Rok's History

History of the continent of Rok, the initial setting of Summer D&D Book 2.

Ages of Rok
Scholars of Rok currently divide the continent's history into three epochs: The Age of Division, the Age of Defense, and its current age, The Age of Unification.

The Age of Division
(400 years before the campaign and prior) Stretching back as far as prehistory, the Age of Division was marked by a progression away from conflict between tribes toward a conflict between races. During this period, more groups of peoples began practicing agriculture, trade routes between peoples were formed, and cities began to develop. Near its end, the first recognizable nation-states were formed: Fejosia, Irongrad, and Northolm.

The Age of Defense
(500 years before the campaign to 300 years before the campaign) As the first countries began exercising their political might with an eye toward expansions, a new player entered the scene: raiders from an unknown continent. With technology that far outstripped any of Rok's peoples, and ships so conducive so fast that they could disappear from one location and then reappear in an entirely different part of the continent, the people of Rok were completely at this unknown foe's mercy. Recognizing the necessity of a shared defense, previously hostile nations created The Heart of Rok, a network of information, people, and information. Roads built to ferry goods and troops across the continent during this period still exist now, over 400 years later. The seeds of new nations were planted during this period, and before its end the continent would see the creation of Blacktide, Terracosta, Neurolux, and the Lands of Grace being formed largely as an extension of The Heart of Rok's administrative regions.

The Age of Unification
(300 years before the campaign until the present) After the successful repulsion of the raiders from Ophaelon, small-scale skirmishes began to break out between the newly emboldened, powerful nations. Seeing the progress that had accompanied unification, high-ranking members of The Heart of Rok decided to take to take action and held a continental congress. Its purpose: to create boundaries and establish nations that would prevent territorial disputes and give peoples their own space to live. The congress lasted twenty-five years, but its end saw the land divided into its present form.

As the Heart of Rok began performing new administrative duties, its membership became increasingly dominated by followers of the Universal Pelor Church. A religion born within the Northern Wildwood of the Lands of Grace, it had quickly spread, eventually becoming the official religion of Fejosia, home of the continent's strongest army. Eventually, the Heart of Rok became an official arm of the UPC. Soon, the UPC became the official religion of all Rok's countries.

Important events of Recent History

 * Fifteen years prior to the campaign: The First Pelorite Crusade.
 * Five years prior to the campaign: The Sacking of Lumenatal.