Elven History

Elf

Elven History

Each age is roughly three to four thousand years long. The beginning of the Age of Discovery is known as Year 0 on the Elven Calendar.

TR (Tirinal Reckoning) — Named for Tirinal, the ancient Elven word for “first light” or “awakening.” The Elves count their years from the moment their clans first stepped into the world beneath the stars.

Jump to Era

Discovery • Exodus • Peace • Chaos • Aftermath • Modern Era

Elven Historical Timeline (Quick Reference)

Era	Years (TR)	One-Line Headline
Age of Discovery	0 – 4000	Nine clans awaken and commune with the Valar
Age of Exodus	4001 – 8000	Colonies spread; Arandor’s foundations are laid
Age of Peace	8001 – 12000	Cultural zenith; Reformist schism seeds dissent
Age of Chaos	12001 – 16000	Six clans purged; Battle of Jyn-Pal ends civil war
Aftermath	16001 – 16297	Slumber of Renewal and search for survivors
Modern Era	16297 – Present	Three clans rebuild under unified Arandor

Age of Discovery (0 – 4000 TR)

Key Events

• First Awakening of the Nine Clans
• Valar Covenant forged
• Founding of the First Grove

Narrative

This era began with the awakening of the Elves under the stars and their communion with the Valar. Their immortality was revealed, and nine distinct clans emerged:

• High Elves – Scholars in starlit towers
• Wood Elves – Forest-dwellers
• Hill Elves – Practical crafters
• Mist Elves – Spirit-seers
• Mountain Elves – Highland warriors
• Moon Elves – Celestial sages
• Sea Elves – Oceanic guardians
• River Elves – Traders and wayfarers
• Meadow Elves – Healers in fertile plains

Cultural Notes

• Archaic dialects
• Oral tradition dominant
• Magic was informal and instinctive

Age of Exodus (4001 – 8000 TR)

Key Events

• Migration across the world
• Founding of Arandor
• Clan specialization

Narrative

The Elves left their homelands to explore and colonize. Each clan followed its nature—some built cities, some sought solitude, others wandered rivers or oceans.

Cultural Notes

• Clan customs formalized
• Magic studied academically
• Trade and diplomacy emerge

Age of Peace (8001 – 12000 TR)

Key Events

• Arandor becomes a beacon of unity
• Magical and artistic peak
• High Elven schism begins

Narrative

The golden age. Elven culture, magic, and philosophy reached unparalleled refinement. But among the High Elves, tensions stirred: Reformists challenged Orthodox traditions.

Cultural Notes

• Flourishing art and academia
• Diplomatic outreach begins
• Ideological rifts deepen

Age of Chaos (12001 – 16000 TR)

Key Events

• Six clans exterminated
• Reformist betrayal of the Valar
• Battle of Jyn-Pal

Narrative

The Reformists turned violent, rejecting the Valar and eradicating the Mist, Moon, Sea, River, Meadow, and Mountain Elves. In their final stand, the remaining clans united and defeated the Reformists at Jyn-Pal.

Cultural Notes

• Trauma and loss of kinship
• Rituals like the Weeping Veil created
• Slumber of Renewal revealed

Aftermath (16001 – 16297 TR)

Key Events

• Centuries-long search for survivors
• Establishment of memorial rites
• Adoption of fallen clan legacies

Narrative

The Elves wandered and waited. No survivors were found, but ancient relics and rites were preserved. The three surviving clans took up the mantles of their lost kin.

Cultural Notes

• Annual remembrance ceremonies
• Cross-clan cultural stewardship
• Rebuilding begins in sorrow

Modern Era (16297 – Present)

Key Events

• Unified Elven society in Arandor
• Healing and cooperation between clans
• Reconnection with other races

Narrative

High, Wood, and Hill Elves now coexist in Arandor. The Elves are no longer divided, but cautious and humble. They seek peace, preservation, and purpose.

Cultural Notes

• Unified Elven identity
• Careful diplomacy with others
• Legacy of the lost clans lives on