Age of Wonders (series)

Age of Wonders is a series of 4X turn-based strategy and tactical combat games set in a fantasy universe filled with magic, large-scale battles, and extensive customization options. Triumph Studios developed every entry in the series, and the first game was co-developed with Epic MegaGames. Michiel van den Bos composed the soundtracks for most of the games, except for *The Wizard's Throne* and *Shadow Magic*, which were scored by Mason B. Fisher.

The story begins before the First Age, when Dragons were born during Athla's creation and shaped the primordial planet. Giants later refined the world's details, often altering the Dragons' work and creating tension between the two ancient races. Humans were eventually expelled from the Garden realm and suffered on harsh worlds. The Archons, called Highmen in the first game and Archons in later ones, felt remorse because humans were their descendants. They devised a long-term plan to guide humanity, using holy magic and powerful spells to conquer Athla and populate it mainly with Elves and other races. The Archons struck a deal: the Elves would make Athla habitable for humans, then leave once humans arrived.

In 0 LIR (Lord Inioch's Reign), Inioch became Wizard King of the Elven Kingdom (the Verdant Kingdom) after his father retired to Evermore. He ruled as supreme monarch from the Valley of Wonders over all races on the Blessed Continent, maintaining a delicate balance among Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and others. The Elven Court of House Inioch included scholarly members called the Keepers, who kept order and peace for the fair races.

In 800 LIR, the Archons descended from the Heavens to Athla and visited the Elven Court. Inioch kept their communications secret but formed a political coalition with all races to welcome the newcomers. The Archons left in 801 LIR to return to their Garden. By 878 LIR, after an eight-year pregnancy, Inioch's first wife Eleanor gave birth to a son, Meandor, but died in childbirth. In 898 LIR, Inioch married his second wife Elwyn, which Meandor found insulting and resented. In 962 LIR, humans were banished from their Garden, and the first refugee vessels arrived at the Blood Isles. The Elves complained about the invasive new race overwhelming the islands.