Timeline of the BG, IwD, NwNs, and Planescape games

NicolBluetooth · June 2017

Four and a half years ago, daven posted a topic in this subforum asking for "a timeline of the DnD games". I spent some time cross-referencing different sources online to create one, with the dates of some novels and adventure modules thrown in the middle, all written in the Dalereckoning year system. However, I couldn't post it on the original topic because it's so old it's been archived. So instead, I'm posting my timeline here, in the hope that it's accurate:

1281 DR: Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition (game)
1312 DR: Icewind Dale 2 Complete (game)
1357 DR: Azure Bonds (novel)
1358 DR: Eye of the Beholder (game)
1359 DR: The Temple of Elemental Evil (game, module, novel)
1360 DR: Scourge of the Slave Lords (module)
1361 DR: Into the Void (novel)
1367 DR: Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition (game, novel, LP)
1368 DR: Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition (game, novel)
1368 DR: Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear (DLC)
1369 DR: The Great Modron March (module)
1369 DR: Dead Gods (module)
1369 DR: Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition (game, novels)
1369 DR: Pool of Radiance II: Ruins of Myth Drannor (game, novel, adventure)
1370 DR: Faction War (adventure)
1371 DR: Die Vecna Die! (module)
1371 DR: Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil (adventure)
1372 DR: Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition (game)
1373 DR: Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone (game) (±1 year)
1374 DR: Neverwinter Nights 2 Complete (game)
1374 DR: Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance (game)
1376 DR: Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II (game)
1420 DR: Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale (game)
1479 DR: Neverwinter (game) [Additional modules continue up to 1493+ DR]
1482 DR: Murder in Baldur's Gate (adventure)
1485 DR: Scourge of the Sword Coast (adventure)
1489 DR: Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (adventure guide)
1489 DR: Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden (adventure)
1490 DR: Sword Coast Legends (game, defunct)
1491 DR: Princes of the Apocalypse (adventure)
1491 DR: Elemental Evil Player's Companion (adventure guide)
1491 DR: Death Masks (novel)
1492 DR: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (adventure)
1492 DR: Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage (adventure)
1492 DR: Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus (adventure)
1492 DR: Baldur's Gate III (game)

581 CY = 121st Ha = 1361 DR = 358 AC
(Greyhawk Common Years, Planescape/Sigil years of Factol Haskhar's reign, Forgotten Realms' Dalereckoning, DragonLance's Alt Cataclius)
I had to do some digging to get the timeline just right, but the source most helpful in reconciling the Faerûn and Sigil dating systems was a chronology page written by ripvanwormer and Felenthir Enthelion:
http://mimir.planewalker.com/forum/help-with-planescapetoril-chronology
Paul Westermeyer's Spelljammer Timeline was also very helpful in connecting the dating systems of other campaign settings: http://www.spelljammer.org/essays/history/pw_timeline.html

If there are any inconsistencies with my conclusions as to which games occurred on which years, feel free to reply with suggestions.

elminster · June 2017

I think Planescape Torment has its time intentionally left vague.

DJKajuru · June 2017

elminster said:
I think Planescape Torment has its time intentionally left vague.

I think that an easter egg in IWD suggests that Ps:T happens before .

elminster · June 2017

DJKajuru said:

elminster said:
I think Planescape Torment has its time intentionally left vague.
I think that an easter egg in IWD suggests that Ps:T happens before .

Yea it looks like there is a journal (Strahan's Diary) in PST that suggests it happens around Hashkar 127 (1367 DR). So the time is probably correct.

NicolBluetooth · July 2017

I've updated my timeline with more games, a few more novels and adventures, and a year conversion guide. I originally wanted to include a timeline I came up with of the Gold Box Pools series, but Wizards' dating system for the novelizations inviolated my attempt. If my new timeline looks too bulky now, I can revert it back to its original state.

BladeDancer · July 2017

Very amusing, I've done something similar to this, but with more detail, and includes the novels, a few of the comic books and tabletop games.

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/60662/the-complete-fr-novel-comic-and-game-timeline-part-1#latest

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/60669/the-complete-fr-novel-comic-and-game-timeline-part-2/p1?new=1

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/60747/the-complete-fr-novel-comic-and-game-timeline-part-3#latest

NicolBluetooth · July 2017

BladeDancer said:
Very amusing, I've done something similar to this, but with more detail, and includes the novels, a few of the comic books and tabletop games.

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/60662/the-complete-fr-novel-comic-and-game-timeline-part-1#latest

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/60669/the-complete-fr-novel-comic-and-game-timeline-part-2/p1?new=1

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/60747/the-complete-fr-novel-comic-and-game-timeline-part-3#latest

Yes, your timeline is more extensive; very impressive. But I just wanted to make one that gave the chronology of all the D&D video games with established dates, as well as a few other chronologically grounded sources, which could fit on one page. Your timeline confuses me a little though; Azure Bonds and Silver Blades happen before Pools of Darkness, so why are they listed as happening years afterwards?

semiticgoddess · July 2017

So what year did the Dragonborn kill Alduin?

NicolBluetooth · July 2017

semiticgod said:
So what year did the Dragonborn kill Alduin?

Ha ha, very funny.

But the answer is 4E 201, by the way.

BladeDancer · July 2017

NickBluetooth said:

BladeDancer said:
Very amusing, I've done something similar to this, but with more detail, and includes the novels, a few of the comic books and tabletop games.

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/60662/the-complete-fr-novel-comic-and-game-timeline-part-1#latest

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/60669/the-complete-fr-novel-comic-and-game-timeline-part-2/p1?new=1

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/60747/the-complete-fr-novel-comic-and-game-timeline-part-3#latest
Yes, your timeline is more extensive; very impressive. But I just wanted to make one that gave the chronology of all the D&D video games with established dates, as well as a few other chronologically grounded sources, which could fit on one page. Your timeline confuses me a little though; Azure Bonds and Silver Blades happen before Pools of Darkness, so why are they listed as happening years afterwards?

The novel version of Pools of Darkness is set in 1350 DR, Forgotten Realms Wiki claims this, even the Forgotten Realms library website.

http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Pools_of_Darkness_(novel)

http://www.o-love.net/realms/fr_time_books.html

As for the game version, the year is unspecified, so its safe to assume that like the novel, it is set before Azure Bonds.

bearcattony · May 2018

Planescape Torment doesn't count. it's in a whole other universe like all the Krynn games and novels.

bearcattony · May 2018

When would the RA Salvatore novels be on the timeline?

NicolBluetooth · May 2018

Planescape: Torment is a D&D game, and it's referenced in Baldur's Gate 2 and even Icewind Dale, so I'd hardly call it irrelevant. As for the novels, BladeDancer made a more comprehensive D&D timeline that includes them, and posted links to it several posts above.

themazingness · May 2018

bearcattony said:
Planescape Torment doesn't count. it's in a whole other universe like all the Krynn games and novels.

Sigil is connected to other planes, including the Forgotten Realms setting, so it certainly counts. That is pretty clear in Planescape lore and the Baldur's Gate series (vague to avoid a spoiler).

megamike15 · May 2018

planescape was still connected to the rest of the setting back during 2nd edition so yes it counts. haer'dalis is from there.

redline · May 2018

There are direct, unmistakable references to PS:T characters and events in NWN2, as well.

One of the NWN2 companions is a githzerai who mentions Dak'kon and his actions in PS:T as a fairly legendary figure in their culture.

WarChiefZeke · June 2018

I am really curious how Die Vecna Die! went. Did Vecna actually die? Is Vecna a long dead deity, whose followers now unknowingly give their powers to Leira, Lady of Deception?

If Vecna did die, I hope it was a barbarian that killed him, and with a big ol' Murderin' Axe. It's fitting.

BladeDancer · June 2018

themazingness said:

bearcattony said:
Planescape Torment doesn't count. it's in a whole other universe like all the Krynn games and novels.
Sigil is connected to other planes, including the Forgotten Realms setting, so it certainly counts. That is pretty clear in Planescape lore and the Baldur's Gate series (vague to avoid a spoiler).

Haer'Dalis is from Sigil.

NicolBluetooth · January 2019

WarChiefZeke said:
I am really curious how Die Vecna Die! went. Did Vecna actually die? Is Vecna a long dead deity, whose followers now unknowingly give their powers to Leira, Lady of Deception?

If Vecna did die, I hope it was a barbarian that killed him, and with a big ol' Murderin' Axe. It's fitting.

The adventuring party helped The Lady of Pain defeat Vecna and banish him from Sigil forever, but not before he ascended to godhood. He is still a lesser deity of Oerth.

Artona · January 2019

Is there any information when First Crusade from Mask of the Betrayer took place? According to wiki (https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Myrkul) it was in 1374, but that would mean it was after Myrkul stopped being god of death, and it doesn't seem to make sense.

deejrandom · February 2019

I was looking for this today. I was just curious about the Timeline. As an Aside: I'd love to see remasters of Dark Alliance 1 and 2. I had many a good time with them and the other Snowblind made ARPGs on the PS2. (I don't believe DA 2 was made by the company though.)

Isewein · February 2019

@Artona why not? Myrkul is dead during MotB; Kelemvor is incumbent God of Death.

siggi_rojven · November 2023

It's sad that the events of "planescape torment" have a clear chronology. I have already imagined how my character from BG became The Nameless One after all)

Isewein · January 29

That's what headcanon is for.

Personally, I prefer thinking of TNO's original incarnation as Akachi / the main character from MotB's dark ending.

Timeline of the BG, IwD, NwNs, and Planescape games

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