History

The land of Aeberus has a rich but fragmented history spanning more than 10 millennia, originally inhabited by Dwarves and eventually settled by Elves crossing the seas. The Dwarven clans mainly occupied the mountains and the hills to the north. In particular their capital city was the solitary peak of Black Mountain, named for it's abundance of iron ore. The elves took to the forests and lakes of the south, founding their capital north of Moon Lake.

Centuries later, destruction swept across the dwarven lands and the Black Mountain exploded in a cataclysmic eruption known from then on as the doom of the north. The blast destroyed their cities and decimated their population. What was left of the Dwarvish people now resided in the Grimleche Peaks. Seeing the destruction wrought in the north, they turned their eyes south and moved to populate the west coast. Founding a new capital at the foot of the Grimleche Peaks at the range's westernmost edge, near the Hidden Pass.

Almost 8,000 years ago, increasing numbers of Drow Elves began arriving in Aeberus. Seeking the darkness of the underground, they fell upon the Langlin Heights like a plague. This did not escape the notice of the Wood Elves of Delorwall Forest and the High Elves of Maena Thallor and soon, the Drow were once again at war. Seeking to escape, they ventured north beyond the Hidden Pass into the Grimleche Peaks. Their reprieve was short-lived however, as the dwarf king of Kulgarum had been warned of their approach. They Drow were massacred in the great battle of the bloody pass by the combined forces of elf and drawf. What few survivors there were vanished into the mountain caves. The Drow Elves are a rare sight in Aeberus but are occasionally noticed to this day.

Aeberus then enjoyed a period of peace and the island continent prospered. Peace, however, cannot last forever. The newly founded villages of Baridge, Laistead and Furough began suffering from devastating goblin and orc raids. The Dwarves and Elves pledged their support to the fledgling human villages and so, the Goblin Wars began.

For centuries, the peoples of southern Aeberus fought a civil war against the hoards of the Northern Wastes. Using the mountains to get further south, the Northern forces were able to strike repeatedly in small numbers at all nearby settlements and outposts. Eventually, their tactics were discovered and the Dwarves cut off their path, stranding their forces south. Even without support, it still took almost centuries to completely end the Goblin Wars. Some say that the wars have still not ended, as their raids continue, albeit much less frequently and there continue to be sightings of Goblins, Orcs, Giants and many other dark creatures as far south as the Harpver Hills 'till today.

Following the fall of Ametheria, a major empire to the east, many refugees began spread over the eastern continent. Many traveled west across the sea, eventually some even found their way as far Aeberus. This arrival of the foreign wizards is thought to have brought with it many other races from far and wide, seeking knowledge of the arcane. As such, Aeberus in modern day boasts thriving communities of many different races.

Nearly fifteen hundred years ago, foreign governments began to form new alliances and with the rise of the Hasbryn, interest in Aeberus began to fade, eventually dropping off almost completely to the point where all but a few learned adventurers and traders were even aware of it's existence.

In more recent times, travelers once again became aware of the island and began to re-establish trade. Word of Aeberus began to spread and soon, eager adventurers began to set off in greater and greater numbers to see what this new land has to offer.

Dawn Age

The earliest days of the land of Aeberus are obscured in mystery, much of the recorded history having been lost to natural disaster, war and time itself. It is told that Aeberus was once home to creatures of immense power. Legends speak of a time when these great creatures battles one another for supremacy and, some say, survival. Whether these creatures even existed is a matter of some contention among historians and scholars of Aeberus.

First Settling

During the period known as the first settling, the dwarven clans began to establish what would become a great and peaceful society north of Grimleche Peaks, founding many great cities centered around mining, stone masonry and expert metalworking. According to the most ancient histories of the clans, it would be several hundred years before any other races began to appear on the continent, having traveled across the seas from smaller islands both near and far. The histories of the high elves tell us that they began to explore Aeberus perhaps even before the dwarven clans appeared. There are several ancient accounts that also tell of the elven explorers coming into contact with groups of other explorers and even settlers of many different races. This inconsistency is usually explained by the fact that the dwarven clans of the north, by their own accounts, did not seek to settle south of the Grimleche Peaks and the elves had more interest in the lush, heavily forested and fertile lands to the south.

Doom of the North

It is told that the dwarven clans prospered for nearly 1000 years by extracting valuable ores and gemstones from the mountains of the northern lands, often trading with the peoples of other nearby islands and the settlers of the south. Over the centuries, the clans were forced to delve ever deeper into the ground in their search for these materials. This would prove to be unwise. Groundquakes and cave-ins were commonplace, resulting in the loss of countless miners. Eventually, they grew to such an intensity that even the mountain fortress cities of the clans were threatened by the instability.

All of this would finally come to a head as destruction swept across the northern lands that would mark the end of the dawn age. The Black Mountain, the highest peak on the continent exploded in a cataclysmic eruption known from then on as the doom of the north. The blast destroyed their cities and decimated their population. The northern lands were forever transformed into the barren, rocky wasteland it is today. The last surviving dwarven clans resided in the Grimleche Peaks. It would take almost a hundred years for the dwarven clans to begin to recover from the decimation in a time known as the century of ash. It is during this period that the first goblin, orc and giant warbands began to appear in Aeberus, seemingly springing up from nowhere in the northern wastes. The warbands harried the surviving dwarves in their mountain fortresses, attacking without warning or mercy. The dwarven lords marched against the hoardes again and again before finally admitting defeat and leaving the northern wastes to their new inhabitants.

Emergence of the Wood Elves

The emergence of the wood elves is a matter of some conjecture, with the high elves and wood elves each having their own version of events. What can be agreed upon is that sometime during the century of ash, amidst the influx of dwarves to the southern lands, a philosophical difference sprang up between factions of the elves seeing two main schools of thought gaining prominence. The more traditional factions sought to maintain their society as they had since settling the southern lands and the "radicals" that would become the wood elves wished to return to a simpler existence once practiced by their ancestors. The internal divisions would eventually come to a head with the wood elves leaving the grandiose cities of the high elves and settling the dense forests of the southern lands.

Second Age

The beginning of the second age can be marked by the settling of the dwarven clans south of the Grimleche Peaks. Over the next five centuries the clans spread down the west coast, founding many new fortress cities and even more towns and villages in an effort to rebuild their shattered society. The dwarven clans reluctantly accepted assistance from the High Elves of Maena Thalor and the wood elves of Dellorwall Forest, which would prove to be the foundation of a long-lasting, if not always totally amicable, peace between the societies.

The Second Age also would also mark the first appearance of human, halfling and gnome communities and settlements appearing throughout the southern lands. Their origin is a source of much conjecture, what is certain is that the majority of these settlements could be found to the east of the Langlin Heights, suggesting emmigration from the lands to the east.

Drow Invasion

The century of ash would lead to the emergence of another race to the continent. From beneath the shadow that stretched across the northern wastes, the Drow began to venture south. Seeking the darkness and protection of the underground, they made their new home in the Langlin Heights.

The Drow invasion was a significant event in the history of Aeberus, sparking a war that involved multiple races and resulted in the massacre of many Drow elves. The Langlin Heights, a region known for its natural beauty and important resources, were overrun by the Drow who sought refuge in the underground tunnels and caverns. This aggressive move did not go unnoticed by other elven communities such as the Wood Elves of Delorwall Forest and the High Elves of Maena Thallor. They decided to take action against the invading Drow, and the two groups formed a coalition against them.

The Drow were known for their dark magic, elaborate traps, and guerrilla tactics, which made them formidable opponents in battles. Nonetheless, the alliance of elves proved to be a worthy adversary, and the Drow struggled to defend themselves against their combined forces.

As the war dragged on, the Drow realized that they could not win through military means, and they decided to flee north beyond the Grimleche Peaks. The lands of the northern wastes were a treacherous locale, rife with dangers such as harsh weather, savage creatures, and hostile tribes. But for the Drow, it was a chance to escape from their enemies and perhaps return home.

Unfortunately for the Drow, the dwarves of Kulgarum had learned of their approach and prepared for their arrival. The two groups clashed in the Battle of the Bloody Pass, a brutal conflict that lasted for several days. The Drow fought valiantly, and their cunning tactics allowed them to inflict significant damage on the dwarves. However, they were ultimately outnumbered and outmatched, and the dwarves emerged victorious.

The aftermath of the Battle of the Bloody Pass was devastating for the Drow. Many were killed, and their survivors were forced to flee even deeper into the mountains. Some Drow managed to blend into other societies, assuming new identities and abandoning their dark heritage. However, most remained isolated in their underground communities, hidden from the rest of the world.

Today, the legacy of the Drow invasion still lingers in Aeberus. Some elven communities remain wary of them, considering them as a potential threat. Others regard them with curiosity, wondering about the secrets and knowledge that the Drow might possess. Overall, the Drow are regarded as a rare and mysterious presence in the world, one that is not easily ignored or forgotten.

The Goblin Wars

Following the battle of the Bloody Pass, Aeberus enjoyed a period of peace as the continent prospered. Peace, however, cannot last forever. The newly founded villages of Baridge, Laistead and Furough began suffering from devastating goblin and orc raids. The Dwarves and Elves pledged their support to the fledgling human villages and so, the Goblin Wars? began.

The Goblin Wars had many consequences on the people of Aeberus. The constant attacks from the Northern forces led to the development of fortified cities and towns. Walls were erected, and military forces were trained to defend against these attacks. This led to a militarization of society, where the people of Aeberus always remained alert and ready to fight against any possible threat.

The Goblin Wars also had an impact on the economy of the southern regions. The continuous raids led to a disruption of trade routes, making it difficult for goods to be transported from one place to another. This led to a decline in economic growth in the region, and people had to rely more on local resources for their livelihoods.

Moreover, the wars had an impact on the culture of the peoples of Aeberus. The constant threat of war and invasion led to a sense of solidarity among the people. They had to band together to fight against a common enemy, which led to the strengthening of their cultural identity.

Despite the wars officially ending centuries ago, the presence of dark creatures still remains a concern for many. The sightings of goblins, orcs, and giants keep the people of Aeberus on their toes, and they still have to remain vigilant against the possibility of an attack.

Overall, the Goblin Wars were a defining moment in the history of Aeberus. It had a profound impact on the people's way of life, culture, and economy. Although the wars officially ended, their legacy continues to persist in the form of the ongoing threat of dark creatures, reminding the people of Aeberus of the importance of remaining vigilant to ensure their safety and security.

Fall of Ametheria

The fall of Ametheria was a significant event in the history of the eastern lands. Ametheria was a powerful empire that had been ruling over the eastern lands for centuries. The empire was ruled by the wizard king Jason who was believed to be the most powerful wizard in all creation. The king and his army of wizards had conquered many neighboring kingdoms, and Ametheria had become the most dominant power in the region.

But over time, the power of the Ametherian empire began to wane. The king's obsession with magic had led him to neglect his people's needs. The empire's economy was in shambles, and the people were becoming dissatisfied. The king's arrogance had made enemies out of neighboring kingdoms, who began to form alliances against Ametheria.

Finally, a great disaster struck the empire. A massive earthquake shook the land, destroying cities and causing widespread devastation. It was said that the earthquake was caused by the king's excessive use of magic. The disaster weakened the already fragile empire, and rebels rose up against the king.

The rebellion quickly spread, and soon the entire empire was in chaos. The king and his army of wizards fought back fiercely, but they were outnumbered and outmatched. In the end, the king was defeated, and the empire fell apart.

Many of the Ametherian people were displaced by the fall of their empire. They became refugees, forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in other lands. Some traveled west across the sea, eventually reaching Aeberus and other far-off lands.

The arrival of these foreign wizards and refugees had a significant impact on the development of Aeberus. The migrants brought with them knowledge of arcane magic, which had been largely unknown in the region until then. They also brought with them a diverse range of cultures and customs, which helped to enrich the communities of Aeberus.

Today, Aeberus is known for its thriving multicultural communities, where many different races and cultures live and work together. The legacy of the fall of Ametheria lives on in the stories and cultures of the migrants who made their way to Aeberus, bringing with them the knowledge and skills that would shape the region's future.

Rise of Hasbryn

The rise of Hasbryn was a turning point in the history of Aeberus. Hasbryn was a powerful kingdom located in the eastern lands and was known for its military might, political savvy, and economic strength. Following the fall of Amatheria, the kingdom grew in power and influence. It began to form alliances with other nations in the region, including those that had previously been rivals and enemies.

With the rise of Hasbryn, interest in Aeberus began to fade. Many people in the eastern lands were drawn to the new kingdom, and they began to devote their resources and attention to its development. As a result, Aeberus was gradually forgotten and left to languish in obscurity.

Over time, however, a small group of adventurers and traders began to take an interest in Aeberus. They saw the potential of the land and its resources, and they began to explore its many mysteries and wonders. Despite the challenges and dangers that they faced, they persisted in their quest to uncover the secrets of Aeberus and to bring its treasures back to the world.

As more people became aware of the adventurers' exploits, interest in Aeberus began to grow once again. People began to realize that the land held great potential for trade, exploration, and adventure, and they began to invest in the region once more. With the support of these new investors and adventurers, Aeberus began to rise again, reclaiming its place in the world and becoming a powerful force in its own right.