The initial timeline

Exact dates remain unavailable. The chronology records eras and shared events rather than pretending that every world uses the same calendar.

Era Before Guidance

Canon. Civilizations exist in isolation. Gates appear and vanish unpredictably. Cities wake beneath other skies, floating islands wander, and trade routes disappear without warning. Some ancient Gates and records of the Cone’s symbol already exist.

The Ascension

Canon. Someone discovers a cone on a stone platform at an unknown location. An attempt to move it sends energy across multiple worlds. Gates stabilize, islands halt and incompatible systems begin working together. A golden star appears above the Cone to observers in many civilizations.

The object becomes known as The Sacred Cone.

The First Expeditions

Canon. The capybara later known as The King leads journeys through the newly stabilized Gates. Separated civilizations make first contact. Diplomacy prevents several emerging conflicts from becoming wars.

Foundation of Higher Ground

Canon. Territories, cities, routes and communities form the network called Higher Ground. The Guidance becomes its central philosophy. The King becomes its foremost political figure by means not recorded in the official archive.

The Order of Guidance, Bread Operations, the Potassium Division and The Resonance take their modern forms. The Keepers assume their duties around The Sanctuary.

The Age of Guidance

Canon. Higher Ground expands through trade, exploration, cultural exchange and maintained Gate routes. Crown City becomes its administrative capital. The First Ground, Floating Realms, Deep Cities and Outer Routes enter the known map.

The Present Disturbance

Canon. Unknown Gates open toward abandoned cities, immense structures, unfamiliar signals and alternate versions of known territories. Instruments in The Sanctuary detect a repeating message from beyond the known universe:

HIGHER GROUND EXISTS.

For the first time since The Ascension, nobody knows where the Cone is pointing.