverty and violence brings Palâdnith to its knees.

                                                                                          

The Goranthian language is lost, spoken only by the few scholars and sorcerers left, replaced by a more direct, cruder language called the common tongue.

The Sentorân’s influence in this period gradually wanes, especially towards the end when the population recovers from the desolation and the six realms formed.

5. The Age of the Realms – this is the current age in Palâdnith. Just over 350 years ago, the six realms of Paladnith were established: Omagen, Sude, Farindell, Westhealm, Marl and Cathernis.

During the first century of this age, the Sentorân retreat to Deep-Spire, with one or two sorcerers working in the service of the realmlords. However, unlike the Age of the Kings, the Sentorân’s power is limited.

Year 315 – Riadamor leaves the Sentorân order and goes into hiding.

Year 322 – Battle of Deep-Spire. Death of Serina, the last leader of the Sentorân. The Esquill win. They take possession of Deep-Spire. Riadamor begins tracking down the remaining Sentorân.

Year 327 – Riadamor disappears and Marin takes control of the Esquill. Many of Palâdnith’s realmlords accept Esquill sorcerers into service as advisors, yet there is still a widespread distrust of sorcery and those who practice it.

Year 357 (early spring) – The first of Riadamor’s servants reaches Dunethport and attacks Seth Falkyn. Eni Falkyn witnesses a stabbing and is accused of murder. Val Falkyn is sent on a perilous quest to the Citadel of Lies to retrieve a mysterious artefact, on behalf of the Realmlord of Farindell.

Our story begins…