A giant meteorite, now referred to as the Starstone, is called down from the heavens by alghollthus and destroys the continent of Azlant, leaving only a string of ruined islands in the middle of the Arcadian Ocean. The event becomes known as Earthfall, reshapes the surface of Golarion, creates the Inner Sea, and plunges the world into the Age of Darkness.4567
On the continent of Tian Xia, the impact of the Starstone unleashes terrible tsunamis which reshape its coastline. The Chenlun Mountains, located at the antipode of Azlant, erupt with countless volcanoes that blot out the sun for years. The reptilian Valashai empire is devastated.8
The impact of the Starstone destroys the land bridge between the continents of Avistan and Garund. Water from the Arcadian Ocean begins to flow east and forms the Inner Sea.9
The land west of what is now known as the Rasp falls into the Arcadian Ocean. The new coastline later becomes known as the Lost Coast.10
Migrations in -5293 AR
The majority of the elves of Golarion, having been forewarned of Earthfall by their diviners, flee to the world of Sovyrian using the Sovyrian Stone and escape the cataclysm. Some refuse to leave Golarion and descend into the Darklands, or flee to the far north and south instead.1112136 Elves who settled the Fangwood flee to the First World but find that most of the paths back have closed.14
Earthquakes and cave-ins plague the dwarvenDarklands nation of Felgunn as a result of Earthfall. Its leaders begin debates on whether to interpret this as a sign from Torag to begin the Quest for Sky.15
Survivors of Earthfall from Taumata become seafaring nomads.16
-5293 AR in politics
The great empires of Azlant and Thassilon are destroyed by Earthfall.46 The runelord rulers of Thassilon escape the destruction,17 but much of southwestern Thassilon sinks into the sea, including the former capital city of Xin.18
The tribal leaders of what is now Nidal successfully petition the newly returned Zon-Kuthon for protection from the devastations of Earthfall. The leaders are transformed into the immortalBlack Triune and the nation is forever bound to the Midnight Lord.2
Births in -5293 AR
Taargick, future king of the dwarves, is born in the dwarven Darklands kingdom of Felgunn.15
Deaths in -5293 AR
Trying to save Golarion from total destruction from Earthfall, the Azlantigoddess of the moon and battle, Acavna dies. Her corpse utterly destroys the elven base at what is now the Mordant Spire.20
This year is generally considered by historians to be the opening year of the first historical age of the Inner Sea region, the Age of Darkness.21 Before it were the uncounted years of the Age of Legend.5 In Tian Xia, this year marks the beginning of the Age of Ashes, which lasts nearly 2,800 years.86
Many Kellids in what will later be known as Numeria perish during Earthfall, but enough survive in caves to rebuild their tribes in the following years.22
