History of Auwra

The Deities

"The Pantheon" is the name given to the collective eight (sometimes nine) deities that are most commonly worshiped. These Gods and Goddesses do not take direct action in the world, and there are even some people that deny their existence altogether, but the worship of these deities is commonplace. Each commands a particular Domain in addition to a series of portfolios that relate to their main purpose. Worship of one God or Goddess exclusively is considered strange. More commonly, individuals will offer tithe, prayer or praise to whichever God is most relevant to their current situation.

---The Exhumed - Death Domain

It is believed that Death is embodied by a nigh-infinite myriad of grey-skinned, hairless corpse-like creatures known as The Exhumed. It’s believed that whenever someone dies, depending on how they lived out their life on the surface, they serve a sentence as one of the Exhumed, climbing up through the dirt and soil to grab buried bodies and drag them down through the earth and into the underworld. Those that worship the Exhumed believe It to be a single mind that controls all of the individual creatures. After serving their time, it is said that individuals of the Exhumed are released and sent to the Afterlife. The Exhumed is entirely neutral, as Death does not take sides.

---Enioch - Knowledge Domain

Believed to be the first magically-capable being, Enioch was the only one of the worshiped deities that most people agree truly existed. As an Elf, he was a God-Among-Men after he stole Magic directly from the Cut and empowered himself with it. Though claims vary, it is most commonly believed that this ascension above others and lack of peers brought him great sorrow, and he eventually cast magic aside. It is his dogma that pushes technology and an understanding of the laws of the nature of the world before magic. His believers are most often educated and advanced people. He is commonly perceived to be Lawful Neutral.

---Vitr - Life Domain

Relatively good, Vitr believes that all life is precious and cannot be squandered or wasted. Meaningless death is his true enemy, but death with a righteous purpose is seen as divine; the perfect end to a well-lived life. It is written that he regularly battles it out for the honor and war domains with Morro, though this is argued by pacifists that feel all war is meaningless death. Some believe that Vitr commands The Exhumed, and is able to award His followers free passage to the afterlife, should they follow His tenets well. He is Uthr’s younger brother, and the two are generally depicted to have a powerful rivalry between them. He is typically seen as Neutral Good.

---Uthr - Light Domain

Uthr, Lord of the Sun, is the most commonly worshiped deity. His portfolio of powers exceeds all other Gods and Goddesses, containing within it light, truth, home and harvest, as well as many others. His followers are divided into two groups, the larger of the two being a group that worships him primarily for a good harvest and for day-to-day things, and the other being a group of true followers full of righteous fervor, known as Absolvers. This second group claims to follow Him entirely and completely, guided by the Way of the Flame, though the tenets of such are mostly whispered about, rather than well-known. He is widely regarded as a Lawful Good being, but many suspect that the only law He follows is His own. As with all Gods, there are many that believe differently of Him, and some cry out that the Absolvers have corrupted His texts to their own ends.

---Cenerine - Nature Domain

Even with as little that is known of Yna, it is Cenerine that is the most mysterious of the Greater Deities. It is said that when Enioch threw magic aside, it was Cenerine that picked it up again, absorbing it into herself. It was for this act that She was struck by another unnamed deity (though many blame Enioch or Uthr) and denounced for ‘selfishness.’ Filled with rage, as her blood splashed upon the world, it turned normal beings into vile and dangerous creatures, known today as the monsters that plague entire towns. It is for this reason that she is often hailed as the Mother of Monsters. Cenerine is known to favor wild behavior, acting upon one’s instincts, and though she fully supports the hunt, even the hunting of Her "children," she believes that it is something divine and respected as such. Despite many in the world believing Her to be the source of Monsters, there are more followers of Cenerine that have displayed miracles and performed good deeds in her name than any other deity, including that of Uthr. She is often perceived as a Chaotic Neutral deity.

---Nix - Tempest Domain

Nix is widely hailed as the Master of the Sea, though His domain stretches much farther than just the oceans. His power encompasses all forms of weather, but He is especially fond of storms. Seen often as relentless, merciless, or pitiless, should there be people that wish to entreat Nix’ good will, they often do so weeks in advance, with some of the greatest celebrations, sacrifices and tithes in His name. Veteran sailors will often toss sizable portions of the gold from their haul deep into the waters as a sacrifice to Nix before they set sail once again, and more money has been lost in this way than most farmers make in a dozen lifetimes. Nix is generally painted as a proud God that does not get along with the others, but he is especially spiteful toward Yna, who has, as the stories go, stolen many of the sacrifices presented to Him. Experts on Nix cannot seem to agree as to his behavior, where some believe him to be chaotic, others states that he follows a code of his own, and that all you need to do to receive his blessing is to offer the appropriate sum of money. The slight majority finds him to be Lawful Evil, but there are many that disagree.

---Yna - Trickery Domain

Yna is often argued to not be a God at all, but an immensely powerful spirit. Nearly every depiction of her paints her as a colossal, ethereal fox with deep, red eyes and large, sabre-like fangs. She is well known for her tricks that have often, in myth and lore, thrown the gods and world into terrible chaos. It is because of Her, many believe, that the world was plunged into a dark age, as she stole the gift of Magic out of the hands of men, stuffed it into a small purse and tied it to her tail. The only reason any magic has returned at all is because, according to legend, Morro was able to cut the purse as Yna fled, causing a small trickle of magic to sprinkle down over the world a little bit at a time. It is also because of this legend that fox tails are seen as magical good luck charms. Not many worship Yna on a day-to-day basis, but she is the Creature of Secrets and the Champion of Lies, well-meant or not. She gets her fair share of prayers. It is commonly believed, and not commonly argued, that Yna is Chaotic Evil.

---Morro - War Domain

Morro is the Goddess of War. She is depicted as a red-haired woman clad in full plate mail and a longsword in either hand. She is best known to champion every man or woman engaged in battle. More than a Goddess of War, she is the Decider of all Conflict, and is prayed to by nearly every individual that finds themselves in a moment of strife. As conflict is often a matter of perspective, so is Morro and her dogma, and the beliefs of her clerics change with every few miles. Though the majority of her followers see her as being Neutral Evil, there are a multitude of other versions of Morro that paint her as a champion of the good and righteous.

The Kingdoms

---Sevarra

A new upstart nation, Sevarrans are a splinter group of the Valkarian Empire. Though they have proven themselves in a great deal of conflicts over the past decade since their rather tumultuous beginnings, it is believed that it is their eagerness for approval that gets them into said conflicts in the first place. Sevarrans are often viewed as humorless and brash, but resilient and determined. Their racial composition is a clean mix of races that mimics the general population of the world with the only exception that Elves are less common. Sevarra is known as a Free Nation, a confederacy of towns that loosely governs their citizens, though there are many that are pushing for a more organized structure.

Their major cities include: Esterville, Mistburn, Moorfield, Newdalk and Summerbrook.

Other Cities:
Kilmarnock
Dewhurst
Salvation
Jarren’s Outpost
Yarrin
Tamworth
Runswick
Grimsby
Huddersfield
Starshore
Northbury
Inverness

---Valkaria

The Valks populate the Empire of Valkaria, which is a powerful religious state, ruled by a divine leader known as The Reverend Father or Mother. Valkaria once spanned much of the known world, being the first nation that accepted all races freely within its fold (a practice that is now widely accepted, to avoid the damaging propaganda that the Valks were so well-versed in). At its founding it was primarily followers of Uthr and the birthplace of the Absolvers. Valkaria and the Absolvers suffered a terrible blow when the Valkyries of Morro arose as a political group, splitting the structure of the nation itself and allowing factions like Sevarra to arise out of their frontier territories. The Valkyries eventually took over after the Empire had been broken down to a fifth of its previous size, and the current Reverend Father is a devout follower of the blade. Unfortunately, many fear that the Absolvers have regained much of their political footing. Best known for their disciplined legions of knights and their sprawling metropolises, Valkaria may not be the Empire it used to be, but it remains one of the greatest nations in existence today.

Their major cities include: Holy Valka, Igreushire, Khunburgh, Hastenburgh

Other Cities:
Hadleigh
Millstone
Lannercost
Goldenleaf
Beckinsale
Eastcliff
Armskirk
Gloucester
South Warren
Mournstead
Our’s Rest
Holmfirth
Ampleforth
Knife’s Edge
Portsmouth
Wandermere
Middlesbrough
Gillamoor
Garrigill
Saker Keep
Bracklewhyte
Shadowfen
Wintervale

---Cadamma

Cadamma is not so much a Kingdom as it is an area marked on any adventurer’s map by a large red X and a note that says, "Do Not Enter." Though monsters of the world are often individuals and unbound by any sense of unity, the monsters that inhabit the region of Cadamma are more numerous, more aggressive, larger and more powerful than seen anywhere else in the world. The most paranoid of men, or perhaps the wisest, state that the lands of Cadamma are where the apocalypse is being bred.

Cadamma does not have any known cities.

---Verdonyyd

The Verdonyyd Magocracy---more often referred to as simply ‘The Magocracy’--- is home to the most powerful wielders of spellpower, and the most eager and devout academics of the magical art. It is said that the founders of the Magocracy were Enan and Elias the sons of Enioch, God of Knowledge, who studied their father’s discovery intensely, though they were devoid of any magical talent themselves. The Magocracy managed to defend itself against the might of the Valkarian Empire, even at its height, by shielding the entire city in a magical aura that allowed no one to enter or leave the area. The shield was powerful enough that despite a few attempts of no consequence, Valkaria left the Magocracy alone. However, it wasn’t until some eighty years later that the Valkarian Empire fell and the Magocracy lowered their shield. As such, many in the Magocracy older than 20 are unused to the outside world, and commonly regarded as strange.

Their major cities include: Verdona, Treim, Hoit, Krico

Other Cities:
Cael’s Summit
Elinmylly
Erast
Hutwaite
Ymir
Taewe
Aelin
Tow
Tarrin
Tillydrone
Naporia
Yarlford

---The Elven Courts

The Elven Court was once the sole power of the civilized races, a unified oligarchy of the most powerful Elves of each type, back when there were dozens of them and not only a few. As the numbers of Humans in the world grew rapidly, many Elves saw in them nothing but their selfish ambition, and felt that this new racial power was something that would prove dangerous to the Court. It was this viewpoint that was the greatest danger, as the Court was split between the Winter Elves, who wished for the enslavement or eradication of Humans, and the Summer Elves, who saw a partnership and an advantage to working with their kind. The Court was broken in two, allowing room for other nations to grow, primarily the Valkarians, who enamored many with their views of racial equality.

The Winter Court of Elves remains immensely powerful. Led by Lord Winter himself, an immortal being that many academics revere as a Lesser God, the Winter Court has been able to enforce their slavery of humanity and protect their self-proclaimed right from Sevarran attempts to free their own kind. The Court is primarily populated by Dark Elves, though other forms of Elven Half-Bloods occupy seats, including various Fey-types.

The Summer Court of Elves is occupied by a partnership between High Elves and Wood Elves, though they have even recently accepted Honorary Guests and Allies of other races to attend their gatherings. The Summer Court has its own political squabbles, especially among the High Elves, but it is well-regarded by most as an accepting organization, and a well-received comeback for Elven people from the once-overlords of the world.

Winter Court Cities include: Syln Caelora, Ulna Caelora, Navethyr, Isyenalin

Other Cities:
Esvesera
Yeth Kesari
Maren Caelora
Thahathyr
Ke Shaeras
Waseluna
Shylla Shaeras
Ayve Caelora
Nyth Caelora
Olyaluna

Summer Court Cities include: Mytanalenor, Shathlenora, Eyfa Belanore, Uyenathyr, Din

Other Cities:
Gaallenora
Ilyha Ennore
Eshethemar
Ayaenalond
Mythhlenora
Amyvelanora
Olana Ennore
Eynnora
Mallenor
Orva Belanor

---Elewyr

The roaming nomads of Elewyr were once a breakaway from the Elven Courts, those that had enough of the political infighting and wished to celebrate the good that was left in the world. Elewyr is not only the name of the nation but the name of the belief that its citizens follow, and it simply means, "Home in Family." As they left the Elven Courts, so did they remove their old ways of accepting only those of their own kind, and Elewyr has amassed a large following of all manner of Elves (Dark Elves, too), Halflings, Gnomes, Half-Orcs, and Humans. Dwarves were welcome and accepted, but the lifestyle of the Elewyr does not often suit them, and so it is uncommon to find Stonefolk among the migrant tribes. The Elewyr typically live within forests for decades at a time, but move about from place to place, settling down wherever they will be undisturbed, until they decide as a unified group that they wish to move again, typically when it becomes too dangerous for them to persist in that spot any longer.

---Dragons

Ultrix the Red, a Dragon Queen of terrible and unbelievable might, broke the mold of the typical dragon and did not prefer her isolation like most. Instead, several decades ago during the time of the Valkarian Empire, Ultrix sought out and brought down many a great dragon, enslaving them to her supremacy until she had amassed a legion of her kind, of various coloration. The Dragon Queen pushed the Valks out of lands that she deemed to be hers, and since she only requested small areas, they were eager to appease her and to avoid a war with an army of Dragons. Though she ruled the terrors of every sentient species, dominating them with fear that an attack could be imminent, the presence of the Dragons and their Queen proved to only be a cold war for the time being. Ultrix is still a household name, however, and many speak in prophetic and sorrowful tones of ‘the day when the dragons will fly.’ In recent decades, a city has sprung up, built by the labor of humans, that has fancied itself as a home to all races. Dragons can be seen perched atop its structures, as guardians and residents, and people of all races brave enough to venture there find some of the most powerful artifacts in its stores. It is quickly becoming one of the greatest trade cities in the world.

The only Dragon city is known as Hoard

Important Figures

---Renault Strongheart

When Valkaria was divided by the political battles of the Absolvers and the Valkyries, Lord Renault Strongheart, leader of one of the greatest Valkarian noble houses to date, led a rebellion against the city during its most vulnerable moment. Backing him were only the most oppressed and poor of the Empire. These men were those that were never blessed by the fruits of living within a grand civilization, but were expected to provide as much of the work as anybody. This peasant uprising led to countless deaths across Valkaria, and by its end the streets were littered with more peasant bodies than knights, but their numbers were so great that they were able to break off and migrate to the southwest, pushing out the Valkarian Knights stationed in the lands they soon settled. The cold and calculating way in which Renault used each and every person’s life like a chess piece, however masterly, earned him the nickname "Blackheart."

Though Sevarra is an upstart Free State for the time being, Renault is leading the effort to bring it together into a unified nation.

---Sorscha

There are few creatures as powerful as lesser deities who live off of their own might, and not the might garnered from the worship and faith of followers. The Archfey Sorscha is one of them. It is believed that she was one of the first creatures to exist in Auwra. She was The First Elf, before they were named such, and it was she that birthed each of the twelve initial races. She was the Queen of the First Court, the Court of Twilight that contained all of the races, before bestowing it upon her children. She can be as intelligent as the High Elf, as cunning as the Wood Elf, or as spiteful as the Dark Elf, and she does not choose sides between her children. Rather, her only goal is to further the cause of her kin, and return them to the glory that they once were.

It is believed that on certain special occasions, the Winter and Summer Courts meet together with their Archfey Mother to temporarily assemble the Court of Twilight so that they may discuss matters that are of every Elf’s concern.

---Drax

The Underking is only a recent power, to most, but his name has spread far in the short time that it’s been spoken. After the Dwarves were forced out of the Underworld, they have spent decades in relative servitude to the surface races, working odd jobs and finding a living in whatever way they could manage, as all of their fortune had been left below. Drax has spent this time plotting vengeance, however, and a reclamation of the their once great empire. Amassing the funds from several long years of mercenary work, Drax has spent the last decade bringing together a great number of his people in preparation for an assault into the Underworld against the beasts that threw them out.

---Skith

It is argued whether Skith is a deeply troubled Wyrden, or if it is one of the most terrifying monsters to date. Only in the past decade has Skith become a prominent figure. Often portrayed as the subject of horror tales, The Creature is believed to have the terrifying power to turn men into monsters. People with an aggressive disposition tend to be more vulnerable to the change---referred to as The Madness---leaving half-orcs especially susceptible into becoming the newly realized threat of (full) Orcs. Though The Madness can manifest within anyone, Skith is often thought of in relation to the subject of Orcs and Monsters, and as a master of chaos. It is believed that he has been behind multiple threats against Sevarra, working in the shadows and picking people off one-by-one to tear the civilization down, adding each poor soul to his retinue of mutated beasts.

---Vuzun

Little is known about the Master of Demons, except that he is also a Master of Temptation, eager to forge pacts with young Wyrden in search of power, fortune or love. Vuzun rarely allows these pacts to work in the favor of his young partners, and he typically comes away with much more than the Wyrden intended to give. More often than not, these spellcasters are left broken husks of the people they once were. Such is the treachery of the Fiend. Always with his own agenda, it is not uncommon for Vuzun to pay a visit to the most unassuming of folk, or to the Reverend Father himself, if he so chose. Enemy to all and a friend only to those clever enough to keep up with him, were one to look back through history, they could see many signs of the Fiend within all of the great tragedies of the world.

---Armadan

At the rise of the Valkarian Empire the first Reverend Father was an easy choice, as he was believed to be the God Vitr’s own descendant, which also made him related to Uthr. He was an aging man named Armadan Strongheart. Despite the Empire’s quick rise to power due to their all-consuming expansion and their willingness to step on anyone that they needed to in order to get ahead, Armadan’s first actions as Reverend Father was to take power away from his noble brethren and to turn the Empire into a Republic instead. His rule was a long one, but wrought with peril as attempts were made upon his life on a regular basis. Eventually his enemies succeeded, and Armadan was murdered upon the steps of the Court of Valkaria, and not soon after a puppet was placed in his stead, undoing all that Armadan had accomplished in short manner. Some young ones do not even know Armadan's name, as the Absolvers that replaced him struck his name from history. The man that replaced him, Father Lucernus, is known as the first Reverend Father to those that know no better.

Would it be that this were the end of Armadan, many a man would have been grateful. Instead, the First Reverend Father refused death, and assumed the mantle of the High Lich, bringer of undeath and the master of decay. He has since sworn retribution for the evils placed upon his soul during life, and is considered one of the most serious threats against the stability of the known world.

---Ultrix

Like most dragons, Ultrix is assumed to be driven by greed and hunger, but she has not yet come forth with any sort of plan or discussion with the other empires since taking what land she deemed fair. She is a powerful figure, as it was her unfathomable strength that warped the very essence of magic, spawning Draconic Sorcery. This form of magic bleeds from Ultrix like the Wyrd bleeds from the Cut, and some few gifted Wyrden are able to tap into it and wield it like a normal caster wields normal spellpower.

The only reason that Ultrix is known to have brought this form of magic is because each and every Draconic sorcerer receives her dreams at tumultuous points in their lives.

---Father Lioneus

The current Reverend Father Lioneus has thus far had an extremely difficult task placed into his hands. Head of The Valkyries, he is an avid worshiper of Morro, and the primary target of Absolvers looking to get revenge for the crumbling of their God-State. With that threat hanging over his head, he also has the somewhat recent development of Sevarra, taunting his borders with their existence, a constant reminder as to the damage his order of Valkyries caused when they opposed the Absolvers.

Though his current position is wrought with distress and past failures, he has a long list of accomplishments to accompany them. As a practitioner of Morro’s beliefs, he is a practiced and well-praised combatant, a general of many battles, as well as one of the wisest men in Auwra.

---Lord Winter

If anyone knows Lord Winter’s actual name, it hasn’t been shared. The nickname, though adopted by the world as a serious moniker, was originally a mocking note on the Winter Court’s respectability, as it is supposed to be without one true leader. Despite this, Lord Winter has for all intents and purposes assumed the role of the leader of Winter Elves, those elves of the Winter Court, simply because none other wishes to challenge his judgement. Though he does not break the laws of the court by officially assuming a leadership role, he is an imposing individual that none wish to challenge and all wish to follow, making his say the only one that matters.

A fearsome warrior and a rumored bearer of a Godlike Immortality, Lord Winter champions the enslavement of humanity, the renewal of the elven race, and he has recently challenged the Master of Demons himself, though people are uncertain as to his motive.

---Nym

Nym is a master thief known as the Ravenlord. There are accounts of his sighting, but no such believable telling of what he looks like under the wrappings he wears about his head. A true mystery, others can only but wonder if he has any true aim beyond stealing the greatest and most valuable things. It is rumored that after adding the most prized artifacts in the world to his collection, he moved to stealing less palpable things. It is rumored that he has stolen the Archfey’s heart, and that he is capable of robbing a man of his thoughts, memories, or even his body.

---Causicaa

When the Verdonyyd brought up the barrier that kept them sealed behind their own magic for generations, the shield had no effect on a sizable percentage of the nation's women. Inexplicably, only these women were able to travel to and from the cities, learning what they could of the events of the world, gathering resources, and performing the actions that were necessary in keeping their nation strong until the threat of the Valkarian invasion ended. This bred a nation of immensely clever and self-sufficient women, a nation where the one that serves you drinks in the tavern is rarely some simple maid. Causicaa was brought up in this environment, and though only a short part of her youth was spent during the times when the Magocracy was surrounded by a magical field, she has acquired much of the know-how and initiative that her mother possessed. As the Magocracy chooses it leader based upon magical ability, it was not a surprise when Causicaa was announced the Mage-Empress. A true magical genius, Causicaa pulls from the Wyrd as easily as one draws breath, and has directed all of her energies to making powerful tools and arcane machinations that have benefited the world as a whole. All this, and she is only seventeen.

---Esma

Though no official proclamation was made, Esma has assumed the role of the Thornseer, guardian of the wilds and protector of nature. She has been seen living in treacherous locales, riding great, monstrous beasts, and eradicating entire legions that set foot into one of her groves should they have ill intent. It is not certain as to what her relationship is with the Goddess Cenerine, but the way in which she shuns humanity and civilization and embraces the forest and its often dangerous inhabitants does not bode well for her being a friend to the civilized races. A bounty has been placed on her head by several Kingdoms for her attacks against their expansion, but The Summer Court has taken a different approach, and for years now has been inviting her as a guest of honor to each attending session. Thus far it is not known if she has accepted any of them.

She has, however, been known to visit Elewyr on occasion.

---Amaranthe

There are not many in the world that could find it in their hearts to dislike Amaranthe. Rising from The Summer Court, she had humble beginnings as an adventurer, performing acts of kindness and good throughout the world. There are few people that have not had their lives benefited by The Champion in some way or form, however indirect. Now, with a name and some followers behind her, Amaranthe hunts the great evils of Auwra. Skith, Vuzun, and Armadan are her prey, and she accepts the aid of all do-gooders that seek to make a difference. With or without the help, however, she is tireless in her pursuit to make the world a great place, and not just for the Summer Elves, but for all. If there is anyone that could be referred to as a Hero, without cause or ulterior motive, it is Amaranthe.

Strangely, though she is a Chosen, a wielder of Divine Magic, she has not announced favor for any one deity, and it is a curious thing to wonder exactly who is bestowing upon her all of this miraculous power.

Things of Note

---The Wyrd
Pronounced "Weird," this is the name given to the unknown Source of Magic, believed to be, by the greatest scholars of this land’s brief history, to be a world all of its own. It is believed that travel to The Wyrd is possible, and that every instance of Magic is simply energy pulled from The Wyrd.

---The Cut
Though not a physical location, at least not known, The Cut is the metaphorical conduit through which magic leaks into the world from The Wyrd. Though what it is literally doing is likely beyond comprehension at this point, the common explanation is that it is getting "wider," which is causing spikes of increased magical energy into the world.

---Auwra
OW-Rah. The common name for the world.

---Chosen
A person capable of Divine Magic. Often referred to as a "Chosen of…" a particular deity. Divine magic has been around, in small doses, for as long as people have believed in the Gods and Goddesses. The number of Chosen, however, have increased since the Spike. Chosen that exclusively worship a deity are seen as strange experts, and though they are well-regarded for their gifts, they are approached warily, as though the deities they neglect may curse them with misfortune.

---Wyrden
Pronounced "Wurden," due to an uncommon dialect coining the term, this is the title given to those capable of casting Arcane Magic. People become Wyrden at varying points in their life, from as young as three years to as old as fifty or more. Most commonly it is around the age of seven. Those that gain the draconic power of Ultrix are commonly called Wyrden, but experts would argue that since their power draws from Dragons' blood and not the Wyrd, they are something else entirely.

---The Dwarves
There was a time that the Dwarves rivaled the Elven cities, conquering the lands below the surface and building great empires in their isolation, thriving in peace. The world had something else in mind, and beneath the crust of Auwra are some of the most vile spawns of evil. As the Cut widened and magic poured into the world, the Dwarves found themselves facing more powerful and more numerous beasts. Soon their border towns collapsed, the cries echoing throughout their grand tunnels, and one-by-one the great empire fell by the city. Pushed to the surface, homeless and, by this time, under the thumb of the wide-spanning Valkarian empire, many Dwarves were lost and without purpose. Many found work as mercenaries and soldiers or artisans, as their trades had, before this time, gone unknown to the majority of the surface world.

---Cenerine’s Curse
About one in every ten children is born with what is called Orc Blood, leaving them looking half-monster and half-man. It is believed to be a lasting effect from Cenerine’s blood that splashed upon the world, polluting the air and cursing every mortal and their descendants with this disease. Since any race may give birth to a child with Orc blood, and yet they retain approximately half of their parent features, they tend to be classified as their own race of "Half-Orcs." Half-Orcs are believed to be entirely infertile.

---Races of the World
Of the civilized, humanoid races, it is estimated that the population of Auwra is somewhere around 500 million. Half-Elves are the most common, followed by Wood Elves and Humans. Dwarves are the least common, as many of them died in their great exodus from the Underworld.

---Teleportation Circles
Teleportation is the most important aspect of magic. It is believed that, at the heart of every spell, a measure of teleportation is being used in transporting the forces of the Wyrd into Auwra. As such, the studies on Teleportation and conjuration in particular are more advanced than in any other field of magic. Teleportation Circles exist in most cities and many towns. They are highly-regulated, monitored and guarded, and used as the most efficient and luxurious means of travel, should one be able to afford the exorbitant prices.

Circles or rings of metal are often perceived as powerful arcane symbols, and in many spell effects a metal ring is utilized as an implement.

A Basic Timeline

---Year 0 - The Spike

This was the moment in time that the Cut let forth more of the Wyrd into Auwra than had been seen in the past. Before this time was the time of just one Elven Court that ruled much of the world. Magic was rarely seen, and perhaps attainable by 200 or so individuals in the entire world. The Valkarian Empire was only an idea, The Verdonyyd were a small organization of old men studying magical artforms.

Before this time was a golden age of the Elven people, and only a few major events stand out during the rule of the Court of Twilight.

After The Spike, the number of Wyrden was estimated to be about 5,000.

It was also during this time that the last remaining Dwarves who still clung to the shallowest recesses of the Underworld were forced out by a great influx of beasts who now dominated the Underworld. Deep Dwarves and Gold Dwarves were renamed as Hill and Mountain Dwarves as they struggled to carve---sometimes literally---their new homes into the rock of this new world.

Many Dwarves found work as mercenaries and craftsmen.


---Year 2 thru 27 - The Fall of the Court

Xenophobia tore the Court in half, between the Winter Elves and the Summer Elves. Five races joined the Winter Elves and Seven joined the Summer. Among the Winter Elves were the Dark Elves, Aquatic Elves, Arctic Elves, Grey Elves and Wild Elves. The Summer Court consisted of the Wood Elves, High Elves, Desert Elves, Jungle Elves, Snow Elves, Sun Elves and Moon Elves. The division resulted in an immense amount of infighting and fratricide, making way for the rise of the Valkarian Empire. When the Elven Courts attempted to resist the Empire's spread individually, it led to a massacre. By the end of it, the population of Elves loyal to the Courts was significantly reduced to numbers manageable for the Valks, and only the High, Wood and Dark elves remained as a structured race, with the dwindling remnants of the others losing their racial identity so thoroughly that they needed to assimilate into the cultures of the other races. Year 27 marked the transition of the Valkarian Nation to the Valkarian Empire, as it dominated the majority of Auwra.

During this fighting, the Verdonyyd Magocracy, having grown due to the influx of Wyrden and the growing importance of magic within the world, carved out a large section of Auwra to call their own.


---Year 29 - The Rise of the High Lich

Perhaps due to the countless lives lost during the war between the Valks and the Courts and the continuing spread of the Empire's might, the High Lich and his undead legions began to draw forth from the soil, bringing doom to all they cross.


---Year 31 - The Defense of The Magocracy

Exhausted from the long war with the Elves, the Valks took some time to manage their extended reach before setting their eyes on the Magocracy. Foreseeing this event, the Magocracy erected a magical barrier that kept any man from passing through it, in or out. This reduced the majority of the Valks’ attacking force, and after several attempts at bypassing it or dispelling it, the Valkarian Empire gave up on the land that the Magocracy had taken.


---Year 37 - The Champion

It is around this time that Amaranthe began her crusade of performing divine favors.


---Year 42 - Ultrix Unifies the Dragons

During this time, one might have heard tale of dragons battling over mountaintops and fields, and a red dragon named Ultrix rising victorious over each one.


---Year 44 - Ultrix carves out a piece of the Valkarian Empire

At the start of this year, Ultrix began encroaching upon Valkarian territory. Fearful for a war with the new Dragon Queen and her numerous allies, the Valkarian troops pulled back and gave her the space she demanded.


---Year 54 - Elewyr breaks off from the Elven Courts

The roaming faction Elewyr officially disbanded from both Elven Courts, though they have been self-sufficient for several years by this point. The first dwelling known as Everhome is constructed, lasting two years before its migration.


---Year 72 - The Valkyries are Born

The Valkyries of Morro rise as a political faction in Valkaria, preaching worship to the Goddess of War, instead of Uthr.


---Year 103 - The Fall of Valkaria

Due to infighting between the Absolvers of Uthr and the Valkyries of Morro, Valkaria grew weak and allowed the Rebel Lord Blackheart to break away and form the free state of Sevarra, as well as allow the Verdonyyd people to lower their barriers and offer their population freedom once more. It is during this time that the Valks lost a massive percentage of their territory.


---Year 113 - The Second Spike

Like its predecessor over a century ago, there was another surge of magic, increasing the number of Wyrden and the power of spells and artifacts throughout Auwra. It is unknown just how great of an effect this has had on the world.

---Year 116 - Present Day

The Explorer's Guild, having traversed much of the known world, sets their sights on a new destination and offers funding for any expedition that seeks to map out the Underworld.