History of Strife

War is hell, and it’s all this world has known for longer than even the few remaining Fey folk remember. In an age past, the gods clashed. None now remember what caused this cataclysmic event. None know the details of the war. It is only known that one god survived. In a war that shook all the planes, Bane, master of war, Tyrant of the Astral Sea, was triumphant.

With the fall of the gods, their worshipers became powerless. Religions have died out, lost to ancient memory. Arcane magic is a rare and wondrous thing, and its practitioners are often mistrusted. Organized study of the arcane arts was abolished when the churches of Ioun fell. None were safe. The devils were lured out of the Nine Hells and vanquished. Celestia and the rest of the domains in the good and just were sacked. Lloth and the other gods of the dark places were rooted out and destroyed. Even Vecna was found and put to the sword. His famous hand hangs as a trophy around the neck of Grimtoll, an exarch of Bane.

Since his victory, Bane has used the mortal survivors as his personal playthings. The world renamed Strife to describe the daily lives of its inhabitants, is ruled from the throne in the city of Conflict. Recorded history has become a treatise on tactics and strategy of endless battles. Societies that are strong enough to survive Bane’s whims of random conquest find themselves constantly tested. Gone are the ideas of an idyllic village where children play in the grassy fields, enjoying a bright day of sunshine. Everyone is trained to fight for their survival, and all efforts of the populace go to providing material of war.

A decade ago, the small kingdom of Sovereignty was attacked by its neighbor. Lead by one of the last true wizards in the world, the people of Sovereignty were able to hold their ground. Emboldened by their immediate success, they launched a counter attack, and seized control of the small capital city within a day. Promoted to the rank of Lord Protector of Sovereignty, the human, Wilorian Loyalar began a campaign to bring relative peace and stability to the region.

This campaign continues to this day. Through diplomacy, treaties, overwhelming force, and superior strategy the Hosts of Sovereignty have increased their holdings and power over the region.