1880 – 1890: The Hidden War
The corruption of the original bookshop came to light, marking the start of the "Hidden War." Rival Fae factions, emboldened by the secrecy of the Victorian era, clashed for control over the River of Books and its hidden knowledge. Human investigators, drawn by whispers of the supernatural, stumbled too close, forcing the shop’s keepers to take drastic measures to preserve the balance. The bookshop barely survived, but not without scars—trust within its ranks was shattered.
1890 – 1900: The Concord’s Foundation
In the aftermath of the Hidden War, the remnants of the bookshop banded together to form the Concord, a secret organization dedicated to keeping the Fae hidden and maintaining peace between factions. With a growing network of agents, the Concord began to repair relations with the Seelie and Unseelie Courts while actively rooting out rogue Fae and dangerous artifacts. Their reach expanded slowly, establishing footholds across Europe and North America.
1900 – 1914: The Early Expansions
The industrial boom and the rise of global travel presented new challenges and opportunities. The Concord used technology and global infrastructure to expand their operations, creating hidden repositories of knowledge across major cities. However, industrial pollution began to disrupt Fae sanctuaries, fueling tension between mortals and the Courts. Fae activity grew increasingly volatile, setting the stage for future conflicts.
1914 – 1922: The First World War
World War I created chaos that allowed the Fae to hide deeper within society, but it also unleashed destructive energies into the world. Rogue factions used the global conflict to strike against each other and mortals, while Concord agents worked tirelessly to prevent catastrophic exposure. The war’s devastation left Fae communities fractured, with many going into hiding for decades. The Concord began to centralize its leadership to handle growing threats.
1922 – 1938: The Rise of Subtlety
The interwar period saw the Concord refine its methods, relying on subtle manipulation and diplomacy rather than brute force. Fae courts quietly restructured, embracing the shadows even more deeply to avoid exposure. Meanwhile, rogue factions began using modern media to spread their influence. The River of Books became more hidden than ever, its entrances masked by both magic and Concord technology.
1939 – 1945: The Second World War
World War II was a period of immense strain for the Concord. Massive human conflict caused rifts in Fae realms, and rogue entities exploited the chaos to conduct experiments and summon dangerous powers. Concord agents infiltrated wartime governments to redirect attention away from supernatural events, preserving the Fae’s secrecy at great personal cost. By the war’s end, the Concord had become a global institution, with a presence on every continent.
1946 – 1960: The Cold Shadows
The Cold War saw the Concord operate in a world divided by suspicion and secrecy. While governments vied for power, the Concord maintained a fragile peace among Fae factions. Human innovation began encroaching on hidden magical sites, forcing the Concord to engage in covert sabotage and relocation efforts. Technology advanced, but so did the sophistication of rogue factions, who adapted to a more modern world.
1960 – 1978: The Age of Questions
The cultural upheaval of the 1960s and 70s brought increased scrutiny to secret organizations like the Concord. Counterculture movements unknowingly uncovered traces of Fae activity, while rogue factions exploited societal unrest to expand their influence. The Concord adapted by focusing on public misinformation and suppressing emerging threats, but tensions within the organization began to simmer.
1978 – 1998: A World Transformed
As technology accelerated, the Concord struggled to keep the River of Books hidden in an increasingly interconnected world. Rogue factions leveraged computers and media to spread chaos, forcing the Concord to modernize its operations. The Fae courts remained deeply isolated, mistrusting both mortals and each other, while younger Fae began questioning their role in a changing world. Despite these challenges, the Concord grew more sophisticated, integrating advanced technology with magical defenses.
1998 – 2006: The New Era
By 2006, the Concord is a sprawling, secretive network managing Fae relations, rogue threats, and the ever-present risk of exposure. The River of Books remains hidden, though whispers of its existence have resurfaced in rogue communities. Fae factions, though quieter, are more fragmented than ever, with new groups emerging to challenge the old ways. The modern world is a chaotic blend of technology and tradition, and the Concord must navigate this delicate balance while protecting both mortals and Fae from threats ancient and new.
