In the aftermath of the Shattering of Turalis , the continent of Thrakdrak was already grappling with widespread devastation and fragmentation. The sudden upheaval had left regions struggling to cope with the aftermath, and the subsequent disappearance of key figures from various factions only deepened the continent’s turmoil. From 1800 to 2000TC, prominent leaders, heroes, and influential personalities vanished mysteriously, leaving Thrakdrak in a state of chaos and uncertainty.
In early 1840, news of disappearances began to spread from region to region. The first to vanish was Archmage Kaelus Astravan in 1801, whose experiment had inadvertently caused the Shattering. His disappearance was initially attributed to the magical chaos, but soon, similar events unfolded elsewhere.
In the Iron Dominion , High Engineer Grumbar Stoneforge , the leader of the dwarven and gnomish technomancers, disappeared in 1809 along with several key members of his council. Their loss caused significant disruptions in their efforts to harness the altered landscape and led to internal factionalism.
In Erume , the disappearance of Faelar Moonshadow , a prominent elven diplomat, created a significant power vacuum in 1940. Faelar was known for his role in negotiating the Verdant Accord and maintaining peace among various elven factions. His sudden absence led to the fracturing of elven unity in the region.
By mid-1855, the situation worsened as disappearances spread to other regions. In Sharali , Queen Selene Ravenscar , a respected human monarch known for her efforts to stabilize the coastal region, vanished. Her disappearance led to a power struggle among her advisors, which resulted in the fragmentation of Sharali into warring city-states.
In Theira , Master Enchanter Liora Sparkgleam , a key figure in maintaining the region’s magical stability, vanished without a trace. Her disappearance led to a power struggle among rival magical schools and factions, causing internal strife and weakening the region's unity.
As the Age of Enstrangement progressed, the power vacuum created by these disappearances allowed new factions and leaders to emerge. In Verdant Sovereignty , the disappearance of Lady Elara Moonshadow led to a split among various druidic and nature-based factions. Competing leaders emerged, each claiming to be the rightful successor, causing internal discord and weakening the Sovereignty's influence.
By late 1947 TC, the situation reached a critical point. In Erume , the elven-orcish coalition faced a crisis with the loss of War Chief Throk Ironfist and Archdruid Faelora Greenleaf , two leaders pivotal to maintaining the delicate balance between the orcish and elven factions. Their sudden disappearance triggered a series of conflicts and realignments within the region.
The Coastal Alliance , a coalition of maritime regions including Sharali and Theruth , faced dissolution following the disappearance of its influential members. In 1954 TC, Ragnar Wavebreaker son of Drakar, son of Thorin , son of War Chieftain Gornak Wavebreaker disappeared when sailing towards the planned meeting in Dagrae . This caused instability within the Coastal Alliance as the Orcs of Theruth decided to step out of the Alliance. The alliance's collapse led to the rise of smaller, independent coastal city-states that pursued their own agendas and further divided the coastal territories.
The Celestial Order , a coalition of clerics and paladins based in Turalis , experienced the sudden disappearance of High Paladin Jorvik Brightshield in 1983 TC. His leadership had been crucial in maintaining order and stability in the region. His loss weakened the Order's influence, leading to the rise of militant factions that further destabilized the region.
In 1971 TC, the disappearance of Kordun Stoneforge marked the beginning of the end for the Iron Dominion . The absence of Kordun , known for his militaristic approach and balancing powers between the Clans, meant that there was no longer a balancing power within the Iron Dominion. Internal strife took over which ended in 1980 with the fall of the Shattered Fortress . In the Iron Dominion , the factionalism resulting from the loss of Kordun Stoneforge gave rise to the Iron Clans and the Tinker Clans , smaller, competing groups of dwarves and gnomes that sought to control the remaining technological and magical resources. This fragmentation further hindered their ability to stabilize the region.
In 1988 TC - Yer , the elven enclave located on the northeastern peninsula, Lord Thalor Windwalker , a prominent leader in the elven resistance against encroaching threats, vanished under mysterious circumstances. His disappearance led to a splintering of elven alliances and increased tensions with neighboring regions. This was the precursor for The Elven Retreat .
In 1999TC in Dagrae , the sudden vanishing of Duke Cormac Ironhand of Still Falls , a stalwart and influential leader known for his strategic acumen and military prowess, caused widespread unrest. Duke Ironhand had been instrumental in aiding the king uniting the diverse human provinces of Dagrae under a common banner, and his disappearance led to the rise of numerous rival warlords and local leaders throughout Dagrae . This fragmentation intensified internal conflicts and contributed to Dagrae 's increasing isolation.
The disappearance of key figures over two centuries left Thrakdrak in a state of profound instability and chaos. The sudden loss of influential leaders and heroes created a power vacuum that led to the fragmentation of existing alliances and the emergence of new factions. The previously established order was shattered, and new power structures took shape as regions and factions scrambled to fill the void left by their vanished leaders.The impact of these disappearances was felt across the continent. The political and social landscape of Thrakdrak was reshaped, with old alliances dissolving and new entities rising to prominence. The Age of Enstrangement was marked by increased fragmentation, power struggles, and shifting allegiances, setting the stage for the complex and divided landscape that characterizes the continent today. The true reasons behind the mysterious disappearances of these key figures remain shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that arcane forces or otherworldly influences were at play, while others suggest more mundane causes such as political intrigue or betrayal. Whatever the truth, the legacy of this tumultuous period continues to influence the history and politics of Thrakdrak .