♦ Birth of the People ♦

400 BS 〜 The Creation of Spells

The evolution from hominids to modern humans… Everything begins there. From individuals to groups, from villages to countries, countless evolutions eventually led to the formation of ancient civilizations. And then the people discovered Spells.

■ Birth of the People

Tens of Thousands of Years Ago

The evolution of living things took a particular course. Tens of thousands of years ago, on the grasslands of the Southern Continent, a certain branch of early apes went through certain evolutions and eventually became modern humans. Thus humankind was born. From then on, the people grew and acquired knowledge, created tools to aid in their daily tasks, and then dispersed throughout the world of Sandail.

■ Discovery of Spells

c. 2000 BS

Humans traverse the seas. They spread throughout the world and established agricultural settlements in temperate regions. People began to live in groups instead of as individuals and towns became cities, then countries. Around that time, a strange power was introduced by the southern region. What we call “Spells” were brought forth by Quells, objects with incredible potential and made from materials never before seen by the people. This is where Spells, as used through Quells, make their debut in the historical record.

■ Establishment of Quell Culture

2000 BS 〜 400 BS

The southern tribes flourished thanks to the discovery of Spells and brought Quells with them as they traveled north. These Quells contributed to the growth of the ancient countries, increasing the manufacturing output of goods and bolstering military might. Then knowledge of how to cast powerful Spells became associated with the ruling class, resulting in kings and nobles who were able to wield great power. In this way, many countries rose and fell, and the migration of the nomadic tribes spread Spell Culture throughout the Eastern Continent.

♦ Ancient Empire ♦

Early Spell Culture

The southern tribes brought Quells with them as they moved north and introduced them to the ancient civilizations. Many countries were born and assimilated. Then a single massive Empire rose to power which adopted those techniques to establish their own Spell Culture.

■ Founding of the Empire

400 BS 〜 Beginning of the Common Era

The City-State of Hahn existed in the Central Plains of the Eastern Continent, an area thrown into chaos by the introduction of Quells. Hahn quickly adapted to utilize the power of Quells and bolstered its power. After unifying the Central Plains, it became a Kingdom ruling the entirety of Merchmin, then advanced troops south on the Grand Teille. When the last Kingdom of the Grand Teille fell, Hahn rose as a massive power controlling the majority of the Eastern Continent. This marked the founding of the Hahn Empire and the beginning of the modern calendar.

■ Rise and Fall of the Empire

Beginning of the Common Era 〜 465

The Hahn Empire flourished thanks to a brilliant governmental system and wise, charismatic Emperors. However, after five generations of great Emperors and the expansion of territory, the Empire began to decay. The ruling classes distanced themselves from the people, putting more pressure on the commoners as the disparity continued to widen. This naturally caused dissent among the citizens and led to the decline of the Imperial Capital. Then the people rebelled and the already weakened Hahn Empire fell in 465.

♦ Tool Culture ♦

465 〜 1200 Middle Age of Spell Culture

The displaced people of the Empire brought with them their knowledge of Spells, knowledge which had been hoarded by the Empire. Those who migrated to the Southern Continent found no Quells due to the harsh environment and developed substitutes for them. These Spells and techniques developed by the people themselves greatly changed daily life and the state of the countries.

■ Governmental Shift

400 〜 700’s

The collapse of the Empire threw Sandail into chaos. Many people fled the Central Plains and migrated to other places. The influx of people to the southern part of the Eastern Continent led to the establishment of an intellectual country ruled by a new monarchical system. In the north, the former ruling classes of the Empire founded their own countries. Their governmental system was created through a pledge made with the common folk. Meanwhile, former nobles of the Empire who moved to the Southern Continent set up the framework to establish a new Kingdom.

■ Development of Spells on the Southern Continent

800, 900’s

Spells originally did not exist on the Southern Continent. The people who migrated there brought with them the power of Quells, beginning a new era on the large continent. Then, in this land devoid of Quells with which to encourage development, Tools were created as a substitute. Tools were cheap and readily available to common citizens, who could not own Quells, and gave rise to a new Spell Society. The techniques developed on the Southern Continent were called General Spells and spread to all other societies throughout the world.

■ Height of Tool Culture

1000 〜 1100’s

There were a number of smaller countries on the Eastern Continent which were either torn from or not subjugated by the Empire. Many of these countries rose and fell as the turmoil deepened. Part of this was caused by the introduction of Tools, which were developed on the Southern Continent and made their way east. Tools brought about new battle tactics and were used to bolster military strength. Furthermore, these affordable Tools brought prosperity to the common people, allowing society as a whole to develop and mature.

♦ The Age of Steel ♦

1200 Divergence from Spell Culture

Within this society revolving around the use of Tools rose yet more unease. Large, prosperous countries were rebuilt and the potential for war dramatically increased. But an even greater cause for concern came from the population of this General Spell Society. In other words…discontent grew among those who could not use Spells.

■ Height of Tool Culture

1200’s

Amidst the restructuring of society thanks to the development of Tools, those who gave up on Spells and those who could not cast them obtained new abilities as Gustave XIII appeared and conquered the Eastern Continent. The lost “Steel Technology” was reintroduced. Steel nullifies the effects of Spells. Armaments made from Steel were used to combat troops casting Spells and had the potential to bring about the fall of Spell Culture. In this way, the appearance of Steel was a huge turning point for Spell Culture.