If my MMO knowledge serves me correctly there are usually time jumps or at least some clarification of time moving forward at major expansions to the game. I know this was the case with World of Warcraft throughout the many expansions. But like the previous poster said, I think time will be pretty fluid to account for all the players. Though the establishment of the Crystal Braves seems to be a pretty big deal, I hope we get more content dealing with them in the future.