The Age of Pioneers is the historical period during which ArcheAge Chronicles takes place, spanning roughly Years 1788-1800 in the game's timeline. It follows the rediscovery of Auroria, the northern continent that had been abandoned for centuries after the catastrophic war between the new gods. Unlike the preceding generation of "Heirs" who sought transcendent missions, the Pioneers focus on practical goals: exploring and settling Auroria.
Lead-up to the Age of Pioneers
The path to the Age of Pioneers was paved by decades of prior events:
Item | Description |
|---|---|
Year 1725 | The environmental revival of Auroria begins. The continent, long considered dead or uninhabitable, starts showing signs of recovery. |
Years 1733-1740 | The Shadowhawk Syndicate confirms Auroria is habitable again. Both Nuia and Haranya launch exploration fleets. Princess Ellen disappears. The "Heirs" (god-chosen protectors) are revealed. A mysterious Crimson Rift appears in Cinderstone Moor. |
Year 1743 | Explorer Tellan discovers descendants of ancient Aurorian survivors still living on the continent, people who had been there since the collapse nearly 2,000 years earlier. |
Years 1761-1785 | The 25-Year War. The First Auroria Summit collapses after assassination attempts, sparking continental conflict. A Second Summit in 1785 on Ynys Isle finally establishes peace. |
The Pioneer era
With peace established after the 25-Year War, the focus shifts from military competition to economic opportunity. Major trading companies compete for Auroria development rights. Nuia and Haranya announce a joint venture to build a unified city on Auroria. By Year 1800, large-scale migration and exploration are accelerating.
The player's role
In ArcheAge Chronicles, players enter the world as members of an established trading company during this pioneering period. The central mystery involves investigating a catastrophic airship crash, a tragedy that leads deeper into a web of political and supernatural forces. The game takes a character-focused approach rather than an epic world-saving narrative. Players explore ancient ruins, meet characters shrouded in mystery, and rebuild their position after being stranded by the crash.
Historical significance
The Age of Pioneers is not just a setting choice but a thematic statement. The original ArcheAge dealt with the fallout of divine war and world-shattering conflict. Chronicles is set in a period of rebuilding and discovery. The dangers are still real (ancient ruins, political intrigue, supernatural threats from the Crimson Rift) but the tone is exploration rather than apocalypse.