Feint Whispers Compiled Campaign Info

[jasamcarl]

While gnomes have largly been able to ingratiate themselves into the societies of the mortal races, and even turn their fey-heritage into something of a virtue, elves and orcs are still regarded as somewhat alien. This is not to say that their isn't frequent interaction, but rather that such contact is driven by fear and certain pragmatic conscerns, not threw a real understanding.

Elves are a case in point. They have been around since before recorded imperial history. Two thousand years ago, they ruled much of the land that constitutes the Northern Empire today, wielding ancient magics and convorting, along with their allied human tribes, with local nature spirits. They were arrogant and refused to submit to the will of the true gods, which lead to the then Emporer Vespacious' conquest of Fey'ri after he hand concluded the war against the fiends. Their cities were decimated, and much of their ancient knowledge and magic plundered for the glory of the Empire. What remained of the elven tribes retreated deep into their woodlands to watch the mortals build a lawful, virtuous society around them. Today, they remain in much the same condition. They don't seem bitter over their fall for grace, and in fact, many don't seem to have much knowledge at all of their origins, heritage, and decline. Elves have a very apathetic attitude towards the rest of the world, having no strong ideology..their only distinct god is one of mercenaries. The mercenary attitude is the best characterzation of their culture, protective of their tribes and liberties, but otherwise strictly pragmatic (CN/N).

The orcs are similar to the elves in their emphasis on protection of oneself through the tribe as well as their tendency towards the mercenary profession and attitude. But they are not nearly as lethargic as the elves, taking joy in battle and conquest, and still largly motivated by the alien god they brought with them from the east when they ravaged the empire those few hundred years ago, Grummsh. They, like the elves, do not know of their origins, being unable to keep a tribal history, but their drive still seems strong, which might be a result of their relativly short stay in imperial lands; some have even adopted human and dwarf gods, even lawful ones. Their are signs that they be adapting, though they still show more political ambition than the elves, many forcing their ways into high miliatary command in all three empires. They still seem alien, but they can speak the language of this chaotic age's nobles, namely bloodshed and a respect for strength.

 

[jasamcarl]

The Cosmology (General)

The cosmology of the world is simple. There are three layers stacked one on top of the other.

The lowest layer is composed of the Prime Material, which stands at its center and the coterminous four elemental planes which swirl like a hurricane around the prime.

The next higher layer is often called the Realm of the Waiter or the Land of Passing. It is coterminous to the planes below and above it. It is here that souls are judged before being allowed to pass to the home of their patron diety. The Plane is largly neutral, though certain regions deviate somewhat. Notable features include the City of the Dead, home to the Laughing God. This necropolis of incredible size rests in the center of a veritable sea of negative energy. At the center of the City itself is the Infernal Pit, gateway to Hell. Those judged faithless or unworthy of the Gods' graces are thrown into this pit and tortured for all time. The Moon and Stars that one sees in the sky at night is on this layer. The same goes for the Sun.

The highest layer is often referred to as the Heavenly Empire, as it is said to be an ideal version of the empire mortals on the prime still cling to as a political ideal. Until recently, the entire layer was tilted towards a LG alignment, but the Schism as torn it into three distinct planes. The Northern Gods reside in Mount Celestia..the mountain itself is LG in alignment; Moradin, Lothar, and Steffas have all built their realms along the rise of the Mount. All souls are vigorously screened by the Archon Lords before being allowed to ascend to the Plateu. It is on this flat surface, at the infinitly high peak of the Mount, that the City of Grace rests. This is the home of Telmor, the All-Father, founder of the Compact and rightful Ruler of the Gods. The City itself is strongly Good aligned.

The Plane of Conquest is the home of the Southern gods. The plane itself is said to be curved, like into a spherical shape. The entire plane is dotted by cities of petitioners, all administered by Policious from the 'capital' of High Somm, where Vespacious the Emporer God makes his realm. The first Emporer of Man is continuously marsheling his armies for assaults on the Northern and D'orite 'Insurgent' Gods.

Finally is the Plane of All, home to the D'orite Gods. The plane is thought to resemble a grey, flat expanse, perfectly uniform. So uniform in fact that spotting the little variations that are the hallmark of an individual God's work is all but impossible. Different sections of the 'ground' rise and fall seemingly at random; the Gods, and the right mortals know the what the pattern is.