In The Beginning

In The Beginning

... there was life, the continent of Aribon was a lush paradise. the crown jewel of this garden of Eden was the great city of Ashnorak, this was more than just a city – it was a symbol of what could be achieved by the co-operation of different races. The great talisman was a wonder to behold and at its peak covered the entire southern tip of Aribon, housing millions all from the many corners of the continent. All was well until one day, one fateful moment which brought hundreds of years of collaboration and peace crashing down in seconds. this moment has since become known as 'the cataclysm'. First came the deafening explosions; next the molten rocks falling from the sky setting all before them ablaze, finally came the wave. An unstoppable wall of water which crashed down through the entire continent. when it was all over, the land had been completely reshaped. Where there was once lush pastures there was now vast lagoons, all but the oldest of forests on the extremities of the continent were gone; hills became islands and all was quiet.

Survivors fleeing the great city were separated by the colossal flood plains of the Indarion river, turning east and west they weren't met with the once so verdant and beautiful land but now a barren wasteland.

Eventually eastern settlers came to a place which was relatively untouched. and it was here that they settled and began to eek out the sorry existence, calling themselves Aregoths after their leader. Famine and disease were rife, for many generations the Aregothians still struggled to survive. However they persevered and endured new cultures and traditions started to emerge. Over the next mellenia the survivors have recovered and are once again thriving.

During this time, the citizens of Aregoth began receiving word of other colonies, survivors of the cataclysm which had been cut off by the flood waters but which had now started to reach out and search for others in the same situation. Indeed word spread of a second large colony to the west, a colony descended from the remnants of what was once the western periphery of Ashnorak. Apparently far more people survived from the western side of the city and had a much easier time surviving than the eastern citizens. This news did not spark the joy you might expect, the thing is that the western districts were the preserve of the wretched, the scum of the old city. Over the years they had lost none of the characteristics which had given them their reputation as cut-throats and thieves. Frankly the Aregothians took it as an insult that such men could have survived and managed to equal what they had achieved, indeed no formal structure of government was adopted by the westerners until long after they resettled, and even then it is held together solely by the strength of their leader – who is not elected by the people but who holds office because he challenged the previous leader and won. To we Aregothians the western peoples are a savage people who are seen as sub standard and naturally subordinate to them. The westerners likewise view us Aregothians with disdain – dismissing us as pompous and arrogant and were it not for their constant interfering we would likely have no kind of relations what so ever.

Over time both sides reluctance to see the other as equals has led to open war on many occasions, so much so barely a year goes by without conflict.

The Cataclysm leaves many scars, people dare not enter the shattered city, the seared ruins hide more than the dead... On the edges of civilisation strange creatures and happenings are afoot, wise men tell of our impending doom lest we not repent, and 2 powerful nations brood. I implore you take to the road in search of reason, wisdom and maybe coin. Take to the lands of Aribon child, may she treat you well.