Filling in the Planetside 2 backstory lore timeline: 2643 to 2891

[Sonny]

UPDATE 18-02-14: I've turned this entire timeline into a series of four narrated videos, which you can watch here on youtube.

The Planetside 2 lore only what describes what happens up until the landing on Auraxis in 2643, then there is a 200-year gap in the lore from the landing until the war starts. A lot remains unexplained, like how did Auraxian civilisation develop in the 200 years before the war? Where did the warpgates and rebirthing technology come from? Why did it take 200 years for the war to break out?

I attempt to answer all of these questions and more in this unofficial Planetside 2 lore timeline. This is part 1 - parts 2 and 3 I will post over the next week or so. Let me know what you think! If you prefer to read it on my fan fiction website (Tales from Auraxis), you can find it here.

Through the wormhole (2642-2643) (official, from here)

April 10, 2642

A planet capable of terraformation is discovered by fleet scientists. Dubbed "New Earth", the fleet charts a course toward it with an estimated arrival of January, 2643.

2643

The fleet, adrift for roughly 3 years and now numbering around 60,000 people, arrives at New Earth and begins the process of terraforming and colonizing the world.

Arrival on Auraxis (2643-2660) (my unofficial timeline begins here)

"The Terran Republic maintained peace and prosperity for hundreds of years. Now is not the time to smash our centuries-old culture into shards! Only by working together, as one people, may we survive on this harsh planet. Work hard for your people, and I promise you that soon we will prosper on Auraxis." Commander Brent Waterson, 21st April, 2643

2643

The fleet lands on the Auraxian surface. To shelter against the toxic atmosphere, the colony ships are broken apart and reformed into several of the tech plants, biolabs and amp stations that are still present on the planet today. Earthquakes and storms almost bring disaster to the young colony.

Fearing a continuation of the New Conglomerate rebellion planet-side, Commander Brent Waterson orders them to be completely eliminated a political entity. Their businesses cease to exist; the mercenaries and other company employees are split up and re-assigned to mines or terraforming stations far from the growing towns. Terran soldiers are posted across the planet to maintain law and order.

Despite the repression, the majority of the colonists accept this 'temporary' suspension of civil liberties as the price for security on this dangerous new planet. The discovery of rich deposits of a new, super strong 'wonder' compound - Auraxium - gives new hope that humanity may one day prosper on this far flung colony.

2650

Xenobiologist Henry Briggs discovers an alien artifact identical to the one he discovered alongside former Terran Republic President Tom Connery in 2634. He receives another vision and becomes the first human to be directly spoken to by an alien species.

For the next ten years, Henry Briggs wanders the colonies of Auraxis, first alone, then with scores of followers. He reveals the 'Vanu' message: that humanity is destined for greatness among the stars alongside the advanced alien civilisations. Investigation of the Vanu artifacts buried across the planet will guide humankind to their salvation.

Tired of wallowing under a repressive government on a desolate, dangerous planet, his message is attractive to many.

2653 - 57

The terraforming is almost complete and the atmosphere of Auraxis finally becomes suitable for breathing. However, this change is greeted with little fanfare.

The continuing political repression and relative poverty in the mining and terraforming towns lead to riots. The Terrans respond forcefully; many people are killed and frontier towns are destroyed. As the protests escalate, a movement begins to recreate the 'New Conglomerate' as an independent nation, backed by several influential ex-business leaders in the cities. A low-level guerrilla war simmers across the borderlands.

At the same time, Briggs and his followers are repeatedly jailed for espousing views incompatible with those of the Terran Republic. His increasing notoriety only serves to spread his message further.

2657

Allan Jaeger - a young, visionary Terran politician - rises to prominence with a radical compromise to placate the protesters and end the growing conflict. He proposes that the New Conglomerate should be recognised once more as a distinct political faction with significant independent powers.

His ideas are initially greeted with ridicule within the Terran high command. However, as the guerrilla war intensifies in the borderlands, he gains increasing power within the political establishment.

2660

With protests spreading to the Terran capital itself, the ageing high commander Brent Waterson is persuaded to step down from power. In the subsequent party elections, 36-year old Allan Jaeger is chosen as the next President of Auraxis.

For unknown reasons, xenobiologist Henry Briggs commits suicide.

The Golden Years (2661-2794)

"For seventeen years we have worked to gain a foothold on this planet. Let us enjoy the fruits of our labour, and build a better world. Let us build it together, as one people." President Allan Jaeger, first president of the Auraxian republic, 2661

2661

Following the election, Jaeger's peace offering to the Conglomerate is accepted, and within weeks the first Congress is convened at the Auraxian capitol comprised of Terran, New Conglomerate and Vanu representatives.
However, the powers of the two smaller factions fall far short of full independence. The Terran Republic retains exclusive control of law, order and military matters on Auraxis.

2662 - 2739

In the years that follow, life improves for the Auraxian people. The planet is full of natural resources, and is sparsely populated. New, vibrant ecosystems bloom across the newly-terraformed landscapes. Over the years, the Terran-dominated congress grants increasing freedoms to their citizens.

Following the suggestions of prominent Vanu visionaries, President Allan Jaeger implements a planet-wide research programme to investigate the thousands of Vanu archaeological sites that cover Auraxis.

Great discoveries are made from the uncovered artifacts. Teleportation technology allows for the fifty-year construction of the immense Warpgates.

Following the translation of ancient Vanu manuscripts, Nano bots and nanite reconstruction techniques are perfected in the early 28th century. The application of the almost-indestructible Auraxium molecules to this technology revolutionises medicine, manufacturing and transport. Many basic services in Auraxian society soon come to depend on nanite technology. Nanite Systems, which has a monopoly on the original patents, rises to become the most profitable enterprise on the planet.

Despite the great technological advances and optimistic mood of the time, there are storm clouds on the horizon. By 2730, it becomes clear that the expected bounty of Auraxium has fallen short of expectations; the majority mined long before by the ancient Vanu civilisation. The young 'nanite economy' upon which the Auraxian people depend will be unsustainable within 100 years.

8th January 2739

Following its 98.3 year cycle precisely, the wormhole opens once more. Lacking a space fleet, Auraxian society can only watch from afar. The much anticipated rescue craft from Earth do not appear from the other side.

Following the closing of the portal, the Auraxian people are afflicted by a great sense of loneliness, and a deep desire to see their ancient homeland once more. The Congress agrees that re-establishing contact with the Terran civilisation in Sol is a priority. The resources of the small planet are turned to create a space-worthy fleet to revisit Earth at the next wormhole opening, almost a century from now.

2740 - 2794

The era of great discoveries continues. Following further alien artifact discoveries, Vanu scientists uncover a way to 'rebirth' dead subjects. But despite their best efforts, they cannot overcome a key stumbling block. The rebirthed cannot retain their memories, are unable to learn and are useless for any practical task.

After leads from whistle blowers, Terran authorities uncover the secret human rebirthing experiments and the pitiful test subjects. Rebirthing experimentation is banned, and in the resulting backlash against the Vanu, further research is greatly restricted, such as that on human augmentation. The Vanu bloc protest, claiming that augmentation is necessary for the human body to endure the light speed travel necessary to reach earth if the plan to pass through the wormhole fails. Their cries fall of deaf ears.

Distrustful of the intentions of the Vanu, and envious of their technological superiority, the Terran Republic block further independent research by Vanu scientists; all further work is to be conducted in joint facilities.

[Sonny]

Here is Part 2. Part 3, the final episode, will be posted here soon.

Storm clouds (2795-2836)

"As political leaders, of course we preferred negotiation. But when a people are desperate their pleas for help are ignored and repressed, how can you expect them to sit quietly? So no, I don't condemn the actions of my people during the protests." Paul Macklin, president of the New Conglomerate, 2838

2795 - 2836

The Auraxian people now number three million. The colonies extend across every continent on the planet.

Resource shortages of Auraxium start to become acute. With dropping production, several mines are closed, and major companies file for bankruptcy. New Conglomerate-supporting regions are hit the hardest. Many become jobless, poor and angry.

Demonstrations begin. Protesters demand jobs and greater support from the rich, Terran Republic-dominated cities. Their cries falling on deaf ears, the pockets of political resistance unite under the flag of the reinvigorated New Conglomerate, and there are calls for complete independence. They blockade Auraxium transport routes from the mining towns to the cities.

Terrified of the prospect of Auraxium shortages destroying the modern way of life in the cities, the Terran Republic-led government violently represses the protests. Military forces are posted to guard the supply routes from the mines. The peaceful protests are quickly stamped out, but the simmering resentment is not.

Based on discoveries from the wreckage of ancient spacecraft, Vanu scientists uncover what appears to be a blueprint for a beam device to permanently open the wormhole to Sol. Galvanised by the tantalising possibility of permanent access to their homeland; Auraxis turns its limited remaining resources to the construction of a prototype vessel in time for the next wormhole opening in March 2837.

Great ships are prepared to travel through the wormhole, each large enough to hold twenty thousand people. The Bastion, Aurora and Orion are unveiled as the pride of the Terran Republic, New Conglomerate and Vanu respectively. A planet-wide ballot is opened up for lucky Auraxians to be the first passengers aboard the fleet.

The Wormhole Incident (2837-2844)

"It is my terrible duty to announce to you, that the Orion and the Aurora have been lost... It is estimated that thirty thousand have perished. Let us pray for their souls. Let us not allow this tragedy to tear us apart; we must remember the common threads that bind us together!" President Daniel Mallory, 30th president of the Auraxian congress, 29th March 2839
27th March 2837

The tri-factional fleet approaches the wormhole. For two days, the plan works as expected, and the prototype beam vessel holds the wormhole open.

On 29th March 2837, there is a massive explosion, and the fleet is torn apart. The New Conglomerate and Vanu colony ships are obliterated.
The Terran Republic ship, the Bastion, survives the blow, and limps back to the planet with the survivors. The wormhole slams shut. Auraxis is alone for another 98.3 years.

The recriminations upon the return of the Bastion to Auraxis are fierce. The Terrans blame the New Conglomerate for a terrorist attack upon the fleet. The New Conglomerate and Vanu accuse the Terran Republic of staging the 'terrorist attack' in order to win supremacy of the skies. The true story is never revealed.

2837 - 2844

In the aftermath of the wormhole incident, protests in the New Conglomerate-held regions erupt again. The Terran Republic responds forcefully to quell the protests.

Not willing to give up so easily this time, well-prepared New Conglomerate supporters begin violent resistance in several the mining towns. There are several simultaneous attacks at regional Terran police stations and on Auraxium convoys in the borderlands. New Conglomerate political and business leaders deny any connection between themselves and the insurgents.

Sensing the storm clouds of war, the leaders of the Vanu feel that following the restricting edicts of the Terran Republic is holding them back, and will never be loosened. Now is the time to lead their people off Auraxis. They begin construction of a giant spacecraft called the 'Ark', in which the entire Vanu people can escape Auraxis and colonise a new world together. They also commence secret research programme in the wastes of Esamir to prepare their people for the journey, including work on rebirthing and human augmentation technologies.

Prelude to war (2844)

"You have the technology. But why are you hiding it from us, from the Auraxian people? Why? Because you are preparing for war!" Congressman Finch, Amerish 47th district

"What do you expect when you attempt to kill our great President? You are murderers, terrorists!" Congressman Paul, Indarian Capitol, 5rd Ward
The final session of Congress, February 2845

2844

Suspicion and anger between the factions increases by the day. The tension is punctuated by bombings and insurgent assaults in the metropolises, which the Terran authorities blame on New Conglomerate 'terrorists'.

March 2844

Through a newly-discovered artifact, a team of Vanu, Terran and New Conglomerate scientists discover the 'missing link' to rebirthing technology at Xenotech labs. Mammal subject appear to be able to remember lessons learnt in previous lives. Large-scale trials to confirm the findings begin immediately.

April 2844

An explosion in the Amerishian capitol - the Terran Republic president barely makes it out alive. Terran representatives in Congress are enraged.

Despite their denials of all involvement, several high-profile New Conglomerate politicians and business figures are arrested and imprisoned in the maximum-security prison compound in the Kaorr desert. Curfews and restrictions of assembly are implemented across Terran territory.

The flow of Auraxium from the mining towns is severely disrupted by roving bands of armed rebels, and the cities begin to ration basic services. The New Conglomerate refuse to re-open the flow of resources until the Terran government steps down and holds new elections.

Ignoring their calls, Terran Republic forces annex several mining towns in order to provide their own flow of resources to the city.

May 2844

All of the Conglomerate scientists are mysteriously barred from Xenotech labs. Several disappear en route back to their home town, suspected to have been abducted by Terran authorities. Work continues on rebirthing technology between the Terran and Vanu scientists.

October 2844

Bombings and terrorist attacks intensify within the Terran cities. Many more New Conglomerate sympathisers are arrested, including several members of congress. Conscription is instated by the Terran authorities, supposedly to maintain law and order, but soldiers are soon seen raiding properties of high-profile Conglomerate sympathisers. Several global corporations are shut down, with several 'revealed' to be fronts for munitions factories and weapon stores for the rebels.

Scientists at Xenotech finally discover a method to rebirth humans so that their memories and knowledge remain fully intact. However, the press conference to announce this great discovery is cancelled just minutes beforehand by Terran officials without explanation. The scientists locked down within the facility are allowed no further contact with the outside world.

[Sonny]

Part 3.

Extreme measures (2844-2845)

November 2844

With the flows of Auraxium from New Conglomerate regions almost completely halted, The Terran Republic leaders convince themselves that they won't stop even if it means the death of human civilisation on Auraxis.

They prepare for war. To ensure their victory, they decide to commence military-scale rebirthing experiments on Searhus using young conscripts.

December 2844

Terran spies identify several secret Vanu underground laboratories on Esamir. Angered by this blatant deception, and suspicious of Vanu intentions, a second Terran army is quietly prepared to face the third, smaller faction.

Following early successes at Searhus, large-scale Terran Republic rebirthing experiments begin at several locations across Indar, now using full brigades of soldiers and mobile rebirthing technology.

February 2845

The final debate in Congress. New Conglomerate representatives demand the resignation of the Terran Republic government, an open investigation into the research going on into 'rebirthing' technology, and the release of political prisoners from the prison compound in the Kaorr desert.

The Terrans refuse, instead accusing the New Conglomerate of collusion in the bombings in the cities. The heated debate almost results in a mass brawl in the Congress, broadcasted live on the global networks. The New Conglomerate congressmen and women storm out of the Congress hall, never to return.

Observing the dramatic escalation of the conflict, Vanu political leaders abandon hope of a peaceful resolution and accelerate their plans. The construction of the Ark is almost complete. They prepare their small military forces to rescue the remaining Vanu artifacts stored across Auraxis before they make their escape to the stars, scheduled for September 2845.

March - June 2845

Border skirmishes between the Terran Republic and New Conglomerate grow more violent by the day. The incumbent President Kara Mallory, struggling to control her war-hungry generals, makes one final attempt at peace talks. She is met by like-minded New Conglomerate President Paul Macklin. For two days, there is a ceasefire.

Descent into Madness (2845-2858)

"We tried to stop it turning to this. But the rebirthing changed everything. The generals were convinced that we were invincible, that we could utterly defeat them in days and finally have peace. Pride is a powerful enemy." Kara Mallory, 2845. From her personal diary, found among the wreckage of the Congress building.

June 21, 2845

The Terran Republic and New Conglomerate begin full-scale war after peace talks are interrupted by confusing reports of armed conflict in the Kaorr desert region.

It is still a mystery who gave the order to attack.

The New Conglomerate army assaults the Kane prison compound in the Kaorr desert where many of their compatriots are imprisoned by the Terran forces. Seemingly well prepared, Terran rebirth squads are waiting for them on the front line. Hundreds of New Conglomerate soldiers fall before their commanders realise with horror that rebirth technology has been fully militarised.

In the panic, they launch weapons of mass destruction at targets in and around Kaorr. The Terran Republic respond with heavy weapons of their own, aimed at the New Conglomerate border towns.

At Xenotech labs, a group of imprisoned Vanu scientists escape their confinement in the midst of the chaos, and broadcast worldwide the location of the Terran mobile rebirthing facilities before they are killed. Thanks to this information, the New Conglomerate are able to destroy most of the rebirthing facilities with mass air strikes.

The followers of Vanu declare themselves an independent Sovereignty and declare war on all those who oppose their views.

Within hours, the newly-christened 'Vanu Sovereignty' launch an assault on artifact storage facilities across Auraxis. Taking the guards by surprise, they make off with the vast majority of archaeological finds within hours. The Sovereignty quickly adapt and surpass the Terran rebirthing systems, and soon bring a host of prototype weaponry to the battlefield.

June 25th 2845

Several Terran rebirthing facilities are still intact, despite the best efforts of the New Conglomerate to eradicate them. With the advantage of invincible soldiers, the Terran armies inexorably push them back.

Fearing for their survival, the New Conglomerate generals launch an all-out assault against the Vanu Sovereignty in order to steal the latest rebirthing technology and nullify the Terran advantage. Their surprise attack decimates the smaller Vanu forces.

July 2845

Not willing to risk that the New Conglomerate have control of advanced Vanu Sovereignty technology, the Terran Republic simultaneously launch a massive assault against the Vanu Sovereignty homeland.

2846 -2847

Despite their technological advantage and committing their entire population to the war effort, The Vanu Sovereignty are driven almost to extinction by the two-pronged assault. Abandoning their towns, the Ark, and much of their scientific progress, they flee into the frozen wastelands of Esamir.

The New Conglomerate hold on to the mountain passes while they cobble together the Vanu systems with their own military equipment. They bring rebirthed units to the battlefield before the Terran Republic can strike a critical blow.

2848 - 2858

The next ten years, innumerable pitched battles are fought across every continent, with neither the Terran Republic nor New Conglomerate gaining or losing significant ground, their soldiers dying countless times.

The first signs of rebirth stress are identified within the ranks. Soldiers who show signs of severe rebirth trauma are redeployed to home bases to prevent them from causing chaos on the front lines.

Vengeance (2859-2861)

"You believed that you had destroyed us completely, that we were gone forever. But all you achieved was to enrage us, to turn ALL of our minds to work on your destruction. There will be no negotiations. This will be our final transmission." Precept Esaia, Vanu Sovereignty commander, 2859

2859

Tiring of the futility of endless war, peace negotiations recommence between the Terran Republic and New Conglomerate. But before they can reach an agreement, sketchy reports from Esamir suggest the sudden and complete obliteration of several New Conglomerate armoured brigades.

The Vanu Sovereignty are back, with superior hover and weapons technology, physically-augmented soldiers and rebirth systems far in advance of those of their enemies.

Fired by bitter hatred and a taste for vengeance, they drive the New Conglomerate to their knees, chasing them back onto their final home continent, laying waste to all of their towns and cities. Even with every last citizen conscripted to the front line and rebirth duty, the New Conglomerate barely hold on to the mountain passes of Amerish.

2860 - 2861

Horrified by the ease by which the Vanu Sovereignty crushed their hated enemy, the Terran Republic fortify their own cities in anticipation of the onslaught. Despite the preparations, the superiority of the Vanu Sovereignty is such that they easily push the defenders to the gates of the Terran capitol.

The Vanu lay waste to every building in the city, but the Terran lines hold on doggedly in the central streets. During the siege of the metropolis, the final non-rebirthed fighting unit on Auraxis has its last stand.

Two months after the siege begins Terran reinforcements to the south and an emergency alliance with the New Conglomerate distract the Vanu assault force just enough to force a withdrawal from the ruins.

Over the next few months, co-ordinated Terran and New Conglomerate forces edge the Vanu Sovereignty back to their own home continents, as they adapt the 'rapid rebirth' technology to their own units. For a few months, it seems that peace is possible between the two hated enemies.

But despite the temporary pact, the moment that the critical danger has passed, skirmishes break out again between Terran and New Conglomerate forward units. Within months, full-scale war has erupted once again between all three factions.

Betrayal (2861-2895)

"Should we let Auraxian civilisation die like this? Ground to nothingness by a pointless war? Or should we do our duty for the human race and preserve what we can of our culture and technology so that our descendants can learn from our mistakes? We, the last wardens of civilisation, have to escape this madness, for the sake of humankind!" General Sharp, 4th New Conglomerate army, the meeting of the Generals, 2891

2861 - 2890

All of the cities of Auraxis have now been levelled, and every citizen on the planet is now hooked up the rebirthing network. The War rages on every continent. But, roughly equal in rebirth technology and numbers, no side can gain a significant advantage.

The Generals are the only non-rebirthed peoples left on Auraxis. Weary of the futility of the static killing fields and fearful of the increasing volatility of their war-traumatised forces, they escape to peaceful islands beyond the restricted zone where they co-ordinate the War remotely. Siphoning off resources and energy from the war effort, they live a life of luxury far from the front lines.

The war madness from rebirthed soldiers reaches epidemic proportions. Many start to question why they are fighting, going mad from the horrors they have witnessed, some refusing to fight at all.

The Generals begin to wipe recent memories of the soldiers to limit their mental trauma. In the minds of those that still refuse to fight, they implant memories of atrocities carried out by other factions to make the soldiers hate them again.

Despite these efforts, thousands of soldiers still desert and escape into the wilderness, forming small communities that are mercilessly hunted by the rebirthed armies. With time, it becomes clear to the high command of all three factions that the rebirth war madness is epidemic within the ranks, and that they are losing control of their own military.

2891 - 2895

After thirty years of static conflict, the sheltering Terran Republic, New Conglomerate and Vanu Sovereignty Generals finally agree to meet. But instead of working to create a peace agreement and end the War, they choose to save themselves, leave Auraxis, and abandon the rebirthed soldiers to their fate. The sole remaining space-worthy Auraxian ship, the Bastion, is prepared for flight to Earth.

Hearing rumours of their treachery, the lower-ranking die-hards in each faction launch a coup against their own leaders. They execute or imprison the high command, and destroy the Bastion. With the last space-worthy craft on Auraxis destroyed, the armies of each faction are now trapped, planet-side.

Hostilities recommence between the three factions. This time, there is no one left on Auraxis to stop the madness.

Part 12 - Endless War (Date unknown)

The War continues on every battlefront.

With the most dedicated warriors leading the factions, with fake implanted memories of horrific massacres committed by their enemies, there is little hope of peace on Auraxis.

Every faction has been wronged, and fights for justice, revenge or a mixture of both. They will fight until they are the last ones standing.

The only way to achieve peace is by total victory. Who will you fight for?

"Only the dead have seen the end of war." George Santayana

[Sonny]

Bump now that part 2 and 3 have been added . I was thinking of turning the entire timeline into a narrated video with the PS 2 music in the background and some cool images. If you think this is a bad idea let me know, it'll save me the time and embarrassment .

Thanks for reading!

Sonny