647 AD - Quartz Crystals are discovered but originally only used just as decorative jewels.

650 AD - An unknown ship crashes in the lands of Damocles. Although the ship was heavily damaged, Damocles Engineers were able to study the engines and attempted to understand the concept of the engines and how they worked. Only one engineer, Junior Member Derek Gideon, understood how they actually functioned. From what was revealed by the ship's damaged systems it originated from somewhere in the 22nd century of Imperia.

653 AD - Junior Engineer Derek Gideon finishes up plans for a prototype airship engine. He proposes the engine design to King Tristam Windfire during the annual engineering corps meeting before the King. His proposal is rejected because none of the other engineers support his claims or ideas. Derek decides to retry at the next meeting and keeping trying till he gains approval.

661 AD - After eight years of rejection Derek musters up a stunning presentation that impresses King Windfire. Tristam overrides the same disproval of the Engineering Corp. and approves Derek's design and immediately approves funds for the construction of a prototype. Derek begins construction on the DGE-001 Airship Engine.

663 AD - The DGE-001 is built and after testing meets with great success. Derek is promoted to the 3rd highest position in the Engineering Corps by King Tristam Windfire and he orders Derek to begin designs on an airship to support the engine.

671 AD - The first airship, The Pigeon, is built and undergoes a testing period of two years. This first ship is small and bulky and functions more like a sea ship using masts and a rudder for movement. It's top speed is only 20 miles per hour.

673 AD - The Pigeon Class is a success. King Peralay orders the construction of a shipyard in the city of Norcon and the construction of twenty ships. The Pigeons are to be used as cargo freighters and as ferries of important cargo and people in the Kingdom. (At the time Damocles was still considered a Kingdom. It is not till 692 that Damocles renames itself from the Damocles Kingdom to the Damocles Empire)

677 AD - With the Pigeons able to deliver goods at a much faster rate more and more of the Kingdom begin to view the airships as the next thing in commerce, trade and transportation. Funding is increased for the shipping fleet of twenty Pigeons.

678 AD - A variation on the Pigeon is designed and released. This variation (Pigeon Mark II) features a second deck, thirty feet added to the ship length, ten feet added to ship width and a new model engine, the DGE-002. This engine improves top speed by %30 thanks to a better internal design of the gears and the crystals that magically (With the use of a light animate object spell) move the gears inside.

679 AD - The old MK I Pigeons are totally replaced by the new variation as each is overhauled and upgraded at Norcon Shipyards. The group of Pigeons, which deal in freight, commerce shipments and ferry transport, is officially called the "Damocles Royal Trade Fleet".

680 AD - The duty of trades with other nations that Damocles has established diplomatic relationships with is added to the list of duties done by the Damocles Trade Fleet. The Fleet now numbers at fifty Pigeons.

685 AD - During a diplomatic and trade trip to the nation of Axius, a group of black dragons believed to be acting under the command of the self-proclaimed dragon lord Chronepesis, attack and destroy a group of five Pigeon Airships. All ships are destroyed and those that survived barely make it back to land alive. Among the three hundred people dead from the ambush is Edgar McTanara, Commanding General of the Damocles Royal Army. The attack frightens the Damocles citizens and King Peralay orders Derek to develop and build an airship capable of battle. The first airship-mounted energy cannons and shields are developed and built alongside a new class of ship to feature these weapons and be used as a warship, the Eagle Class. A second design, the Defender Class, is also put on the drawing board as a bigger, stronger and more armed battleship.

686 AD - After the Eagle design is approved  King Perlay orders the construction of twenty of the ships and also approves production of the Defender class as it begins starting phases of it's testing. The Damocles Royal Trade Fleet is redrawn and issued a new charter as the Damocles Imperial Fleet. It is also called in short.. The Fleet.

687 AD - The D.I.S. Victory (DCC 0678-A) is commissioned and assigned to serve as a test-bed ship for some new airship concepts. Among them is the bubble layer energy shield. This new shield type provides a constant layer of energy shielding besides the already used pulse shield which becomes vulnerable as the shields have to drop for five seconds to reform. Automated consoles are introduced as Derek puts quartz crystals into control panels to help automate ship functions and provide a central location for the processing of orders and information. From this comes the concept of a "Bridge" which serves as a command point on the airship. Propeller Engines on the rear are replaced by Thrust Engines which generate a magical flame to increase speed and the time it takes to reach top speed. The ship is launched into active service for a six month tour of duty instead of undergoing test phases as King Peralay wants to see these new concepts tested in the field of battle. Tensions with the dragon population headed by Chronepesis are rising and Peralay believes a conflict could break out within the next two years. Among the ship's command crew is Tactical Officer Lt. Edgar Nelson, Ship Engineer Derek Gideon, Helm Officer Ensign Tarsis, Security Chief Lt. Gothmeg and an up and coming Knight/Officer, Baiganx Windfire , is appointed as ship captain.

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