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The Threshold Campaign Index History |
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The history as detailed here is a brief overview of major events as they are known by most... supposedly. There are usually more vivid details surrounding historic events but these would have to be researched by the individual or passed on from a knowledgeable individual. Some events overlap but are mostly chronologically written. This is by no means a complete history but it is what most commoners know.
Many centuries ago The Valley of Mist was a hallowed ground some sages say was "the soul of Mahiya". It was a valley with such beauty that "even the gods wept at seeing it". The four talismans- The Horn of Mahiya, The Medallion of Paladine, The Crystal of Sardior, and The Obelisk of Takhisis - were kept here and were the most holy of divine objects. Without explanation the talismans were suddenly gone. The Valley fell into oblivion. It became a place of the darkest nightmares with morose beauty.
The Kingdom of Vychia expanded as far south as the Dragonteeth Mountains, as far east as the Emerald Gulf, and as far north as present day Ghoul Swamp. The Empire of Xanthakos (Land of Shadows) grew in equal power. These two great cultures were in a constant, foul rivalry.
Many centuries later the Talismans were found by "The Chosen" and, with much struggle, returned to the Valley of Mist. The Valley was transformed back to its' original beauty. This rejuvenation was the catalyst of the Shadow War.Wildfire's Note: Many Scholars believe that it was the design of Takhisis's clerics to steal the Obelisk and hide the Medallion, the Crystal, and the Horn (especially the Horn).
The Shadow War, which was fought between the Kingdom of Vychia and the Empire of Xanthakos, was a harsh and bitter war. It was eventually won by Vychia but at a terrible price on both sides. The Vychian royal line was severed, the borders shrunk and chaos was law. The Elven Land- Kaaryn'Zyth was the front for many battles and the elves became extremely reclusive from human contact believing that as a race they couldn't be trusted. Wildfire's Note: The elves to this day are extremely xenophobic towards humans and carry an extremely racist attitude towards them. The people of the present day city-state of Kazbourne (which is very close to both Kaaryn'Zyth and Xanthakos) also have a racial bias against the Elves and to a lesser degree any non-humans and many citizens have sworn a blood oath against any and all Xanthakians.
Quickly after the war, Arcanists became the ruling force. The Arcanists became drunk with power and they sought to take control from each other. Thus igniting the Mage Wars.
Over time, the mages began to destroy each other. In one last stroke for power, opposing mages met in an attack obliterating each other. The Tortured Land is the result of that final battle. Much of what was known about magic was then lost. Wildfire's Note: The Tortured Land is a place of great danger. Many go in The Tortured Land and few of them return from it. Those who do survive are mad with fear.
The once great Kingdom of Vychia fell into severe decay. The usually quiet but watchful Druids decided that this dark time was their chance to set the stage for the future by picking up the pieces of this broken land. They brought the magic arts back from the brink of extinction but did it with their influence. The "Elementalists" became a new revolution in magic. It was still magic but it was magic of the four divine elements. The Kingdom was reformed into three city-states and there was a new understanding and respect for the ways of nature. It was indeed a social revolution. The old Clans of the Wildlands reclaimed their sovereignty and returned back to the clan life that once was. Hope replaced despair and times were now on an upswing. Wildfire's Note: Even now magic (not divine magic) is greatly mistrusted and in some places Wizards and Mages (DM Note: 3.5 ed. Sorcerers are called Mages in my campaign) are actively "witch hunted". Many Elementalists view "old art" wizards with suspicion but have a measure of respect for their arcane endeavors. Mages- intuitive spell casters- are fairly recent. It seems that magic as it was redefined by Druids somehow tapped an arcane reserve in some people. There is a theory that the Mage form of spell casting was the original foundation of studied spell casting it just happened that it was for many years a dead art.
During the recovery of the Kingdom, the Empire of Xanthakos was also in decay and took many years to recover- quiet all the while. Wildfire's Note: Not much is known about the rebuilding effort of the Empire as not much information ever comes out of there.
Seven years ago the independent state of Maruchek joined the City-state Alliance becoming the fourth city-state. Wildfire's Note: the other city-states are Rhohannus, The Tri-State of Vychia, and Kazbourne.
Recently, the city-state of Rhohannus has declared war on the Wildlanders. The Prince - Garron Ravenwood - feeling that since the Wildlands were once a part of the Old Kingdom that it is, by right, his to reclaim. Some of the Baronies in Rhohannus are sympathetic with the Wildlanders feeling that the Clans were there long before the Old Kingdom and have simply claimed what was theirs' all along. The divide between the Baronies of Rhohannus in this regard has caused a civil war. The neighboring Tri-state of Vychia (consisting of the Duchy of Jarla, The Duchy of Kerr, and The Duchy of Aldebaron) and the city-state of Maruchek have yet to determine their official position on the matter.
Inexplicably, many clerics (of all faiths), and arcanists have died off from an unknown illness.
There is widespread speculation that the armies of Xanthakos, known as Shadow Riders, are planning to wage war once again.
Last summer a great voice echoed across the land announcing, "I have awakened!!"
Last fall the moon of Istisha briefly deviated from its standard path and a beam of green light shot down and struck somewhere in the northwest.
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09 Jul 05 Unpublished work © 2005 Wildfire |
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