Darkest Darkness: Hostorical Event Timeline

So, this turned out more headcanon-y than I had hoped, but oh well. Keep in mind that this is only a rough draft, so some things may be added/changed.

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

0 B.D. - The planet, Equus, largely populated by horse-like beings, exists, along with several other species of mythological creatures. All beings are generally no smarter than a wild beast, but early signs of intelligence begin to show in several equine species.

121 B.D. - Pegasi exist as carnivorous equines who hunt in likely feral packs.

154 B.D. - Earth Ponies learn to plant the seeds of the fruit and vegetables they consume in order to grow more. Earth Ponies begin forming rudimentary packs based on farming.

156 B.D. - The first encounter between Pegasi and Earth Ponies ends in bloodshed. Earth Ponies begin life as nomadic farmers.

239 B.D. - Fire is first intentionally created by Unicorns. Several Unicorns begin to form rudimentary packs out of curiosity of their weak abilities and for protection from wild creatures.

254 B.D. - The first encounter between Unicorns and Earth Ponies occurs. Unicorns dazzle the Earth Ponies with their weak magic and dominate the Earth Pony packs, letting most of the Earth Pony packs finally settle while still being protected from the Pegasi. Earth Ponies and Unicorns begin construction of tools and poor buildings.

257 B.D. - First encounter between Pegasi and Unicorns occur, leaving some Pegasi hunting packs fearful of the new horned creatures. Attacks continue to occur, but are less frequent and generally end in failure.

263 B.D. - Pegasi hunting packs are suffering from starvation and malnutrition due to one of their food sources, Earth Ponies, being well defended due to their Unicorn allies and their permanent settlements. Other food sources begin to dwindle due to the abundance of grown food, which has drawn even larger and more dangerous creatures to hunt the small herbivores. Pegasi face extinction.

261 B.D. - Earth Pony settlements begin lines of communication in order to better defend themselves and trade.

267 B.D. - Unicorn and Earth Pony settlements are frequently attacked by large, wild animals. Unicorn magic does not often scare them, as it usually has with other creatures, but the new creatures are generally gravely weakened to the point where they retreat, and are subsequently finished off by starving Pegasi. Pegasi race begins to prosper, while the Unicorns and Earth Ponies see this as a sign of trust.

277 B.D. - First peaceful interaction between Earth Pony, Unicorn, and Pegasi occurs, resulting in the acceptance of Pegasi into tribes.

382 B.D. - Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi begin construction of the first true city, named Vitam. Several other true cities begin forming shortly after.

499 B.D. - After several generations of eating plants, Pegasi begin to show the first signs of losing their large, ferocious canine teeth.

562 B.D. - As Earth Ponies advance in culture and technology, doubts of Unicorn superiority begin forming among Earth Ponies and Pegasi.

587 B.D. - After several years of minor struggles, Unicorns are officially overthrown as rulers of the Earth Ponies and Pegasi in most cities, although Unicorns, sporting dominance over some Pegasi, slaughter some Earth Pony cities and take control of them as their own. Production of war materials begins.

- Pegasi generally disliked among Earth Ponies, to the point where most, if not all, are cast of out Earth Pony cities. Some join with the opposing Unicorn forces, while others leave to form their own cities in the sky.

593 B.D. - First official battle takes place outside the city of Victus between Unicorn and Pegasi forces against attacking Earth Pony forces. Battle ends in Earth Pony victory, and the city is recaptured.

594 B.D. - Following their defeat, what Pegasi remained with the Unicorns begin to doubt their power and leave to join the forming Pegasi cities. Unicorns gather to train in magical warfare.

628 B.D. - After several years of training, Unicorns have gained an apprentice grasp of magical attacks and defense, but it is too late. During their time of training, the Earth Ponies successfully recaptured all of their cities and cast the Unicorns out. Rather than risking their species extinction, the Unicorns flee north to build their own cities.

- Uneasy peace between the three races. It is only due to their distance in which peace can be attributed.

670 B.D. - Earth Ponies, hungry for power and chasing the Unicorns, move their armies up from the south and pass by a single large mountain. An attack is launched, believing it to be a Unicorn city.

- After three months of laying siege to the city, with nothing to show for it, the Earth Pony army leaves a small detachment of soldiers behind before marching onward.

671 B.D. - Earth Pony soldiers stationed at the mountain city are found amongst the general populace in different Earth Pony cities, having no memory of their service or previous station. Earth Pony army continues to attack Unicorn cities in the north.

675 B.D. - Earth Pony army returns home from the north after several defeats. Unicorns proven too skilled in their defensive arts.

678 B.D. - An investigation is launched into the happenings of the mountain city, due to the fact that no other armies reported loss of troops or loss of memory. Spies are sent to infiltrate the city in any way they can.

- One month after deployment, all spies are found in different Earth Pony cities with no memory of prior service nor assignment. An agreement is made between Earth Pony cities to lay siege to the city until it can be breached.

679 B.D. - Pegasi begin expansion through the sky, claiming it as their own and using the clouds to control the weather to their favor. Earth Pony crops begin to fail.

681 B.D. - As a result of failing crops, but an inability to attack skywards, a meeting is held between Pegasi and Earth Ponies. It is here that it is learned that the Pegasi have united under one flag, while the Earth Ponies continue to live under separate banners, although their leaders commonly fight towards the same goal.

- Two months after the meeting is called, an agreement is struck between the Pegasi and the Earth Ponies: In return for controlling the weather in the Earth Ponies favor, the Pegasi will receive 50% of food stocks from all cities in order to keep them from returning to their carnivorous roots.

692 B.D. - Unicorn traders begin to arrive outside Earth Pony cities and open their wares of beautiful gemstones and clothing to the public. Opinion of Unicorns skyrockets.

- Paranoid Pegasi generals advise their Earth Pony allies against friendly relations with the Unicorns. Warnings go ignored due to Earth Pony fascination and obsession with gemstones.

701 B.D. - Unicorn traders stop arriving in Earth Pony cities. Earth Pony armies have long since stopped attacking the oddly well fortified mysterious mountain city, and have begun to build small towns near it.

703 B.D. The sun does not rise for several days. Scouts scattered throughout the southern end of the land report Unicorn armies moving down from the north. In their panic, Earth Pony cities are unable to mount a singular, proper defense and are nearly destroyed by the advancing Unicorn armies, only to be driven back by the unified Pegasi army.

- During their recovery, Earth Pony leaders agree to unite under one flag; giving power to a single pony and tightening their hold on the southern region.

- Although unable to bring word to the Earth Pony leaders, after the first few days of darkness, soldiers from the mountain city defense report that the gates to the city have opened, and several armored, large horses with both horns and wings stormed through their camp towards the north. No casualties or injuries on either side.

-Crops begin to fail due to lack of sunlight, and Pegasi are working overtime in order to ensure both sides food does not diminish. Rationing begins.

-After several fruitless weeks of tracking the mysterious creatures, scouts are called off as Pegasi and Earth Ponies alike wait for something to happen in the north.

704 B.D. - A few months after the incident, several ragged-looking Unicorns come fleeing down from the north. Reports of an attack from ruthless winged Unicorns prompts the Pegasi army to investigate the apparent collapse of Unicorn society. Unicorn refugees are reluctantly allowed into Earth Pony cities, and are given the worst of jobs.

- The sun returns to its rightful position in the sky.

705 B.D. - After almost a year of fighting, the Pegasi army returns from the north, defeated. Pegasi forces suffered heavy losses and survivor mentality is seemingly fractured. A decision is made by the Earth Pony kingdom to lay siege once more on the mysterious city after it is learned that the winged Unicorns had completely erased any existence of Unicorns in the northern region.

- With their newly developed catapults, Earth Pony forces successfully breach the walled mountain city and enter; encountering heavy resistance from the winged Unicorns, who decimate their forces with few losses of their own.

- With the shocking defeat of the Earth Pony forces, the Pegasi army abandons their allies and retreats to their sky cities, leaving the Earth Ponies defenseless as the vicious winged Unicorns march towards the southern region.

- After several weeks of pleas and bargaining, the Pegasi return to their allies and fortify their cities in preparation for the oncoming attack.

706 B.D. - After several months of fighting, all ground-based Pegasi armies are defeated and the Earth Pony cities are stormed by the winged Unicorns. Remaining Pegasi forces abandon the Earth Ponies once again and begin defending their own.

- After most cities have fallen, word is received form several of the defeated cities stating that the attacking forces would like to negotiate a peace treaty.

707 B.D. - After months of negotiations, it is revealed that the winged Unicorns, calling themselves Alicorns, are actually self-proclaimed peacekeepers of the realm and its races. They claim to have de-evolved most Unicorns to the point where their magical abilities are severely limited, as punishment for controlling one of the celestial bodies unfairly.

- An agreement is made between the surviving Earth Pony, Pegasi, and Unicorn races: each side will cease any and all hostilities towards each other and, in return, the Alicorns will return captured cities and teach the Unicorns about magic, the Earth Ponies about the land, and the Pegasi about the sky.

- Peace and prosperity reigns for several hundred years.

877 B.D. - Unicorns begin building their own civilization once more.

1,026 B.D. - The Alicorn mountain city of Canterlot is destroyed in a catastrophic landslide and meteor shower. Surviving Alicorns shelter with the other races, but are few and in between. Survivors refuse to elaborate on the cause of the city's destruction, but reports indicate that a large, serpentine beast was seen flying away from the ruins.

- Alicorn records begin marking years with the initials "A.D.".

1 A.D. - The serpentine creature returns and lays waste to Earth Pony cities in the southern region. All contact with the southern ponies is lost.

- Surviving Alicorns in the north and sky flee west and east, across the ocean into uncharted territory. Alicorns fade into legend and folklore several generations later.

3 A.D. - A secret society of Unicorns is formed when it is discovered that two surviving Alicorn fillies exist within Unicorn cities. The Order of the Sun and Moon retreats into the mountains, underground, as the serpentine beast begins to attack Pegasi cities in the sky.

6 A.D. - All contact with Pegasi cities is lost. Unicorn cities begin emptying as their citizens flee and form small tribes in order to survive.

7 A.D. - All signs of civilization within Equestria vanish as its denizens continue to exist in small, scattered bands.

- Era of Chaos begins, and lasts for roughly two thousand years.

- During this time, the corruption of the Flutter Ponies occurs, leading them to evolve into the Changelings.

2,006 A.D. - The Order of the Sun and Moon reveals itself and the two surviving Alicorns in Equestria; Celestia and Luna. The two Alicorns prove exceptionally skilled in the magical arts, and restore relative peace by anchoring the sun and the moon in their rightful places once again.

2,008 A.D. - Celestia and Luna achieve victory against the serpentine beast they dub Discord by recapturing Unicorn cities inhabited by chaotic monsters.

- Discord seemingly aware of Celestia and Luna's existence, but does nothing to stop their advancements.

2,013 A.D. - Celestia and Luna succeed in reestablishing contact with surviving Earth Ponies in the south, and help them rebuild their civilization.

2,022 A.D. - Celestia and Luna succeed in gathering the scattered Pegasi tribes and united them under a single flag once more.

- With all of the races on their way to their former glory, Celestia and Luna take small bands of soldiers from each of the races and march on the ruins of Canterlot.

- With the rebuilding of each of the races, Discord begins to interfere.

2,023 A.D. - After months of scouring the ruins, it is revealed that a great underground cave system exists within the mountains. Celestia and Luna hurriedly explore the caves, finding the Alicorn-created Elements of Harmony.

2,030 A.D. - With the majority of Discords monstrous forces defeated, Celestia and Luna gather the Earth Pony and Pegasi armies and march on Discord. Due to the unified goal of all the races, the Elements of Harmony are more than powerful enough to defeat Discord and imprison him in stone. The statue is quickly moved into the cave system within Canterlot mountain, where it is fiercely protected by The Order of the Sun and Moon.

2,031 A.D. - Era of Chaos ends, and construction of New Canterlot begins. The events of Hearth Warming Eve take place, albeit there are many variations in the story.

- The first city of Earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns all working and living together in harmony is built. Its name is lost to time.

2,154 A.D. - Unicorn cities in the northern region come under attack from feathered creatures with the head of birds and the bodies of lions. Gryphons are introduced into Equestrian history.

2,155 A.D. - As a result of growing attacks, Unicorn defenses are bolstered and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna send an emissary to negotiate with the attacking Gryphons.

- After several weeks, the emissary is presumed lost. A detachment of Equestrian troops marches to the north.

2,162 A.D. - It is learned that the attacking Gryphon forces are actually bands of Gryphons acting independently of one another. Another emissary is sent to a peaceful tribe and returns with news that the tribes are currently at war with one another over food rights and nesting space, and that is likely the reason for the attacks.

- Equestrian forces create a buffer zone on the edge of their territory.

2,164 A.D. - Aldeus Stormfeather, leader of a Gryphon tribe, appeals to the High Court of the Sun, seeking an end to the tribal war between his race. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna agree to supply the Gryphons with the resources necessary to unify the tribes, but refuse to send Equestrian troops.

- The War of Unification begins.

2,172 A.D. - The War of Unification ends in victory. The Gryphons are united under one flag and become uneasy allies with their Equestrian neighbors, perhaps solely due to their carnivorous diet.

2,173 A.D. - Strange ships approach Equestria's eastern seaboard. Sailors aboard are reportedly black and white striped.

2,174 A.D. - Official relations with Zebrica, a mostly desert nation across the eastern sea, begin. Trading opens a market for foreign jewelery made of beautiful diamonds, and study begins on Zebra culture.

2,176 A.D. - Aldeus Stormfeather, High King of the united Gryphon tribes, begins annexing Equestria's neighbors; Unicorns, Earth Ponies, and Pegasi who chose not to live under Equestrian rule. Nations ask for assistance.

- Research begins on just how strong the Gryphon nation truly is, and it is determined that their military strength far surpasses Equestria's own. Princess Celestia orders the building of military outposts along Equestria's northern border, while Zebrican sailors agree to watch for Gryphons on the eastern sea board. The Containment War begins.

2,177 A.D. - Several Equestrian outposts are attacked by invading Gryphon forces. Most of the attackers are successfully repelled, but a significant force pushes its way into Equestria.

- Princess Luna leads an army to meet the oncoming forces, and orders to leave Equestria go ignored. The ensuring battle ends with the annihilation of the invading Gryphon forces. Princess Luna dubbed "Goddess of War" for the way she fought.

2,180 A.D. - Equestria receives word from Aldeus Stormfeather to surrender or be destroyed as the remainder of the Gryphon forces amass on Equestria's northern border.

- Aldeus Stormfeather is assassinated later that month, before his invasion can begin. Troops are recalled by military advisers as the nation decides on a new king.

- The Featherwings, a peaceful family of religious Gryphons, claim the throne and end the war; returning all annexed territories to Equestria. Peace ensues.

2,188 A.D. - The College of Magic is founded by Princess Celestia to teach Unicorns responsible use of magic, and to strengthen their abilities. The College puts out many skilled battle mages, and later evolves into Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.

- The College of War is founded by Princess Luna. Although not as popular or in kind light as her sisters school, the College of War helps train the common pony in defensive skills. The College later closes its doors to the public and becomes a training facility for Princess Luna's elite guards.

2,211 A.D. - Many northern settlements and outposts report Gryphon messengers bearing news of a mysterious kingdom within their territory that seemingly sprung up overnight. Residents are limited to Equestrians.

- In response to the odd news, Princess Luna leads a detachment of her elite guard to investigate the matter. With the help of the Gryphons, the Crystal Empire is discovered.

2,212 A.D. - Friendly relations between the Crystal Ponies, the Gryphons, and the Equestrians are established. It is soon learned that the Crystal ponies reportedly came from another dimension in which their world was dying. Belief in this tale is low among many, but with no other explanation, the story is accepted. Most of the Northern territory is given to the Gryphons in exchange for the sudden loss of their land and peace with the Crystal Ponies.

2,343 A.D. - A Crystal Pony known as Sombra claims the throne in a violent revolution. Equestrian and Gryphon eyes are on the empire as the change occurs, and remain on it for many years.

2,348 A.D. - An assassination attempt on Princess Celestia ends in failure, and the Order of the Sun and Moon disbands from shame. The assassin is revealed to be a Crystal Pony, but no contact can be established between Equestrian and the Crystal Empire to question these actions.

- Princess Luna, against her sisters advice, leads the Equestrian army through Gryphon territory and into the Crystal Empire.

- The War of the Crystal Heart begins.

2,352 A.D. - The War of the Crystal Heart ends in an Equestrian victory, despite heavy losses. King Sombra is banished, and the Crystal Empire vanishes. Princess Luna returns home and the Gryphon Empire returns the gifted land to Equestria in exchange for their old land.

2,353 A.D. - Princess Luna claims that the conquered land of the Crystal Empire belongs to Equestria, and tensions rise between Equestria and the Gryphon Empire as Princess Celestia attempts to defuse the situation.

2,355 A.D. - Princess Luna undergoes a radical physical transformation. Now calling herself Nightmare Moon, she gathers what forces are loyal to her and creates a sub-nation within Equestria, calling it The Lunar Empire.

- Tensions rise between the peace-seeking Equestrians under Princess Celestia's rule and the war-loving ponies who sided with Nightmare Moon.

- Princess Celestia tries valiantly to convince her sister to cease her actions, going as far as to offer her sister full control over Equestria. The offer is refused, and it is soon learned that Nightmare Moon now seeks the death of Princess Celestia.

- Gryphon forces offer their aid to Equestria, but it is refused. Princess Celestia declares war on The Lunar Empire.

- The War of the Sun and the Moon begins.

2,421 A.D. - The lengthy war ends in victory for the Celestial forces, and Nightmare Moon is defeated by the fractured Elements of Harmony.

- All supporters of Nightmare Moon are exiled from Equestria, and flee north past the Gryphon Empire.

- Princess Celestia orders the disarming of the Equestrian military, and the act is met with great resistance. It is later agreed to disarm the military in favor of an elite force of guards, rather than soldiers.

- As a result of their battles, the area around New Canterlot is deemed too magically radical. Reconstruction of Old Canterlot begins.

2,433 A.D. - An era of shaky prosperity reigns.

3,412 A.D. - Twilight Sparkle is born.

3,417 A.D. - Darkswirl is born.

3,433 A.D. - Nightmare Moon returns and is separated from Princess Luna by the Elements of Harmony. Nightmare Moon remains trapped in her armor, and it is soon stolen by a cult of Necromancers, who flee north.

- Darkest Darkness begins.