Espladar

Espladar is a treacherous wilderness and the landscape is dotted with the ruins of the past. Bandits and scum take refuge here and some say the woods are filled with drow elves and necromancers practicing their ancient dark magic.

The history of Agia begins long ago in the forested mountains now known as Espladar. This region was once ruled by the high Elves of the Downfall Mountains. They had evolved from dryads into common Wood Elves. The elves were a peaceful people who worshiped nature and desired nothing more than knowledge. The elves were known for their cleverness and natural skill in magic. They loved the arts and soon built magnificent cities which became centers of trade and learning. As the Wood Elves developed they became High Elves. Due to their long lives and advanced culture they were able to bring the scattered clans of humans that resided in the area into their vast empire as second class citizens. At first this was a beneficial arrangement allowing humans to advance more rapidly than they would have naturally. However, as usually happens power corrupted the elves turning them into vicious masters to their human servants.

One thousand years ago a man from the clan Esplad had finally had enough. He united the clans and led an uprising against the Wood Elves. Over time the humans had increased in numbers to the point that each elven household had several slaves. The sudden attack overthrew the empire and the surviving elves were forced to flee south into an area known as the Black Woods. There the elves devolved into the Drow, a twisted and evil people. Thus the First Kingdom of Men was established. A great stone fortress was erected to protect the new citizens and Esplad was named their ruler. He decreed that a standing army be established and to do so they would need iron for weapons. It was lucky that the Downfall Mountains were so abundant in iron and many mining towns sprang up throughout the region. Peace and prosperity blessed the Kingdom for next several hundred years.

The population of the Kingdom grew and the monarch sent forth two clans to form a new colony to the north. One was led by Reginald Bran and the other by Fredrick Mallast. At first the two clans got along fine but eventually their differences led to conflict. As they traveled through the Bluemist Mountains many of the Mallasts fell ill. They were an intelligent people and decided it would be best to make camp while they recuperated. The Brans were a sturdy group and insisted on continuing on for the sake of the Old Kingdom to which they were fiercely loyal. Two colonies developed. Mallaston whose intelligent people learned to harness the steam that flowed from the nearby mountains to power their machines and loyal Brance whose people were steeped in tradition. Brance was surrounded by farmland and was able to produce plenty of food and other goods which they traded with the Old Kingdom.

Eventually though the mines in the Downfall Mountains dried up and many of the miners turned to the capital for assistance. The greedy nobles turned their backs on their people and raised taxes on the colonies. The Dominion of Mallaston refused to pay and declared themselves independent of their motherland. This marked the first war between Mallaston and Brance. The military might of Brance could not be denied as their population had increased rapidly. They had many knights and mages on their side but the people of Mallaston fled to the Mountains. There they endured until the Brancians finally gave up. The Old Kingdom had fallen into anarchy after another rebellion this time led by miners from the mountains. The miners abandoned the fortress and moved north or remained to loot the homes of dead nobles.

Castle Espladar is ruled by the Bandit King, Luthias Yarrin, who gained support with his open door policy. After clearing the dust and debris out of the ruins of the old castle he allowed members of other groups to join his own, bolstering his numbers. Luthias is an excellent leader who spends much of his time judging civil disputes between the bandits who call his city home. It is a rough place for strangers but a safe haven for all those who call it home.

The Lost Battalion, made up of 1,200 highly trained soldiers, was sent to be stationed in Espladar roughly 60 years ago. The plan was that over time they would be joined by several other Battalions who would then attack Mallaston from the south. They made camp in the wilderness and learned how to survive in Espladar. However, after ten years of waiting for orders and backup they grew restless. Their loyalty had shifted to their commanding officers rather than Brance. For several decades they became mercenaries who could be hired by warring clans. They trained their children to fight and survive in an effort to keep their numbers from diminishing as they aged. When they heard of the Bandit King who had taken up residence in the Old Castle they decided for the time being they would serve him in exchange for a more permanent home.

The Tetragamma is a group of necromancers holding up in the Black Woods who occasionally grab unwary travelers to perform horrifying experiments. These necromancers are obsessed with uncovering knowledge of the dark arts and often worship demons. One former member is the demon necromancer, Morgan Blackwood.

The Drow Elves of Espladar are skilled in the arcane and likely to attack humans on sight. They live deep in the Underkingdom and are ruled by a King or a Queen.