The beginning of this age is shrouded in darkness. Evil had spread its shadow over the world, and wars were breaking out everywhere. The only agent of peace in the land was the Wizard's Council of the Kingdom of Morubar, but even within the council there was turmoil. Ashavar, the High Councilor at the end of this age banished Xadisten, the Head of the Order of the Shadow, and soon war broke out between the followers of Xadisten and the Wizard's Council. As this war broke out, the Age of Despair gave way to the Age of Strife.
The Age of Strife
The war lasted for hundreds of years between the Wizard's Council, and the followers of Xadisten. Finally, Xadisten was defeated by Ashavar in the Obsidian Tower of Daedlmar. Things began to go back to normal, and Kingdoms began to rise again. The Empire of Runtari, who played a key part in the wars with Xadisten, was the greatest Empire in the west. For hundreds of years, the Emperors of Runtari were in power. The capital of the Runtari was a city named Qartania, which was on the banks of the Harkan River. They defeated the Goblins of Kevlogren, and built a palace by the ocean.
Narredus, a powerful Emperor wanted to expand to the east. Many nomadic tribes that lived in the mountains were brought under his rule, or slaughtered. One nomadic warrior, named Lehan, saw his entire family butchered by Narredus' men. Lehan vowed revenge and later that year, he assassinated Emperor Narredus.
Upon the death of Narredus, the Empire was thrown into chaos, as Narredus had no heir to the throne. Many Lords quarreled over who had the right to claim the throne. Eventually, Ilthrac, a warrior from Victory Mountain takes control of Qartania by force, and claims the throne of the Runtari Empire. He quickly rebuilds the walls, and grants towers and estates to powerful Lords to gain their favor. He is soon crowned the King, and the city is renamed Ilthracia in his honor.
King Ilthrac sought to expand the Kingdom, to resume the greatness of the Runtari Empire, but did not manage to do so before his death. His son, Faedamar took the throne and began to focus on the city, rather than expansion. King Faedamar built another city just to the north of Ilthracia, so that all of his people could be under the protection of walls. This city was named New Ilthracia.
Several years later, a fortress of orcs to the northeast of Ilthracia begin to rise in power, conquering the gnoll village. King Faedamar dispatches his best Knight, Sir Aaron, to lead an army against the orces. This war lasted for seven years. Finally, at the battle of Ghan, the Knights of Ilthracia were able to defeat the orcs and force them to retreat into Korgharak's Fortress. Sir Aaron and many other Knights pursued the orcs and were never heard from again.
Upon King Faedamar's death, his son, Ilthond took the throne. Ilthond was arranged to marry Lady Katrina, to ensure peace with a powerful household, but Ilthond fell in love with another woman, Lady Meredin, and marries her instead. Lady Katrina's family is outraged and they leave the Kingdom, building an outpost to the west of the Kevlogren Woods.
The Wizard's Council, who still exist in a far off land, have been watching the events in the world, and notice that portals are opening up to other planes. This is a sign that Xadisten might be stirring from his dimensional cell in another plane. Aliyanna, the High Councilor of the Wizard's Council issued a call to all heroes, seeking out those strong enough to oppose Xadisten and prevent his return.