HISTORY:
The Known World was once a place of magic. Elves and Dwarves ruled the land, and the power of the GODS could be seen everywhere. AREK, “The Bright” God of the Sun, was discontented though. He wanted something special, something to call his own, hence he created Humans… at least that’s what any Cleric of AREK will tell you.
Human civilization grew quickly, mostly due to Humans being a much more prolific race than the Dwarves and Elves. Soon Human settlements were found everywhere. The Great Empire of Themul was founded and the Humans began to spread out. At first the Humans were on good terms with their neighbors, indeed trade flourished between Man, Dwarf, and Elf. Only the Goblinoid tribes far to the North remained aloof, holding their allegiances to KARSH, “The Stormlord” and ATROPOS, “The Tyrant.” ATROPOS especially resented AREK’S creations and the great power they were swiftly amassing. “The Tyrant” convinced KARSH that the Humans were a threat that must be extinguished.
Thus began the Race Wars. Goblinoid tribes surged into the Southlands, killing everyone in their way. Even Elves and Dwarves fell under the blades of KARSH'S children. This greatly angered GAI, “The Earthmother” and BASTION, “The Battlelord,” the patrons of the Elves and Dwarves. The fighting was harsh and bloody, the Goblinoids outnumbered even the Human’s three to one. Conquest seemed inevitable.
CORAN, “The Magi” God of Knowledge, saw that without his aid the minions of Evil would wipe out the other Races. He stepped forward and gave the struggling Humans “The Gift.” Until then only the Elder Races could use magic. Giving Humans “The Gift” was a controversial decision; most of the GODS believed Humans were not ready for “The Gift.” Ultimately, though, it turned the tide of the War.
The Humans, now armed with magic, led the Elder races into battle and drove the Goblinoids back into the North. The hoards were defeated, but not destroyed.
All of the races suffered heavy losses in the Race Wars. This was more significant for the less numerous Dwarves and Elves. The Elder races became more aloof, retreating somewhat to try and rebuild their civilizations. They seemed content to let the Humans shape the Known World.
The centuries passed, Human civilization grew and the other Races declined. The Elves, who once were spread over the entire Known World, now kept mostly to themselves in their forest nation, Glenfaddich. The Dwarves likewise remained in their cities to the North East, in the region now known as Gontal. Everything to the South belonged to the Humans. AREK’S children created a great civilization using “The Gift.” It was an era of enlightenment and prosperity. Peace reigned.
To the North, beaten but not forgotten, the Goblinoid tribes waited for their chance to get revenge on the other Races. Their chance came with the appearance of the Dark King. No one knows who the Dark King is, or where he came from. It is commonly believed that ATROPOS raped a Human female and the Dark King was born of this union. What is known for sure is that the Dark King is a powerful Warrior and Wizard. He was able to whip the Goblinoid tribes into a frenzy. He gifted some of the Goblinoids with magic, and lured members of the other races to his side with promises of “immortality and untold power.” The Dark King raised a fearsome army.
Once again, Humans, Elves and Dwarves joined forces to repel the invaders, but even the combined might of the Races was not enough to defeat the Dark King. Perhaps because of his Unholy Conception, the Dark King proved to be an unbeatable foe. Fighting at the head of his armies, he could shrug off wounds that would kill any living creature and his magic cut a swath through the Armies of his enemies. It appeared this time that Evil would triumph and eclipse the Known World.
Out of the chaos a group of Adventurers appeared. Known now only as “The Heroes,” they possessed abilities never before seen in the Known World. Some believed them to be blessed by the GODS. In any case they fought a mighty battle with the Dark King himself and somehow defeated him. It is unclear how they did this though, the method of their triumph is a fact lost to time. Soon after the Dark War, as the conflict was called, “The Heroes” disappeared, leaving the Races to rebuild from the ashes. CORAN, “The Magi” stepped forward again and informed his followers that the Dark King was not killed in the final battle. Even “The Heroes” were not powerful enough to do that. Instead they trapped him in a magical prison where he could do no more harm. CORAN then gave his followers a series of prophesies called The Oracle. It stated that the Dark King would one day escape his prison and again threaten the Known World. It also stated that a new group of heroes would arise to combat him and finally destroy him. This group, The Hand of Destiny would reshape the Known World into a place of everlasting peace. He created the Order of Magi to help make The Oracle come about.
If the Race Wars hit the Known World hard, it was nothing compared to the damage caused by the Dark War. It is believed that the very fabric of magic was damaged in the climatic final battle. “The Gift” diminished and children born with the ability to wield magic became a rarity. The GOD’S influence on the Known World also began to decrease; fewer and fewer priests received Divine powers.
The decline of magic greatly affected the Races. The Dwarves, their numbers diminished, and their power waning, left the Known World entirely. Where they went is a question no one can accurately answer. Some believe they retreated underground and have rebuilt their civilization beneath the region now known as Gontal.
The Elves also retreated. They closed the borders of Glenfaddich and the number of Elves who traveled the Known World fell to a mere handful.
Only the AREK’S children seemed to thrive after the Dark War. Humans quickly filled the lands left by the Elder Races. The Nation of Sheridar was created in the North to keep the Goblinoids contained and Aridan and Calaran were formed. Even the former Dwarven lands were settled and renamed Gontal. See NATIONS to learn more about the different countries and how they fit into the Known World.
It has been 500 years since the Dark War. The Empire of Themul has fallen into decadence and Calaran has fallen under the rule of the Church of The One True God. Magic is rare and Elves and Dwarves are considered fairy tales to most commoners. The Order of Magi has become a powerful political group, and they wait patiently for the time of The Oracle. It is a time for new legends, a time for new heroes, a time for new magic. Now is the time…
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