Faerun is a region at war. Recently a narrow miss from a comet and a planar invasion by aberrant creatures has caused panic amongst many of the city states and nations in Faerun.
The Swords Coast
Fearful that another disaster will come along and wipe out the progress of mankind again, Lord Piergieron, the lord protector of Waterdeep has announced his intention on forming a Faerunian Empire, naming himself as Emperor. His claims are that for humanity to survive they have to pool their resources and develop technology and magic that can stop things like future spellplagues, world shattering earthquakes, planar invasions, or destruction at the hands of elder dragons. Given the history of Faerun, many people agree with him and with most of his subjects seeing the Lord as a fair and just Lord; the armies from most of the nearby city states and people throughout Delimbiyr Vale are now prepared to follow him as Emperor.
The Silver Marches
A loose collection of city states, the response to Lord Piergieron is mixed. Commoner paranoia is taking hold in some areas, with many claiming that the Lords proclamation is an indication that the next apocalypse is on
it's way, others are using it as an excuse to search the Elven ruins of the region knowing people will now pay a lot for relics of the last empire for a multitude of reasons. There is a lot of talk coming from Silverymoon that the Marches are not opposed to the idea of a Faerunian Empire, but are instead looking to find the true heir to Tel-Quassir, the ancient elven empire. It would be 15 generations or more, since the empire existed; but there are people claiming the rightful heir has been found. This could mark a race war as elves attempt to reclaim land that has since been settled by humans and used by them for more than a dozen generations.
Nentir Vale
Being very close to Waterdeep, opinions on this claim of Lord Piergieron as Emperor are high spirited. Most support his claim but their support comes with a price. Nentir Vale is an extremely fertile and magically empowered region. Many rare herbs and magical plants grow here easily and it's caused the area to become quite rich. However, the people are particularly puritanical about their region. They don't want to invite disaster and as such innately magical or plane touched races are treated with hostility, as are half-orc who are seen as a sign that an orc raiding party or warband aren't far. Tieflings, Eladrin, and Half-Orcs are usually refused service at inns here; and barely tolerated even in market areas. The most worrying trend from Nentir Vale though is the regular reports of Lycanthrope in the area, with sightings of Werewolves having increased 3 fold in the last few months.
Cormyr
The Kingdom Of Cormyr is responding very poorly to these claims by both Lord Peirgieron and others as the Emperor of the region. Many in the nation are perceiving it as a concerted attack on the nations sovereignty and as such they're preparing for war. Considering Cormyr has been at war for 2 decades with the Netheril, a nation of extra-planar wizards using the inately magical Anauroch Desert as their base of operations; they're used to preparing for conflicts. With the Purple Dragon Knights and War Wizards based out of Cormyr, even with the backing of multiple regions; Cormyr will not come quietly.
The Lands Of Intrigue
The countries south of the Swords Coast, namely Amn, Tethyr, Calimshan, and Turmish are using this political manoeuvring by the northern powers as an excuse to push their own agendas. Being the area hit hardest by the Spellplague, all of these nations have heavy restrictions on the use of arcane magic, with Amn particularly making it outright illegal. Their belief is that magic, particularly Arcane magic is tapping into the life-force of the plane and disturbing it. Considering these nations lost more than half of their population when the Spellplague hit only 50 years ago, they're understandably cautious. Many of the people in charge in these countries where children at the height of the plague so fear of it happening again is profound. Currently the population of Amn in particular are is support of their government, the elected Council Of Six, to take over the entirety of Faerun and impose restrictions on the Arcane in all corners of the world. Considering Amn is the most expansive nation, with colonies in the Jungles Of Chult as well as in far off continents like Maztica it's a genuine contender for a power play; especially as the rest of the Lands Of Intrigue, would oppose a northern Emperor with no respect for the dangers of the Arcane far more than a council of elders elected by the respected merchants guilds of Amn.
The Cold Lands
In the North East, there's little alarm from these issues. The Dwarven Kingdom of Vaasa considers any claims on their land to be a joke and has openly said they would use their far superior technology to destroy any would-be conqueror without a second thought. The refined gunpowder, paraffin engines, and clockwords of the Dwarves means their weapons of war, firearms, and siege weapons are by far the best in the world. Other nations in the area beyond Vaasa, such as Impiltur and Narfell are far less worried about the Swords Coast who they consider misguided but ultimately good hearted; and more worried about the Thayans.
The Thayan Enclave
The Thayan Enclave is a terrifying nation. Fascist and extremely corrupt the nation is ruled by the Archmage Szass Tam, a Lich who has been ruling for almost 400 years. Believing himself to be near Godlike it's his intention to rule the world as a Tyrant. It's only though the life of luxury and a general lack of motivation that he's not make moves to invade sooner, but with so many people making political power plays the Necromancer King may well look to increase his influence once again. With a nation that embraces slavery, the powerful Red Wizards and an undead army at his disposal; Thay man prove to be one of the more powerful nations in Faerun. Considering rumours are brewing that Szass Tam has been working to bind, control, or manipulate an Elder Dragon into his service, things can only get worse for Faerun if the Thayan Enclave decides to make it's move.
Returned Abeir (Laerakond)
The small continent to the south of Faerun may only be less than a quarter the size of Faerun but it's influence is getting stronger every year. The homeland of the Dragonborn, a race of humanoid half-dragons; many worry that the time of Elves, Humans, and Dwarves is over and the future belongs to the Dragonborn. Larger, stronger and with faster reaction times; as well as possessing a natural talent with the Arcane, many of the other races find the Dragonborn intimidating. What makes Abeir a true force to be reckoned with though is that the continent has recently been unified. The four nations that make up the continent now refer to themselves as Laerakond, a union of nations that works as one unit to forge stronger trade and develop more influence. Unlike Thay which is rumoured to have the an Elder Dragon involved, Laerakond is undoubtedly lead by an Elder Dragon; Bahamut, the Kingmaker. So powerful that he is worshipped as a living embodiment of their God in many places. Bahamut is one of the most capable beings on the plane and could have a profound effect on the future of Faerun. Thanfully Bahamut has no desire to take over Faerun... so far.
And that marks the current political state of Faerun. As the old proverb and curse goes, "May you live in interesting times". Well if you're living in Faerun you most certainly are; and it may just get you killed... or worse.
The commoners feel powerless to change anything, the nobility are aware they're pawns in the worst possible game of chess ever, and the rulers are paranoid, manipulative, or just plain power-mad. For the adventurer this spells opportunity. Will you respond out of duty? Will you manipulate the situation to your own ends? Will you act out of idealism? Will you try to end the fighting and corruption? Or will you use these uncertain times to make your fortune? Faerun is a powder-keg waiting to explode; a potential 5-way battle for the right to be Emperor of a multitude of nations with vastly different outlooks and ideals. War is inevitable here now...
Friday 8 July 2016
Forgotten Realms - Backgrounds & History
The continent know as Faerun has a long history, but it is not one where we find the region prosperous and well off at the end but rather rebuilding and besieged. Over 1000 years ago, the region was home to many nations; most of which where far grander than the nations of today.
Tel-Quessir the elven empire in the north west spread from the Swords Coast to The Moonsea, and as far south as The Dragonmere. It was a leading force in magical knowledge particularly Druidic magic. For a long time the elves where considered the paragon of the humanoid races and history tells us it's from the elves that humans learned to harness magic, and develop cities. It is widely agreed that elves and humans where once one race, which explains why they're able to interbreed, and why the half-elf is still possible today. Sadly for the elves, this empire was destroyed in one of the most famous wars; when the Dragons and Elves fought. Legend has it that only six elder dragons opposed Tel-Quessir, and yet the elves still lost handedly. Still to this day no empire has come close to it's size in Faerun. The reminiscences of the elven empire can be seen across the north to this day. The Silver Marches region is littered with Elven Ruins, and the city of Silverymoon still stands. In the east of what was the empire, the last of the elves on the mainland have formed the nation of Cormanthor. Ultimately though the land has fallen into chaos as multiple kingdoms, mainly human moved in to fill the vacuum left after the war. The kingdoms of Sembia and Cormyr formed first, and smaller city states still make up most of the rest of this area. Rich in history the Swords Coast has rebuilt on the sites on many of the old elven cities, and adventurers regularly go in search of relics. Old magic knowledge lost to time, or technologies yet to be rediscovered.
Map Of Faerun - 800 Years Ago; 200 years after the fall of Tel-Quessir.
Of the human nations of old, Chondath and Chessenta; both along the south of the Sea Of Fallen Stars, where two of the richer and more enlightened. With vast cities, growing populations, and by being pioneers in social reform, art, and the sciences; these two nations became the centre of human culture. Such was their influence, that the Chondathan and Chessentan languages are still two of the most widely spoken in Faerun despite neither nation surviving. In the east of Faerun a third human nation, Thay, was becoming a reasonable regional power, later becoming the leading authority on arcane magic amongst the humans. Today, Thay is the only one of these great nations still to exist and many claim that fascism and corruption has destroyed it after all; so none of the great human nations still exist. The main culprits for the downfall of these nations was the earthquake that caused the formation of Underchasm and the spellplague that followed, creating massive issues with wild magic and killing 1/3rd of the population of Faerun in a single generation. While the history of humanity isn't as devastated as the elves, much of the great history of humanity has been lost, leaving plenty of space for adventurers to discover.
In the south, the dwarven kingdoms of Halruaa, Luiren and Dambrath where leading forces in trade and technology, developing leaps forward such as the discovery of gunpowder, the invention of the glass lens, and pioneering better methods of forging steel and other alloys. Together these three kingdoms became known as the Southern Union; a political power second only to Tel-Quessir. While the south was the lands of the dwarf, other dwarven kingdoms did exist. In the north the kingdom of Vaasa was a smaller but powerful dwarven nation; today it is the only remaining dwarven kingdom after natural disasters and orcish and gnoll invasions have destroyed much of the dwarves history. The southern kingdoms where devastated by the great earthquake and many cities physically fell into underchasm while others found themselves swallowed by the rising seas. Though parts of Dambrath still exist it is a shadow of it's former self, and Vaasa has a shrinking population besieged by orcs and trolls. It's clear the dwarves have little left on Faerun and many wonder if this is the beginning of the end for the noble race.
Map Of Faerun - Present Day
Many lament that Faerun is slipping backwards. That war, tribalism, disasters, corruption, and the monstrous prevent greatness. That all three of the humanoid races; Elves, Humans, and Dwarves; have already seen the peaks of their achievements and are now waining... waiting to be replaced by something better. Others see it as merely a dark age that needs to be fought against, a chance for adventurers and explorers to rediscover what is lost and help rebuild the world better than before.
Tel-Quessir the elven empire in the north west spread from the Swords Coast to The Moonsea, and as far south as The Dragonmere. It was a leading force in magical knowledge particularly Druidic magic. For a long time the elves where considered the paragon of the humanoid races and history tells us it's from the elves that humans learned to harness magic, and develop cities. It is widely agreed that elves and humans where once one race, which explains why they're able to interbreed, and why the half-elf is still possible today. Sadly for the elves, this empire was destroyed in one of the most famous wars; when the Dragons and Elves fought. Legend has it that only six elder dragons opposed Tel-Quessir, and yet the elves still lost handedly. Still to this day no empire has come close to it's size in Faerun. The reminiscences of the elven empire can be seen across the north to this day. The Silver Marches region is littered with Elven Ruins, and the city of Silverymoon still stands. In the east of what was the empire, the last of the elves on the mainland have formed the nation of Cormanthor. Ultimately though the land has fallen into chaos as multiple kingdoms, mainly human moved in to fill the vacuum left after the war. The kingdoms of Sembia and Cormyr formed first, and smaller city states still make up most of the rest of this area. Rich in history the Swords Coast has rebuilt on the sites on many of the old elven cities, and adventurers regularly go in search of relics. Old magic knowledge lost to time, or technologies yet to be rediscovered.
Of the human nations of old, Chondath and Chessenta; both along the south of the Sea Of Fallen Stars, where two of the richer and more enlightened. With vast cities, growing populations, and by being pioneers in social reform, art, and the sciences; these two nations became the centre of human culture. Such was their influence, that the Chondathan and Chessentan languages are still two of the most widely spoken in Faerun despite neither nation surviving. In the east of Faerun a third human nation, Thay, was becoming a reasonable regional power, later becoming the leading authority on arcane magic amongst the humans. Today, Thay is the only one of these great nations still to exist and many claim that fascism and corruption has destroyed it after all; so none of the great human nations still exist. The main culprits for the downfall of these nations was the earthquake that caused the formation of Underchasm and the spellplague that followed, creating massive issues with wild magic and killing 1/3rd of the population of Faerun in a single generation. While the history of humanity isn't as devastated as the elves, much of the great history of humanity has been lost, leaving plenty of space for adventurers to discover.
In the south, the dwarven kingdoms of Halruaa, Luiren and Dambrath where leading forces in trade and technology, developing leaps forward such as the discovery of gunpowder, the invention of the glass lens, and pioneering better methods of forging steel and other alloys. Together these three kingdoms became known as the Southern Union; a political power second only to Tel-Quessir. While the south was the lands of the dwarf, other dwarven kingdoms did exist. In the north the kingdom of Vaasa was a smaller but powerful dwarven nation; today it is the only remaining dwarven kingdom after natural disasters and orcish and gnoll invasions have destroyed much of the dwarves history. The southern kingdoms where devastated by the great earthquake and many cities physically fell into underchasm while others found themselves swallowed by the rising seas. Though parts of Dambrath still exist it is a shadow of it's former self, and Vaasa has a shrinking population besieged by orcs and trolls. It's clear the dwarves have little left on Faerun and many wonder if this is the beginning of the end for the noble race.
Many lament that Faerun is slipping backwards. That war, tribalism, disasters, corruption, and the monstrous prevent greatness. That all three of the humanoid races; Elves, Humans, and Dwarves; have already seen the peaks of their achievements and are now waining... waiting to be replaced by something better. Others see it as merely a dark age that needs to be fought against, a chance for adventurers and explorers to rediscover what is lost and help rebuild the world better than before.
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