1. Timelines

Toril Realms History

World History

Days of Thunder -35,000 — -30,000

The Days of Thunder was an ancient period of Toril's history. This was the time of the fabled creator races, or Iqua-Tel'Quessir in the elven tongue, and many other races still hid in caves.

  • First Sundering

    -31000

    Ao, the Hidden One, creates a duplicate of Toril, called Abeir, for the released primordials to dominate.

Dawn Age -30,000 — -24,000

The Dawn Age, also known as the Age of Dawn, the Time of Dragons, or the Time of Giants, was a period lasting from −30,000 DR to −24,000 DR, when the powerful empires of the creator races disappeared from the face of the earth and their land was occupied by giants and dragons far more powerful than those of the Present Age. It was a time of constant war for land in Faerûn, that led to the creation of great kingdoms and empires.

  • Elves Rule Sword Coast

    -22900

    They rule the Sword Coast  and in -17100 DR The dark elven Ilythiiri spies and assassins prevent a unification of the elves of Satyrwood.

First Flowering -24,000 — -12,000

The First Flowering was a period in Faerûn's history between −24,000 DR and −12,000 DR. At the start of this period, the elves had split into five major realms: Aryvandaar, Illefarn, Keltormir, Miyeritar and Shantel Othreier, as well as several smaller ones such as Eiellûr, Ilythiir, Orishaar, Syòrpiir and Thearnytaar. During the First Flowering, the last of the winged elven race Avariel are believed to have left Faerûn.

  • Descent of the Drow

    -10000

    Corellon and his priests transform corrupt Ilythiiri elves into drow who retreat into the Underdark. An eastern Elven Court forms, later named Cormanthor.

Crown Wars -12,000 — -9,000

The Crown Wars were a series of elven wars fought early in the history of Faerûn. Over a period of 3,000 years, the great elven kingdoms participated in five primary conflicts, leading to the near destruction of the elven race.

The Founding Time -9,000 — -3,000

The Founding Time, or the Age of the Proud Peoples, was the period just after the end of the Crown Wars when the elves and the dwarves dominated Faerûn. During this time, the humanoid races began their expansionist efforts. Elves, dwarves, and the first human tribes founded several realms such as Evereska, High Shanatar, and Imaskar. Several major conflicts occurred during this time, including the Spider Wars[4] and the Era of Skyfire.

It is generally perceived to have lasted about six thousand years from −9000 DR to −3000 DR. It was followed by the Age of Humanity.

Age of Humanity -3,000 — 1,358

This period began with the decline of the elven and dwarven empires and the flourishing and expansion of the human empires. These new, expanding empires included Calimshan, Imaskar, Jhaamdath, Mezro, Mulhorand, Netheril, Narfell, Raumathar, and Unther.

Of these human empires, that of Netheril represented the genesis of this epoch. Thanks to the discovery of the nether scrolls, they were launched into history. Around −3000 DR, the Archmage Ioulaum raised the first enclave of Netheril, Xinlenal, through his newly fashioned mythallar. However, all of these human empires left their indelible mark on the Realms, and the influence of their actions was felt for centuries afterward, as three of these nations - Calimshan, Mulhorand, and Unther - survived past this era, albeit in forms much different than seen in this epoch.

  • 1st Edition

    1357

    D&D starts in 1357 DR

  • Battle of Phandalin

    951

    Phandalin destroyed by the orcs of Uruth Ukrypt and a group of wizards bent on seizing control of Wave Echo Cave; shortly before the attack, dwarves discovered a vein of platinum. Sir Aldith Tresendar “The Black Hawk,” killed defending Phandalin; Mormesk, a powerful wizard, killed during the attack on Wave Echo Cave.

  • Phandelver’s Pact established

    900

    Clans of dwarves and gnomes create the Phandelver’s Pact, governing the unique abilities of the Forge of Spells found in Wave Echo Cave.

  • Cormyr

    26

    City is founded

  • Standing Stone raised

    1

    Human settlers in what will become the Dalelands and Elves of Cormanthor enter into an alliance known as the Dales Compact. They raise the Standing Stone as a symbol of their cooperation. Begin Dale Reckoning.

  • Eigersstor renamed

    -10

    Eigersstor renamed Neverwinter.

  • Fall of Netheril

    -339

    Karsus causes the fall of Netheril. Most of its cities plummet to earth and are destroyed. Mystrul (or Mystryl) is destroyed but is reborn as Mystra, who alters the function of magic to prevent such an event in the future by stripping 10th level and greater magic from mortals. Netherese masters of the flying city Xinlenal attempted to flee the destruction but when their magic failed the city crashed into Neverwinter Wood. The elves of Iliyanbruen quarantine Xinlenal and try to prevent others from finding the dangerous ruins. The Thultanthar Netherse enclave escapes into the Shadowfell. Other refugees flee into the Delzoun mines, led by the Bey of Runlatha. They become the ancestors of the Uthgardt tribe when their descendent tribes merged with those led by Uthgar. The primordial Maegera discovered by an Illuskan wizard, Maerin. He convinces the dwarves to create a city around Gauntlgrym from which Illusk and the dwarves can harness the primordial’s power to create items of great power.

  • Waterdeep

    -1088

    First record of trading at the future site of Waterdeep.

  • Netheril Founded

    -3859

    Netheril founded a human realm of Netheril founded on the banks of the Narrow Sea.

Era of Upheavel > 1,358

The Era of Upheaval was the time period between Time of Troubles of 1358 DR and the Second Sundering of the decade of the 1480s DR. The Era of Upheaval was part of the historical period known as the Present Age.

  • Second Sundering

    1482

    Abeir passes into Toril causing calamities across the world. Magic is all off and for some has to be re-learned. This all starts with the murder of Bhaal childern.

  • Death Curse

    1481

    Death starts to reclaim what was owed from those you escaped death's grasp. No Stone, Inc. goes out to figure out the cause to end it.

  • Wave Echo Cave found

    1480

    Gundren Rockseeker and his brothers discover Wave Echo Cave in the late fall; Nezznar tracks them to the cave.

  • New Neverwinter

    1469

    Dagult Neverember, Open Lord of Waterdeep, hires mercenaries from the isle of Mintarn, no more than thugs and pirates, to help rebuild Neverwinter. 

    Neverember first begins reconstructing Neverwinter and begins “New Neverwinter,” openly naming himself a lord of Neverwinter and its protector; Neverember designates Helm’s Hold as the relocation center for Spellplague victims and refugees, making Helm’s Hold a sanctuary but also a quarantine. Neverember covers up any evidence that the Alagondar line still exists.

  • Mount Hotenow erupts

    1451

    Volcano eruption causes thousands of Neverwinter citizens to perish. Red Wizards of Thay cause the eruption, unbeknownst to most people, in an (ultimately failed) attempt to fuel their Dread Ring, a fortress of undead deep in Neverwinter Wood; Thundertree destroyed and Alagondar descendents are killed or lost. Some refugees escape, including a young human named Mirna, the daughter of the town alchemist. The Frewns, a family of tanners, abandon Neverwinter for Waterdeep.

  • Elturel

    1444

    Elturel is conquered by a vampire lord. Thavius Kreeg, a priest of Torm, accepts Zariel’s assistance in liberating the city, although Kreeg takes credit for its salvation. The Companion appears over the town and remains throughout Kreeg’s rule.

  • End of Spellplague

    1395

    Aftermath of Spellplague. Most effects of the spellplague have come to an end.

  • Spellplague

    1385

    Mystra assassinated by Cyric. Gray Wolf Uthgardt tribe levels the town of Conyberry, using it as a base for a time; Neverwinter refugees flee to Helm’s Hold and other places. Six new walking statues appear in Waterdeep, including the God Catcher.