Numenera: The Shadow Herd [ EDIT ]

One of the smaller and least prosperous kingdoms in the Steadfast, Thaemor is often overshadowed by its neighbors. In fact, the other kingdoms consider it something of a joke. That wasn't always so. Bordered by two rivers and a mountain, Thaemor was once an unnamed but very much desired piece of land, part of a three-way war between Navarene, Draolis, and Malevich. Each power wished to lay claim to the fertile triangle.

In the midst of the struggle, one man took it upon himself to claim the place he later named Thaemor. Goldguard Landon was a fearsome warrior who knew everything about how to defend a region from the onslaught of multiple kingdoms but absolutely nothing about running a kingdom himself. Under Landon's rule, Thaemor's borders were always well protected and cared for, even from the mightiest foes, but the same could not be said for the people and places within.

After Landon's passing, his son Kaldon took hold of Thaemor and ran it (if you could call it such) much as his father had. He sired a number of children, but none of his heirs survived, and when he died, a man named Holiva the First took office in the Precipe, although no one can quite remember where Holiva.

Today, the way in which other kingdoms look down on Thaemor is a source of pain and embarrassment for Holiva, for he believes that his kingdom could be a land of great power and opportunity if only others could see what he sees.

You are a band of expert 'acquisitors' -- Goldguard's Blacktusks -- hired by Holiva the First, ruler of Thaemor. His elusive vizier, the Hand of Melch has given Holiva guidance on how he can restore Thaemor's prominence. You have been sent forth to locate the Shadow Herd and bring what information you can back to Holiva so that Thaemor can be safe and ascendant once more.