The history of Krynn is commonly divided into three ages by historians, after the fashion of Astinus. Sometimes these ages are sub-divided into times but this division is not as consistent as the ages.

• The First Age, or Age of Starbirth, is a time of myth, wherein the world is formed. There are no records, only as collection of creation myths and legends, although certain events seem to recur across cultures.

• The Second Age, or Age of Dreams, is dominated by the birth of elven culture. Most records of this time come from the Lifesong Scroll of the elven bard Quivellin Soth, hence the elven bias. However, the ogre holy book - the Irdannaith - also contains records of this time.

  During the Second Age, the Ogre Empire rises and falls, the elves unite under Silvanos and fight dragons. New races appear when the Greystone of Gargath dances across the lands and these set forth to make their mark in history. Wild Magic menaces the land, and dragons return. The Orders of High Sorcery are formed to tame the magic and drive away the dragons once more. The elves wage the Kinslayer War and Kith-Kanan leads the forging of Qualinesti. The age is deemed to come to a close with his death.

• The Third Age, or Age of Might, sees the growth of the humans. Ergoth rises following the Kinslayer War and becomes a mighty empire, collapsing into tyranny. The Solamnic Knights are born from Vinas Solamnus' dreams of freedom and justice and forge links with the city-states of Istar.

  In the midst of the Third Age the dragons re-appear and the longest and bloodiest Dragon War yet is fought over fifty years. Eventually, so the legends say, Huma Dragonbane came at the time of greatest need, bringing with him the Dragonlance and the noble dragons of good. The dragons are driven away, hopefully for good.

  From the ashes of the war rises Istar, seeking dominion of the known world. Istar accomplished great deeds, uncovered great magic and was a nation of wisdom and goodness until its pride overtook it. The hubris of the last Kingpriest of Istar brought down the wrath of the gods upon Krynn. The Cataclysm was the result.

• The Fourth Age, or Age of Despair, followed. The land was changed and the old order was gone. New nations were born, old nations withered away. Survivors either turned inwards and became isolated or made war upon each other. Much of the learning of the past was lost, as were noble intentions and honour. It seemed that the gods had abandoned Krynn.