The Land above the Shadow

Centuries ago, the land was devoured by great clouds of pure shadow. The Phoenixes were wiped out, and the other peoples of the world retreated to higher ground to escape the darkness. Now, settlements cling to mountainsides or perch atop cliffs, but the only way to travel between them is to brave the darkness below the clouds. The surviving races; the Humans, the Centaurs, the Simada and the Lo-Pang are locked in ceaseless conflict with the Shadowspawn. These Shadowspawn are commanded by the Dark Lord Kylrad, the Bringer of Shadow, who caused the catastrophe, but was halted in his advance by a coalition of heroes from each of the races. He is now trapped beneath the clouds, yet he still sends out his minions, ever yearning to be free, to bring darkness to all.

This, at least, is what the mortals think.