A BRIEF HISTORY OF THARDFERR



Player Information



The following is the General History of Thardferr. All Players should become familiar with what is stated here, so they can have a better understanding on how their PC should interact and behave with regards to other PCs of different Races.

Thardferr Pre-History



Thardferr is a land which has been ravished by several wars. These wars have involved all the races of Thardferr, joined in battle against a common enemy, the Sythian Mages. The Sythians Mages come from the land of Syth, which is far away to the North. The capitol city being Fliin. Ages gone past, the Sythians sent a colony of slaves to a new land to claim it for themselves. When these slaves, ancestors to the Humans, came to this new world, they met the Dwarves. Through a basic language barrier and misunderstanding, the Humans came to call this new land Thardferr. It was a word they picked up from the Dwarves.

Being so far away from their Syth masters, the Colony began to govern themselves, and soon forgot about their enslaved past. During this separation they had no contact with Syth government officials. This was due to a great comet that fell very close to the Syth home lands. The comet destroyed much of the Syth infrastructure, and limited their control over their new colony. This event has been recorded in history as the Great Cataclysm. This caused the currents of the major seas to change, and introduced new and dangerous whirlpools and creatures of the deep. Now the seas are a dangerous place, and few Captains even think of voyages beyond the sight of land.

The First Mage War



Much of recorded history has been lost to the many great battles, and the passage of time. What is remembered of the First Mage War is vague and has been exaggerated by too many poems and songs of Bards. What is known, is that the Sythian Mages tried to reestablish their control over their lost colony. Seeing that their colony has made allies with the Dwarves, the Sythians attacked Khardfee in the hopes of tightening their reigns of control. Little did the Sythians think that they would encounter such resistance from their colony or their new allies. Also, these attacks caught the attention of another races of beings on Thardferr, those of the Elves. The Syth were surprised to find a foe that was just as skilled in the magical arts as they were. The war quickly turned from one of regaining control of a colony, to one of trying to destroy a greater threat in the Elves. The Elves suffered heavy loses in the war. The allied Humans, Dwarves and Elves managed to drive back the Sythian Mages, but it was at a heavy cost.

One of the powerful families of the Humans, the Brands, rose above the average peoples, and began to act as leaders of the new Alliance. Ellen Brand stepped forth to put a stop to the War, and managed to sign a treaty between the Alliance and the Sythians. This ended the War on peaceful terms, but the Elves were not satisfied with the outcome. They had lost so much during all the fighting, they wanted to see the Sythians pay for attacking Thardferr. The Elves did not heed the signed treaty, and continued their attacks on the Sythians. Ellen Brand had no recourse but to turn the Alliance against the Elves to put an end to the War once and for all. Seeing that they no longer had the support of those they were trying to liberate, the Elves conceded, and finally agreed to the terms of the treaty. The Sythians returned to the North were they had come, and the Elves returned to their homelands of the South. Still angry over the way the War ended, the Elves seemed to seclude themselves away from all the Humans.

Over the many years that followed, the Humans and Dwarves began to grow closer, learning from one another. During this time, the Humans learned of the other races of Thardferr, the Gnomes, Halflings, Orcs and Goblins. The Colony spread out and grew. Many Human generations came to pass, and soon they forgot about the Elves. Years later a tremendous earthquake shook the home lands of the Gnomes, and this was followed by a great drought that nearly destroyed all of the farmlands of the southern regions. Finally, the Elves emerged from beyond their borders. Their people were starving , and they sought aid from the other Races. If it were not for the help of the other lands, the entire population of Elves and Gnomes might have perished.

The Second Mage War



Not even one complete cycle of the moons after the Elves came to walk among the other races, did the Sythians yet again return. This time their Flying Ships dotted the skies like so many locust. They headed directly for the Southern Regions of Thardferr, and targeted the Lunar Tress that grew in the Central Plains. These Lunar Trees were the Homes of the Elves, and many lives were lost. It seemed that the Sythian Mages did not want to be caught off guard again by the powers of the Elves, and wished to remove them as quickly as possible from the battle.

Then, a second arm of the mighty Syth Army swept in to once again attack Khardfee. This time, the army was prepared, and ruthless. They gave no quarter as their Gnoll, Ogre, and Kobold forces covered the lands. By the close of the week, Khardfee fell to Sythian Control. Then the Mages showed their true powers, and raised a magical barrier around the entire Realm of Khardfee, covering it like an umbrella. No one could pass through it, and no objects could penetrate it. Many Dwarves were held captive within the barrier, and they were turned to do the Mages bidding. From behind the barrier, the Sythians issued a decree, that any attack upon them would result in the swift deaths of those trapped within.

The Alliance was at a loss as to what to do. Their weapons could not penetrate the barrier, and any further attempts meant death to those held captive. The years went by as members of the Alliance tried to figure someway to defeat the barrier. Many started to blame the Elves for the return of the Sythians. Anita Brand tried to sway the Alliance away from pointing fingers at the Elves, but the general populace was strong in their convictions, and she had no other recourse but to join the majority. To make matters even worse for the Elves, the Goblins wanted to join the Alliance, and to make their point, they burned down the few remaining Lunar Trees of the Central Plains to the ground. To stop this needless destruction, Anita allowed the Goblins to join, and this maddened the Elves to no end.

Just as it seemed that the Alliance would also have to start fighting the Elves, a messenger had come from behind the barrier. He had escaped the clutches of the Sythian Mages, and had also managed to bring with him some good and terrible news. The good news was that a resistance had started within the barrier. Some of the Dwarven Miners had begun to dig secret tunnels, trying to find the depth of the barrier. Others were preparing to fight their captors. The powers of the Syth were truly powerful, but it seemed that they spent much of their time maintaining the barrier, and their numbers were few. The terrible news was that the Sythians were also behind the forces that caused the great earthquake and the drought that had nearly killed all of the Gnomes and Elves. With this new news, the Alliance stopped blaming the Elves, yet the Elves were still not satisfied due to the treatment the had received.

Finally, with almost 10 years going by, the Dwarven Miners had managed to complete their tunnels to the free lands. Anita saw this not as a way out, but a way in. If she could deposit her troops within the barrier, and strike a fatal blow, the Mages would have to lower the barrier, and her remaining troops to rush in. Anita's son, Jermith, lead the forces of the Alliance down into the tunnels. There they held up in an old Dwarven castle which was deserted. This was a risky move, but one that had to be taken. At the same time, Anita amassed her troops outside the barrier, hoping that a strong show of force would prove enough of a distraction to prevent the discovery of the troops within.

Over the horizon, the Sythian Flying Ships moved into formation, preparing to destroy Anita's troops. But she had other plans for the Flying Ships. On her signal, 600 secretly trained Dragon Riders swarmed over the fleet of Flying Ships. At the same time, the forces within the old Dwarven castle poured forth, attacking from within. Some of the Dwarven Master Smiths had survived within the barrier, and had managed to craft True Silver weapons for the forces within. Beyond the barrier, a Gnomic army moved into position a rather large tarp-covered contraption. Apparently, they had been working on a device that could absorb magical energy. After learning of the earthquake and drought, they had devoted the majority of their time to completing it. Anita knew of their efforts, and ordered the contraption into place.

The Flying Ships were powerful, but could not stand up to the shear numbers of the Dragon Riders. The Dragon Riders suffered heavy losses though, and nearly half of their numbers gave their lives to free Khardfee. The Gnome contraption was activated, and it's low drone was said to be heard all over Thardferr. At first it seemed that the contraption would have little effect on the barrier, but soon the device and the barrier began to shimmer with magical energies. First the barrier buckled, and then it pulsated as it's energy was absorbed by the device. The Sythian Mages concentrated even more on maintaining the barrier, and it looked as if the device would not be able to contain all the power.

Gnomic Tinkers are good, but even they could determine the full powers of the Sythian Mages. The contraption was overloaded, and it exploded. Dread blanketed Anita's troops as they saw their only hopes of victory go up in a great fireball. The explosion killed all within 100 feet of the contraption, and it's creators. But, the explosion also managed to buckle the barrier violently. So much so, that the Sythian Mages could not adjust for it in time, and the barrier collapsed. On this note, the remaining forces of Anita's troops, and Jermith's from within crushed the forces of the Syths. The Sythian Flying Ships stopped fighting, and turned towards to North, fleeing Anita's troops. The Dragon Riders pursued them as far as they could.

Finally after 10 years of oppression from the Sythian Mages, and three years of hard work and planning, Khardfee was free. It would take much longer for the Dwarven people to recover from their ordeal though. Anita found a land of broken people. Many of the Dwarves lived in the woods, and mountains, trying to hide from the ever watchful Sythians. Their government was in ruins, along with their government and homes. Anita decreed that Khardfee should come under Human control until the Dwarves had a chance to recover from the war. To the Elves, this was nothing more than Human expansionism. And, Anita also noticed the destructive powers of magic, and she drafted what soon became the law of the land. She banned the use of magic in public. The peoples of most of the lands were terrified by the powers of magic that the Sythians controlled. She tried to put their minds to rest, and thought that by banning the use of magic, she would obtain this peace for her subjects.

Seeing what was possible when the entire nations of Thardferr set aside their differences and worked towards a common goal, she proposed that all the nations and Realms stand together in peace, and be known as the Great Confederation. All Gnomes, Goblins, Orcs, Dwarves, and Humans agreed and joined in this new cause. All peoples relished in this ideal, all except for the Elves. Again they resisted these "attempts" by the Humans to control everything and everyone. To the Elves, each nation should govern themselves, and protect their own. Coming under the rule of only One would do nothing but spell dread. The Elves refused to join the Great Confederation. Anita wanted to try to talk some sense into the heads of the Elven Leaders, and so she set forth with a small band of her loyal subjects and her daughter, Lilith, to seek out the High Elves that lived in Star Wood on Norben Island.

After a few weeks, Anita had returned to the Great Confederation, but without Lilith. She had been left behind in Star Wood. She would act as a representative of the Great Confederation in the Elven Realm. Through Lilith's hard work, she managed to sway the minds of the High Elves into seeing the benefits of joining the Confederation. But the Elves would only consider joining after Khardfee was returned to Dwarven Rule, and for the Humans to move from the Central Planes back to Lithar so the Elves could rebuild what they had lost there. Anita had already planned on returning Khardfee back to Dwarven Rule, after they had a chance to reorganize themselves. As for the humans living only in Lithar, she contended that they had fought hard for the land that they freed from the Syths, and that the Central Plains should remain Human land. The Elves agreed on this, but still refused to sign the ban on magic use. Anita consented to this. On the Third day of Tramic, which was also the First of Lamada, the Great Confederation voted for the Elves to join, and they accepted. The day was marked as Founders Day.

After the signing, Lilith remained in Edilar. There she came under Racca Ethielien as her Mentor. He was so impressed with her abilities and political prowess that he bestowed upon her the title of Speaker. This was a shock to the Elves, for they could only remember two others that held that title and both were high Elves. As Speaker, Lilith had the authority to act and speak on behalf of the entire Elven Nation.

Soon after this, the Edilar Borders were closed off to all visitors. Only Gnomic Traders were allowed free access in and out of Edilar. It seemed that a new political power within Edilar had risen, calling themselves the DARK WOOD. They wanted nothing to do with outside parties, and only wished to remain secluded and separate from the Confederation. It seemed that the DARK WOOD blamed the Sythians for all of the heartache the Elves felt, and knowing now that the Sythians were also Human, the DARK WOOD did not trust any Human, not even Lilith. Anita consented to this arrangement, and for nearly 500 years, the Borders to Edilar remained closed.

During these 500 years, the Humans settled the Central Plains, and even moved into an old Elven Castle, and made it the seat of power for the Great Confederation. Many things were learned between all the members of the Confederation. Due to the destruction of the Sythians, the Dwarves were unable to move into their ruined tunnels, and many had to forsake their underground caverns. They learned instead, to live on the surface. There were rumors that Drow and other vile creatures quickly made themselves at home in the abandoned caverns. During this time, Confederation Rule changed hands a few times, but always stayed within the family of the Brands.

As Mogan Brand came to power, the lands once again started to become restless. Rumors of seaports being attacked by Dragon Riders, and merchant ships sunk in the seas. Many ships that were sent to the Old World did not return. Some caravans to distant towns never made the trek, and they were found, ravished by giant creatures. Some reported that giant bird-like creatures ate horses and fancied the taste of Orcs. Even some mighty Orc Tribes had been destroyed by unknown forces. Then the worse news befell Mogan, three entire villages of Gnomes had been found, with no living souls. Even the draft animals and herd animals had been killed. Mogan had no answers for these occurrences, and neither did the High Elves.

The Third Mage War



To find the answers that Mogan needed, he sent Orc Shadow Warriors to scout out the lands, 25 to each Realm. He also made it common practice to send Dragon Riders to escort merchant ships, and to patrol the neighboring coastlines. Of the 125 Shadow Warriors he sent out, only 20 returned from their missions, and word from the returning patrols was that massive groups of Gnolls and Ogres had attacked. The Dragon Rider patrols came back with the same disheartening news, that the merchant ships were being sunk by the Sythian Flying Ships. It seemed that the Sythians had returned for another round.

Upon hearing news that the Sythians had returned, Stephan Lailan of Edilar came to offer Mogan the services of his highly trained mages. Mogan at first was shocked to hear that the Elves had such a number of skilled mages, and against the better judgement of the Imperial Mage Academy, accepted their aid. He knew if the Sythians had returned to fight, he would need all the help he could get. Mogan also saw to promote a skilled warrior by the name of Aaron Warstrider to lead the Confederate Army against this new force of Sythian Mages.

As the Sythian ground forces approached, they seemed to attack from every side. Khardfee was again the first Realm to be attacked, followed by quick assaults on Ruch and then Alderd. The main body of the Sythian Flying Ships centered their attacks on Lithar itself. Mogan stood in shock as the battle waged all around him. The Confederation did the best that it could against this new threat, but this time they did not have to total support of the Elven Realm. 125 Elven Mages hardly seemed enough support from Edilar. Many in the Confederation feared that Edilar had forsaken the Confederation, and was only standing by, watching the horror unfold. This was much farther from the truth than anyone could have imagined. In reality, the Sythians had attacked Edilar first, many weeks before Mogan's Dragon Riders ever laid eyes upon the approaching Flying Ships. Edilar had been laid siege against by an army of undead, Gnolls, and Kobolds. Edilar did all that it could to prevent itself from falling to this lethal attack.

As the battle lines grew closer and closer to the Confederate Castle, Mogan order Aaron Warstrider to muster his troops, and concentrated them around the castle, the Confederation would not fall under his rule, of this Mogan was determined. This new assault of the Syths was far more severe than had ever been documented. This time the Sythians took no prisoners, they killed any and all that stood in their way. Then, without warning, as it looked as if the Syths would crush the Confederation, the forces stopped. Mogan, and his family seemed trapped in their own castle. The Sythian forces stayed just out of reach of the Confederation army. The situation did not change for over a month, and this took it's toll on the mixed Confederate army. Inner fighting among the troops was common place. The Orcs did not want to sit and wait. The Dwarves were ready for revenge, and still everyone questioned the whereabouts of the Elven Army. Warstrider knew if the Sythians did not attack soon, that his army would destroy itself from within.

Safe for the moment in the Confederation castle, Mogan tried to take note of the situation. Then from the very stone walls themselves, six Orc Shadow Warriors entered the royal chamber and attacked from within. At the same moment of the attack, Lailan sent a fireball up into the sky, and his mages attacked. The fireball was a signal. The Sythians attacked when the fireball reached it's apex.. Inside and outside the castle, chaos reigned. The Shadow Warriors cut Mogan down where he stood, and there was nothing that Aaron Warstrider could do. As he went to the aid of his fallen King, Lailan drew a poisoned dagger and drove into Warstrider's back. Aaron managed to kill Lailan. It must have been the inner reserves of Aaron himself, or perhaps the poison was old, but it did not take his life. After making it to Mogan's side, the last words he heard from his King was "Keep Torin safe…"

Torin Brand, Mogan's 14 years old son was upstairs when Warstrider found him. Aaron leapt just in time to save Torin from a bolt of lightning that arched through the open window. Torin knew, without having to hear the words spoken, that his father was dead and that could only mean one thing, that he was now Emperor. As the Sythians forces closed in on the castle, Aaron and Torin escaped under the cover of fleeing merchants and peasants. Aaron had to give up his sword an armor to complete the disguise, being able to only protect the Boy-Emperor with his wits and a dagger. The pair managed to make it a few miles beyond the carnage just as a patrol of Ogres stopped the group they were traveling with. The Ogres were going to slaughter the entire group, and there was nothing that any man could do.

Just as the Ogres had finished moving the group of peasants into a clearing, ready to cut them all down, a giant shadow was cast upon the land. At first Aaron thought it was a Flying Ship, but soon noticed that it moved much too fast. Before he had a chance to look up, he was assaulted by intense heat and the smell of burning flesh and soot. When the air cleared, the peasants were still alive, but the Ogre troops were all dead. Again the shadow passed overhead, and it took on a familiar shape as it landed. Torin and Aaron were face to face with a Gold Dragon. The Dragon laid it's great head at the feet of the boy, and uttered a singular word, "Emperor."

Aaron Warstrider smiled in delight as he recognized this great animal as Ninion the Gold Dragon, a Brand Family advisor for many generations. Aaron quickly raised Torin onto the Ninion's back, and the three took flight, heading into the direction of the Lost Mountains to the North. Along the way they encounter a few Sythian Dragon Riders, but the Blue Dragons were no match for the skill and power of the Gold Dragon. Back on the ground, the Sythian forces managed to drive the majority of the rag-tag Confederation Army into Tuth. There the Sythians planned on destroying everyone. Ninion kept one step ahead of the pursuing Sythian forces, and finally had to let Torin and Aaron try to make it on their own in the Goblin Realm of Ruch.

In Ruch, Torin meets up with some freedom fighters, and lives in the sewers of a Goblin City for a few months. There in hiding, he had a dream, or perhaps it was a vision. He was visited by Ellen Brand, his Great-great-great-grandmother. In his vision, she told Torin of a magical Golden Rod, one that could turn the tide of battle to the side of the Confederation. The only problem was that the Rod lay in the old Capitol of Syth, the city of Fliin. And it lay half destroyed, half sunk into the ocean, and protected by a great abomination. Ellen's visage told Torin if he could recover the Rod, then he would have power over the Syths, for it this very Rod that the Sythian Emperor used to control his blood thirsty Mages. Torin thought about this for many weeks before making his decision.

Torin found good company in the sewers in his flight, and he knew those that he would choose to search for the Golden Rod. In the hopes of garnering a sense of unity among his new people, Torin decided to choose two beings of each race in Thardferr. From the Dwarven warriors that followed him he choose Durn Bristlebeard and Stoom Ironforge. Form the smartest of Gnome Tinkers he choose Biddleford Mikeal and Harmon Gambar. Of the bravest and strongest Orcs he choose Korman Levit and Shash Veerna. Out of all the Goblins he picked the two most cunning, Indigo Qwill, and Jordam Jo. From the quickest and surefooted Elves he selected Leafen Augia and the one known as Patch. The Halflings wanted to remain neutral, and Torin did not force any of them to go. These being he choose, soon became known as The Twelve. These brave souls would as soon as possible, under the cover of darkness, and seek out the Golden Rod for Torin, or all hope would be lost. Failure was not an option for these heroes.

Back on the war front, without the guiding hand of Aaron Warstrider, or the knowledge of a living Emperor, the Confederation forces began to fall like a House of Cards. The Sythian forces moved in to control Lithar, Khardfee, Alderd, and even parts of Edilar. It seemed that all was lost, and the Confederation would have to buckle to the terms of the invading Sythian forces, which was total and complete surrender. Many of the people that belonged to the Confederation felt that surrender was far better than the alternative, which would be certain death. Just in the darkest hour, when Torin thought he would have to make that decision, members of The Twelve returned from their quest. Of all the members that went in search of the Golden Rod, only four made their way back to Torin in the sewers. Leading the worn party was the Orc Shash, followed by Elves Leafen and Patch, who carried something wrapped in a battered cloak, and the Dwarf Durn Bristlebeard. When Torin saw this sight, he was overcome with joy, but then wondered how the group could have known of his location in the maze of the Goblin sewers. Durn replied, "T'was the Rod my Lord. It pulled us to an' frow, guiding us 'raight to you."

The Elves uncovered the Golden Rod from the cloak of one of their fallen comrades, and Torin hefted the Golden Rod in his hands. At that moment, his senses were assaulted with all the knowledge that the Rod held. Images flashed in his eyes, almost too fast for him to even make sense of them, but the Golden Rod managed to convey to him all of it's powers. This Rod only worked in the possession of one that was truly considered Emperor. To all others that tried to use it's powers, it would bestow only death. With the knowledge imparted on him by the Rod, Torin knew what he had to do. As he gathered his numbers within the sewers, other heard word of the Golden Rod. By the time Torin reached the edge of Ruch, he had an army of faithful followers. First, Torin freed Ruch, Alderd and Edilar. They encountered much resistance, but none from the Sythian Mages themselves. They too knew of the power of the Golden Rod, and were quick not to come under it's control. With no Sythian Masters to command them, the Gnoll, Ogre, and Kobold forces of the Sythian army fell easily to the renewed strengths of the Great Confederation.

The last Realm to be freed was Lithar. It held the biggest concentration of Sythian Mages, and their armies. But again, as soon as Torin brought the Rod close to any Sythian strong hold, they would flee. By the end of the year, all the Sythians had left Thardferr. Small pockets of their army remained, but soon even these were taken care of. After regaining control of Thardferr, and establishing some form of government again, Torin sent aid to all the Realms that could use it. But he quickly found that there were more of those that needed help, than those he could provide for. And still, even thought Sythians had fled, he knew in his heart that they would return. They had returned when treaties were signed, and they would most assuredly return in the future. He knew that no treaty had been signed this round, and the threat of another war lay on the horizon. The only comfort he had, was knowing that he held the Golden Rod, but also he knew that it was a matter of time before the Sythians devised a plan that would overcome the powers of the Rod. He only hoped that Thardferr could truly unite to face the next challenge.



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