The Fifth Age has been a time of revolution
The Fifth Age has thus far been a time of amazing strides for the human race, granting many humans dominance throughout central Gielinor largely due to the discovery of runes at the end of the Fourth Age. Positive advances in humanity’s lifestyle include military, technological, theological, philosophical, political, and economic strides. The Fifth Age, as a result, has been referred to by some as the “Age of Humans”.
The Fifth Age has been a time of revolution, mostly concerning religion of Saradomin. Prior to the Fifth Age, Saradominism was a well-known religion and philosophy, but it was no more widespread than Zamorakian or Guthixian worship. With runes, however, the human nations devout to Saradomin were able to gain supremacy, sparking massive changes in the theological and secular lives of many.
The early Fifth Age was dominated by human expansion. Under King Raddallin, the nation of Asgarnia and its capital city of Falador were founded. Meanwhile, the ancient line of Misthalanian kings continued to expand Varrock and its feudal townships into an agricultural hub of activity. Kandarin, under varying leadership, expanded to meet Asgarnia’s border and essentially unite the three nations into one massive human realm.
Despite the unstable nature of the early Fifth Age, it was a time of great prosperity. Saradominist philosophy, which had already begun to grow, even as the Elves ruled during the Fourth Age, would evolve to the point where religion was the most important aspect of day-to-day life for most people. Saradomin’s wisdom would go unquestioned for years as the Church of Saradomin gained footholds in many governments, controlling the flow of knowledge and ideas in more settled regions. As the standard of living rose, so did the overall literacy rate, sparking the spread of literature in both history and entertainment. Many of these writings were the work of Saradominist philosophers and cultural theologists, igniting an era of religious revolution.