A Brief History of the History of Eberron

Introduction

This tutorial explores the rich history of Eberron, a campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons. Understanding the lore is essential for players and Dungeon Masters looking to immerse themselves in Eberron's unique world. This guide breaks down the key historical events that shaped Eberron into the fascinating realm it is today.

Step 1: Understand the Progenitor Dragons

• Cosmic Origins: Eberron's creation involves three cosmic dragons: Eberron, Kaiba, and Sabirus.
• Conflict: Kaiba's greed led her to slay Sabirus, resulting in a battle with Eberron.
• Material Plane: Eberron sacrificed herself to imprison Kaiba, forming the Material Plane.
• Cultural Significance: Most cultures view the tale of the progenitor dragons as the genesis of Eberron, whether literally or metaphorically.

Step 2: Explore the Age of Demons

• Timeframe: Occurred around 100,000 years before the present.
• Demon Invasion: Kaiba's archfiends led a horde of demons to conquer the surface world.
• Alliances: Dragons and celestial beings known as Koatal fought against the demons, led by nine champions.
• The Silver Flame: The Koatal sacrificed themselves to create a celestial force that bound the archfiends in dragon shards, ending the age of demons.

Step 3: Discover the Age of Giants

• Timeline: Spanning from 80,000 to 40,000 years before today.
• Arcane Teaching: Dragons taught arcane magic to the giants of Zhendrik.
• Corruption: The imprisoned daughter of Kaiba influenced the giants, leading to their cruelty and the creation of the Drow.
• Cataclysmic War: Giants used destructive magic against the denizens of the dream plane, culminating in the destruction of one of Eberron's moons.

Step 4: Understand the Age of Monsters

• Period: Lasted from 40,000 to 5,000 years before the present.
• Elven Flourishing: Elves migrated to the continent of Aranel, forming the Undying Court.
• Rise of Goblinoids: The Dakhani Empire united goblinoids under a shared dream but eventually fell to the Dalkir's psychic contagion.
• Fragmentation: The empire's collapse led to a new era of chaos among the goblinoids.

Step 5: Navigate the Modern Age

• Current Era: Known as the Age of Man, or the Age of the Mark, starting around 5,000 years ago.
• Human Migration: Humans from Sarlona migrated to Corvair, constructing cities over the ruins of the Dakhani Empire.
• Dragon Marks: The emergence of dragon marks as magical talents led to the formation of powerful houses that shaped the economy.
• The Last War: A century-long conflict among the five nations, culminating in the cataclysmic event known as the Mourning.

Conclusion

The history of Eberron is a tapestry of conflict, creation, and transformation, deeply enriching the setting for gameplay. Understanding these historical events will enhance your storytelling and role-playing experience. Consider exploring the relationships between the various factions and how the past influences the present dynamics in your Eberron campaigns. Happy adventuring!