The Spiritwood University was founded in the heart of what is Europa’s oldest continuous player-led community, Spiritwood, following the return of a warrior named Faramir Westfall from an extended journey during which he spent much time in discussion with the scholar Cyrus Mavencroft and the monk brother Michael. These discussions formed much of the basis for the prototype of the Spiritwood University. It was initiated by a profound change in outlook, a change that spurred the founding of the University, for all three agreed that both newcomers to these lands, as well as those longer term residents were often equally ignorant of the rich cultures and dense history that surround us on all sides. Indeed, the isolation in which many newcomers found themselves being plunged upon taking their first steps in this new realm also troubled them. They thereby set out to construct an institution whose mission would be to address these main points. That was many long years ago, and in the intervening time, the Spiritwood University has more than achieved its intended goal, becoming a beacon of knowledge and learning in an often desperate and war-torn land.

The following is a history of both Sosaria and the Spiritwood University itself:

Historic Timeline with thanks to Sims Rogran, second Chancellor (all dates given in Britannian Calendar, BC)

0 BC

- Fall of Mondain, the great Catalyst irrevocably changes the surface of old Sosaria into the land now known as Britannia.

0-300 BC

- Ascent of Lord British, founding of the Britannian kingdom, establishment of the Virtues.

311 BC

- (April) The Followers of Armageddon, formerly known as the Zog Cabal, make an attempt to cast the Armageddon spell, but fail. Massive earthquakes shake Britannia, and open passages to an area known as the Lost Lands.

328 BC

- (November) Appearance of Minax, Britannian towns come under siege from hordes of monsters.

329 BC

- (July) The Fall of Trinsic

330 BC

- (April) The Battle of Trinsic, the city is recaptured by forces led by Dupre

331 BC

- (November) The court mage, Nystul, casts a great spell which splits Britannia asunder into the two facets of Felucca and Trammel. The Britannian Civil War rages openly between the various factions. The Great Exodus to Trammel occurs over the course of the next decade.

340 BC

- (November) Beginnings of the establishment of a university within Spiritwood

- (December) Appearance of the Necromancer Lady Lynn, searching the cemeteries of Britannia for the book Domain. She discovers a shred at Jhelom.

341 BC

- (February) The first Circle of Deans is selected, comprising Amos (Martial Arts), Cyrus Mavencroft (History) Anna Fairweather (Social Studies), Fai Uesugi (Arcane Arts), Nicolas (Unseen Arts), Glewellyn (Natural Studies), and Einon Zarith (Economics). By this point, the monk Michael has emerged clearly as First Chancellor of the college.

- (March) Formation of the Dark Alliance

- (April) University members are involved in the fighting at the Battle of Moonglow as the Dark Alliance attacks the town

- (May) The University of Spiritwood is officially opened with a great faire that draws onlookers, students, and scholars from across the land.

342 BC

- (January) The Gathering of Hope at Magincia. A coalition is formed between Spiritwood, Deepwater, and Stonekeep to oppose the Dark Alliance and Necromancer Lynn.

- (March) University members are involved in the fighting at the Battles of Vesper, Yew, and Magincia as undead forces strike across Britannia at the behest of Lynn.

- (July) By this point in time, the University has expanded to include a dormitory building near the Trammel Campus, and the first lessons are being run.

- (September) The gypsy Rilla Takhista foresees the recovery of the Tome of the Crimson Serpent, that prophesises the return of the black-hearted Irae Darkhen. The following evening the book is found in battle at Serpent's Hold and secreted away by University members to be safely installed at a shrine in the Trammel Campus. Scholars across the land attempt to unravel the meaning of the prophesies contained within.

- (November) Discovery of Ilshenar

343 BC

- (March) University members, led by Chancellor Michael, are influential in the rescue of Annoura, love of the ancient druid Jacob whom Darkhen had betrayed. Annoura spends several days recovering at the University.

- (July) Jacob and Annoura are reunited after University members help in fending off fierce attacks by Darkhen at Jacob's grave.

344 BC

- (January) Major reshuffle in the Circle of Deans as several departures take place. Ms Terri becomes Dean of Sacrifice, Lady Tarathel is elevated to Dean of Humility, Percival becomes the Dean of Compassion, and Fro succeeds Cyrus Mavencroft, a founder of the University, as Dean of Honesty. Only Amos and Nicolas remain from the original Circle of Deans, while the Deanship of the Arcane Arts School remains undecided.

- (June) Michael retires as Chancellor of Spiritwood University. The Circle of Deans selects Professor Sims Roggran, of the Martial Arts School, as his successor.

- (August) Dean Nicolas becomes possessed by an ancient, evil spirit named Rothylinth, searching for the elven town of Rithymsil upon which Spiritwood now stands.

- (September) Lord Espyn is selected as Dean of Spirituality.

- (December) Spiritwood University produces its first graduates.

345 BC

- (January) Dean Amos announces his retirement, and Lady Mae is appointed Dean of Valor to succeed him.

- (May) Appearances of the savages, open war between the orcs and the savages

- (August) Chancellor Roggran falls under the influence of the Spectral Court and Naeloth. He suspends the powers of the Circle of Deans, banishes Michael from the University, and begins appointing Drow to his staff, while helping them seek the ring of Rothylinth that possesses Dean Nicolas.

- (October) The Daemon Lord Balchoth appears possessing the body of Raif Severance and makes clear his intention to conquer Spiritwood. After assassination attempts by his followers on the lives of Shri, Proconsul of the Custodes Fati, and Michael, Chancellor Emeritus of the University, it is discovered the list of Balchoth's targets also includes Dean Fro and Chancellor Roggran, amongst others.

- (September) Barahir I Netanve is officially installed as Regent of Britannia.

- (October) Barahir I visits Spiritwood to make an address, where an assassination attempt is made by Balchoth himself. He is fought off and defeated by a cadre of warriors including some members of the University.

- (November) Chancellor Roggran is cured of his Naelothian affliction with the help of the Healers of Europa and Chancellor Emeritus Michael. It is discovered that Balchoth seeks the stone of Balar, in which his spirit was trapped in ancient times, and buried in the old elven village of Rithymsil. It is realised that this is now the foundation stone of Spiritwood that lies in the town hall.

346 BC

- (April) Defeated, the orcs retreat underground

- (August) Mortimer is appointed Dean of Humility.

347 BC

- (January) The University Council is established in its first official session, and its powers are outlined as a limit and support to those of the Chancellor. A majority vote in the Council, comprising the Deans and all past and present Chancellors, is necesary to ratify the appointment or removal of Deans, the election or deselection of a Chancellor, and any changes to the structure, policy, or nature of the University.

- (June) 2nd Session of the University Council. The posted structure in the Hall of Records is recognised as the official reference for the organisation of Spiritwood University.

- (July) 3rd Session of the University Council. The auxiliary staff position of University Treasurer is created to manage resources and finance, and the Council elects Ceinwyn into the post.

- (August) 4th Session of the University Council. Ms Terri retires as Dean of Sacrifice. Professor Christof Romuald is promoted to Dean of Valor, and CYSI elevated to Dean of Honor, after the departure of Deans Mae and Nicolas.

348 BC

- (July) 5th Session of the University Council. Solutions to a teacher shortage are sought, and Lady Tarathel returns to the position of Dean of Humility

- (September) Espyn retires as Dean of Spirituality

- (October) Reports reach the University of Dean Fro having disappeared while venturing upon the territory of the vampiric Clan Latria.

349 BC

- (January) 6th Session of the University Council. Ceinwyn is appointed Dean of Compassion; the Social Studies School becomes the Medicine School and is extended to cover the craft of alchemy; the Chancellor is granted the ability to give provisional Deanships with a two-week duration for teaching purposes only.

- (March) 7th Session of the University Council. Caleb of Wind is appointed Dean of Spirituality; Cysi is demoted to Scholar of Honour for dereliction of duty due to inactivity.

- (August) The town of Aqileia falls to Drow forces and is razed to the ground. Widespread shock and concern over Britannia.

- (October) 8th Session of the University Council. Lord Sularus elected to Dean of Honesty.

350 BC

- (January) 9th Session of the University Council. Sims Roggran retires as Chancellor, Dean Ceinwyn is unanimously elected as his replacement, and becomes the third Chancellor of the University of Spiritwood.

- (December) Orcs capture and sack the village of Dreamstone. Forces from across Britannia are rallied to attempt to recover the settlement.

- Scholars and students from the University are engaged in the untangling of the mysteries of the Lost Lore of the ancient Elvin Orders. They are instrumental in finally unlocking this mystery.

351 BC

- Emer Sharpspear offers her renowned advanced curse “The Way of the Warrior- the art and philosophy of the path of Valour”. The Order of the Ankh establishes its spiritual center in the city of Trinsic. Sims Rogran is elevated to Baron of Trinsic.

- The Lady Ceinwyn steps down as Chancellor of the University in order to spend more time with her husband in Trinsic. The First Chancellor, brother Michael returns to once more done the mantle of Chancellor of the Spiritwood University.

352 BC

- The City of Haven is opened to all travellers.

- The University launches its renowned Cultural Seminar program.

-Juka infiltrations terrorize the lands, the region of Yew is transformed into a vast wasteland of festering swamps as the Controllers invade the lands. Bog things and plague monsters inflict horrible damage no many areas before finally being contained.

353 BC

-The Spiritwood community officially relocates to the realms of Trammel after four years of struggle in the realms of Felucca. The town re-emerges as a once more vibrant centre of activity.

354 BC

-University cultural seminars and training programs carry on for a successful summer term.

355 BC

356 BC

- A new terror strikes the ancient realms of Felucca as the dreaded Champions of Evil arise. Many brave souls flock to the old lands of Felucca and the lost realms to battle this new terror.

357 BC

- Spiritwood University reconvenes to plan its new program of courses under a new faculty.

- An unexpected infestation strikes many parts of the realm as the hitherto unknown Solen – a race of intelligent mutant ants- first makes an appearance. People soon discover that they have a vast subterranean realm hidden in the depths of the earth. Red and black Solen dynasties compete for mastery and enlist the help of unscrupulous adventurers in their wars.

358 BC

- New class scheduled launched with basic training program being inaugurated within the Companion’s Hall in the city of Haven.