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The Second Aeon 155000 - 1 BFA 155000-1650 BFA - Antecessoroid Speciation & Primitive Societies     As the red and white dragons assumed supremacy, a species of sentient organics called the Antecessors had already begun to increase in number. The Antecessors managed to outsmart their natural enemies and establish a large, settled region somewhere in Lur-Asko; each realm tends to cast itself as the most plausible home for the species. Whereever it was located, this community apparently began fighting within itself, and its inhabitants scattered across Lur-Asko in separate groups. Over several millennia, these groups split into the five antecessoroid species: human, elf, orc, dwarf, and Alacris. 
    Alacrian geneticists determined that their own species' separation was the first, occurring in approximately 130000 BFA. It is well-supported that this event was largely caused by Alacrian albinism. Originally a rare condition much like in every other species, albinism eventually served to set the Alacris on a special path; not only did the Antecessors ostracize them due to superstitions about their appearance, but Alacrian culture was literally driven underground - or into nocturnalism - to protect the species from the sun. With even less interaction with the other species, Alacrian beliefs took a radically different turn from the common superstitions of the day, and their technological progress was driven by the simple necessity of survival in strange, usually sunless locations. Additionally, the Alacris were saved from the frequent conflicts which accompanied the speciation of the other antecessoroids. So beneficial was the isolation of their species that rather than limiting albinism, evolution instead selected for it; eventually, nearly the entire Alacrian species "suffered" from the condition, to the point that it was viewed as a positive mark of distinction. Even in later eras, Alacrian geneticists declined to cure themselves, and non-albino Alacris became as rare as the inverse in other species.
    It is known that the last remaining Antecessors diverged into what are now the human and elf populations circa 42000 BFA. Orcs and dwarves originated sometime between this speciation and that of the Alacris.
    Although "prehistoric" can be used in draconic contexts to refer to the time before the First Aeon, it is most often used to refer to the Second Aeon before around 5000-4500 BFA, when the antecessoroid species invented various systems of writing. Most had already fully transitioned into agricultural societies, and they now proceeded through several stages of pre-industrial development. Because this period has much less relevance to the modern world than the Alacrian Eras, it receives much less attention today.
    Notably, Alacris and humans were the only species to regularly traverse Lur-Asko's galewalls after their speciation, whereas the other antecessoroids kept to the realms still associated with their kind.

1650-1230 BFA: - The First Alacrian Era    The beginning of this Era was characterized by rapid advances in Alacrian philosophy which allowed them to quickly surpass the other species in technology, cultural advancement, and population. Though many other philosophies believe that Rationalism could never have avoided its ultimate defeat, very few historians disagree that the spread of Alacrian philosophy inaugurated a time of far greater peace and progress. The First Alacrian Era is held to begin circa 1650 BFA, when a major unification of Rationalist ideas permitted its texts to spread throughout the masses more quickly. However, it did not yet enjoy the complete dominance of society that it would achieve during the Second Era. Politically, First Era Alacris were divided into several nations; the borders occasionally shifted due to warfare or treaty, but often coincided with the climatic borders of Lur-Asko's realms.
1336-1230 BFA: The Nucleonic War & the Golden Dismissal
    The peace of the First Era was occasionally broken by devastating industrial warfare between Alacrian nations. The largest and most destructive conflict, the Nucleonic War, occurred from 1342-1336 BFA, famously culminating in the first use of primitive nuclear weapons. Even the victorious nations suffered massive death tolls during the War, and all went through a lengthy period of public soul-searching urged on by many rising Rationalist philosophers and politicians. Although the causes of the war were varied and hotly debated, religious conflict seemed to have been an enormous contributor. Thus began the Golden Dismissal - the universal stamping-out of previous antecessoroid religion, and the subsequent rise of the deistic Alacrian Creator belief. Although this process continued into the Second Era amongst the Subject Species, the final victories of the Golden Dismissal in Alacrian society roughly coincide with the end of the First Era.
1295-1230 BFA: Resource Exhaustion & Environmental Crisis
    Throughout the First Era, Alacrian society was characterized by increasing industrialization. The extraction and utilization of fossil fuels drove the economy and motivated exploratory voyages to the other continents of Tsuunahgo. Such was the increase in population and mechanization in the last century of the First Era that all major fossil fuel deposits in Lur-Asko were near-totally depleted. Although oceanic and overseas forays had the potential to replenish the supply, the atmospheric effects of the Era were already causing planetary catastrophe. Although most of Lur-Asko was protected from disaster via its own Protodraconic realm-climates, this could do nothing protect the planet's polar ice. Rising sea levels inundated dozens of Alacrian coastal cities, as well as countless settlements of the other species. Furthermore, Tsuunahgo's oceanic stormfronts were amplified and worsened by the crisis - a legacy that continues to this day.
    Despite many decades of disaster, the rich and powerful among the Alacris seemed largely unmotivated to act, still focused on exploiting for themselves the defeated sides of the Nucleonic War and the wealth confiscated from religious institutions. The gap between these overlords and the working classes intensified, with much of the latter becoming outright refugees due to the loss of the coastal cities; the refugee crisis intensified as even greater numbers of the other antecessoroid species swelled these desperate ranks.
1233-1230 BFA: The Alacrian Revolution
    Alacrian civilization had reached a breaking point, and simply could not remain in place. As the more daring ideology of Vanguard Rationalism spread throughout the masses, armies turned upon their leaders, weapons fell into the hands of the common people, and each ancient nation fell one by one into civil war. Domestic wars were much harder to resolve via nucleonic weapons; very few were ever utilized. To preserve their power, Alacrian rulers turned desperately to (or perhaps commissioned) the reactionary ideology of the Heritage Ascendancy. Endlessly stoking the fears of the people and fully backed by long-established wealth, the Ascendants gained the upper hand in the beginning of the conflict, and aimed to destroy the "dangers" of Rationalism entirely. An attempt was even made to recruit religion into the cause, with the Golden Dismissal suspended in most of the Ascendant nations. Millions perished, either in civil warfare, or in repeated killings of refugees and any non-Alacris "savages" whom the Ascendants could manage to blame for their lands' problems.
    But ultimately, after around three years of conflict, it was in fact the Heritage Ascendancy that met its ideological death. The Vanguardists had recruited too broadly; the Alacrian people were too disillusioned by the claims of the ruling classes as a whole. The first nations to triumph in their rebellions lent clandestine support to the fighters in others, until the entirety of Alacrian civilization had deposed its old governments and enthroned Rationalism unopposed. The suppression of religion in the Golden Dismissal had now expanded into Rationalist dominance across the entire culture. At the time, the conflicts were typically called by different names according to each nation, but later historians term the entire period the Alacrian Revolution.
    Now free of many economic traditions that had long drained the resources of their society, the Alacris managed to gradually reverse course in their environmental crisis. Industrialization of the other continents was halted, and resources once consumed by "financial parasites" were diverted into the research of technological alternatives. Remaining energy reserves were devoted to geoengineering efforts, halting any further damage to the planet and laying the groundwork for Second Era weather control efforts. Religious doctrines - which had long been divided between the extremes of radical nature-reverence and total ignorance of the problem - were already being purged. Frightened by the disaster and now finally united by common ideology, Alacrian nations achieved political unity for the first time since before the Nucleonic War, cooperating out of desperate necessity. Rationalist voices had put a pause to the catastrophe when no one thought it possible, and in so doing had guaranteed the endurance of the Revolution and their dominance in the next Era.

1230-103 BFA: - The Second Alacrian Era (The Alacrian Golden Age)    Despite the environmental disaster, the Alacris did not put aside the Rationalist ideals of progress. Nature was not held sacred and there was never any kind of "hands-off" sentiment, as demonstrated by ongoing geoengineering efforts to reverse the misstep. Still, the Alacris were beyond their current limits, and could not sustain their population unless a new technological paradigm could be achieved. Fortunately, what was first envisioned as an emergency energy source would eventually ignite what historians now call the Alacrian Golden Age.
    Periodic meteor showers caused by volcanism on Adamas had long fallen on Lur-Asko, but the bizarre substance those meteors contained had been a mere scientific curiosity. Once it was discovered that adamant had amazing abilities to store and manipulate energy, resources devoted to its research were increased a hundredfold. Despite the legacy of arcanists, elixirs, vehicles, kinetic shields, and many other iconic technologies, the most culturally important use of adamant was actually as a power plant. Adamant "root systems" eventually powered every Alacrian city by harnessing geothermal energy; incentives related to the maintenance of these systems led to mass centralization. Rather than diffuse nations, Alacrian civilization transitioned into major underground cities - massive metropolises stacked upon themselves, perpetually fed by a nigh-inexhaustable supply of stable energy. By the end of the Golden Age, a single one of any city's dozens of strata (layers) would rival the size of any First Era metropolis. Each city was eventually fed by a enormous radius of uninhabited farms, operated remotely by constructs. All cities were politically united with each other through a series of treaties, one of which involved cooperatively burying thousands of nucleonic silencers thoughout the continent, ensuring that never again could any city fall to nuclear war.

ca. 1120 BFA: Adoption of the Subject Species
    As the Alacris began their society's grandiose transformation, it is well-established that they considered the other antecessoroid cultures to be vastly inferior. In the First Era, the other species were familiar annoyances - "barbarians" on the outskirts of civilization, but still visible. Usually, they avoided the Alacris out of fear of their superior technology, except for some occasional trading and the terrible refugee crisis at the end of the Era. But once the Alacris consolidated into fully-underground strata, the other species seemed to be cut off from even this limited contact. Now enjoying abundant energy and yet another technological step ahead of the rest of the world, many Alacris soon felt a responsibility to help the less advanced societies on the surface. Or, in a less flattering interpretation, the other antecessoroids ceased to really be people in the eyes of the next generation of Alacris, easily becoming a scientific and sociological project instead. Some hold that this superior attitude was a lingering consequence of the Heritage Ascendancy, despite most other portions of that defeated philosophy being purged.
     In a move that Rationalist leaders phrased as "adoption," the proud Alacrian civilization took pity on the other antecessoroid species. Most of the other species' populations were settled in certain areas - first in Lur-Asko, later in Wynthian colonies - under Alacrian cultural guidance. The extent to which this resettlement was forced, incentivized, or purely voluntary is extremely unclear, but it is unlikely that any form of resistance would have been feasible. No population was truly integrated into any major city; the Alacris sought to influence other cultures, never risking "degradation" in the other direction. Even today, computers and technologicals in ancient ruins continue to address visitors as the "Subject Species," usually reacting defensively to enforce Alacrian borders beyond which no other species was permitted to roam.
    Amongst antecessoroids, the only real exceptions to Alacrian "adoption" were those who wandered into core draconic territory, and were subsequently studied by the dragons. These studies were led by Archon and Gah’Henna, the respective leaders of the white and red dragons. In conjunction with more cautious examinations of the Alacris, these studies resulted in the formation of red and white draconic philosophy regarding mortals.
    The portion of the species adopted by the Alacris gradually had their own philosophical ideas stamped out over several generations, replaced by Rationalism (though many scholars believe antecessoroid beliefs of this time simply became minority views, eventually morphing into Nihilism). Any vestiges of the old religions fell to an enforced repeat of the Golden Dismissal within each species. Unrelated, "harmless" cultural phenomena were largely untouched. Critics of the handling of the “Subject Species” accuse the Alacris of enormous prejudice and arrogance, while more sympathetic scholars say that this was the best reasonable way to help the other species keep pace with progress without totally overshadowing their unique cultures.

950 BFA: Beyond Evolution
    By 950 BFA, Dira quartz and Therbolgite corallurgy were firmly established as complements to adamantology, and several advancements were made in genetic engineering and information technology. Although the applications of these new fields of study were not without controversy, Alacrian thought eventually embraced them all. With their civilization far beyond the reach of natural selection, many Rationalists believed that organic life could and should take the reins of its own evolution - indeed, some viewed this as vital to sentient life's ultimate survival. In the following centuries, genetic modification was utilized extensively in the Alacris species, as well as in the Subject Species and throughout Lur-Asko's biosphere.
    Meanwhile, as geneticists raised the capabilities of their bodies, the Alacris turned also to bionic technology to further enhance themselves. By the late Second Era, nearly all Alacris possessed medical implants to monitor their health and extend their life. Most of them also replaced one eye with a bionic version that allowed them to instantly access information networks and easily navigate city strata. An eager minority known as Transnaturists went even farther, replacing many more of their body parts with cybernetic prostheses.

783 BFA: The Terraforming of Wynthia
    By 800 BFA, the Alacris had spread throughout Lur-Asko and the island of Myrabilis, far exceeding their First Era territory. Expansionistic, but unwilling to provoke the dragons by infringing on core draconic regions, their eyes turned east to Wynthia. Knowing the total lifelessness found there, the Alacris began researching how to bring Lur-Asko’s vibrant life to the other continent.
    Because of the lethal stormfront located between Lur-Asko and Wynthia, the Alacris developed an extremely large submersible to transport Lur-Asko’s lifeforms there. Dubbed Caribdis, this 3-mile long vessel was launched in 783 BFA. Records tell that it was so large, its waterjet engines created vortices that destroyed several fishing ships when it departed its shipyard in Myrabilis.
    Reaching Wynthia several seasons later, Caribdis restored life to the continent. The Alacris built the city of Fortyservus there, as well as several facilities designed to complete the terraforming and bring to Wynthia the full biodiversity of Lur-Asko. Unfortunately, the Alacris were unable to fully imitate the Protodragons’ work in Lur-Asko, and their facilities never completed their task before the Fall occurred. Wynthia was left in a viable state and has continued to support human life ever since, but it is a difficult land frequently characterized as "mundane" by those who have seen both continents.

675 BFA: The Taming of Chthon
    The Golden Age Alacris apparently did not experience major war with other sentients - at least none troublesome enough to merit significant mention in their records - but they encountered great resistance from Lur-Asko’s natural wildlife and environment. Defeating these adversaries was largely the responsibility of select individuals proficient with advanced equipment. These are widely considered to be the first adventurers.
    The most significant accomplishment of the ancient adventurers was the process known as the Taming of Chthon. Settling that underground realm required not only driving the Chasmodyne into the Void using artificial sunlight, but holding off the hordes of wildlife that subsequently infested Chthon from the Reaches. The building of Arcturus Tower and the city of Rédix were the final major projects of Alacrian expansion, made possible by the heroics of determined adventuring parties.

450 BFA: Peak Expansion
    As Wynthian expansion proved successful and concern began to grow regarding rising tensions with the white dragons, Alacrian eyes turned westward. Records show that many Alacrian scout ships successfully revisited the Far Remote in the Second Era. There were many disputes about whether the continent should be settled due to the presence of other sentient life; First Era explorers had reported only small tribes of hunter-gatherers, but by now the Koh-Trr had become a bronze-working agricultural society. Given the Alacris' willingness to rule over the Subject Species, it seems unlikely that the Koh-Trr would have given their ethicists pause for long.
    Ultimately, the Far Remote was left unsettled for more internal reasons: declining Alacrian birthrates and lack of investment in exploratory efforts. Comfortable in their Lur-Asko and Wynthian cities, the Alacris finally grew uninterested in expansion. Hundreds of small resource and science outposts were established on the other continents and islands, but large-scale colonization failed to progress beyond Wynthia. Alacrian territory and population fluctuated, but are considered to have peaked circa 450 BFA.
   
140-103 BFA: The Draconic Wars
    Under Archon’s leadership, the white dragons came to view mortals as naturally depraved and unworthy of such a prominent role in the world. Particularly resented was the territorial dominance of the Alacris in Lur-Asko, which to them was an offense to the natural rights of draconic rulership. As a result, the white dragons began gathering their forces, forming a mortal "society" in Eer'Kalla out of wandering antecessoroids and whomever they could corrupt amongst the Alacris themselves. In the pits of the Under-World, these unfortunate converts underwent unthinkable torment and mass-breeding, becoming the bloodthirsty and nigh-mindless "Hellborn" armies. The proud Alacris soon did their part to escalate the conflict, raising their own armies on white draconic borders. By the 130s, these preparations had escalated into open war.
    After over a thousand years without a major war, untested Alacrian generals made significant blunders, allowing Archon to force the world into a decades-long war of attrition. The Alacris had both the technological and numerical advantages, but these would be continually minimized by their enemies as the years passed. Draconic philosophy and telepathic corruption spread within the Alacris, swelling the ranks of their enemies through defection. As Alacrian engineers continued to build new technologies of war, draconic converts brought these with them for the dragons to enhance with their vast intellect. This cycle continued, producing ever more advanced weapons and defenses, and ever larger death tolls. 
    Eventually, as Alacrian military technology and martial training continued to advance, their armies found themselves suddenly reinforced by the vast arcane power of Atro Vys and the first of the Aterr. These developments combined to finally inflict unsustainable losses on the white dragons; though the war was costly to the Alacris, the dragons’ losses were debilitating, as their population had always been extremely low in comparison to mortals. Eventually, the white dragons and their Hellborn were driven back to Eer’Kalla, with nearly all of their territory conquered. Eer'Kalla itself was unsuccessfully besieged for many years, but the war was essentially over. With the enemy routed, Alacrian armies returned home to rebuild their devastated homelands.
    Archon was not so easily dissuaded, and more enraged than ever after the deaths of so many fellow dragons. Rather than stay subdued, he eagerly set about transforming the already bittersweet Alacrian victory into the seed of their ultimate defeat.


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