Ancient History (4,700 Altadae-7280 E.A.)
By Jack Shaeffer, with additional notes by Amber Wittlief
The Beginning of the Thalion Empire
Alterian History begins at 4,700 Altadae, at which point Altera Luna was nothing more than an uninhabited moon cirling Altera Proper. It was around this time that the Altera Proper'ns decided that they would colonize their moon. After the first travel to Altera Luna, they found it was a green, fertile world much like their own. They set up enormous colonies there, which eventually became what is known as Altera Luna. After several hundred years, the Proper'ns became involved in a minor war with a neighboring planet and lost interest in their distant cousins. At this point, the culture of the Altera Lunans began to diverge from that of the Proper'ns. Altera Lunans also began to change to adapt to their environment, where the gravity was slightly less than that of Altera Proper. They became slightly taller and more slender. They built great cities far away from each other, and each city-state governed itself. Almost four thousand years of history passed before there would be someone would would unite the Altera Lunans. His name was Malthen Thalion, and he hailed from the mountains to the north. Around 28 Altadea, he began to propose that the Lunans should unite under one government and establish contact once again with Alter Proper. In the year 0 E.A (Enlightened Age), the Thalion Empire was created. Malthen, of course, became the Emperr. Contact with Alter Proper was difficult at first, as the neither race had spoken to each other in almost four thousand years. A shakey peace was established, and an age of culture and prosperity followed. Emperr Malthen and his wife, Empres Silivern, created the first Imperial Warriors. Highly trained men and women went to distant lands and created bonds of friendship and unity (These diplomats would become the first Scholars). The Thalion Empire was growing. Peace grew weak, and in 42 E.A. an assassin from Alter Proper killed Emperr Malthen as he walked with his family in the forest. This began the War of the Bloody Tears.The War of the Bloody Tears (E.A. 42-E.A. 2307)
The War of the Bloody tears raged for over two thousand years. It was a completely political war. People who had once been friends turned to enemies, families disowned their children. It was the most horrible war that region of the galaxy had ever experienced. Horrible weapons capable of killing a man from miles away were created. The whole of the Alterian worlds' resources were poured into its continuation. The war destroyed both worlds by depleting their resources. The terrible weapons cast both worlds into a nuclear winter. Plants died, animals died, and the worlds were left wastelands. Art and culture withered and eventually vanished. But still, the war went on. The people wanted it to end, but the pride of both government and the blood of their ancestors told the government to forge on. The war was finally ended by the Alterian Warrior. Disguising themselves and sneaking into the government headquarters of Altera Proper, they killed the twelve member party who was in control of the military assets. The war had ended.Rebuilding and the Golden Age
The worlds of Altera were all but destroyed. With little to eat and impure air, the lifespan of the Alterians was becoming shorter. The Altera Lunans were about to give up hope when the sun broke through the clouds of red dust. With that, hope was reborn. And with hope, magic was first created. The Altera Lunans used the magic to clean their skies and repair the deep damage to their world. The land needed to be fertilized, the waters needed to be purified, and the broken hearts of the people needed to be healed. Their lives were difficult for nearly over three thousand years. Generations of people were born only to use their magic and die young, their lives wasted, burned out on magic use. But their hard work paid off, and Altera Luna slowly became what it had once been. Alter Proper was never able to rebuild. The dust finally settled in a thick layer over their ashen fields. The rain washed it away, eroding some areas down to the bedrock. The climate had changed due to the creation of so much carbon dioxide. The middle region of the planet was hot and dry, and the poles were bleak and cold. The only place that people could live was around the great water sources. They built enormous water filters which slowly, churned the water over and over. Life near the water became liveable, but never beautiful.The Golden Age of Altera Luna
The Golden Age of Altera Luna began in 5,614 E.A. with the death of the Previous Emperr and the assent to power of Emperr Calen Thalion. During this time, culture and religion began to florish. The Emperr slowly reached out to the worlds that had once been a part of the Empire. Most accepted his offer to reunite, but some declined. The Empire reestablished itself quietly, growing to a modest size. Alter Proper was offered complete peace and a place in the Empire. The government accepted, all too ready to forget the tragedies of the war. Altera Luna kept a close regulation on their imports and exports, making sure that they would never begin to assemble firearms again. The Altera Lunans had sworn off modern weaponry, knowing the damage it was capable of, and had taken up the tradtional weapons and training in magic. The Golden Age allowed for Alter Proper to begin to rebuild. Scholars were sent to try to heal the lands, but were unable to. Magic can't survive where hope is dead. So instead, Altera Luna offered money and technical assistance to help rebuild. Altera Proper slowly began to become more livable, though only near the water sources. During this time, msot of the sacred texts of Altera were written. The first Mithros also came to power at this point, and wrote many of the tomes of literature which have become the authority on moral behavior.
