MM History question

[XEL II]

Nearly can also mean that he wasn't held captive for 28 * 12 * 7 days. For example, if he was captive for 6 years and 11 months, he was freed in July 1169 (since he was captured in (IIRC) August).

[XEL II]

And I don't think that it could be stated "nearly 7 years" if he was captive for six or eight years.

[Corlagon]

Nearly can also mean that he wasn't held captive for 28 * 12 * 7 days. For example, if he was captive for 6 years and 11 months, he was freed in July 1169 (since he was captured in (IIRC) August).

It's still not indisputably stated as seven years. Sorry.

Antagarich is known as both Erathia and Antagarich, since they were named both Erathia and Antagarich equally often and sometimes in same games (e.g. AB and SoD).

It canonically became Antagarich after Heroes III AB. That's when the name "Antagarich" started being used.

AB and SoD properly retconned the name, directly stating "the continent of Antagarich" multiple times.

The makers of MM8 were seemingly not clued in on this back in 2000, but they finally referenced it as Antagarich in MM9. Also Antagarich is mentioned in Heroes IV.

Terrans said him that some other Corak 9he knew that Coraks are Guardians) crashed on XEEN, so he assumed that Corak could die in that crush, but knowing that the Guardians are powerful beings he suggested that he ["original' Corak] could survive.

Is this fact or speculation?

And I don't think that it could be stated "nearly 7 years" if he was captive for six or eight years.

Nearly seven years is quite definitely six years. It doesn't even matter anyway. We don't know when the Terrans crashed, but it was approximately a few years before MM7. 1165 is a reasonable estimate.

MM7 apparently began on 1 January 1168. Roland was released at the end of that year, maybe October-November. That is nearly seven years. Around December the Lords of Harmondale and Resurrectra's group pass through the Gate. We are still in 1168. In this year Resurrectra says they crashed a few years ago. A few years is 2-3 years ago: 1165-66. What's wrong with this? Where's the contradiction?

[XEL II]

Is this fact or speculation?

Fact. These ("may very well of die" and "perhaps not") were quotes from M&M7 ending.

It canonically became Antagarich after Heroes III AB. That's when the name "Antagarich" started being used.

it was also named Erathia in many of heroes' bios im AB and SoD. And I don't see anything horrible in this continent being named both Erathia and Antgarich.
BTW, "makers weren't clued" is not the point. AB was released in 1999.

[Corlagon]

Fact. These ("may very well of die" and "perhaps not") were quotes from M&M7 ending.

No, no... the part I quoted. Is that fact or speculation?

it was also named Erathia in many of heroes' bios im AB and SoD. And I don't see anything horrible in this continent being named both Erathia and Antgarich.

Who said there was anything horrible about it? I'm just stating facts. The continent must have a name, and the name is Antagarich. And out of all the new heroes introduced in AB, only Luna's bio made reference to Erathia. Ignissa's clearly stated Antagarich. And SoD introduced no new heroes except Finneas. All other bios were written before AB. And I actually did say most clearly above that the name Antagarich was only introduced after AB.

BTW, "makers weren't clued" is not the point. AB was released in 1999.

Thanks for the info!

(MM8 was released in 2000. The fact that the "makers weren't clued" is blatantly obvious since they kept on calling it Erathia)

[XEL II]

There were many references to AB storyline in M&M8, so Erathia and Antagarich are both common names of the same continent (especially since name Erathia for the continent was kept in heroes' bios in both AB and SoD) or M&M8 author were blind or stupid to not notice name Antagarich in AB. The latter is not possible, since AB doesn't have storyline contradictions to M&M8.

[Corlagon]

There were many references to AB storyline in M&M8, so Erathia and Antagarich are both common names of the same continent (especially since name Erathia for the continent was kept in heroes' bios in both AB and SoD)

I already just explained that there were practically no references to Erathia as the continent's name in AB or SoD. And they could hardly have gone back through every single hero's bio and changed "Erathia" to "Antagarich", that's painstaking and near-pointless... So Erathia and Antagarich are not both common names of the same continent

The latter is not possible, since AB doesn't have storyline contradictions to M&M8.

Impossible. Righto. What you said. And it's also so dreadfully impossible that MM8's story writer could misspell "Eeofol" by writing "Eoful" in Catherine's blurbs. Isn't it

[Corlagon]

Using the Wayback Archives I managed to salvage some ancient information from 3DO's old website. Here it is:

Daglathor is actually a Kreegan, an ancient and vile spacefaring race. He was banished from the heavens for his crimes of depravity and imprisoned under a volcano, the only way to contain something so large and evil. Horrible starvation has wracked him for eons, and when released, he is completely focused on consuming every being in Ardon.

-> some further insight on Daglathor

Receiving news of her father's death, Catherine Ironfist, Queen of Enroth, sails for Erathia to attend her father's funeral. Fearing the worst, she assembles a military fleet as her escort.

Arriving on the coast of Erathia, Catherine finds an allied wizard's tower, devastated from battle and abandoned. There she learns Erathia is falling to its enemies.

Mustering local armies, Catherine marches to Erathia's capitol, restoring lost land along the way. Rescuing Erathia's besieged capitol, Catherine learns her father was poisoned with a goblet of wine.

Setting herself up as queen, Catherine goes to war to restore Erathia's borders and discover her father's murderer. In the course of war, in an attempt to counter Catherine's recent successes, her enemies resurrect her buried father as an undead lich and make him general of their armies.

Fighting her dead father's undead armies on the battlefield, Catherine continues her murder investigation and learns one of her most trusted generals was responsible.

At the war's conclusion, Catherine and her armies surround the last standing castle. Battling to the throne room, Catherine and her generals come face-to-face with Erathia's former king, now their undead enemy.

From her assembled generals, Catherine points out the traitor. The undead king attacks and kills his murderer as Erathia's allied generals stand by and watch.

Hunched over the dead body of his killer, the lich turns to the woman he named Catherine and once called daughter. Using a spell book, Catherine summons a lightning bolt from the sky and destroys her undead father.

Ascending to the throne of her vanquished enemy, Catherine speaks, "Rest in peace, father."

-> then that spell she used was a lightning bolt

Halflings were driven from Eeofol by the demons into holes surrounding their once lush countryside. Now they must form together in small bands in order to take back their land. Knowing no other kingdom can or will care about their plight they work outside of the political system to drive out the demons and restore their homeland. The halflings are led by a vengeful halfling named Tavin.

-> so Tavin is a halfling, just in case we weren't totally sure already

Beautiful and graceful the Sprite belies the shocking power held within her delicate body. She wears the floral garb of the forest, and the finest silks. The Lords of Air recruited the Sprites into their cause, and gave these small, dainty creatures a place within the Conflux walls. With great determination swarms of Sprites will overrun even the most powerful of creatures with their electrifying attacks.

-> very minor reference to the events of HC: MotE here

The Minotaurs of Jadame and elsewhere were originally creatures created by powerful magic, but having the ability to breed, have gone on to form their own culture. Recently the Jadamean Minotaurs have won a war with the Frost Giants of the frozen Vori wastes.

-> so Agar did create the Minotaurs outright, rather than just "upgrading" them. Maybe also suggests there are no Minotaurs native to Axeoth - they all came from Colony

Among the first humanoid races to establish themselves on Jadame, the Dark Elves built the city of Alvar at the headwaters of a river canyon. From there they built an overland trade monopoly providing themselves with great wealth and continent-wide influence.

-> there were once no humanoid races on Jadame (?)

Though less numerous than the like-minded Dark Elves, Dark Dwarves are those Dwarves who have turned away from the light to follow the path of darkness. The Dark Dwarves of Jadame emigrated there from Erathia, fleeing persecution by the Dwarves of Stone City. A wise choice—not a single of their numbers still lives on the old continent.

-> Dark Dwarves are originally from Antagarich

Lizardmen currently occupy the Dagger Wound Islands in the southern Jadamean Seas, but they did not build the ancient temples and other monolithic structures that dot the outer islands. Some say the Serpentmen that infest the temples are the degenerated descendants of the original builders.

-> so the Serpentmen weren't always... Serpentmen

The elves of Avlee have lived in an extremely militaristic society since the first Timber War. Due to this, almost all elven males are in the Avlee army, and male peasants are extremely rare. Females handle most domestic chores and manage most of the shops in the towns of Avlee. Elven warriors possess excellent fighting ability because of their lifelong training in the military arts, an advantage they need against the numerically superior human forces.

-> some info on AvLee's culture

Many sailors from the seaports of Jadame find themselves infected with lycanthropy and shanghaied into the service of the Wererat smugglers of Ravenshore. Followers of the Way of Eep willingly become Wererats as an expression of their devotion.

-> apparently, Wererats are actually transformed humans, and not a separate race

[Avonu]

Hunched over the dead body of his killer, the lich turns to the woman he named Catherine and once called daughter. Using a spell book, Catherine summons a lightning bolt from the sky and destroys her undead father.

-> then that spell she used was a lightning bolt

Hold a moment - she summoned from sky lighning bolt - she not cast lighning bolt spell.
Catherine could easly cast elemental strom or another spell which wasn't clearly discribed in HoMM games.

The Minotaurs of Jadame and elsewhere were originally creatures created by powerful magic, but having the ability to breed, have gone on to form their own culture. Recently the Jadamean Minotaurs have won a war with the Frost Giants of the frozen Vori wastes.

-> so Agar did create the Minotaurs outright, rather than just "upgrading" them. Maybe also suggests there are no Minotaurs native to Axeoth - they all came from Colony

Minotaurs are generally magic creatures created to protects tresure vaults - I don't know if it is right in MM.
Also Agar didn't create first minotaurs (IIRC he did his work in Castle Kriegspire in times of Succesions Wars but we already have minotaurs in HoMM1 - 25 years earlier).
However - warlocks created minos:

Hydras are apparently a creation of the Warlocks, like minotaurs and beholders and manticores.

About Axeoth - we don't know it - there wasn't any clue about them in MM9 or H4 - so they can be refugee or native creature of this new world.

-> there were once no humanoid races on Jadame (?)

Of course not - remember these hieroglyphs from Tomb of VARN which mentioned about land not spoiled by Enemy or intelligent life?

-> Dark Dwarves are originally from Antagarich

Yes, and they serve one of earth elemental (ask one of NPC in Alvar).

-> so the Serpentmen weren't always... Serpentmen

No, they were alweys serpentmen - but with higher IQ then when we find them in Abandon Temple.

-> apparently, Wererats are actually transformed humans, and not a separate race

Well, we also have warewolves (in other games) - they are too transformed humans but they are often classify as one race.

[Kareeah Indaga]

I would assume the were-anythings are considered another race for the same reason Undead aren't classified with their living counterparts--once you become one it's rather difficult to turn back.

[Corlagon]

Hold a moment - she summoned from sky lighning bolt - she not cast lighning bolt spell.
Catherine could ease cast elemental strom or another spell which wasn't clearly discribed in HoMM games.

Not so likely, though.

Agar didn't create first minotaurs (IIRC he did his work in Castle Kriegspire in times of Succesions Wars but we already have minotaurs in HoMM1 - 25 years earlier).

I wouldn't be so sure - Agar may have created Minotaurs then, but there is no date given on his note in Kriegspire:

"Damn! It appears that I left the Memory Crystal in Kriegspire when we fled from my minotaurs. Never cross a bull with anything! I should have known the emotional instability of humans and the bad temper of bulls would have resulted in a complete disaster. I’ll have to make a trip to the castle to get the Crystal, but first I’ll need some creatures to help me get past the minotaurs. Maybe if I were to create some sort of flying, magical eye…"

The Memory Crystal Archibald stole is mentioned there, but Agar makes no reference to when he created Minotaurs, so the experiments could easily have taken place centuries beforehand (we know already that Dark magic-users can extend their lifespans, just look at Terrax and Alamar).

Though Beholders definitely came after the Succession Wars

About Axeoth - we don't know it - there wasn't any clue about them in MM9 or H4 - so they can be refugee or native creature of this new world.

Absolutely. We have no proof for either side

No, they were alweys serpentmen - but with higher IQ then when we find them in Abandon Temple.

Are you sure? I assumed "degenerated descendants" meant they were of a higher form before, and became feral / devolved due to some unknown cataclysm which isn't covered.

I haven't found evidence of the alternative, at least not in MM8.

Of course not - remember these hieroglyphs from Tomb of VARN which mentioned about land not spoiled by Enemy or intelligent life?

Well, yes, of course. To be more precise, I ought to have said that there was no native intelligent life there before the Dark Elves came (it's certain that not all of Enroth's races came to the planet through the Crossing, which explains why there aren't any Lizardmen or Centaurs on Terra, the Wheel, the Fiery Moon etc ) - so every sentient race on Jadame came from somewhere else, and not through evolution or any other means.

Yes, and they serve one of earth elemental (ask one of NPC in Alvar).

Is this the text you mean?

"These little vermin work with or for the Elements of the Earth. No one can tell which. They burrow up from the earth in search of wealth, food, and slaves. Nothing is left behind where these scavengers have been."

Hmm, it also seems strange that Tarnum said:

"Why, Kurbon? What did Mutare give you to make you betray your own people?"

Looks like he wasn't too clued in on Dwarven history.

I would assume the were-anythings are considered another race for the same reason Undead aren't classified with their living counterparts--once you become one it's rather difficult to turn back.

Indeed - I had assumed though that they were like Lizardmen or whatnot, who (so far as we know) have never been humans. I suppose that assumption came out of the fact that Arion Hunter has a daughter

[Avonu]

Hmm, it also seems strange that Tarnum said:

"Why, Kurbon? What did Mutare give you to make you betray your own people?"

Looks like he wasn't too clued in on Dwarven history.

Like in many more things (especially in Might and Magic lore ).

I wouldn't be so sure - Agar may have created Minotaurs then, but there is no date given on his note in Kriegspire

Well, Agar created eyes and his pets and they weren't so wonderful (and working propetly) creatures. Did you remember something created by Agar what worked as it should?
Minos in generally "work" perfect (well, these in Kriegspire rebelled, so probably also have some "flaws"), so I assume that they weren't create by Agar.

[XEL II]

BTW, in Roland's full AB bio (3DO site) there is a proof that Erathia is also another name for Antagarich ("instead, Roland was captured and transported to Erathia").

Hmm, it also seems strange that Tarnum said:

"Why, Kurbon? What did Mutare give you to make you betray your own people?"

Looks like he wasn't too clued in on Dwarven history.

Like in many more things (especially in Might and Magic lore ).

So true. Heroes Chronicles almost completely ignores M&M histrory. That is because Terry Ray (author of HC and Heroes IV story) didn't know M&M lore well.

I wouldn't be so sure - Agar may have created Minotaurs then, but there is no date given on his note in Kriegspire

Well, Agar created eyes and his pets and they weren't so wonderful (and working propetly) creatures. Did you remember something created by Agar what worked as it should?
Minos in generally "work" perfect (well, these in Kriegspire rebelled, so probably also have some "flaws"), so I assume that they weren't create by Agar.

Well, I agree with Corlagon here. Minotaurs could be first created by Agar some time around HoMM1 and Kriegspire seems to be one of the places where they were created.
There is also a proof that Mutare became a sentient dragon somewhere during Armageddon's Blade War (1169-71 AS). In Adrienne's campaign there is a text among rumors in taverns (not an exact quote): "Some Nighonian lady aspires to be the queen of Nighon". So, Dragon Clash was in c.a. 1173 (after AB and M&M8). Besides, if Dragon Clash was before Restoration Wars, Adrienne would be too young to have romantic relationship with Tarnum . And Waerjak would be around 7 years old (which isn't, since he is in his teen years and hunts alone in Dragon Clash).
About Corak saying about 900 years in M&M7 ending. NWC had a different team making M&M7 cutscenes, so apparently this was the mistake in scripting of sorts.
Underworld from HC. There is no proof that it is a separate plane. It was described as "tunnels" and "caverns" in CotU and entrance to the Underworld looks like entrance to the cavern or tunnel (name Cerberus Gate doesn't neccesarily imply it was a portal). It is not impossible for caverns to be vast and deep. Enroth is a different planet from Earth after all. Demons of Underworld appears to be the same kind of "demons" found on CRON and XEEN, vile monstorous race.
Demons from M&M3. Place from which they came from was called Demon Realms in M&M3 and its cluebook. Kreegan have their own infested worlds. Besides, Corak wants them to be banished. So I think these demons in M&M3 were Kreegan scouting party teleported to Terra. I know that their realm was refered to as "the underworld" on one occasion in Corak's notes, but Shikhbat Zera interior was also called "underworld" in these notes. And Xanthor's Tales states that Nighonian Troglodytes and Medusas are "creatures of the underworld".
Paradise. Since there is no solid proof that Paradise is the separate plane of existence (the only one, Allyson's dream, was sent by Deezelisk and is not very reliable), Terry Ray messed up HC storyline in the field of relation to the rest of M&M lore and the Paradise as a plane contradicts M&M universe's style, I think it's safer to assume the the Paradise is the different level of consciousness, which the Ancestors create for noble and valiant souls.

[Avonu]

There is also a proof that Mutare became a sentient dragon somewhere during Armageddon's Blade War (1169-71 AS). In Adrienne's campaign there is a text among rumors in taverns (not an exact quote): "Some Nighonian lady aspires to be the queen of Nighon". So, Dragon Clash was in c.a. 1173 (after AB and M&M8).

Add to this fact, that Crystal dragons were created for Dracon and Mutare has there in her army at the end of her campaing (and in Clash of the Dragon).

Made entirely from red crystal and brought to life through magical means, this dragon is literally semi-transparent, lit from the center by its magical heart. This dragon was created for Dracon, so he would be properly challenged on his final test in becoming a Dragon Slayer. The Crystal dragon is an instinctual creature, attacking almost anything that crosses its path, using its claws, as it does not have the internal workings for a breath attack. If you meet one of these creatures then you know they need only their claws to turn you into tiny little pieces.

Underworld from HC. There is no proof that it is a separate plane. It was described as "tunnels" and "caverns" in CotU and entrance to the Underworld looks like entrance to the cavern or tunnel (name Cerberus Gate doesn't neccesarily imply it was a portal).

I think it is comparasion to Hades from Greek mythology - it was Land of Death under earth but living person also can go there (also boatman from MM6 was codenamed Charon but I don't belive it was his name - maybe only a nickname from MM6 creators). Don't bother too much with info from HC - as you said, storywriter has little knowledge about MM lore.


My question about Ardon (CoMM and WoMM world) - where it is located and why there is so many reference to Enroth (Monastry of Enroth, pictures of Ancestors, dwarf who talked that he saw Kreegan at past) if it is another world?
I know that in first draft Ardon was called Zeen (probably mispelled Xeen) but this idea was abandon. Is there clearly description that describes Ardon as separete world from Enroth or Axeoth?

[XEL II]

I think it is comparasion to Hades from Greek mythology - it was Land of Death under earth but living person also can go there (also boatman from MM6 was codenamed Charon but I don't belive it was his name - maybe only a nickname from MM6 creators).

Party's ressurection in M&M6-8 was non-canon (if it was, it would be at least briefly mentioned in the storyline), so Death from M&M6 is non-canpn, too. Boatman is described in CotU as some person who knows where the path to the second level of the underworld is located. And he definetly was not the Death from M&M6, since HC storywriter doesn't seem to play M&M RPGs. Anyway, the idea of Underworld being deep caverns inhabited by the same kind of "demons" as from CRON and XEEN is fitting into the lore, isn't it?

My question about Ardon (CoMM and WoMM world) - where it is located and why there is so many reference to Enroth (Monastry of Enroth, pictures of Ancestors, dwarf who talked that he saw Kreegan at past) if it is another world?

Demilich did some research in PS2 version of WoMM. Ardon is some kind of half-abandonded world seeded (or created, like XEEN) by the Ancients for which the Ancients fight with the Kreegan. There is also an Ancient called Einar (who is in fact Alleron's father) worshipped by the Ardonians as a god. Enroth Monastery was built by Einar's folowers (Sailo is one of them). Ardon and Enroth are definetly separate planets and terms "Erathia" and "Enroth" were just copied and pasted. I don't think Ardon is located in the Spinward Rim or was affected by the Silence.

I know that in first draft Ardon was called Zeen (probably mispelled Xeen) but this idea was abandon. Is there clearly description that describes Ardon as separete world from Enroth or Axeoth?

Zeen is a different world, not related to M&M universe. It acts as the setting for Dragon Rage.

[Avonu]

Anyway, the idea of Underworld being deep caverns inhabited by the same kind of "demons" as from CRON and XEEN is fitting into the lore, isn't it?

I don't know how about CRON but on Xeen (or rather beneth it surface) these caverns were road to lost city or dungeons of Sandro's home.

Zeen is a different world, not related to M&M universe. It acts as the setting for Dragon Rage.

Are you sure about Zeen? Read this reviev of game.

[XEL II]

Well, Demilich, who finished Dragon Rage, told me that there were absolutely no nodes to Ardon or M&M universe whatsoever. Maybe it was originally planned to make Dragon Rage taking place on Ardon.

[XEL II]

Anyway, the idea of Underworld being deep caverns inhabited by the same kind of "demons" as from CRON and XEEN is fitting into the lore, isn't it?

I don't know how about CRON but on Xeen (or rather beneth it surface) these caverns were road to lost city or dungeons of Sandro's home.

Dungeon of Death is very interesting place. It may suggest that Sandro from XEEN is somehow connected to the Ancients and/or XEEN project.

[Corlagon]

Lol, you've been busy.

There is also a proof that Mutare became a sentient dragon somewhere during Armageddon's Blade War (1169-71 AS). In Adrienne's campaign there is a text among rumors in taverns (not an exact quote): "Some Nighonian lady aspires to be the queen of Nighon". So, Dragon Clash was in c.a. 1173 (after AB and M&M8).

I found that myself a few days ago. Mutare is not specifically mentioned there at all, and there are quite a few conquerers in Nighon who happen to be female. It's not exactly ironclad proof

In addition:

"Foreign Lords! How interesting! My familiar said she could smell the earth of the lands across the sea on you. My name is Tor Anwyn, leader of the Warlocks of Nighon, though not King of Nighon. That title belongs to another. Pleased to meet you."

This king wasn't Ordwald or Rauric, they were just lords. Mutare didn't mention him, and by all accounts should have - if he had been in power at that time. As such, it appears he succeeded her briefly, before Tarnum came charging into Nighon.

Besides, if Dragon Clash was before Restoration Wars, Adrienne would be too young to have romantic relationship with Tarnum .

Romance is hinted, but not explicitly stated. We only know that they had "a relationship".

Besides, Adrienne being 15-17 years old isn't about to stop a 1000 year old man. And you can't explain away the King of Erathia mention by saying Mr. Ray didn't know Nicolas was dead by AB or that they actually meant the Regent, General Kendal (who, if that were so, probably ought to have mentioned having personally fought Mutare's armies to Xanthor at the REMC meeting?).

And Waerjak would be around 7 years old (which isn't, since he is in his teen years and hunts alone in Dragon Clash).

There is no mention of teen years in CotD, just assumptions based on the fact that he hunts (btw who knows what he's hunting? young children can hunt rabbits, for example). But:

1164 - CotD (age 11)
1175 - Reckoning (age 22)
1176 - Events of Glory of Days Past (age 23)

The GoDP date is not definite, of course, but that's a matter to be debated in the Axeoth timeline thread. We bump CotD up to 1173 and Waerjak would be so old he'd have no need of a caretaker.

Paradise. Since there is no solid proof that Paradise is the separate plane of existence (the only one, Allyson's dream, was sent by Deezelisk and is not very reliable), Terry Ray messed up HC storyline in the field of relation to the rest of M&M lore and the Paradise as a plane contradicts M&M universe's style, I think it's safer to assume the the Paradise is the different level of consciousness, which the Ancestors create for noble and valiant souls.

Well I still think it's the Plane of Life, and I'm sticking to that unless we have proof other than "Terry Ray, in my humble opinion, had no clue"

Add to this fact, that Crystal dragons were created for Dracon and Mutare has there in her army at the end of her campaing (and in Clash of the Dragon).

Add to this fact that she created them thirty years before Dracon's campaign...

[XEL II]

I found that myself a few days ago. Mutare is not specifically mentioned there at all, and there are quite a few conquerers in Nighon who happen to be female. It's not exactly ironclad proof

I don't see how Mutare can be the King of Nighon. And Tarnum was not even invented during that time. And you seriously think that NWC would mention "another female Nighonian conqueror", while having an entire campaign in the same game about Mutare? Besides, in the rumors in that same mission there were references to Armageddon's Blade War, Dracon's quest, Conflux's arrival and Festival of Life in Krewlod.
Reckoining was in 1177, because Tim Lang said that Nicolai was around 23 in M&M9 (he was born in 1155) and was around for few weeks or months by the time player met up with him. M&M9 was in the beggining of 521 AC. That means:
1177 AS/520 AC - Reckoining
1178 As/521 AC - M&M9

And you can't explain away the King of Erathia mention by saying Mr. Ray didn't know Nicolas was dead by AB or that they actually meant the Regent, General Kendal (who, if that were so, probably ought to have mentioned having personally fought Mutare's armies to Xanthor at the REMC meeting?).

The fact that there is no mention anywhere about Erathian-AvLeean war with Nighon taking place before RoE. And it should have been mentioned anyway. About the King of Erathia I think that this is one of storywriter's many mistakes.

The GoDP date is not definite, of course, but that's a matter to be debated in the Axeoth timeline thread. We bump CotD up to 1173 and Waerjak would be so old he'd have no need of a caretaker.

Well, if GoDP was year after Reckoining:
1164 - Waerjak's age 8
1173 - Waerjak's age 17
1179 - Waerjak's age 23
Tarnum was going to the war and who said the Adrienne was a "babysitter". She could just keep an eye on Waerjak.

Well I still think it's the Plane of Life, and I'm sticking to that unless we have proof other than "Terry Ray, in my humble opinion, had no clue" devious

Another proof? Paradise as a plane contradicts M&M universe's style. And Terry Ray surely had no clue about general M&M lore. For example, if he played M&M RPGs, he would know much more about the Kreegans than that little information HoMM3 provided. And tell me how the afterlife (Paradise) can be the Plane of Life?