**EMBERVALE TIMELINE | 2/3**

**503 D.A.**
Pikemead's Reach falls to Vorgoth's army; Balthazar reports Gormander's death. Civilian accounts describe the siege and gates closed against the population.

**503 D.A.**
Eldermere reports inadequate energy production and polluted water at the dam, showing that Ancient infrastructure is under strain too.

**By 505 D.A.**
Balthazar reports the Ancient capital has risen. The ascent is therefore already underway or visible by this date.

**Undated stages of the ascent**
Claravinta records a council split, insufficient power, and the Shroud reaching the elevated settlement. Ancients offer their bodies as fuel. These stages overlap the wider collapse; their precise dates are unestablished.

**506–508 D.A.**
Cinder Vessel trials progress from failure in 506, to a successful animal subject in 507, to a blacksmith volunteering as the first human prototype in 508.

**During the collapse; undated**
Jezmina travels with Ancients, intending to place Cinder Vessels beyond Embervale's shores. She knows Vorgoth is heading toward the risen islands.

**509 D.A., days 8 and 26 of Yearwake**
Loraine enters Cinder's Cradle after Rimgard's forces breach a barrier. She studies the ascent platform and its distant power sources.

**512 D.A., days 1–20 of Midyear**
Captain Arkwright guards a Cinder Vault, repels Scavengers, and destroys the bridge to protect its occupants. This also cuts off his soldiers' supplies.

**Player era; year unassigned here**
The Flameborn awakens, restores a foothold, and follows the struggle into Cinder's Cradle. Rescue and rebuilding accompany the battle against the Shroud.