Thread:Argali1/@comment-26084195-20160508220847/@comment-26084195-20160509011906

Alright. A long time ago, there was a war called the Last Great War. The primary players were Lord Blackburn and his legions of Klackon and Torin the Chosen's High Man armies, but there were multiple other players. This war basically caused civilization to crumble and everybody regressed into a new dark age. Fast forward a few centuries, and civilization has made a comeback, though in different ways. On one hand you have Ariel, who ruled over the Orcs, Nomads and Halflings with messages of peace and tolerance and understanding. Then you have Vladak, who united the High Men and some Gnolls in a common goal then ruled them through power and forced satanic worship.

Now, once the High Men were under Vladak's yolk, he set is sights on the other Wizards. Tlaloc was his first target, as the High Elves carried powerful secrets, secrets Vladak desired. His righteous armies launched the First Black Crusade, striking from the south with the intent of trapping him between the dark forces of Vladak and the Barbarians in the frozen north of his land.

However, while all this was occurring, old secrets were unearthed and the secrets to travel between Arcanus and Myrror were rediscovered. Vladak and Ariel both ventured into Myrror to establish a power base there. Ariel was instantly drawn to the Dwarves, who, despite being kinda nasty, were undoubtedly the least horrible race on Myrror. Vladak felt instant connections with the Dark Elves, who were undoubtedly the most cruel and sadistic (and most powerfully magical) species out there. Many cults to Vladak sprung up amongst Dark Elven society (he was really quite popular amongst the sadistic and power hungry), and by the starting point of the story he controls about 50% of their population, while Ariel controls a similar number in the Dwarven culture. Meanwhile, the Draconian Wizard Sss’ra seeks to wipe both of the unworthy peons from the face of Myrror.

Back on Arcanus, Vladak discovers the existence of Castle Blackburn and immediately realizes the implications. If he can conquer the castle, he would learn the secrets of the Spell of Mastery, and would become unstoppable. He may even be able to convince the other Demon Lords to finally let him back into the Death Realm and restore his status. Unfortunately, Castle Blackburn was deep within Ariel’s Kingdom. If he wanted the secrets of Castle Blackburn, he would have to penetrate into Ariel’s territory with ferocity and without mercy. As such, the Second Black Crusade was swiftly launched, and Vladak’s superior fleets dropped off companies and companies of High Men and Gnolls, supplemented by battalions of Ghouls, Wraiths, and other undead monsters. They quickly conquered coastal villages and cities and established a firm beachhead for their dark lord.

However, Ariel’s forces then mounted a staunch and surprising defense. The Miracle Line was established quite rapidly. The Miracle Line is an invisible line between Vladak's captured territory and Ariel's kingdom. It’s a bit like the trenches in WW1, and it runs through multiple towns and cities. The one that Vladak is most focused on is Plimith, a walled Orc city on the Greystone River. That river runs down to the ocean from the Greystone Mountains, which is the mountain range in which Castle Blackburn is hidden. Vladak knows that if he can conquer Plymouth, not only will he smash a large hole in the Miracle Line, but he will have opened the gateway for his formidable armada to sail right through, deep into Ariel’s kingdom, and a shortcut to Castle Blackburn. A victory at Plimith would give Vladak a victory over every Wizard.

Unfortunately, Plimith has managed to hold out against constant siege for three years. The defenders there have mounted a ridiculously effective defence, and every day Vladak grows more and more furious.

Of course, Plimith is no longer the pretty, wealthy city it once was. Within the walls the city resembles a skeleton, very few buildings remain intact. All of the citizens are either dead or left, leaving only soldiers jumping about from husk to husk looking for cover. The ground is brown and infertile and plague is rife within the city thanks to Vladak’s dark magic. Despite this heavy cloud of oppression and smoke above the city, the defenders still guard the city with reckless abandon.

And that’s basically what has happened up to the starting point.