History

The history of the in-game world of RuneScape spans five distinct ages, the fifth of which is currently taking place. Transitions between ages are made when major events occur, such as the discovery of runes. Currently, it is year 169 of the fifth age; it appears to have been this year within the game since its release.

First Age
In the First Age, Guthix discovered a "blank plane", which he christened Gielinor. He shaped it as he saw fitting, and created savage life forms. At the end of the age, he went into a deep "slumber", unaware of what was going on for the next few thousand years. Shortly after, Zaros, believed to be the god of pure evil, several members of the desert pantheon, and possibly several other gods including Armadyl, arrived on this plane.

The First Age lasted roughly 4,000 years.

Second Age
In the Second Age, Zaros freed the Mahjarrat, a tribe of very long-lived but still mortal savages, from the rule of Icthlarin and took them to Gielinor from their home plane of Freneskae. Zaros built up an empire, with seven major fortresses scattered across the land. These fortresses were built on the sites players are able to teleport to in the Ancient Magicks spellbook. This empire lasted about 2,000 years.

A group of Mahjarrat led by Zamorak, one of Zaros' generals, began a revolt against him in order to seize power for themselves. Zamorak managed to steal the Staff of Armadyl, which accidentally impaled both Zaros and Zamorak, causing Zaros' godhood to run through the staff and be transferred to Zamorak. Before his death, Zaros uttered a curse that fell upon all those involved in the revolt. Following this, the God Wars began.

Third Age
Not much is known of the Third Age, as it was the era during which the God Wars took place. It lasted 4,000 years. Although only Saradomin and Zamorak were recorded, all of the gods participated. Towards the end of the war, Guthix awoke and stopped it. Afterwards, he went underground, to what is now known as the Lumbridge Slayer Caves, and wept for the lives that had been lost. His tears splashed onto the nearby rocks, allowing the rocks to feel sympathy and sadness, and thus the rocks wept. Guthix placed a guardian by the rocks, the snake Juna, and Guthix once more left the world of Gielenor for a long slumber.

Fourth Age
With the God Wars over, mortals were able to live in relative safety once again. Many races strived for control over valuable land and resources, however, leading to fighting between them and little progress. There are also tales of undead necromancers raising armies to obliterate everything in their way, making things yet more difficult.

During the early part of the age, humans were nomadic, travelling from place to place to survive. Eventually, permanent settlements were built, although they were still often attacked by enemies.

At the end of the age, humans stumbled upon rune essence, which could be used to create runes. This enabled many to make use of powerful magic, instead of this being limited to studied mages. Runes spread among the human civilizations, powerful enough to hold other races back. This led to human dominance throughout the world. As evidence of this, in the year 1937, a bridge over the River Lum was constructed, allowing expansion into the areas now known as Al-Kharid and beyond.

Fifth Age
RuneScape is currently in its Fifth Age.

King Roald of Misthalin renovated a once ruined town in northwest Misthalin. The town's former name was Paddewwa. It came to ruin and destruction during the God Wars and has since been rebuilt and renamed Edgeville.