The time of the rising of the new kingdoms leaves the first definite maps of the physical geography of Sosaria. The continents were entirely unlike those existing today. The main continents were these: Akalabeth, the Land of the Feudal Lords, the Land of Danger and Despair, and the Continent of the Dark Unknown (and Ambrosia.) On Akalabeth were founded these cities: Akalabeth (which became Britain), Moon, Montor, Paws, Fawn, Tune, Grey, and Yew. The other kingdoms were Olympus in the Continent of the Dark Unknown, the White Dragon Kingdom in the Land of Danger and Despair, and the kingdoms of Randorin and Barataria in the Land of the Feudal Lords.
In the time of the new kingdoms, a particular phenomenon occurred, which was the appearance of unusual moongates from entirely different worlds. Through these moongates came a number of unique individuals. Through both their qualities of character and enduring lifespans (through differences in the passage of time between Sosaria and their homes) these people grew to positions of great prominence. They include, at the least, Lord British, Lord Blackthorn, their jesters Chuckles and Heckles, Iolo, Gwenno, Shamino, and Dupre. When Lord British arrived in Sosaria, he found himself in Akalabeth, ruled by King Wolfgang. Wolfgang's second son had an evil heart and was called Mondain. Mondain slew his father and stole the inheritance intended for Wolfgang's first son: the Sun Ruby. Through dark arts, Mondain transformed the Sun Ruby into the Gem of Immortality. Aided by the gem, Mondain gathered armies of creatures created or summoned by magic to plague Akalabeth. The monsters created by Mondain included the lizardmen and ratmen, while his apprentice Minax created orcs, trolls, ettins, and ogres. For driving Mondain and his hordes from Akalabeth, Lord British was hailed as the proper ruler of Akalabeth, which became known as Britain; however, his strength was not enough to destroy Mondain. As Mondain's understanding of the Gem grew, he became well nigh invincible. Seeing that hope was nearly lost, Lord British employed his silver serpent medallion to summon a new champion.
The hero who answered this call is known to us only as "The Stranger." The Stranger was a mighty warrior and a spellcaster, but even he could do no harm against the power of Mondain, since Mondain had reached full mastery of the Gem. Yet, the Stranger prevailed by traveling backwards in time, and putting an end to Mondain by shattering the Gem just as Mondain was realizing its power. As his life was bound with the Gem, Mondain died immediately upon its shattering.
At the death of Mondain, the future that had seen his rule disappeared, utterly, and a new future began its story. Yet, this story plays itself out not in the Stranger's Sosaria (of which we know but little) but inside each fragment of the shattered Gem of Immortality. In fact, in every facet of every shard there exists another Sosaria. Many are similar, but no two identical. Some are even so similar that the same individuals live in them and perform the same deeds.