The Fifth Era: First Century

            Many things have changed in the 110 years since the Ascension of the Chaotic gods. First, we will start with some of the events immediately after the Ascension and then shift focus to more current events.

The Ascension itself occurred on or around Queen’s March 5 in 4E271 (4^th Era, Year 271). Approximately 110 years prior to the release of this document. The details of the events surrounding and leading up to the Ascension are hotly debated among several historians and documentarians. One event is for certain. The Ascension is so named, because it was the rise of the Gods of Chaos. These gods were mortal beings that held within their very soul a mote of divine energy. The origin of which most researchers equate to the end of the Calamity, when the celestials, fey, and fiends combined their collective power into one object to realign the planes of existence. Some of those events are detailed in The Gods: Blatant Liars or Helpful Overseers? by Byrond Fleetwell.

The Gods of Chaos, as they have come to be known over the past century, included The Storm Lord, Tenac the Arbiter, Jasgon the Queen of Giants, and Yetri the Dragon Queen. During the Ascension, the Divine Motes within each of these beings were reportedly awakened. This granted each of them the power of a god. Each was able to manipulate the very fabric of the planes supposedly to create their own plane of existence. None of these “Chaos Gods” have been seen since their reported Ascension, but this does not sway many who witnessed the Ascension from worshipping them in their own way over the years.

Gods were not the only thing to rise out of the Ascension. There have been numerous reports of dragons ranging across the spectrum of metallic and chromatic attacking small villages and tunneling into the sides of mountains. These types of events being relatively unheard of since the Calamity nearly 400 years ago. During which time the dragons were hunted to near extinction. In addition, a newfound race of long-eared green skinned humanoids began cropping up across Fenwrath. This race has become known as the Verdan. Many scholars have drawn correlation with a wave of chaotic energy that swept across the land during the Ascension. Though nothing has been confirmed.

In the years following the event, numerous merchants, mercenaries, shipping companies, and enchanters combined forces. These forces monopolized on a lack of structure to create major corporations. These corporations hire adventurers for many different services that vary for each corporation and their focus. There are four corporations that stand out above the rest and capitalize on the success of their company by shifting their focus to a political career on the council of Fenwrath. These companies are listed below:

• Parish Industries: CEO Harper Parish
• Dromi Shipping Company: CEO Ragren Dromi Jr.
• Silva Enterprises: CEO Diego Silva
• Collective Conclave: CEO Morgaine Corvel

Joining even a small company has its perks and is considered extremely prestigious. The pay scale ranges from company to company. However, it is usually much higher than average for Fenwrath. Companies will also provide services or equipment for scholars allowing them to conduct long awaited research digs into the heart of ruins left following the Calamity. Most companies have coordinated for a license allowing their adventurers a free pass when it comes to “breaking” or “thwarting” the laws of Fenwrathian society. Some individuals of less reputable character might find this appealing.

The final topic is actually a new product that has been sweeping the country. Parish Industries has become the sole provider of mechanical servant constructs customized for the individual customer’s needs. More well-to-do individuals have replaced goblin house servants for these robust machinations. Even the Fenwrathian military has purchased numerous customized for stealth or assault operations. It seems there is no end to the ingenuity behind Parish Industry’s “immortal” CEO Harper Parish.