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This thread is for establishing a timeline of events that occur in "The Emerald Spire Superdungeon" before the adventure begins. Although the book has a timeline, it is less than a page long and omits some details that GMs may want to know before beginning the adventure.
What follows is my attempt to create a proper timeline. I have given estimates of dates where possible; events within date sections are arranged in roughly chronological order. If you have any additions or corrections, please chime in. I also intend to create a separate thread to discuss some of the adventure's logic.
Those who intend to play in the Emerald Spire Superdungeon should not read the following, as it contains spoilers.
Date: Unknown
Events
The Xiomorns, a primeval race of explorers and scientists from the Plane of Earth, lose a battle against the aboleths, and retreat from Golarion.
The Vault Keeper, Iluchtewhar, chooses to remain and attempts to create his own Vault. He is unable to control the power of a Vault Seed, and instead creates the Emerald Spire, which rises up through the earth and penetrates the surface. Iluchtewhar is imprisoned within the spire.
Date: circa 5286
Events
Nhur Athemon, an Azlanti wizard-prince, flees justice. He arrives in Avistan. There, he learns about the Emerald Spire from the natives. He is fascinated by its magical (and in particular, planar) properties. Nhur Athemon erects a green glass tower over the Spire's uppermost point; and dungeons below to access different points of the Spire and experiment on its structure. He begins attempting to turn the Spire into an arcane weapon.
Nhur Athemon becomes a lich.
The Azlanti authorities discover Nhur Athemon's location. They raid his tower and its dungeons, laying them to ruin and destroying Nhur Athemon's body. Nhur Athemon survives thanks to his phylactery. He goes into dormancy, with occasional fits of wakefulness.
Date: pre-2714 AR
Events
Various people, creatures, and organizations begin visiting the Emerald Spire. Those with an interest in culture and history mistakenly believe the Spire itself to be of Azlanti construction.
The Mistress of Thorns takes control of Level 9, the Spire Axis.
Serpentfolk scholars travel through the Darklands and discover the Emerald Spire's subterranean levels. Over the next several thousand years, they intermittently occupy various levels.
The Godbox lands in Level 4.
2,000+ years ago: The evil high priestess Yarrix establishes a lair on Level 11. She is confronted by Carsolis, a champion of Sarenrae, who slays her and seals her in a tomb.
The inhabitants of the Eternal City of Axis, sensing the creation of the Emerald Spire, arrive on Floor 15. They seal off the deepest chambers.
Date: 4214 AR
Events
The goblins of Zog occupy the Emerald Spire's ruins and the surrounding Echo Wood. They execute people by forcing them to brave the Emerald Spire's depths.
Date: Pre-4514 AR
Events
The serpentfolk turned Levels 7 and 8 into a temple, which remains occupied to the present day.
Humans establish various towns near the Emerald Spire, including Thornkeep, Southwood, and Mosswater.
An evil noble takes over Level 3, turning the natural caves into his lair. He studies necromancy until his own demise.
Derros, morlocks, troglodytes, and other creatures begin visiting the Emerald Spire's lower reaches by invading from the Darklands.
Derros enter on floor 8 and move to occupy floors 5 and 6.
Date: 4514 AR
Events
The derros' experiments on floor 5's affinity for water cause it to flood. Sometime thereafter, aquatic animals and undine spellcasters moved in. The serpentfolk of Vissk-Thar eventually turn the undine against their enemies.
Date: Pre-4614 AR
Events
The derros create the Clockwork Maze on Floor 6.
Troglodytes move in from the Darklands and form clans that worship the Godbox.
The morlocks move into Floor 9, where the Mistress of Thorns takes control of them.
Date: post-4684 AR
Events
Chaid DiViri makes expeditions into the Emerald Spire. After several successful expeditions, she finally dies on Level 10, the Magma Vault.
Gorloth, the bone priest, takes over rulership of the Crypt.
Date: 4709 AR
Events
The bugbear Grulk explores the ruins and establishes his own domain.
Date: post-4709 AR
Events
Klarkosh the Numerian Wizard explores the Emerald Spire. He makes a truce with Grulk to protect the entrance to the lower levels for Klarkosh; and similar negotiations with other inhabitants. Klarkosh establishes a lair on Floor 6.
Klarkosh begins experimenting on the Emerald Spire. He discovers a method by which he may harvest shards from the Spire, and inadvertently awakens Iluchtewhar.
Iluchtewhar pulls in creatures from other Vaults and learns how things have changed since his imprisonment.
Nhur Athemon awakens once more, and begins gathering his strength while observing levels near his own lair. He becomes aware of the serpentfolk and Klarkosh. Begins experimenting with methods to revive the dead (and undead) using the shards. Breaks the seal on floor 15, by using proteans. Axis shows up and a pitched battle begins, which becomes a stalemate.
The high priest of Ydersius - Ziszkaa - breeds hatchlings, including Uzar-Kus, who eventually takes over.
Pech, the earth fey, winds up on Level 6, and enters Klarkosh's service.
Date: 4713 AR
Events
Klarkosh begins actively defending his new home against all intruders, including parties of adventurers pursuing their own investigations of the Spire.
Date: 4714 AR
Events
The cleric Tarrin Dars establishes a stronghold on Level 3 of the Emerald Spire.
Sartoss the serpentfolk cleric breaks with his fellows on religious grounds; civil war ensues between levels 7 and 8.
The goblin cleric Skizzertz discovers a discarded automaton, which he begins repairing.
Klarkosh gives a sigil to Skizzertz, instructing him to bring any transport tokens he finds down.
New forms of undead monsters begin plaguing both Thornkeep and Fort Inevitable. Spellcasters report scrying effects from an unknown source brushing aside their normal screens and defenses. Something takes conscious control over the mysterious portals of the Spire Glen, disgorging monsters and capturing travelers far from the Emerald Spire. High Mother Sarise Dremagne of Fort Inevitable divines something about the emblem of a crown above a skull. Lady Commander Drovust seeks adventurers to destroy the "crowned skull".
Several Weeks Ago: Tiawask and Jharun visit the Emerald Spire. They are imprisoned by Klarkosh. Tiawask escapes.
Several days ago: Some intruders make it past the Crypts.
Three days ago (at least): Tiawask dies on Level 14.
Yesterday: Yoc, the xorn, finds the magma chamber, Level 10.
Concurrent: The PCs begin exploring. Iluchtewhar becomes somewhat distracted because of them.
One thing to change
The inhabitants of the Eternal City of Axis, sensing the creation of the Emerald Spire, arrive on Floor 15. They seal off the deepest chambers.
That should be moved to the top of events, after the Emerald Spire is created, but before Nhur Athemon shows up. As I mention in the discussion thread, that resolves a potential problem with Nhur Athemon's personal timeline.
