Spoiler: Timey-Wimey Stuff
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For brevity's sake im only listing important events, starting with the discovery of Amerhika (as thats where the game is set, obviously)
Late 12th century: Famed Dwarven explorer Lief Ericson sets off to colonize Newfoundland. 5 years later a second wave of colonizer a set off, planing to restock with Leif's party. But when they arrive, they find the corpses frozen next to their burn she'll of a ship. The bodies haven't been touched or even decomposed. They are just frozen with arrows sticking out of them. Black arrows.
1492 Columbus Discovers Amerhika- Christopher Columbus, an Elven explorer discovers Amerhika. Initial contact with Sauran natives was inconclusive as the Saurans appeared uninterested in anything the Elves had.
1585 Roanoke founded- Roanoke was one of the first colonies founded on Amerhika and it was the first to be wiped out. The Elves the colonized there were killed by local Orcs, while the humans where taken to the tribes camp and eventually adopted.
1586 Roanoke re founded- The humans go back to Roanoke several weeks before ships from Europe were expected, they tell the Elves on board of a mysterious illness that killed all the Elves at the colony. Some of the Elvish colonists disembark but most return to Europe. The elves that disembarked are slain by the same "illness".
1595-Elvish settlers stop coming to Amerhika, humans are sent instead, as they are immune to the "illness"
1608- The first permanent settlement in Canada is founded, apparently the "illness" is not present in the northern climes.
1609-1769 Exploration and colonization of Amerhika continue. The human colonies expand quickly with the help of the local Orcish tribes.
1770- After nearly 200 hundred years, through methods unknown, the Elvish nations discover what the "illness" actually is, and begin to send large punitive military units to Amerhika as well as put punishing taxes into place.
1775- After 5 years of punishing taxes and large scale military oppression, the humans rise up and declare independence, many orc tribes join with them as they begin to fight the allied Elvish forces.
1783- After 8 bloody years, the Revolutionary War ends, the United States of Amerhika is officially recognized as a sovereign nation. Canada is now part of Amehika.
1810- Amerhikan Navy begins "emancipation raids" off the coast of Africa. Many rescued slaves are taken to Amerhika after it is discovered that the Amerhikans have no way to get them home.
1812- The War of 1812 erupts over the price of slaves, which has almost tripled because of Amerhikan raids.
1815- After two and a half years, the war ends, Amerhika agrees to stop the naval raids.
1817- Many Sauran tribes in the Amerhikan Southeast agree to join the United States.
1856- The Plains Wars begin. Amerhikan settlers clash with Gnoll tribes on the great plains.
1865- After 9 years of bloody conflict a peace is forged between several Gnoll tribes and the United States.
1898- The Spainish Amerhikan war occurs, Amerhika gains Mexico.
1914- WWI begins, Amerhika remains in isolation
1917- At the request of France and Britain, and the promise of lucrative trade agreements, Amerhika enters WWI
1918- One year after the United States entry into the War, the War ends. Amerhika counsels against the harsh reparations France and Britain wish to levy against Germany. Amerhika's counsel is ignored and the trade agreements promised are never signed.
1920- Amerhika begins to explore the southern tip of the Mexican territory and discover the Cueva tribe of Saurans in Panama. Peaceful contact is made by Jean Maurice, a Sauran supervisor on the exploration team, and the only person the Cueva would communicate with.
1922- The Strait of Panama is discovered. Led by Cueva guides, Jean Maurice, now a respected explorer and "expert" on the Cueva, discovered the Strait of Panama, a natural pass from the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific ocean.
1926- After several years of negotiation the Cueva decide to become a protectorate of Amerhika. The Cueva begin the process of modernization.
1930- The Great Depression begins. Not being as dependent on international trade the United States isnt hit as hard as Europe. The Dust Bowl begins.
1938-The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl end. The Cueva, in their attempts to modernize, purchase all of their modern goods from Amerhika, thus shortening the Great Depression.
1939- WWII begins. Hitler asks Amerhika to join him against the Allies. Amerhika politely refuses. France' Maginot Line holds Germany back.
1942- Operation Valkyrie is a success and Hitler is assassinated along with many of his increasingly crazed staff. Henning von Tresckow, now Chancellor of Germany sends request for Amerhika to reconsider joining the Axis. While Amerhika deliberates this change, Britain and France, acting on partial intelligence, launch an attack on Manhattan. The Battle of Manhattan Harbor is fought with Amerhika coming out bruised but whole. Amerhika joins with the Axis.
1945- After 2 years of being hammered in two directions, Britain and France surrender to the Axis. Russia swears to fight "to the last man". Amerhika deploys Little Boy, a nuclear weapon, on Stalingrad, where, by happy coincidence, Joseph Stalin was giving a speech. Russia agreed to a ceasefire 3 days later.
1960- After presiding over the reconstruction of France and Russia, Amerhika withdraws from the world stage and focuses on internal problems.
1982- Edward Cochran and Floyd von Braun create the first Fusion Reactor.
1987- Sparked by Chinese aggression Amerhika begins research on Power Armor, the first suit is a success, mass production started almost immediately.
1990- Victor Holonyak creates the first man-portable laser weapon, though man-portable was debatable it started the "laser revolution". The first Fusion powered car hits the market.
2012- Day 0. Longstanding anger at Amerhika comes to a head. China, France, and Britain open "WWIII" with a massive barrage of Rad Missiles targeted at the United States. The Amerhikan laser defense system shoots down the majority of the missiles but more than enough get through, forcing the populace into the Ark Vaults. President Ron Jones gives his famous "Final Speech" before launching Amerhikan counter-measures, two multistage "bus" missiles loaded to the gills with fusion warheads. China refers to this day as "The Day of Heavens Fury" and Europe simply calls it "The Rain of Fire". There are no exact numbers on casualties, but is guessed that only 30% of the Amerhikan population is left, either in Ark Vaults or above ground.
2062- Ark Vaults begin to open.