The Old Kingdoms

Lore & Background

Historical accounts within the saga describe a period where Midkemia was not a single kingdom but a patchwork of smaller realms, each vying for dominance through both steel and sorcery. These Old Kingdoms often fell victim to internal strife or external magical catastrophes, leading to their eventual consolidation under stronger rulers like King Keren's ancestors. The presence of dragons during this era is well-documented in ancient texts, suggesting a symbiotic yet dangerous relationship between humanity and the great beasts. In Kelewan, parallel civilizations thrived before the Tsurani Empire rose to power, utilizing similar arcane knowledge that would later fuel their ability to open the rift. The decline of these old powers coincides with a suppression of magic in Midkemia, shifting society from mages ruling as kings to monarchs relying on armies and restricted magical orders.

In Their Own Story

Dust motes danced in the shaft of light piercing the stone chamber. Pug brushed away centuries of grime from a crumbling pedestal, revealing a sigil etched in blue stone that hummed faintly under his touch. This was not Krondor's architecture; it belonged to something older, deeper. He traced the runes of a language long dead, feeling the residual heat of spells cast when dragons still walked the earth. The silence of the ruin was heavy, whispering of wars fought before the first rift opened.

Reader's Guide

Before the current nations of Midkemia rose, the land was fractured into numerous smaller realms known collectively as the Old Kingdoms. These states were often ruled by powerful sorcerers who wielded magic openly alongside kings and knights. Historical records suggest a time when dragons walked freely among men, serving both as allies and destroyers of civilization. The decline of these kingdoms is attributed to the Great Rift's instability and subsequent wars that drained magical energies from the world. Many ancient cities were buried beneath the earth or lost to the sea during this turbulent era. In Kelewan, similar old powers existed before the Tsurani Empire consolidated control, creating a parallel history of magic and conquest across the rift. The transition from these fragmented states into unified kingdoms like Krondor took centuries of warfare. Magic became restricted, leading to the rise of the Order of Magi as guardians rather than rulers. This shift fundamentally changed how societies viewed power and defense.

Did You Know?

• Dragons were a common part of daily life in the era of the Old Kingdoms before retreating into legend.
• Magic was once used openly by ruling monarchs before being restricted to specific orders.
• Ruins from this period are often found deep within the wilderness or beneath modern cities.
• The Tsurani Empire also traces its roots back to ancient Kelewan civilizations.