The first demons arrive in Earth's dimension. Later, demonologists would speculate as to how and *why* they decided to undertake the risky crossing of dimensional borders, with most of the opinion that their intent was conquest. A few would put forward the opinion that they were *fleeing* from something, along with the corollary that they hoped never to meet something that would make demons abandon a dimension.
The demons quickly move themselves to somewhere near the top of the food chain - although it might be more accurate to say that they stood outside it. Even though most dinosaur species were easy prey, the larger sauropods and carnosaurs, along with predators such as Utahraptor proved more trouble than they were worth. (The short story 'Dinos and Demons' takes place during this time.)
A ten-kilometre lump of rock impacts the Earth at a speed of sixteen kilometres per second, with a blast equivalent of over one hundred million megatons. Later dubbed the 'Dinosaur Killer', after the most famous victims of the impact, the immediate and delayed effects would eventually kill of three-quarters of all species, plus as many as ninety-five percent of the demonic population.
During this time, the demonic population struggles to survive as the surviving remnants of life reorganise themselves to adapt to the new conditions. The Dinosaur Killer hadn't been the first mass extinction, or even the worst, so life was able to make a comeback, reintroducing a diversity that hadn't been seen for tens of millions of years.
The arrival of Austrilopethicus. Of itself, hardly a noteworthy event - simply a new species of primate that was starting to exploit the savannahs that were starting to appear in Africa. It was the descendant species that would be much more noteworthy. The demons practically ignore this event.
The convoluted chain of human evolution continues against the backdrop of global changes in things like climate and the arrival and disappearance of other lifeforms.
Homo Neanderthalensis - Neanderthal Man - makes its début. Named after the location of the first fossil finds (the Neander Thal in Germany), this event coincides with the recovery of the demon population to the point they were at before the Dinosaur Killer. Neanderthal Man quickly learns how to create effective weapons against demons. This period of time also marks to first use of magic against the demons. The true start of the Human-Demon War for possession of the planet.
The Human-Demon War rages for over two hundred thousand years - an eye blink in geological terms, but incredibly long to the perspective of the humans - with the situation practically a stalemate for that entire time, apart from brief periods of no more than a few centuries when either the humans or the demons would start to gain the upper hand.
The arrival of Homo Sapiens - Wise Man. Possessed of grater intelligence than Neanderthal Man, they devise weapons and magics more effective against demons than any wielded by Neanderthal Man. Although Homo Sapiens does not immediately get involved in the War, there is a brisk trade in the new weapons. Also, Homo Sapiens maintains a posture of aggressive defence during the next five thousand years.
Humanity launches a planet wide offensive on a scale unheard-of so far in the War. Disaster is avoided by the narrowest of margins, although Neanderthal Man disappears from the fossil record at about this time, presumably wiped out by the demons, absorbed into Homo Sapiens... or both. The only reason Homo Sapiens avoided extinction was they managed to inflict enough damage on the demon population to bring an end to the counter-offensive launched by the demons.
Both humanity and the demons suspend offensive operations, rebuilding their numbers and stockpiling weapons. There is still combat between the two races, although not on the scale of previous efforts. Mostly localised skirmishes.
Refugees, fleeing from an upsurge in demon numbers in East Asia and Siberia, cross the Bering Strait, which had become a land bridge due to climate changes. If they were hoping to find a land free of demons, they were to be bitterly disappointed, however. Some tribal groups make pacts with individual demons, offering worship in return for protection. The most famous (or notorious) group would later become known as the Aztechs, whose patron demon/deity was Quezacotl.
The first permanent settlements are established, guarding particularly fertile crop-growing areas, such as the valley of the River Jordan, the Nile delta and the land between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, although the majority of the human population is still at least semi-nomadic.
There is another major event in that time period. Representatives of the Powers That Be manifest themselves to a number of young women, both in the new towns and nomad tribes in the guises of whatever deity they worshipped, offering them the power and ability to effectively fight the demons. Without exception, the offer is accepted, opening a new chapter in the Human-Demon War. (I'm thinking about writing a short story covering these events, tentatively titled "The Calling".)
The Second Offensive begins. With the addition of the newly-empowered 'Slayers' to the ranks of humanity, the demons are immediately placed of the defensive. After several counter-offensives fail, the demons retreat to more defensible positions, and begin plotting their master-stroke.
After several ugly incidents involving Slayers misusing their abilities for their own ends, a group of warriors and mages form a body with the intention of providing guidance and support for the Slayers. Later known as the Council of Watchers, they use magic to locate Slayers and those with the potential to become Slayers. (Another potential story here, "Who Guards the Guardians?" Or I might show off and use the Latin equivalent - it's 'quis custodiet custodies', right?)
The corruption of Lucifer, and his rebellion.
The War of the Powers, which ends with the banishment of demons from Earth's dimension. The demons counter-attack at the precise moment the seal was put into place between the dimensions, causing several ruptures and other areas of weakness. The creation of the first vampires. Humanity is turned on itself.
The rise of the first human empires, Egypt and Babylon, and the warrior-nomad tribes, such as the Hyksos. Although banished from this dimension, demons are still able to gain access via Hellmouths. Vampires also act on behalf of the true demons, attempting to breach the dimensional seal on more than one occasion, only being stopped by the narrowest of margins. The Human-Demon War continues, although at a much lower intensity than before.
Rome is founded - according to legend - by twin brothers Romulus and Remus.
Fleeing from a Slayer-led army, the demon Baal (also known as Baal Hammon) takes up residence in Carthage. Although it is unknown how long he spent building up his power base of worshippers, by this time human sacrifice is widespread, especially among the nobles of the city. Although human sacrifice is not unknown among other cultures in the region, Carthage took it to a new height (or depth) in the form of child sacrifice.
The Punic Wars, during which time, Rome fights three major wars (246 BCE, 218-203 BCE and 146-143 BCE) to eliminate the cults of Baal - and incidentally, to seize control of the western Mediterranean. These wars include the Carthaginian general Hannibal's daring crossing of the Alps to mount a fifteen-year long invasion of Italy (only brought to an end by the Roman counter-invasion of Carthage), and end with the utter destruction of Carthage by fire in the year 143 BCE.
The cult of the pleasure-demon Bacchus is smashed in Rome, resulting in thousands of arrests and numerous executions.
The last recorded instance of one of the Powers That Be appearing directly on Earth - Jesus Christ, to counter an upsurge in demon numbers in the Roman client kingdom of Judea.
Fall of Rome to barbarian invaders. The Council of Watchers, which from approximately 500BCE until this time had had its headquarters in Rome, is forced to relocate. After a brief period in Gaul (until invading Franks force another relocation), the Council eventually settles in what is now Ireland, managing to avoid the worst depredations of the invading Angles and Saxons.
After several Slayers die in quick succession, due to some demons discovering a way to temporarily nullify a Slayer's abilities, the Cruciamentum (I'm sure this is a Lain word - it sounds like one. I'm betting it means something like 'the time of testing') is instituted. At first, it is simply a test of a Slayer's ability to fight without the aid of her gifts. Not only were Watchers allowed to warn their Slayer of their upcoming Cruciamentum, they were directly *ordered* to prepare her for the test. In addition, mercenaries on retainer to the Council would be standing by in case the Slayer encountered difficulties. If rescue was required, the Slayer was considered to have failed the test.
However, this did not result in death or the removal of the Slayer Gift. Instead, the Slayer was put through an extra-rigorous training regime, and subjected to the Cruciamentum one year later. The consequences of a second failure are not recorded in any document surviving to the present day.
The Crusades to 'liberate' the Holy Land from Muslim occupiers. After the First Crusade met with success, the others were dismal failures - especially the Fourth Crusade, which ended up plundering Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. It is never explained to the satisfaction of later historians why this would happen, the theory that some of the more cunning demons were able to exploit the divisions between the Roman and Byzantine churches is put forward.
Establishment of the Office of the Holy Inquisition in France. Originally intended as a means of rooting out the servants of the demons, it rapidly spirals out of control, especially in Spain. Human corruption, rather than demonic interference, is generally held responsible for this. Over the next five and a half centuries, tens of thousands would be burnt at the stake with possibly hundreds of thousands being tortured and lesser punishments being levied. The last 'heretic' would be burned at the stake in Spain in 1787, although the Inquisition would wield considerable influence in Spain until the early 19th century.
The Black Death ravages Europe, causing as many as twenty-five million deaths, in addition to the deaths inflicted in Asia. Speculation that it was of demonic origin was reinforced by a concerted effort to open the European Hellmouth, which was averted when both Active Slayers (ever since the original Calling, the number of Slayers active at any one time had steadily decreased) sacrificed themselves to stop the critical ritual.
The Spanish conquest of South and Central America. Led by Cortes and Pizzaro, what started as the largest armed robbery in history quickly became something else when the *conquistadores* learn of the human sacrifice rituals to the demon-gods Quezacotl and Huitzilopochtli. Even the hardened stomachs of the Spanish were turned by the blood-soaked rituals, and they appeal for Inquisitorial support and assistance from the Slayer, at that time, a young Spanish woman by the name of Dominica Louisa del Santa Maria. With her help, the human sacrifice cults are smashed in under five years, and the demons killed, although Spanish troops and Inquisitors require most of the rest of the century to root out the last remnants of the old religions, eventually replacing them with Christianity. (Possible story, "Sweat of the Sun, Tears of the Moon")
In England, where the Council of Watchers had once again relocated to, the split of the Church of England from the Church of Rome causes a fairly major dilemma. In the end, the Council revokes its ties with the Roman Church, and begins to withdraw into itself. This time saw the imposition of the requirement for the Slayer's identity to remain secret, and a radical shift in the conduct of the Cruciamentum. Instead of being prepared for the test, a Slayer was not informed of its existence. The test itself was also moved to the Slayer's eighteenth birthday, and the assistance which was available if required was withdrawn. Since then, the survival rate for Slayers has dropped to one in four. Also, many of the documents recording the creation of the Slayers and their early conduct are hidden, and a cover story concocted claimed they were destroyed in the religious turmoil engulfing the country. (Possible story, "The Perils of Power")
The North American Hellmouth is re-discovered by Richard Wilkins, who enters into a pact to ascend to pure demon form. In order to further his plans, he founds the town of Sunnydale on top of the Hellmouth.
Birth of Alexander Harris, Willow Rosenberg, and Elizabeth Summers.
Birth of Faith Williams.
Elizabeth Summers is Called as a Slayer.
Kendra is Called as a Slayer after the temporary death of Slayer Summers.
Faith Williams is Called as a Slayer after the death of Kendra. Slayer Summers undergoes her Cruciamentum. Richard Wilkins ascends to demon form, but is killed almost immediately afterwards.
Alienated from the group of friends who assist Slayer Summers, Xander Harris acquires a magical transportation device known as the 'Disc of Kakulash'. Accidentally activating it, he is transported to the year 2614.
The start of humanity's climb to the stars. The introduction of Helium-3 fusion plants leads to the mass industrialisation of the 'Third World', and the destruction of Earth's environment, forcing the population to retreat to the arcologies. The development of the Zero Temporal Transit (ZTT) drive leads to the colonisation of other planets in an attempt to relieve the insane level of overcrowding on Earth.
Events of the "Night's Dawn" trilogy (as summarised in Part 11 of "In Their Shadow")
Events of "In Their Shadow" and "In Their Shadow - City of Shadows"
Events of "In Their Shadow - War in the Shadows"