In the beginning, the primal energies of the races fueled the inner spark of Aughmoore. In return, it provided a plentiful bounty that, for a time, even satisfied the blood-crazed Orcs. With prosperity came complacency, and the aura of a once vigorous struggle for survival weakened. As it waned, Aughmoore was able to provide less and less.

After centuries of feeding her sprawling children, she became fallow. Crops no longer leaped from the tilled mounds of fertile soil, veins of ore hardened to the pickaxe, and the very spark of magic and life began to retreat into the dark crevices of the earth. Aughmoore was cast into shadow and sickness.

As anxiety peaked, the races began to turn away from one another. Scarcity strained the delicate bonds of trade, marketplaces became hives of petty theft, resources were harvested to desolation, and territorial disputes escalated.

During this harrowing time, it was Laelithar, the Human paladin, who first grew distrustful and turned his back on the other races, preferring to help and shelter only his own kind. Under the flickering glow of the Great Hall’s sconces, he announced the Isolation Concordat, though as he spoke, those old allies whom he renounced were executing their own vile plots against him.

Spindly shadows descended from the rafters. Cold steel gleamed in stained-glass painted moonlight throughout the hall as assassins cut through the crowd toward the paranoid leader.

The Elves had grown tired of the arrogant Humans—of all races. Their scheming was accompanied by small coups across Aughmoore. As more assassination plots and economic betrayals were revealed, it became clear that each of the races had been preparing for complete independence for quite some time. The world had declared war on itself.

The Orcs, secretly disciplining a league of armed forces, cut weapon tradelines immediately, arming only themselves with their legendary steel. Their armies began marching in every direction with standing orders to eviscerate those who now lacked the advantage of their superior metallurgy

The Elves created pacts in the darkened alleys of the enemy cities they had infiltrated, trading bottles of fine wine and ancient mystical relics for information on their next target.

The Humans rallied their masses, conducting public prayer and calling the earth to flourish and provide for the brave men and women. Under their holy sky, Humanity met their enemies not with trickery but with iron force and sheer hubris

The Dwarves sought the majestic wisdom of the timeless mountains, and mined their valuable ore, hastily constructing enormous stone fortresses to exile all those not of the Heaven-Blood.

As the races continued to turn their backs on one another, the seeds of disquiet spread like disease in their hearts. Their hatred, their feuds, the unwavering raw energies of their dedication and passion reignited Aughmoore’s inner flame. Fueled by their fury, Aughmoore returned bounty and prosperity to its inhabitants. The plague of barrenness had ceased, but the allure of power and revenge ensued.

Today, terror and destruction are the norm. Fizzling spell slinging has turned to hailing comets and shattering earthquakes, brief skirmishes to violent massacres, and trade to extortion and subterfuge. Armies of all colors and creeds now march, sail, and fly over the scarred surface of the world. No stone will remain unturned, no enemy left alive, no element unplundered, and no territory unclaimed.

The future of Aughmoore will be forever altered by the events to come. The only question that remains is: who will be left in the past?