EXPANDED TIMELINE
Diaspora and The Splintering
3350
THE DIASPORA
Explorers discover the meta-jumpgate is part of a colossal network of jumproutes. Consequently, humanity begins a rapid expansion into the galaxy. The first generation of people travelling through the jumpgate, later to become known as "the First Who Jumped," forsake the security of the Empire to journey into the unknown. These pioneers develop a nomadic culture and find new pride in their ability to survive away from the mainstream of Imperial civilization. The ever-shifting galactic frontier comes to be known as the wilderzone. The Diaspora continues to this day.
3400
Wilderzone settlers begin to refer to themselves as a "tribe," calling themselves the Children of Phoenix. They claim to follow the teachings of the renowned warrior Harabec Weathers, hero of the Cybrid Wars. These teachings eventually find their way into written form as the Tenets of Harabec.
3450
THE SPLINTERING
A force of Imperial Knights called the Order of the Blood Eagle invades the wilderzone to "subdue" the frontier for the Empire. The conflict fractures the Children, and countless groups break away to form their own tribes.
3455
Starwolf tribe forms, supposedly founded by renegade Children of Phoenix and deserters from the Blood Eagle, although the tribe's true origin remains a mystery.
3480
The Blood Eagle, far from their home bases for decades, begin to consider themselves a "tribe." Finding Hercs and quantum weaponry too difficult to maintain without a heavy industrial base, they adopt the lighter powered armor favored by the tribes.
3500
The Blood Eagle break with the Empire and declare themselves an "independent tribe." At this time, the intensity of the conflict with the Children of Phoenix fades, but warfare is still a constant in tribal life.
3610
During a conflict between the Starwolf and Blood Eagle on Ganges III, an ecocidal weapon is used, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides and reducing the planet to a lifeless husk. Each side denies using the weapon. The enmity between these two tribes deepens radically.
3630
The Diamond Sword tribe appears in the wilderzone under the tutelage of The Enlightened Master. Small in number at first, their teachings attract many new followers, and the Sworders' ranks swell.
3641
After much political maneuvering, the Children of Phoenix host the first Firetruce. This intertribal celebration and festival will take place twice each century on a planet chosen by The Children. The collective tribes gather on these worlds to compete in martial games and trade stories and technology. Much diplomacy occurs, as well as much intrigue. The Tenets of Harabec, long known among the Tribes of Man, are modified to include a ban on ecocidal weaponry. Remembering the death of Ganges III, all the Tribes of Man agree to abide by this new Tenet.
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