Praetoria Timeline – not adding up for me

[Zombie Hustler]

Some other thoughts:

Does anyone know what issue Tina Macintyre was introduced? It looks like it was issue #1 (2004, not too long after game launch). In any event, if we assume a rough 1-to-1 timeline correlation between the game's RL history and the in-game history, then "first contact" between Primal and Praetoria is during that issue in Tina Macintyre's "Praetorian War" arc, so 2004.

We know that that arc was actually Praetoria's first foray into Primal, which was prompted by the "first shot" of Ultimatum invading/infiltrating Praetoria. The timeline on that is a little bit less clear, but perhaps we can glean some info from Maelstrom's history and just some general extrapolation?

Maelstrom: born 1980, joined the military right out of high school (presumably 18, so 1998). He ended up being moved into the Ultimatum group sometime after being promoted to sergeant. It isn't clear whether Ultimatum operated during the timeframe of the Rikti War (2002).

When did Ultimatum acquire its portal technology? Portal Corp was formed some time after 1986 (the conclusion of the War on Superadine). Ultimatum could have gotten its hands on a portal any time between then and 2004.

Erring on the side of caution, I'm guessing Ultimatum probably didn't get portal technology until after the Rikti War (and might have acquired it from the Rikti themselves), and began their investigation of Praetoria at that point. (Of course, Maelstrom notes in dialogue during Mr. G's arc that his superiors have known about Praetoria even longer than he thought, which would certainly be true if they stole the Maelstrom device from Praetoria. So I may have to revise this notion and push it back even farther).

Also, as a side note regarding the Praetorian timeline, I'm increasingly convinced that the Praetorian story arcs should be considered as playing out over a longer span of time than just a play through would indicate. By which I mean that they should probably be considered as paralleling the arcs of the original City of Heroes storylines (ie, running from 2004 to 2010ish and the actual Praetorian Invasion/iTrials). Unfortunately, I'm not sure that works out, reference-wise (certain in-game events may be referenced in arcs at points too early to fit), but it always seemed to me that those arcs were meant to cover a range of dates and not just a few short weeks or months.

[Phaetan]

I'm pretty sure that Praetoria was introduced in Issue 2.  Others can state for certainty, though, as I need to log off in the next few minutes.  Timeflow in COH arcs is always wonky, even not including the weird retcon timewarp done with Statesman after his death.  Things clearly should have been spread over a longer timeframe, but dates are rather fluid int eh official text.

As an aside, Taci and I have a theory as to how to reconcile the official history of Praetoria as recounted in Primal storylines with players' experiences that can directly contradict that. (Such as not destroying the Enriche plant, for example.)

[JanessaVR]

Does anyone know what issue Tina Macintyre was introduced? It looks like it was issue #1 (2004, not too long after game launch). In any event, if we assume a rough 1-to-1 timeline correlation between the game's RL history and the in-game history, then "first contact" between Primal and Praetoria is during that issue in Tina Macintyre's "Praetorian War" arc, so 2004.

Yes, it was Issue 1, "Through the Looking Glass," as downix posted yesterday.  After reading his post I went and did some further research on ParagonWiki.  The very first mention of Praetoria was the Tina Macintyre missions, when then continue with missions from Maria Jenkins.  This is already in my latest revised fanon timeline (the 2004 entry).

[JanessaVR]

I'm pretty sure that Praetoria was introduced in Issue 2.

Nope, Issue 1.  First with Tina Macintyre, then continuing with Maria Jenkins.