At the southern bend of the Dragonmid River, where the lower and upper branches of the great river come together, a group of small countries have held a tenous existence between several powerful forces. These Duchies, as they are called, all trace their existence back to the chaos surrounding the Apocalypse, the cataclysmic magical mishap which destroyed the mighty Daramar Empire and created the sterile desert known as the Apocalypse Waste. Twelve war dukes, who were in command of forces arrayed against the Rogon and Dragon forces to the west, immediately took control of areas around their commands in order to preserve order. The current rulers hold their titles in direct line of descent from those commanders of five hundred years ago.
In the intervening years, the political survival of these last vestiges of Daramar power has been a constant struggle. To the north, the savage northmen took over the Empire’s second city, Mirrormik, and have turned it (at times) into a major economic and military force. To the east, the enigmatic Druids hold the March Woods, a place which not even the Daramar Empire could wrest from them. To the west, hordes of Rogon, dragon-worshipping lizard men, constantly threaten the humans of Daramar. Seventy-five years ago, amid the slaughter of the rogon wars, many of the southern duchies fell to barbarians out of the jungle. Further south, the island mageocracy of Grekia has expanded to the mainland, enslaving all they find to work on their vast plantations.
Within the Duchies, internal divisions create further dangers. The old Daramar Empire was dominated by the monotheistic faith of the aniphon; the cataclysms of the last two hundred years have severely tested the faithful. There are currently two factions—one based in law and obedience, and the other in freedom and mutual aid—battling for dominance in the ancient religion, and tensions mount. Further complicating this religious strife is the recent upsurge of converts to the gods of Grekia—a polytheistic group which promises more power and riches for those who pay them homage.
It is a time when many feel that the old traditions are breaking down, but also fear what may emerge to take their place. Place no longer promises stability in a time of shifting ideas and allegiances. It is a time when people join with those who share beliefs, hoping to find strength together for the hard times all know are coming. It is a time of great danger, but also a great opportunity for those bold enough to act decisively. Like the rogon wars of three generations ago, this is an age in need of heroes.
