World of Elderforge Overview
Elderforge is vast and complex, and the goal of this page is to help you understand it better.
Elderforge refers to the material world, a large globe floating in space surrounding by stars. There are other planes, which are connected to Elderforge in various ways, and some planes that mirror Elderforge. All of these planes exist in their own reality, and cannot be travelled to traditionally.
Continents
The material world of Elderforge is dominated with expansive land and sea, and the land is divided as follows. A massive span of land covers the majority of the worlds mass, and this landmass has been divided into two separate continents, Velaria and Draisan. Velaria and Draisan are also surrounded by dozens of different islands that vary in size. These islands include Belione, Extona, Jormunfjord, Svinland, Asgardfoss, Crevia, Torvi, Rauvaria, Hopeia.
Velaria is the name of the Western section of the landmass, and contains half of the Xeador Kingdom, Seven Cities, Modria, Laegevia, Coven.
Draisan is the name of the Eastern section. Draisan contains Khotus, Shonem, Elisium, Gregor, Vastrya, Amaron, Ostaria.
Amaron Empire
The Amaron Empire is the largest ruling power in Elderforge. As implied by its name, the Empire formed in the country of Amaron, which is located in North Velaria. In 470AU, the people of Amaron banded together under The Vanguard, a group of local heroes who defended the country against many threats, and created the Empire out of a conglomerate of bordering countries. Since then, the Empire has federated several other nearby countries, as well as Seven Cities in Draisan.
Now, the Empire is mixed and vast. Examples of peoples in the Empire:
- Commons - Humans and Elves have lived in Amaron for centuries after the War for Amaron, and are found scattered throughout the entire country.
- Gith - Once slaves, then natives, then forced to fled, the Gith have recently returned to Amaron and were accepted into Naham under The Raven Queen.
- Devilkin - Pureblood devils now populate the Empire due to Hellport and the creation and further incorporation of ShadowHell. Because of this, many Tieflings also populate the Empire born from both Devils and Commons alike.
- Dwarves - The Empire federated the willing Tarus Kingdom, homeland of the Mountain Dwarves.
- Syn - After the Vanguard purified the Abyss, the one intelligent race of the Demonic plane allied with the Empire and joined their ranks, leaving the Abyss behind them.
- Icewind-folk - The Duergar, Drow, and Myconids of the Underdark now majorly populate the land that was once known as Icewind Dale alongside the native Goliath tribes. Since The Everlasting Rime began, not many other races could live there but it allowed the Underdark people to flee the oppressive Underdark and live within the Empire.
- Seven Cities Natives - The people of Seven Cities live within the Holy Desert and worship the ancient Gem Dragons. Half of the population are humans with very dark skin, and the other half are Dragonborn, living in the original home of Dragons. Scattered remains and fossilized gem dragons are found throughout the desert, their magic seeping into the land and creating wonders.
- Yuan-ti - Half-men, half-serpent people of Jormunfjord that live as Vikings, sailing boats and raiding. They are thought to descend from Jormungandar himself, giving them their notable snake-like features.
Countries within the Amaron Empire:
- Amaron - the original country, a large land of mountains, forests, and mostly plains. Rich with history of Gith and Mind Flayer wars and full of old magic.
- Seven Cities - An old country in Velaria populated with dark-skinned humans and Dragonkin alike. Mostly desert except for the Seven Cities built along one large supernatural river.
- Tarus - Home of the Dwarves, deep underground and a network of mines.
- New Underdark - What used to be Icewind Dale, cursed by a Frost-Goddess and now home to refugees from the Underdark, who thrive in those terrible conditions.
- Jormunfjord - an independent island of snake-vikings associated with Svinland.
Rulers of the Empire:
- Empress ___ - A figure loved by the public, but a puppet to the true rulers and new pantheon:
- Ethreain, God of Chaos - represents the Vanguard
- The Raven Queen - represents Naham, City of Bells, Shadowfell, and the Gith
- Medmorn, Ruler of Shadow - represents ShadowHell
- Zariel - represents Angelkeep
- Thorom Fireborn - Tarus Kingdom King
- Feldrith Kharal - Gem Dragonborn High Priestess of Seven Cities
- Zudric, son of the Serpent - Represents Jormunfjord and Svinland
Vastryan Ocracy
Pre-Shattering Vastrya
The largest country in Elderforge. It is populated by roving tribes and clans that constantly war with each other for land and honour. Due to the sheer size of Vastrya, many magical locations can be found within, such as the Glass Mountains, Emerald Jungle, and Spectral Bay.
Tribes of Vastrya:
Bluefox Clan , Bronzebone Tribe , Cruelbear Warriors , Deadrage Tribe , Ironwolf Clan , Lighthand Clan , Purepaw Clan , Strongscar Clan , The Grimskull Tribe
Common Peoples of Vastrya
- Orcs are the most common, with many Half-Orcs and some Humans
- Giants and Half-Giants, Goliaths found in the mountains
- Hobgoblins, Goblins, Gnomes, Bugbears, Firbolgs, Wood Elves
New Capital and Ruling Clan
During the rise of the new pantheon in Elderforge, the Ironwolf Clan has become the de-facto leaders of Vastrya. Khag Nozgar , their settlement has become the capital of Vastrya and the center of trade and neutral meeting grounds between clans. Under the Ironwolf leadership, Vastrya has become a land focused on Strength and Honour, the Ironwolf motto.
Post-Shattering Vastrya
Vastrya, once one country, is now the Nine Shattered Re
Gregor Dynasty
The Gregor Dynasty is an ancient, traditional and imperial dynasty that rules a land of barely tamed wilderness. Gregor is dominated by the Colossal Wilds, a forest of trees so large they make giants look tiny. The Quori Range, a colourful mountain range of pink cherry blossoms and turquoise Taldine crystals. And the Jade Sea, a sea of green caused by massive chunks of Jade seeping into the water around them with magical properties and holy to the Gregorians. The culture of Gregor is traditional and conservative, with rigid norms and a high expectation. There are some of the wealthiest people in Elderforge within, and the largest gap between the rich and poor alongside it. Due to the nature of the Colossal Wilds and the gargantuan beasts within, there are no settlements outside of cities in Gregor, making the cities cramped, packed with a wide range of species, and exotic.
Peoples native to Gregor:
Humans, Kalashtar, Changelings, Firbolg, Shifters
Almost ALL other races are found within uncommonly, including: Kenku, Tabaxi, Lizardfolk, Elves and more.
Guilds are also common in the Dynasty. The royal family sits above and rules over everything. Beneath them the guilds rule.
- White Tigers - Mercenary protectors known as a good, likeable faction.
- The Wardens - Ranger-Guardians that scale vertical exteriors of the cities, protecting them from dangerous wildlife.
- Alistair Syndicate - Shady organisation that isn't afraid of doing what needs to be done to keep the peace, no matter how dark it may be.
- Xanathar Guild - Hunters for sport, taking on mythical beasts throughout the Wilds.
- Metal Hearts - technology-focused group, handling everything from architecture to maintenance of street lights, powered by Jade.
- Hollowthorn - A new, unique organisation that is relatively unknown.
- Quandrix College - The Quandrix Campus of the global Strixhaven University is in Jrusar, the capital of Gregor. It is the magic of numeromancy, the power of patterns, fractals, and symmetries to wield power over the fundamental mathematics of nature.
- The Phoenix Host - A secretive, covert organisation that is focused on information.
Xeador Kingdom
A hostile country ruled by a a vampiric Baron covered in dark mists and beneath a supernaturally larger moon, where night seems to last hours longer. An aristocracy of Vampires leading their wealthy Houses, ruling over the mortal peasants below them. The land is cursed, where nothing that dies stays dead and the very land wants to swallow you up. Strahd von Sarovich is the Baron and King of Xeador. He is the first Vampire and fell to darkness long ago when trying to purge the already-cursed land. Over centuries he has accumulated power, building his Vampiric Kingdom.
In 470AU, The Prophecy of the Blood Moon occurred and a horrible civil war erupted between the Vampires of the north and the Lycanthropes of the south. Before the Blood Moon, both sides were balanced in power, but the Vampires, bolstered by the Blood Moon, wiped out the Lycanthropes and turned the Xeador Marsh into a wasteland. Now, Strahd and his legion of monsters wages war with the Amaron Empire to the East and the Northmen in the Shattered Isles to expand his influence.
The peoples of Xeador are made up of three main species. Vampires in their Houses, Lycanthropes that ruled the marsh (now near-extinct), and the Humans living as livestock. Other mortals are found within but much more rare.
The Church of Dawn is the predominant religion followed by mortals in Xeador, a religion that worships peace and being 'better' than fighting back. But Strahd created the Church long ago, using it as a tool to make his humans more docile and easier to feed on.
Night Creatures also prowl the land, created by a special kind of necromancer only found in Xeador, Forgemasters.
Divine Kingdom of Elisium
The Elder Gods' first attempt at creation of organised life was Elisium. This isolated country was inhabited by Genasi, creatures based off the pure elemental powers of the world: Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. Thinking themselves generous Gods, the Elders granted Genasi free will and trusted that they would live up to their high hopes for a perfect society. This, of course, failed. The different elemental factions of Genasi waged war endlessly with one another for the sole reason that they were different. The Failure of Elisium occurred when the Elder Gods had enough and smited the entire country to oblivion.
While the Elder Gods expanded the world and each tried creating their own unique races, which would become the Elder Races (Ilithids, Gith, Sorok, Elder Dragons/Greatwyrms, Giants, and Primal Elves), they were unaware that within the smoking crater of Elisium, a small kindle of flame still burned, so small that it was beneath the Gods' notice. When the Elder Gods abandoned Elderforge, which many theorise as to be because of the constant warring within the Elder Races, the small surviving kindle within Elisium began to grow, slowly and secretly to not attract any attention.
Staying hidden over the centuries, isolated from cultures and new Gods alike, the Divine Kingdom of Elisium rose from the ashes and was reborn stronger than ever. They devoted themselves to becoming a machine of power.
The new Genasi bring with them a primordial power thought lost, waging war with everything around them as commanded by their new Gods - the elements themselves. United as a single Kingdom, the Genasi use ancient magics and powerful training to conquer the world, as is their divine commandment. The main battlefield is the Divine Front, as detailed in the map above. The imperial army of the Gregor Dynasty, the Divine Host of Elisium, the Ironwolf Clan, and the Amar 2nd Army fight in the Battle of Four Armies.
Belione
An isolated and only recently discovered island-country largely consisting of thick mythical forests. Many new species were also found here with their own pantheon of gods only found within Belione. It is believed that they evolved in isolation to the rest of Elderforge.
Species native to Belione:
- Leonin
- Satyr
- Centaur
- Triton
- Minotaur
The pantheon of Belione is unique, consisting of: Athreos, Ephara, Erebos, Heliod, Iroas, Karametra, Keranos, Klothys, Kruphix, Mogis, Nylea, Pharika, Phenax, Purphoros, Thassa.
Other Countries
Extona Peninsula
A set of tropical islands off the southern coast of Vastrya in the Uncanny Sea. Populated by descendants of Half-Orcs, with thinning blood called Kersians, making them more huamn-like with subtle hints to their Orc ancestry. Extona Peninsula is known for their export of Kersian Ale, better than anything you can find elsewhere in Elderforge.
Ostarian Republic
A republic in a land bordering Amaron that has not been enveloped into the Empire yet. The republic treats and trades with countries hostile to Amaron, and trade with Amaron too. Many believe that the Empire already rules in Ostaria, and use their independence to further their goals.
Shonem Dynasty
A hostile land of Yuan-ti and Egyptian-themed cultures.
Republic of Khotus
The ancestral home of Primal Elves and now occupied by the High Elves in their palaces of pristine marble. Everything within is ancient, meticulously cared for, and beautiful.
Kingdom of Hopeia
A small, otherwise insignificant island that is now the staging grounds for a war between the Sea Elves of the Laegevia Empire, and the Water Genasi of the Divine Host.
Laegevia Empire
A sea-faring Empire that rules the Southern parts of Draisan. In a constant struggle with their neighbour, the Kingdom of Modria. Laegevia is the land and sea of Sea Elves.
Kingdom of Modria
A war-focused Kingdom of Hobgoblins unrelated to the Goblins of Vastrya. The militant country is rigid, disciplined and ruthless. At constant war with the Sea Elves of Laegevia.
Serene Duchy of Coven
A peaceful, hidden country of Halflings living beneath the ground. The only Halflings that leave usually do so with a blue-skinned Goliath from Rauvaria.
Crevian Magocracy
Magical land of Owlin to the East. Their society is completely focused on magic and no physical labour can be seen.
Duchy of Torvi
Home of Kenku bordering Crevia. In contrast to their Owlin neighbours, the Kenku still dwell on the ground and have created a strange but unique culture.
Grand Duchy of Asgardfoss
The opposing island-country to Svinland. Asgardfoss is full of armored warriors and noble heroes defending their land and awaiting ascension to their rightful place in heaven.
Svinland
The opposing island-country to Asgardfoss. Svinland is a cold, hard place and the people are more so. Berserkers, magical tattoos and bestial Gods thrive here. Vikings are commonplace, raiding nearby countries for gold and resources.
Rauvarian Theocracy
A land of blue-skinned Goliaths with good relations to the Halflings of Coven. They often partner with Halflings to guide them, as any Goliath that leaves Rauvaria must be blinded. The theocracy is incredibly secretive but very open to trade and are always kind.
