Introduction: Welcome to Arthea

Arthea is a kingdom, fractured and broken. It is part of a twisted, buckled and broken world. Some say it has been abandoned by its gods. Others blame the wrenching of the world on those who wield magic.

But the world was broken long ago. Now, with healing, the world is recovering, and the people have built new nations, with new kings. And, for now at least, a single king.

The lands of the humans are pulled under a single banner, and a King sits on the throne in the North. Kingdoms of the south pay tribute, it was their unification in the first place. The King in the north is a long way off; his tribute kingdoms of the south, formerly part of their own Empire, are all self-ruling - how could they be anything else so far away. And the lands of the East, so often the soft target in war, are finally becoming strong. Maybe they'll be the first to challenge the current status quo.

For the peasants, this matters little. Their world was broken by magic, and so in magic there is no trust. They pay taxes and tithes, worship at their churches, and for the poorest pay their feudal masters by promise of armed service. But these days are peaceful, aren't they? There are no more monsters attacking the lands, or would-be tyrants, or nearby nations threatening war.

Arthea is a land of peace, a land of trade, and a land of opportunity.

Recent history is dominated by the war of unification, and then by the way the northern king rose to seize power from the Emperor of the south. The six nations of the former Empire are themselves torn with supporters and opponents of the Ticetian King, and political movements seek to strengthen ties with the north. Or sever them. Or replace the King with an Imperial Heir if one could be found. And in the East, the Caldonacians grow in number and so in power. The kingdoms of the former Empire of the Ticetian rulers are in orbit of each other, and notice little of the rise of their Eastern cousins, a nation that was conquered long ago.

And what of the Elves in this land? They pay no tribute to the crowns of humans, yet they pay their due taxes when trading with the free people. But their own lands are hidden, kept from the prying eyes and evil intent of the mortals. Unlike the dwarfs who seem to revel in the splendour and majesty of their halls. Their delves are works of art, and may yet come to rival the greatest delves that were ever seen before the Great Disaster. The kingdoms of the humans rely on dwarfs for their craft with stone and metal, and their trade benefits all.

Arthea is waiting. Adventurers are welcome.