Historical Era, in History
New Age
Also known as N.A. · NA
The New Age (abbreviated NA) is the current historical era of Canaan, beginning in 464 NA following the conclusion of the Xeamian-Zawma Conflict and the destruction of the Xeamian Empire and Zawma Empire. The era is characterised by political reorganisation around three successor nations — the Arakcadian Congress, the Zilaphelian Kingdom, and the Veurim Empire — and by the widespread suppression of magic as a response to the remembered catastrophes of the Millenia of Darkness.
As of 588 NA, approximately 124 years after the founding events of the New Age and the emergence of the three successor states, Canaan is in a period of relative but increasingly fragile calm: the conflicts that followed the Xeamian-Zawma Conflict have settled, but new threats and tensions are building.
Founding events
463–464 AP / 464 NA
The Xeamian-Zawma Conflict concluded in 463 AP, leaving both great empires destroyed. In the immediate aftermath, Canaan underwent a rapid and sometimes violent process of political reorganisation. Three successor nations crystallised from the fragments:
Zilaphelian Kingdom — The largest surviving fragment of the Zawma Empire, organised around the Upper Basin and following the Zawma's general ideals of royalty and religious order. The Zilaphelian Kingdom formed relatively intact from Zawman remnants.
Arakcadian Congress — Built on the pre-existing civic settlement of Arakcadia, which had survived the conflict due to its position and institutional development since 264 AP. The Congress is the institutional heir of Xeamian political values.
Veurim Empire — Emerged from communities that had been part of the Xeamian sphere but chose a specifically revolutionary path — a break not just from the old empires but from what they saw as Arakcadia's continued attempt to dominate the south. Veurim is the most ideologically distinct of the three successor states.
Structure of New Age society
The New Age has produced a basic social contract across the continent that, as the civic saying goes, has brought peace and prosperity for most of the continent:
"You pay a small tithe to a continental share, follow the laws, worship from the large pantheon of gods, and in return, nations protect the citizens within their bounds from horrors that lie in neutral lands, left over from many years ago."
This arrangement — civic contribution in exchange for protection — has held for roughly 124 years. It is not without friction: tensions over magic, political ideology, expansion, and the suppression of historical knowledge have grown over the same period.
Magic in the New Age
One of the defining characteristics of the New Age is the suppression of magic across most of Canaan. The memory of the Millenia of Darkness — when magical terrorists overthrew the world and ruled it for a thousand years — has made the major nations deeply cautious about magical practice:
| Nation | Stance on magic |
|---|---|
| Zilaphelian Kingdom | Formally outlaws strong magic; permits a small number of officially approved wizards who do not practice openly and instead teach others of the dangers of magic |
| Arakcadian Congress | Magic is not spoken of; socially and institutionally suppressed; controlled by the Office of Archives and Review |
| Veurim Empire | No formal position published |
Some villages in the Destitute Lands and in the major forests of Canaan — the Enchanted Forests, Iridescent Woods, and other forested areas — maintain stronger magical presences than the settled territories of the major nations.
Political situation in 588 NA
As of 588 NA, the continent is in a state of relative calm that is beginning to crack:
- The Zilaphelian Kingdom and the Arakcadian Congress are allies, though the relationship is somewhat asymmetric in Zilaphela's favour
- The Arakcadian Congress and Droshdech are friendly trading partners, though not formal allies
- The Veurim Empire is officially marked as dangerous by Zilaphela, with direct travel forbidden; Arakcadia has blocked the Bronze Track crossing at the Veurim River
- The Veurim Empire has begun aggressive expansion toward villages in the Destitute Lands and has been targeting Droshdech
- Many towns in the Mediata Savannah are affiliated with Arakcadia as part of the Congress structure
- Some critics, particularly abroad, object to the restriction of historical records in Arakcadia, and there are rumours of underground groups in places like Droshdech devoted to preserving what has been withheld