The history of the world of Krynn is roughly split into five separate ages. The first age is the time of creation, when the gods are born and Krynn is formed. The Age of Dreams, the second age, is marked by the rapid growth of the world's first great civilizations and the appearance of a myriad of new races. This era is also marked by three great wars between dragons and their minions. Following the Third Dragon War, in the Age of Might, the Cataclysm obliterates the great empire of Istar and changes almost all of Krynn's surface. A 300-year depression follows this event, in what is called the Age of Despair. This period also marks the War of the Lance.