Appleburg, oh abundant Appleburg; how fruitful your orchards are, how sweet the water that feeds them.
Such is the praise of the bucolic kingdom of Appleburg. Situated in the heights of the Jyollah valley in the region surrounding the twin glacial lakes of Lakashaa, it is reknown as the most perfect of places for the growing of fruits and the making of wines. Rich is the harvest of Appleburg, verdant its pastures, contested is its land.
Yes, contested for Appleburg is the envy of its neighbors and a dreamland of those far, far away.
The Jyollah Valley is situated in a natural crossroad with relatively close access to the seaports on the coast and trade routes North, South, East, and West.
In the time of gods and legends, the world was rich with life and magic. Creatures of all types flourished, Men, Elves, Orcs, Trolls, Dragons, and others. The gods were beneficent and plied blessings on their creations. It had become a game to them as each vied to outshine their fellow gods through the grace they bestowed on their favorites. Cults of adoration grew and kingdoms flourished.
Soon the gods grew jealous of each other and envious of the offerings from their followers. The friendly game between them grew more serious and deadly as the kingdoms of their favorite grew and came into conflict. It is lost in the midst of time as to whether it was the conflict between their devotees that drew the gods into warfare or the fracas between the gods that threw their followers into internecine conflict. There is no doubt, however, that the world was ravaged by war and that the heavens shook as god set upon god. Some gods did not survive the conflict and others so reduced in power as to be rendered useless; no god emerged unscathed. During the conflict, the propensities of the gods came into sharp relief and thus the divide between good and evil grew.
In time, a great empire emerged and a glorious age of peace and prosperity begun and Appleburg was a prized holding. The gods, forgotten though their cults survived, could no longer sustain themselves on the meager worship offered. No one knows exactly what happened to the gods or even if they still exist. All that is known is that their hands are not as evident as they once were.
As we know, nothing is forever and so, the great empire fell into a slow decline over centuries torn apart by regional trouble, native uprisings and attacks from the uncivilized. Appleburg?s fortunes fell and lost whatever influence it had.
Generations passed and equilibrium between kingdoms and regional concerns developed. This did not suite some as they cast covetous glances at what others had that they did not.
Darkness grew in the South; a darkness of purpose, a twisting of the purity of magic and hatred for all that did not conform to its desires. From that darkness corruption spread, worming it?s way to rot from within rival kingdoms.
Appleburg was of little interest to the Darkness until its sovereignty passed to seven adventurers for service rendered. Hearty of spirit and desiring only to make their own fortune, they revived the fortunes of Appleburg. Fiercely defending their rights and willingness to assist their neighbors in fighting the agents of the growing Corruption, the Lords of Appleburg grew in prominence and in fortune. Ultimately, the dark gaze fell upon them and the storm blew up to envelop them.
In the battle that ensued, the storm could not hold and so, the Light of their heroism dispersed the Darkness.
Alas, the corruption had spread so far and so deep that purity of Magic was forever marred. Never again, have such glories as known in the Time of Legends and of the Seven Heroes were seen in the land.
With the Darkness dispelled, the world healed again. The descendents of the Seven ruled Appleburg, keeping to the traditions of the ancestors, defending their right and keeping the jewel that is their kingdom verdant and blossoming.
The future so bright, none worried about the dark.
Such is the praise of the bucolic kingdom of Appleburg. Situated in the heights of the Jyollah valley in the region surrounding the twin glacial lakes of Lakashaa, it is reknown as the most perfect of places for the growing of fruits and the making of wines. Rich is the harvest of Appleburg, verdant its pastures, contested is its land.
Yes, contested for Appleburg is the envy of its neighbors and a dreamland of those far, far away.
The Jyollah Valley is situated in a natural crossroad with relatively close access to the seaports on the coast and trade routes North, South, East, and West.
In the time of gods and legends, the world was rich with life and magic. Creatures of all types flourished, Men, Elves, Orcs, Trolls, Dragons, and others. The gods were beneficent and plied blessings on their creations. It had become a game to them as each vied to outshine their fellow gods through the grace they bestowed on their favorites. Cults of adoration grew and kingdoms flourished.
Soon the gods grew jealous of each other and envious of the offerings from their followers. The friendly game between them grew more serious and deadly as the kingdoms of their favorite grew and came into conflict. It is lost in the midst of time as to whether it was the conflict between their devotees that drew the gods into warfare or the fracas between the gods that threw their followers into internecine conflict. There is no doubt, however, that the world was ravaged by war and that the heavens shook as god set upon god. Some gods did not survive the conflict and others so reduced in power as to be rendered useless; no god emerged unscathed. During the conflict, the propensities of the gods came into sharp relief and thus the divide between good and evil grew.
In time, a great empire emerged and a glorious age of peace and prosperity begun and Appleburg was a prized holding. The gods, forgotten though their cults survived, could no longer sustain themselves on the meager worship offered. No one knows exactly what happened to the gods or even if they still exist. All that is known is that their hands are not as evident as they once were.
As we know, nothing is forever and so, the great empire fell into a slow decline over centuries torn apart by regional trouble, native uprisings and attacks from the uncivilized. Appleburg?s fortunes fell and lost whatever influence it had.
Generations passed and equilibrium between kingdoms and regional concerns developed. This did not suite some as they cast covetous glances at what others had that they did not.
Darkness grew in the South; a darkness of purpose, a twisting of the purity of magic and hatred for all that did not conform to its desires. From that darkness corruption spread, worming it?s way to rot from within rival kingdoms.
Appleburg was of little interest to the Darkness until its sovereignty passed to seven adventurers for service rendered. Hearty of spirit and desiring only to make their own fortune, they revived the fortunes of Appleburg. Fiercely defending their rights and willingness to assist their neighbors in fighting the agents of the growing Corruption, the Lords of Appleburg grew in prominence and in fortune. Ultimately, the dark gaze fell upon them and the storm blew up to envelop them.
In the battle that ensued, the storm could not hold and so, the Light of their heroism dispersed the Darkness.
Alas, the corruption had spread so far and so deep that purity of Magic was forever marred. Never again, have such glories as known in the Time of Legends and of the Seven Heroes were seen in the land.
With the Darkness dispelled, the world healed again. The descendents of the Seven ruled Appleburg, keeping to the traditions of the ancestors, defending their right and keeping the jewel that is their kingdom verdant and blossoming.
The future so bright, none worried about the dark.