Westemär - Dungeons of Drakkenheim

# Intro The Realm of [[Westemär]] stretches north from the [[Drakeclaw Mountains| Drakeclaw]] and [[Glimmer Mountains|Glimmer]] Mountains, along the [[Crystal Coast]] to northern tundras. The heartland is made up of deep dark forests surrounding wide flowing rivers, interspersed with areas of fertile marshland. The land is prosperous and rich in natural resources: iron, salt, and coal mines, fine timber, and excellent quarries. These industries supported the realm’s once-great military strength and built the impressive architecture of its cities. As such, the nobility are distinguished, but materialistic and prideful, in contrast to the hard-working and pragmatic common folk. ![[World Map.png|400]] # A Broken Realm Drakkenheim was the capital of [[Westemär]] and home to the ruling family, [[House von Kessel]]. After [[the meteor]] fell, the two surviving scions of [[House von Kessel]] clashed over succession in a brutal [[The Civil War|civil war]] that tore the nation apart. After many assassinations, accidents, and disastrous battles, [[the civil war]] ended with no clear victor. Most believe [[House von Kessel]] is now extinct, and the throne remains abandoned and empty in the ruins of [[City Locations/Castle Drakken]]. The lands surrounding Drakkenheim are now [[Contamination|contaminated]], and most villages nearby are deserted. ^BrokenRealm Lacking a sovereign ruler, the nobility manages their own domains directly. They remain deeply divided based on which branch of [[House von Kessel]] they supported during [[the civil war]]. Many grievances remain, and occasional skirmishes occur between the squabbling barons, counts, and dukes. However, after nearly a decade of fighting, their coffers are empty and their blood is spent. Few possess the will or resources to continue these feuds for the time being. Many noble families possess some relation to the royal line, yet none have the political clout or military strength to press a claim upon the throne and reunify the nation. # Historical Timeline |Year | Events| | --- | --- | | **Year -12** | A golden comet leads Tarna to the archangels Gabrielle and Michael, and she becomes the First Paladin. | | **Year 1** | The Martyrdom of [[Saint Tarna]], who saved the world from the madness of sorcerer-king Xandor XIII. After her martyrdom, her followers share how to channel the [[Sacred Flame]] and war against the sorcerer-kings. | | Circa 300 | Rule of the sorceror-kings finally crumbles. More learn to wield the Light of the [[Sacred Flame]]. these faithful clerics organize the early religion. | | Year 381 | Vowing tyranical mage-lords will never rule again, the newly-established [[Divine Matriarch]] of the [[Sacred Flame]] endoreses persecution against arcane spellcasters. | | Circa 500 | Following a century of persecution, a group of surviving mages form the [[Amethyst Academy]] as a secret society to protect themselves. | | Circa 600 | House von Drakken establishes a petty kingdom along the Drann River, where they lay the foundations of [[City Locations/Castle Drakken]]. | | Year 678 | The [[Knights of the Silver Order]] are ordained to hunt down the [[Amethyst Academy]]. | | Circa 700 | Bloody wars break out between noble houses supported by the [[Amethyst Academy]] and houses supported by the Faith of the [[Sacred Flame]]. | | Year 743 | The [[Edicts of Lumen]] bring an end to the wars by establishing a clear separation between mages, clergy, and nobles. | | Circa 800 | House von Drakken goes extinct, setting off 150 years of success crises. | | Year 965 | [[House von Kessel]] claims the throne of Drakkenheim and establishes the Kingdom of [[Westemär]]. | | Circa 1000 | The monarchy of Elyria crumbles; the [[Divine Matriarch]] appoints a Lord Regent. | | Year 1015 | The [[Cosmological Clocktower|Clocktower]] of Drakkenheim mysteriously stops. | | Year 1093 | [[Lucretia Mathias]] pens an essay predicting the early return of [[Tarna's Comet]], and that its earthly arrival heralds the dawn of a new age for the faithful of the Divine Light. Her apocalyptic predictions are extremely unpopular within the mainstream clergy and her writings are supressed. | | Year 1111 | [[The Meteor]] strikes Drakkenheim on September 16th at 8:13 PM. | | Year 1112 | A failed attempt to reclaim Drakkenheim results in thousands of soldiers dying in [[The Haze]]. The few who return are stricken with madness. | | Year 1113 | [[Lucretia Mathias]] greatly expands her original work and publishes the [[Testament of the Falling Fire]]. The accuracy of her early prediction garners her a significant following, and she plans a personal pilgrimage to Drakkenheim. | | Year 1114 | After two more military expeditions to reclaim Drakkenheim fail disastrously, the succession crises between the surviving members of [[House von Kessel]] boils over, setting off [[The Civil War]] in [[Westemär]]. | | Year 1115 | As [[The Civil War]] rages, several groups of adventuers investigate the ruins of Drakkenheim for plunder. Unexpectedly, some return alive. they speak of horrible monsters within, and bring strange samples of a dangerous crystal. | | year 1116 | [[Lucretia Mathias]] completes her pilgrimage ti Drakkenheim, personally reaching [[The Crater]]s edge. She returns to [[Elyria]] to spread her teachings.| | Year 1117 | The [[Amethyst Academy]] starts hiring adventurers to collect the "meteor shards" for study. They name the strange crystal "[[Delerium]]." | Year 1119 | [[Mannfred]] von Kessel is assassinated. [[Cecilia]] von Kessel dies mysteriously. [[The Civil War]] fizzles out with no clear successor. | | Year 1120 | [[Lucretia Mathias]] is branded a heretic and excommunicated by the [[Divine Matriarch]] of the Church of the [[Sacred Flame]]. She returns to Drakkenheim. | | Year 1121 | More adventurers venture into the ruins of Drakkenheim. [[Emberwood Village]] becomes a hub for treasure-seekers and cutthroats alike. | | Year 1222 | Belief in the Falling Fire spreads rapidly, and more pilgrims make the dangerous voyage to Drakkenheim. Few are successful. | | Year 1123 | The 4th Provisional Expeditionary Force to Reclaim the Capital - the [[Hooded Lanterns]] - are established and make their first forays into Drakkenheim. | | Year 1124 | The [[Hooded Lanterns]] finally establish a base of operations at the old [[Shepherd's Gate]] and then the [[Drakkenheim Garrison]], but cannot make fureter progress into the City. | | Year 1125 | A small group of the [[Followers of the Falling Fire]] established a foothold in [[St. Selina's Monastery]] to aid future pilgrims to [[The Crater]]. | | Year 1126 | March 4 - Campaign begins | ![[Drakkenheim.png]]