Timeline
Map out the ebb and flow of your story arc.
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Map out the ebb and flow of your story arc.
Last updated
Was this helpful?
This guide has already been updated for our upcoming 4.0 release. Learn more .
Welcome to the Timeline page in Fortelling! This is where you map out the ebb and flow of your story’s chronology. Whether it’s a tense skirmish or the decades-long reign of a monarch, let’s dive into how to make the most of this feature.
A Timeline in Fortelling is a chronological list of Moments and Events:
Moments are points or spans in time (e.g., "Dawn of the Great War," "Year 23 of Queen Alcina’s Reign").
Events are what happen within those Moments (e.g., "First arrow fired at the Northern Gate," "Treaty signed at Mirtala Summit").
Combine these to paint a clear, ordered picture of your narrative’s flow.
Click the + button to add a new Moment or Event.
Moments can be tagged as a single point (date-only) or a period (start and end dates).
Events live under a Moment and can include rich descriptions.
Use the Shuffle button (next to the + icon) to reshuffle entries if you need to refine your story’s pace or correct chronology.
Make each entry vivid and searchable:
Labels: Color-code or tag entries (e.g., "Conflict," "Political," "Character-Driven").
Attachments: Upload images, concept art, or reference docs to any Moment or Event.
Story Elements: Link characters, locations, or magic systems—click the "Add Element" icon to connect these directly to your timeline.
Keep It Concise: Use Moments for major shifts (battles, coronations) and Events for key beats (dialogues, small skirmishes).
Leverage Labels: Create a consistent color scheme early; it helps you visually distinguish between military action and political intrigue.
Attach Smartly: Don’t upload every image; focus on maps, family trees, or critical prop sketches to avoid clutter.
Preparation at Dawn
14 June, 1325
- Scouts return with enemy positions
- Archers take high ground
Clash at the Northern Gate
15 June, 1325
- First arrow volley
- Cavalry charge repelled
Truce Negotiations
16 June, 1325
- Envoy outreach
- Temporary ceasefire
Attachments: Map of the battlefield, concept art of the gate defenses. Labels: "Military Action" (red), "Diplomacy" (blue).
Accession to the Throne
Jan 1, 1078
- Coronation ceremony
Conquest of the Eastern March
1082–1085
- Siege of Emberwood
- Surrender of March lords
Golden Era of Peace
1086–1098
- Charter of Free Trade
- Founding of the Academy of Scholars
Final Years and Legacy
1099–1102
- Illness and regency
- Succession planning for Princess Elinora
Story Elements: King Aurelius, Princess Elinora, Emberwood Keep. Labels: "Political" (green), "Expansion" (orange).
Happy plotting! Remember, your story’s backbone lives here; stay organized, stay inspired, and let your narrative march to the beat of your very own Timeline.
