Varrock/History

This article is best read in conjunction with the main Varrock article.

Varrock's history is amongst the most unique in Gielinor, spanning many hundreds of years and time periods. The history of humanity is largely dependent on that of Varrock.

Pre-Varrock
Varrock is built upon the ruins of Senntisten and Saranthium, two of the world's first true cities. Senntisten, the older of the two, was in existence in the Second Age, during which it extended from the modern Digsite to Edgeville. It was the capital of the god Zaros, whom some believe is the god of pure evil. Following Senntisten's destruction during the God Wars, Saranthium was built by Saradominists to cover up Zaros's existence. However, Saranthium was all but destroyed by the end of the God Wars and soon disappeared.

The Founding of Varrock
Varrock came into being during the early Fourth Age, when the races that survived the God Wars began to compete for land without the direct aid of gods. Its growth was greatly hindered by the goblins that constantly plundered the village, killing villagers and destroying crops.

It was only when Arrav (who lived between the years 700 and 800), one of the greatest heroes of men, finally defeated the goblins that the city began to prosper. Its location on such fertile land allowed it a large amount of trade, and food was never in short supply. Its name, "Avarrocka" was a name derived from a goblin curse. The peace was short-lived, however.

Arrav's Quest for the Shield
Some time after Arrav's defeat of the goblins a new threat arose; Zemouregal, a Mahjarrat and powerful necromancer, soon appeared to Arrav in the realm of dreams. Here he told Arrav of his plans to destroy the city using Arrav as his slave. Arrav left the city under the instruction of the village elders in search of a mighty shield that had arrived in Gielinor from another world. Arrav eventually found it in the possession of the Imcando Dwarves, and after some time, they gave it to him. During his journey from the village, Avarrocka had been burnt to the ground by the goblins. The town was rebuilt and peace was made with the Goblin Village.

Assault of Zemouregal
The city was soon besieged by a massive army of the undead that had been brought from the Wilderness. Lead by Zemouregal, they nearly destroyed the city, and only very narrowly did Arrav manage to defeat them; but the battle cost him his life. Even so, the battle was difficult to win; the aid of the Imcando Dwarves was a deciding factor in the city's victory. Following these events, the city remained at relative peace for some time, growing and becoming the capital of the developing nation of Misthalin. Establishing trade via the River Lum and claiming a wide track of land, its importance soon became apparent.



Government Reform
Some time after the defeat of Zemouregal, Varrock's government changed from an oligarchy to a monarchy.

Morytania Conflicts
In the years 1100 to 1200 in the Fourth Age, Varrock proved an important defensive area as the forces of Morytania attempted to cross the River Salve and lay waste to the lands beyond the Paterdomus temple. In the year 1937, Lumbridge was established as an official settelement, prompting a great increase in trade in areas such as Entrana and Al-Kharid.

The Discovery of Runes
In the year 1 of the Fifth Age, the Fremennik people discovered rune essence, a material which, when taken to alters constructed by the now-hidden Moon Clan, could be turned into runestones. This allowed, for the first time, humans to cast magic at will. This event led to the beginning of the Fifth Age and the beginning of human dominance in Gielinor.

Construction of Varrock Sewers
In the year 17 of the Fifth Age, King Botolph, a former monarch of Varrock, ordered an extensive sewer system to be constructed beneath the palace; a revolutionary idea at the time. During the construction, several giants of grass and plant, now known as a Moss Giant, had halted construction for quite some time, but the construction eventually continued. Around the year 20 the sewer was complete, running beneath the entire length of the city.

Delrith Attacks
A battle occurred in the same year of the Fifth Age, when the demon Delrith assaulted the city, but he was quickly defeated by the hero Wally. However, the Guthixian Stone Circle south of the city remained in Zamorakian control.

The Barbarian Invsions
During the years 42-62, a group of the Fremennik tribe broke up and attacked northern Kandarin and Asgarnia, seeking to put an end to the production of runestones. Varrock was forced to arm itself when, in the year 47, a number of sympathisers of the barbarians attacked and destroyed the Mage Training Arena near Al-Kharid. The attacks ended when the barbarians settled down on the Misthalin western border, waiting to gather their forces and attack once more. However, when the Wizards' Tower was destroyed, they decided to cancel the invasions.

Burning of the Wizards' Tower and Zamorakian Conflict
Until the year 70, Zamorakians had been tolerated by society, despite their role in the God Wars. When Zamorakian mages destroyed the original Wizards' Tower in southern Misthalin, a massive anti-Zamorak movement began. In Varrock, this hammer fell hardest, with nearly all of the city's Zamorakian residents being either killed, imprisoned, or exiled. The Dagon'hai, a cult of mages loyal to Zamorak, waged a silent war against the city's Saradominst priests. Many were found dead, their throats slit and their bodies hidden in the city's darkest alleys. Only with a great deal of luck were they found and forced to flee, vanishing mysteriously as they left.

Destruction of Crandor and its Effects
In the year 139, contact was lost with the island-city of Crandor. Crandor, at the time, was a mighty city-state that possessed a great deal of political power, matching important cities such as Varrock and Falador. It was soon discovered that the dragon Elvarg had awakened and destroyed Crandor, as well as charred an area of countryside near Rimmington. This caused hysteria across the mainland, prompting leaders, including Varrock's king, to organize military defenses against the dragon, whom they feared could attack the mainland.

Necromancer War
Another battle occurred some time later, in the year 154, when yet another necromancer attacked the city. This time, however, the city was well prepared and defeated the advancing army very quickly; so quickly, in fact, that the necromancer's name remained a mystery.

Modern Events
In the current year, 169, Varrock's government used a large amount of money to renovate the "Ghost Town" north of the Barbarian Village, which were actually the ruins of one of Zaros's fortresses, Padewwa. The city's museum also was renovated and the Grand Exchange was built.

Today, Varrock continues to be one of the world's most important cities. Its defence against Morytania and the Wilderness is often the only thing preventing a full-scale invasion of Misthalin, Asgarnia, and beyond, while its political and cultural standings continue to flourish.