((Campaign & World Info: Yuloria))

((Cross-posting basic world information from our Google Group for readers' information))

The island of Yuloria -- once a prosperous and united kingdom, with a long and storied history.

Now, 500 years after the death of the last great emperor -- now known to everyone across the land as Saint Arasin -- the once-great kingdom has fallen into ruin. A series of ineffective and inept rulers drove the economy into the ground and many fled the land, and many others fell into poverty. Plague gripped the people, and famine destroyed many households. Wars broke out amongst the provinces of the kingdoms, pitting dukes and lords against one another. The once proud blue flag of the kingdom was changed to many colors and when the Great War broke out, many tens of thousands more died under sword and spell. The Samhadi -- a race created out of a great darkness, but one of the most peaceful and productive races of the land -- found themselves fleeing in large numbers when they became persecuted by the human rulers of the land.

The Great War ended due to orc and goblinoid raiders from the mainland establishing a foothold in the northeastern part of the island. The people were forced to come together to fight their common enemy, but already they were weakened. Three kingdoms now stand where once there was one; the kingdom of Oren -- named for a legendary blade once held by a great hero -- still holds the once-capital city of Norrano. The kingdom of Taneth holds the eastern side of the island, while the kingdom of Adragev holds the western side of the island.

The treaties ensured that each of the three kingdoms would have some border exposure to the northern threat, so that each would be forced to do their part to hold the front against the orcs. A great Wall was erected along the northern border of the kingdoms to help repel the threat, under fire from orc and goblin attacks.

After a grueling war lasting nearly 10 years, the three kingdoms were finally able to repulse the orc advance into their kingdom. Still they hold the northernmost part of the island, but no longer do they actively press, seeking more land.

Finally, prosperity began to creep back into the kingdoms. With the Northwall safely guarding the northern border of the kingdoms, trade re-opened in the south with the mainland. Mages began to return to the kingdom, bringing their own brand of wealth and beginning to train new apprentices.

All is not well in the three Kingdoms of Yuloria, however. Pirates -- many of them soldiers with nothing left after the war ended -- raid the coastlines, disrupting trade routes. Cities are thick with thieves and many of them are little more than slums, though reparation efforts are on the way. Wizards, with intentions both good and ill, have set themselves up as teachers and, in some places, as advisors to those in power.

Peaceful relations were once again established with Alverennia, the sun kingdom of the High Elves on the mainland, and many have come seeking fortune and wisdom in these difficult times. The dwarves which once lived on the eastern steppes of the island and fled under a persecuting ruler have begun to return in small numbers, now that they are welcomed back by Queen Danarren of Taneth, who is offering money and land to dwarves who return to claim the lands of their tribal ancestors and open shops. Haflings and gnomes, too, come from the mainland for trade, or to explore the vast and lost riches of the fallen kingdom.

And still, beneath all of this strife beats the heart of something terrible. Could a great and forgotten evil be rising once again to swallow the land?