The Epochs

Epochs

Primordial Age (Age Zero)
Comparatively 30,000 – 10,000 B.C

Society is sustaining at a very primitive level. All tech trees are on level zero. Most communities are living off hunting and gathering and are based on expanded family units going up to 150 individuals. Culture is generally very rudimentary, but focused around kinship, solidarity, generosity and respect. Religion is shamanistic and centred around the belief in spirits of ancestors and of animals (and plants). In order to advance, you need to achieve the advancements in all five tech trees.

Arts (lvl 0-1)
Cultivation (lvl 0-1)
Culture (lvl 0-1)
Medicine (lvl 0-1)
Toolworking (lvl 0-1)


Archaic Age (Age One)
Comparatively 10,000 – 3,500 B.C

Agriculture is emerging, and the first organised settlements are appearing. With agriculture, both social hierarchies and the need to establish defence are becoming pressing concerns, which create larger social structures. Some societies forego to develop agriculture, instead opting to either put their efforts on pastoralism… or on marauding. At the end of this age, the first civilizations are emerging.


Agriculture (lvl 0-1)
Arts (lvl 1-2)
Civics (lvl 0-1)
Cultivation (lvl 1-2)
Culture (lvl 1)
Engineering (lvl 0-1)
Medicine (lvl 1)
Metallurgy (lvl 0-1, copper)
Military (lvl 0-1)
Religion (lvl 0-1)
Science (lvl 0-1)
Toolworking (lvl 1-2)

Bronze Age (Age Two)
Comparatively 3,500 – 1,500 B.C

This is the age where civilization is emerging. Advanced city-states, kingdoms and even small empires historically appeared during this era. Trade flourished and writing was increasingly employed to administrate the matters of state. Religion developed into a system of social control and a continuous narrative, with gods, heroes, creation myths, moral parables and literary masterpieces. Rituals and culture emerged as the glue for society. While not a pacifistic age, warfare was limited by the reliance on expensive bronze weapons.

Agriculture (lvl 1-2)
Arts (lvl 2-3)
Civics (lvl 1-2)
Cultivation (lvl 2-3)
Culture (lvl 1-2)
Engineering (lvl 1-2)
Medicine (lvl 1)
Metallurgy (lvl 1-2, bronze)
Military (lvl 1-2)
Religion (lvl 1-2)
Science (lvl 1)
Toolworking (lvl 2-3)

Iron Age (Age Three)
Comparatively 1,500 – 500 B.C

The knowledge of how to use iron means a transformation of the balance of power, and the emergence of new, more martial-inclined civilizations. Iron Age societies came to be more militaristic and less reliant on trade. While some matriarchal societies had survived into the Bronze Age and flourished, Iron Age societies became increasingly patriarchal.

Agriculture (lvl 2)
Arts (lvl 3)
Civics (lvl 2)
Cultivation (lvl 3)
Culture (lvl 2)
Engineering (lvl 2)
Medicine (lvl 1)
Metallurgy (lvl 2-3, iron)
Military (lvl 2-3)
Religion (lvl 2)
Science (lvl 1)
Toolworking (lvl 3)

Classical Age (Age Four)
Comparatively 500 B.C – 500 A.D

This is an age of enormous social progress, unlike any before. As new technologies and knowledge spreads, cities grow from mere fortresses into impressive social and cultural melting pots. New agricultural technologies led to unprecedented economic growth, which led to larger armies and a large influx of slaves from the periphery of civilization into the centres, leading to further urbanisation. This led to “creative destruction” of old memes and religious practices, based around local rural and in some cases pre-rural religious practices, and the birth of universalistic religions. Science and philosophy were also greatly enhanced by this progress.

Agriculture (lvl 2-3)
Arts (lvl 3-4)
Civics (lvl 2-3)
Cultivation (lvl 3-4)
Culture (lvl 2-3)
Engineering (lvl 2-3)
Entertainment (lvl 0-1)
Medicine (lvl 1-2)
Metallurgy (lvl 3)
Military (lvl 3-4)
Philosophy (lvl 0-1)
Religion (lvl 2-3)
Science (lvl 1-2)
Toolworking (lvl 3-4)


Medieval Age (Age Five)
Comparatively 500 A.D – 1.500 A.D


This is an age where empires and civilisations are met with challenges from tribes and cultures residing at the fringes of civilization. As new conquests are harder to achieve, economic growth collapses and leads into a period of stagnation, which could mean the end of empires and a rollback of civilisation on several areas. At the same time, power moves from the city to the countryside as cavalry gains precedence, and religion becomes the preserving force of society as trade is reduced.

Agriculture (lvl 3-4)
Arts (lvl 4)
Civics (lvl 3)
Cultivation (lvl 4)
Culture (lvl 3)
Engineering (lvl 3)
Entertainment (lvl 1)
Medicine (lvl 2)
Metallurgy (lvl 3)
Military (lvl 4-5)
Philosophy (lvl 1)
Religion (lvl 3-4)
Science (lvl 2)
Toolworking (lvl 4-5)

Renaissance Age (Age Six)
Comparatively 1.500 A.D – 1.750 A.D

The Renaissance is a period when humanity strives to expand knowledge about the world and nature as well as challenge old beliefs both in religion and common practices. It is a period marked by instability and revolutions, but also many innovations in both technology, science and society.

Agriculture (lvl 4)
Arts (lvl 4-5)
Civics (lvl 3-4)
Cultivation (lvl 4-5)
Culture (lvl 3-4)
Engineering (lvl 3-4)
Entertainment (lvl 1-2)
Industry (lvl 0-1)
Medicine (lvl 2-3)
Metallurgy (lvl 3)
Military (lvl 5-6)
Philosophy (lvl 1-2)
Religion (lvl 4-5)
Science (lvl 2-3)
Toolworking (lvl 5-6)

Industrial Age (Age Seven)
Comparatively 1.750 A.D – 1.900 A.D

In this era, a huge shift is happening. More and more exogenous power is used, meaning that huge surpluses can be attained. This means exponential growth and a rapid development from agricultural communities reliant on self-sufficiency into complex economies directed towards specialisation, but also increased social unrest and competition between powers for limited resources. An enormous cultural shift is also happening, from cyclical understanding of nature to a sense of constant progress. There is also an emergence of regions doomed to being exploited as colonial reservoirs for raw materials.

Agriculture (lvl 4-5)
Arts (lvl 5-6)
Civics (lvl 4)
Cultivation (lvl 5-6)
Culture (lvl 4-5)
Engineering (lvl 4-5)
Entertainment (lvl 2-3)
Industry (lvl 1-2)
Medicine (lvl 3-4)
Metallurgy (lvl 3-4)
Military (lvl 6-7)
Philosophy (lvl 2-3)
Religion (lvl 5)
Science (lvl 3-4)
Toolworking (lvl 6-7)

Atomic Age (Age Eight)
Comparatively 1.900 A.D – 2.000 A.D

This period is the most dynamic period yet. It is the dawn of the modern and post-modern ages, characterised by new and innovative ways of spreading knowledge, information and technologies. Economic growth transforms the planet, but as the population grows, poverty is perpetuated in the poor regions while wealth is accumulated in the wealthy regions. At the same time, criticism against old norms and hierarchies are blooming and leading to a revaluation of oppressed communities. The environment is also taking an increasing toll for humanity’s Promethean ascent.

Agriculture (lvl 5-6)
Arts (lvl 6-7)
Automation (lvl 0-1)
Civics (lvl 4-5)
Cultivation (lvl 6-7)
Culture (lvl 5-6)
Digital (lvl 0-1)
Engineering (lvl 5-6)
Entertainment (lvl 3-4)
Industry (lvl 2-3)
Medicine (lvl 4-5)
Metallurgy (lvl 4-5)
Military (lvl 7-
Nuclear (lvl 0-1)
Philosophy (lvl 3-4)
Religion (lvl 5)
Science (lvl 4-5)
Space (lvl 0-1)
Toolworking (lvl 7-


Cybernetic Age (Age Nine)
Comparatively 2.000 A.D – 2.100 A.D

The Cybernetic Age represents the greatest challenge yet for humanity. The planet’s ecosystems are depleting, and automation means increasing unemployment and underemployment figures that are leading to social unrest. Growth is also peaking in most developed regions, which start to stagnate. At the same time, the world is increasingly integrated by intercontinental software networks. Can humanity ascend beyond continuous growth and aim for the stars, or is the solution a movement back to smaller communities?

Agriculture (lvl 6-7)
Arts (lvl 7-
Automation (lvl 1-2)
Civics (lvl 5-6)
Cultivation (lvl 7-
Culture (lvl 6-7)
Digital (lvl 1-2)
Engineering (lvl 6-7)
Entertainment (lvl 4-5)
Genetic (lvl 0-1)
Industry (lvl 3-4)
Medicine (lvl 5-6)
Metallurgy (lvl 5-6)
Military (lvl 8-9)
Nano (lvl 0-1)
Nuclear (lvl 1-2)
Philosophy (lvl 4-5)
Religion (lvl 5-6)
Science (lvl 5-6)
Space (lvl 1-2)
Toolworking (lvl 8-9)


Diamond Age (Age Ten)
Comparatively 2.100 A.D – 2.200 A.D

The ascent of nano-technologies are transforming the world, leading towards a human civilisation and a human race that is transformed from the bottom up, leading to new valuable insights but also new traps as humanity is faced with new challenges, both from digital A.I’s, from cybernetically and biologically enhanced humans and from the very speed of progress itself.

Agriculture (lvl 7-
Arts (lvl 8-9)
Automation (lvl 2-3)
Civics (lvl 6-7)
Cultivation (lvl 8-9)
Culture (lvl 7-
Digital (lvl 2-3)
Engineering (lvl 7-
Entertainment (lvl 5-6)
Genetic (lvl 1-2)
Industry (lvl 4-5)
Medicine (lvl 6-7)
Metallurgy (lvl 6-7)
Military (lvl 9-10)
Nano (lvl 1-2)
Nuclear (lvl 2-3)
Philosophy (lvl 5-6)
Religion (lvl 6-7)
Science (lvl 6-7)
Space (lvl 2-3)

Transhuman Age (Age Eleven)
Comparatively 2.200 A.D – 2.300 A.D

Humanity is now a self-defining, consciously evolving super-organism marked by a never-before seen individualism. Death and diseases are belonging to the past, but the new enhancements and technologies that are transforming humanity itself is threatening to create a new divide between genetically and cybernetically designed humans, which under unequal conditions can create a new elite. Moreover, as new forms of humans emerge, a greater diversity sets in, but at the price of cohesion and unity. Also, self-awareness is reached for A.I’s, which means a new challenge.

Agriculture (lvl 8-9)
Arts (lvl 9-10)
Automation (lvl 3-4)
Civics (lvl 7-
Cultivation (lvl 9-10)
Culture (lvl 8-9)
Digital (lvl 3-4)
Engineering (lvl 8-9)
Entertainment (lvl 6-7)
Genetic (lvl 2-3)
Industry (lvl 5-6)
Military (lvl 10-11)
Nano (lvl 2-3)
Nuclear (lvl 3-4)
Philosophy (lvl 6-7)
Religion (lvl 7-
Science (lvl 7-
Space (lvl 3-4)

Solar Age (Age Twelve)
Comparatively 2.300 A.D –

Now the time is ripe to colonise the solar system and start terraforming dead worlds into new Gardens of Eden. Human civilization is turning into a Pantheon of Young Gods, star-wanderers with the goal of bringing life to the Universe. The result is the subsequent end of humanity and the beginning of a new chapter in history.

Agriculture (lvl 9-10)
Arts (lvl 10-11)
Automation (lvl 4-5)
Civics (lvl 8-9)
Cultivation (lvl 10-11)
Culture (lvl 9-10)
Digital (lvl 4-5)
Engineering (lvl 9-10)
Entertainment (lvl 7-
Genetic (lvl 3-4)
Industry (lvl 6-7)
Military (lvl 11-12)
Nano (lvl 3-4)
Nuclear (lvl 4-5)
Philosophy (lvl 7-
Religion (lvl 8-9)
Science (lvl 8-9)
Space (lvl 4-5)

This seems rather deterministic. The fact that the end of the Roman Empire saw the advent of the dark ages in real life doesn't necessarily mean it will happen here, nor is the dominion of cavalry chronologically determined.

TheVoice wrote:This seems rather deterministic. The fact that the end of the Roman Empire saw the advent of the dark ages in real life doesn't necessarily mean it will happen here, nor is the dominion of cavalry chronologically determined.

I partly agree regarding the dark ages, but government systems can be negotiated and if it doesnt happen here it just doesnt. Im assuming a dynamic game system as it has been as such before

TheVoice wrote:This seems rather deterministic. The fact that the end of the Roman Empire saw the advent of the dark ages in real life doesn't necessarily mean it will happen here, nor is the dominion of cavalry chronologically determined.

Arguing that it is extremely eurocentric would be a more righteous criticism, since neither the muslim world nor the Chinese experienced any dark age like the one in Europe, but were rather thriving until the 16'th and 19'th centuaries respectively. All civilizations experiences declines however, no doubt about it.

Its called the Medieval Epoch, not the "Dark Ages" early medieval period carried on many traditions from the Roman Era and Enrique knows this. It appears though that Enrique will arrange more NPC mayhem at that point. Since there will be areas that weren't tamed and now they head for your civilisation.

Eurocentricity would be a justified critique, but the Voice's general criticism of determinism works just as well. Civilisations can grow, decline, change in general and transform completely, but the way that goes and the shapes it takes are in no way determined.
If Enrique intends to take an active hand in the game to steer those epochs then it would be fine, but given how it looks like every epoch is a development from the previous one that doesn't seem to be the case.

Damn it Dilham, I had thought that my latter realisation of eurocentricity would look so culturally aware when I raised it today, but you beat me to it. But yeah, the deterministic criticism also holds.

Just watch me.

As for the middle ages.

The middle ages was a very dynamic epoch both for western Europe, the Islamic World, India and China. It doesn't mean there will necessarily be a decline, but there would be new types of challenges. Speaking of which, the middle ages were very dynamic centuries for the islamic world and for most of Europe (for example Germany's population grew quite much).

Oh, I know those centuries in Europe and the Near East were dynamic just like the times before and after, but political, cultural, economic and technological developments (whether one would deem them positive, negative, neither or both) didn't need to happen as they did, at all. Still, if you have things in mind to make this progression of epochs in the shapes presented here a logical series of developments, then I'm all for it. So sure, I'll watch you.

I see in the diamond era that agriculture declines and the continues its growth as normal after that, was that intentional or an error that led to a chain of mis-growth?

It's an 8, but it turns to a happy face with sunglasses by mistake.