This is the introduction to the campaign that I gave my friends. Note that the lore may change so as to be more party friendly. The Land of Ibira The land of Ibira is home to many flora and fauna. Animals as well as sentient beings. The dominating culture in the continent is elven despite there being many different species with their own languages and traditions. This is how it has been through all of recorded time and the elves are very proud of it. They see themselves as the caretakers of this world and while they don’t necessarily see the other races as inferior, they do think them less advanced. The other races have their own cities and towns, but the greatest monuments belong to the elves. For elven history remembers a time in Ibira, when there were no dwarven mansions in the mountains, no orcs in the steppes, dragon borns in the hills or even halfings in the forest. What has been lost, is a time before Ibira, or even before the oldest city, Elvenhome. There are ruins of elven settlements on the islands of the green sea. The more south, the older the ruins. However, beyond the green sea is an endless ocean that none have sailed beyond. For Thousands of years, the Elves of Ibira spread across the continent. Having a love for the sea led to many of the great Elven cities to be coastal. There are several Realms of Elven lords that govern their mostly autonomous territories. Elvenhome is the heart of the Elven civilization and from it, a council of representatives with a head presider govern a loose confederation of states. There is a pantheon of Gods that Elven society adheres to. There are deities that govern the various aspects of the material plane. Orcs for the most part follow the same religion because of Elven influence. Dragon borns and dwarves have their own gods and forms of ancestor worship. Haflings are agnostic for the most part, and humans have their own set of monotheistic beliefs. Cults and sub religions exist in every society. The climate ranges to warm and wet/humid, to temperate and dry. To the far north east, beyond the arid steppes, lies an enormous desert. Very few can survive the passage to the other side, and the lands past the scorching waves of sand are largely unknown, even to the wisest of elves. It is known however, that humans are native to this far land, for as of the last 100 years, human tribes have begun to migrate into Ibira. At first the humans were few and far between, scarce enough to be even noticed, yet in the last several years the number has increased dramatically. Many Elven Lords have criticized the grand councilors for neglecting the issue. Past migrations were dealt peacefully (Orcs, Haflings, and even humans), with land and protection. This time, the migrators have been violent, and organized as well. The dry steppes in the North East, dubbed the Plains of Wind are the latest area of conflict. For several hundred years, Orcs as well as humans have lived and farmed livestock within the protection of the Elven Domain. There they have prospered, and enjoyed peace. No more. Orc villages, as well as mixed towns have been raided and destroyed. The survivors were taken as slaves towards the human tribes of the North East. Rumors of a horse lord amassing a massive army of Sand Warriors strike at the heart of Elvendom. In Recent years a new figure has re emerged on the political scene. Elphare Signor, one of the princes of the Realm of Strength has come to the aid of many Orc settlements. Originally a magical prodigy for his time, Signor disappeared decades ago when the high Elven council decided against intervention against the humans. Now he has reappeared and his aid, although outside the official decree of his home land, has been instrumental in saving thousands. Many Elves see him as a hero, willing to defend innocents and Elvendom from invaders. Others see him as a wealthy prince, eager for any political power he can gain. One thing is certain in these times. Innocents are dying, and a solution must be found before all-out war is inevitable. Map of the World The following is the creation myth for the Elven Pantheon. In the beginning, there was Krom. Krom was kind, but lonely, and so he created the elves and gave them a land to live upon. They called this land Kessa. Krom blessed Kessa and enriched its soil. The elves lived in peace and harmony for a time, with Krom amongst him. Krom however, realized the elves needed to become their own people without him. He then appointed a leader for the elves. One whose name every elf and most orcs know, Corinthian. Along with his full teachings of the magical realm, Krom bestowed three items onto Corintihan, the staff of Krom, the book of Krom, and the Jewel of Krom. For a long age Corinthian ruled the Elves justly and fairly, the elves prospered on Kessa and became masters of the sea. Corinthian took several disciples and onto them he bestowed teachings of specific realms of the universe. The Realm of Water was taught to Mursa The Realm of Air was taught to Honen The Realm of Earth was taught to Jin The Realm of Freedom and Will was taught to Zephra The Realm of Foresight and Fate was taught to Mandos The Realm of Light was taught to Rayru The disciples of Corinthian learned their planes well and over time, they became blessed by Krom into godhood. Their descendants formed the higher nobility of the ancient elves. In time the Elven race began to spread its people to islands outside Kessa. One day the earth shook and the waves crashed. Volcanos fucmed without end, and Kessa became uninhabitable. The Elves were almost destroyed but Corinthian protected them long enough for most to escape. The deeds he performed cost Corintian his mortal life, thus severing him from the material world. Later on the disciples would die and ascend to the sacred planes. While the Staff of Krom was lost, the Book and the Jewel were saved. Eventually the Elves crossed the great Ocean and found the lands of Ibira.The Elves made land and founded the city of Elvenhome establishing the Elven domain. In time, the location of Kessa was lost and many now question its very existence. While in Elvenhome, the Elves became politically split into two factions. The origin of the split is long forgotten but the result was the exodus of a segment of the Elves along with the Book of Krom, its location as well is unknown. The Jewel of Krom is still worn by the High Elven councillor in Elvenhome. Still, the Elves worship Krom, Corinthian, and the disciples. Most Orcs follow this creation myth as well. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Artifacts of the World The Book of Krom: One of the lost items known to escape the destruction of Kessa; this book is known to contain the entirety of the wisdom that Krom bestowed upon to Corinthian. From there, Corinthian divided its chapters amongst his disciples, thus designating the realms of the minor gods. Few Elves besides the original disciples were able to read more than several sentences of its words without going insane. Some say that the entirety of scholarly magic owes its origin to the Book of Krom. The book was lost many a millenia ago, and numerous Elven scholars have spent their lives searching for it, all in vain. Even the reason for its disappearance has been lost. The Jewel of Krom The holiest of all Elven relics that is not lost. The Jewel is said to encompass magical power but to most it would appear a beautiful gem. Even then, only Corinthian himself was ever able to attune himself to the artifact, for he was its creator. According to legend, Corinthian wanted to demonstrate to others his power from Krom was true and divine. Therefore he showed the Elves of Kessa a small rock and told them he would make it the most beautiful gem they had ever seen. Corintinan then labored for many moons in his volcanic workshop of Kessa. This is what he created, a gem so pure that it gave off its own light. Even more so, it has proven to be completely indestructible and it represents the single greatest accomplishment of Corinthian himself. The Jewel has been preserved over the millenia and its composition is completely alien to all of those who've studied it. Nor have any besides Corinthian been able to atune themselves to it and use it for its power. Today, the gem is heavily guarded within the capital The Staff of Krom The most mysterious object in Elvish Mythology. It is said that Corinthian never traveled anywhere without the Staff of Krom. Whereas the book and Jewel have stories of origin, Corinthian is said to always have had the staff. A running theory is that this is where he gained his powers from Krom. Nevertheless, the staff was lost in the destruction of the Isle of Kessa.
