Recent History.
A forenote, when I create a setting, and I have the virgin campaign (as this is), I usually give players a lot of leeway with their background. As such, from their ideas, along with mine, histroy is created. In backgrounds people can create towns, wars, etc, and I'll do my best in incorporate them, within reason. However, there are a few set things as of recent...
The Betrayal: Several hundred years ago, which is hardly any time at all for and Elf, Humankind and Halflingkind betrayed the Elven races. Persuaded by Gnomish and Dwarven offers of untold riches, slaves, and a plan to bring light to the nightscape of Harracht, Human/Halflingkind give them the secrets to the forest enclaves of the Elves, places which were made to ward off the roaming horrors of the night.
The Humans/Halflings were convinced that Elvenkind was hiding these magics to themselves, and such, a great war started. The Dwarves and Gnomes infiltrated the homes of the Elves, casting them down and ending the beautiful magics which kept them safe in this world of darkness. Too late, did Humankind realize it's mistake.
Elvenkind fled, deeper into the forests. For a time, they relentlessly assaulted Human holds, while Halflings, horrified at what they had done, lead a small war upon the Dwarves and Gnomes. Failing that, the Halflings also fled into the dark bowers. Elvenkind, however, in it's inifnite patience and wisdom, reorganized and slowly left Humankind alone. All of a sudden, Humankind was all alone in the vast emptiness of Harracht.
The years passed, and Elves slowly began to emerge from the dark bowers, turned very severe and hardened against the horrors of the night. Halfling kind devoted their civilization to Elvenkind (as described previously in 'Races'), in hopes of pennace for the destruction of their works. Elvenkind now still has remorse for Humankind's actions in their heart, but have seen that they must work together toward survival against the evil Dwarves and scheming Gnomes.
The Bone War: Three years ago, this dreadful war occured. The connsumation of countless attempts to gather deceased bodies-either through murder, theft, poisoning water suppies, or worse-the legions of Gnomish Necromancers raised a grand army of unlife. These legions stood brilliant, polished white-a grand army of bones, inpervious to most missile fire, and willing to fight to their second death. Backed by greated undead, these wretched hordes marched across the main expanse of Harracht, sacking villages with extreme prejudice. Every life lost lead to more ranks in the Grand Army of Unlife.
Elvenkind, in a sense, took a step into the light. Amounting amazingly trained armies, extremely diverse units all elitely trained in their particular aspect of warfare, outdid most Human armies, even with their small numbers. Halflings, all following vows of silence and wearing clothing to appear as nothing but small shadows, streamers of brilliant blue showing their remose for the Betrayal, followed their Elven retainers to the bitter end. Devotion as such had never been seen before on Harracht, and it, in itself, rallied many Human troops in an otherwise hopeless war.
(This also introduced the concept of
Isilme. Previously, Humankind simply worshipped Light. It kept them safe from the delvers in unlife, and it was a concept very mystical, as a Sun had never shone over Harracht. Yet, Elvenkind began to bestow the word
Isilme upon Humans of great valor. Humankind realized that they were all along worshipping, and being granted their Divine powers, by the good inherant in people, not by the lights shed by flame. In fact, several Human legions used
Isilme as their warcry.)
Slowly, methodically, the combined forces of Humankind, Elvenkind, and Halfling kind beat back the hordes of undead and sent Gnomish and Dwarvenkind to lick their wounds in the darkness. But this victory was not costless, for many good lives were lost, as well.
* * *
Tada. Anyway, so far I've got
2 players, pretty much guarenteed. If you're interested, get me an e-mail (at
dave_o@qx.net) with the following:
1. Name, all that jazz, along with time zone and available times.
2. Finished character sheet (stats only), to which I'll send you a template for a background.
And I'll add you to my list!