Rise of the Monsters
Legend holds that over a thousand years ago, the great warrior Ulver Lindhardt rose to prominence in the realm as he spread the faith of the All-Father. As he spread his faith, the Old Gods would fall into obscurity, and as they did, they would grow angry and vindictive. We are told that in retaliation, many of these gods would create monsters to kill Ulver and his followers. These monsters would come to be known as the Monsters of the Woods.
The Monsters would go forth, and begin hunting Ulver. But after countless battles, lost souls, and much blood, his following would prove too strong, and the Old Gods would lose their power as their followers converted. However, when the gods lost their power, there would be no one left to control the monsters. So the monsters would come to ravage the countryside, destroying all they could find, and killing everyone they came across. The Monsters would terrorize the the realm for 200 years before the people of the realm had a way of defending themselves. Humans would build walls around their homes, the elves would use magic to make their forests impregnable to anyone they didn't want to enter, and the dwarves would seal their gates to the outside world.
The Monsters would go forth, and begin hunting Ulver. But after countless battles, lost souls, and much blood, his following would prove too strong, and the Old Gods would lose their power as their followers converted. However, when the gods lost their power, there would be no one left to control the monsters. So the monsters would come to ravage the countryside, destroying all they could find, and killing everyone they came across. The Monsters would terrorize the the realm for 200 years before the people of the realm had a way of defending themselves. Humans would build walls around their homes, the elves would use magic to make their forests impregnable to anyone they didn't want to enter, and the dwarves would seal their gates to the outside world.
Rise of a new Kingdom and the Church
Inspired by the teachings and life story of the legendary warrior Ulver Lindhardt, recorded in the Ulver Chronicles, the Church first came to power when the Kingdom of Altland declared the faith as its state religion 800 years ago. Before long, the Lord of Altland would declare it to be the one and only faith for humanity, and would seek to convert all kingdoms in the realm. The lord of Altland would declare war on the surrounding kingdoms, and in time, the entire region would be united under the one lord, King Arles I, the first King of Glanodel.
As the new king consolidated power from the lords, the entire region would flourish, and the people, even in the face of the growing threat of the Monsters of the Woods, became comfortable, life was good. The Church would construct the first Cathedral 750 years ago. Shortly after, the Church would begin to force the lords and the king to pass moral laws based on the tenets of the faith in the Chronicles. Eventually, faith in the All-Father would be the only acceptable religion in the realm, and the others would be systematically oppressed, leading to a time in our history called the Restoration. This time would be marked by constant death and struggles among the humans as the Church used its power and influence in politics to fight and kill anyone that rejected the "truth". It would end in the deaths of thousands of people, but would fail in completely ridding the realm of the adherents of the Old Gods.
As the new king consolidated power from the lords, the entire region would flourish, and the people, even in the face of the growing threat of the Monsters of the Woods, became comfortable, life was good. The Church would construct the first Cathedral 750 years ago. Shortly after, the Church would begin to force the lords and the king to pass moral laws based on the tenets of the faith in the Chronicles. Eventually, faith in the All-Father would be the only acceptable religion in the realm, and the others would be systematically oppressed, leading to a time in our history called the Restoration. This time would be marked by constant death and struggles among the humans as the Church used its power and influence in politics to fight and kill anyone that rejected the "truth". It would end in the deaths of thousands of people, but would fail in completely ridding the realm of the adherents of the Old Gods.
Rise of the Green Swords
The Restoration finally ended after 100 years of blood, some 650 years ago. It was supposed to be a time of rebirth and rejuvenation, but all it was, was an attempt to root out those who didn’t agree with the Church. We all see that now. But once it ended, at least the King and the Church turned their attention to the Monsters of the Woods. When they did, things became even more bloody.
At first, the Church contributed many forces, and the King put up the rest. But with all these men, thousands in counting, they were unable to even make a dent in the hordes of creatures that poured from the Blackwood Forests. However, even as things seemed their most hopeless, a group of miners and dedicated adherents of the All-Father accidentally dug into a passage within an abandoned dwarven cavern. Within the cavern, they miners discovered a new type of metal. Green in tint they would name it celadite. They would take it to smithies within the village they were from, and the smithies would immediately go to work. As they toyed with the strange metal they began to realize the incredible qualities it possessed. Stronger than any other metal, but still as light as iron, and shining a brilliant green color, the smithies, once having crafted several hundred weapons, went to the Church, who in turn gave it to the armies that were fighting the monsters. Within a few weeks, we are told, the unusual poisonous effect that the metal had on the monster became apparent, and the entire mine would be swept for the metal. As many swords, arrows, shields, and axes as possible were made, and the armies would finally gain an upper hand.
As the new group of soldiers continued to grow in size and numbers, they would nominate their own leaders, and then the group would give itself a name. They would call themselves the Swordsmen of the Order of Celadite. But as they grew in popularity, the public would name them the Green Swords, and they would become the only defense that humanity, and the rest of the realm had against the monsters for the next 600 years.
At first, the Church contributed many forces, and the King put up the rest. But with all these men, thousands in counting, they were unable to even make a dent in the hordes of creatures that poured from the Blackwood Forests. However, even as things seemed their most hopeless, a group of miners and dedicated adherents of the All-Father accidentally dug into a passage within an abandoned dwarven cavern. Within the cavern, they miners discovered a new type of metal. Green in tint they would name it celadite. They would take it to smithies within the village they were from, and the smithies would immediately go to work. As they toyed with the strange metal they began to realize the incredible qualities it possessed. Stronger than any other metal, but still as light as iron, and shining a brilliant green color, the smithies, once having crafted several hundred weapons, went to the Church, who in turn gave it to the armies that were fighting the monsters. Within a few weeks, we are told, the unusual poisonous effect that the metal had on the monster became apparent, and the entire mine would be swept for the metal. As many swords, arrows, shields, and axes as possible were made, and the armies would finally gain an upper hand.
As the new group of soldiers continued to grow in size and numbers, they would nominate their own leaders, and then the group would give itself a name. They would call themselves the Swordsmen of the Order of Celadite. But as they grew in popularity, the public would name them the Green Swords, and they would become the only defense that humanity, and the rest of the realm had against the monsters for the next 600 years.
Death of a King and his Kingdom
300 years ago, after 300 years of peace and growth never before seen in our realm, the kingdom would once again be flung into chaos and disarray following the death of High King Elsith II. This would lead to the succession of his son, High King Elsith III, a man with a lust for power and ultimately responsible for the Red Plague due to his incompetence. Civil disorder would break out across the realm, as it often did at the time of a new king’s coronation. However, the inexperienced and temperamental king decided that instead of simply subduing the perpetrators, he had them executed, along with anyone else who dared question his authority. Countless lives would be lost during this time as anyone seen as a threat to the crown were detained, and executed within days, with no warning, no chance to speak for themselves.
As the madness continued, many of the lord began to question if following the king was wise. They had all noticed the attitudes towards ruling this king held, and most lords began to conspire against him. Some to overthrow him, others to simply separate from the kingdom. After the king ruled over our realm for only 10 years, the lords of each province would declare their independence. It was this single event that sparked the bloody wars and continual strife that has permeated through the ages, destroying lives and separating families, decimating our homes and our livelihoods, and in time the entire kingdom would collapse. A group of lords, wishing to gain freedom for their provinces, killed the entire royal family, and with this act, sent the entire kingdom into chaos as all lords became dedicated to their own agendas, and seeing themselves on the throne.
This war would ultimately lead to a war that started 300 years ago, and continued sporadically, always looming over head, always just around the corner. This is the world that has led to what we live in now. Eventually, within just the past 10 years the Green Swords were disbanded when the Church no longer wanted to pay for them, and they funded their own army; and the kings of the realm have started to divert from what’s right, and settle for what will win. What is the price of victory? Do the ends truly justify the means?
As the madness continued, many of the lord began to question if following the king was wise. They had all noticed the attitudes towards ruling this king held, and most lords began to conspire against him. Some to overthrow him, others to simply separate from the kingdom. After the king ruled over our realm for only 10 years, the lords of each province would declare their independence. It was this single event that sparked the bloody wars and continual strife that has permeated through the ages, destroying lives and separating families, decimating our homes and our livelihoods, and in time the entire kingdom would collapse. A group of lords, wishing to gain freedom for their provinces, killed the entire royal family, and with this act, sent the entire kingdom into chaos as all lords became dedicated to their own agendas, and seeing themselves on the throne.
This war would ultimately lead to a war that started 300 years ago, and continued sporadically, always looming over head, always just around the corner. This is the world that has led to what we live in now. Eventually, within just the past 10 years the Green Swords were disbanded when the Church no longer wanted to pay for them, and they funded their own army; and the kings of the realm have started to divert from what’s right, and settle for what will win. What is the price of victory? Do the ends truly justify the means?