Lore for Chains of the Ancients

The campaign itself will start after a timeskip of somewhere between 6 months to a year after where we currently are in Ashes, and were in SotA.

The Conflict

Ever since the fall of the Ridian Empire, conflict has been ongoing between the various newly formed nations of the now Fallen Empire.

In short, this succession crisis is being fought for a multitude of reasons - most nations are fighting for freedom and independence from the Empire, while both the Myridon Dynasty and the Ridian Empire Remnants are fighting to reclaim the Empire in their own name.

The Myridon Dynasty has since the fall been fighting on multiple fronts - mainly against The Caldian States. However, Emperor Sauntes recently pulled back their troops from there to launch an all-out offensive against the Stormwatch Duchy, led by General Thavis D’Vaelan. This came based on a unanimous decision from various leaders within the Dynasty, with the reasoning being that currently, the Stormwatch Duchy are the Ridian Empire’s biggest allies. Conquering the Stormwatch Duchy would be a huge blow both to the Ridian Empire strength and morale in the succession crisis.

And so, they attacked. The Stormwatch Duchy had their army “The Bloodsworn” stationed on their southern border, which bordered the Myridon Dynasty’s north border, and while they managed to hold them off for a while, they were eventually overrun. With the Bloodsworn out of the way, this gave the Myridon Dynasty armies access to march further into the Duchy. Soon, all of western Stormwatch Duchy had been conquered, and the Myridon Empire armies marched east. Here, the Stormwatch Duchy’s army “The Wavebreakers” were, led by General Belldam Bhaston. These originally offered quite a challenge for the Myridon Dynasty armies, but with the fighting having been pushed so far northeast, a short-term alliance between Liberty and Myridon was made, and with this help, The Wavebreakers and the rest of the Stormwatch Duchy militia were pushed back to their capital.

As we start the campaign, all that remains for the Myridon Dynasty and Liberty is to take over the Stormwatch Duchy capital of Isandor.

The Nations

For both nations, general information can be found here. It’s encouraged to read the entire Fallen Empire part, but the important ones are The Myridon Dynasty and The Stormwatch Duchy. The information on Legendkeeper will likely be the most relevant, but there are some extra things added here.

The Myridon Dynasty

The Dynasty stands in this conflict without any real allies, but on their own, they stand as one of, if not the strongest singular nation. They’re both the origin of the Empire and have the best claim in this succession war.

Myridon’s power stems largely from their history as the origin of the Empire. When the Ridian family took over as the leaders of the Empire, Myridon was still very ingrained in the center of any ongoing politics, and while not in charge of council, they had arguably the most power.

Now, the Myridon people as a whole are seen by many outsiders as harsh and “ruthless”. The knowledge that their nation has this claim to the Empire, and the leaders of the nation constantly riling them up through various means of what could technically be classified as propaganda both lead to the Myridon people being very fanatical about seizing their claim, and often favoring leaders and generals that are seen as capable of conquering what needs to be conquered. The very successful invasion of the Stormwatch Duchy has only furthered the fanaticism in the Dynasty.

The Myridon Dynasty is to this day still led by the Myridon family line, with a council of nobles, religious heads and advisors making ruling decisions.

The Stormwatch Duchy

The Stormwatch Duchy still consider themselves under the Ridian Empire Remnants, being steadfast allies. As such, they have not appointed a monarch of any kind, and still consider themselves a Duchy, with a Duke leading them. The Duchy is led by Duke Orvil Rekrihk, with several Generals serving at the Duke’s side. Most cities around the Duchy are led by a General of their own, or a similar high-ranking soldier.

The Stormwatch Duchy have at this point, understandably, taken quite a blow to both morale and strength. They are a very militaristic society, and the success of the Myridon invasion was a surprise to all. The loss of one of their famous armies, The Bloodsworn, was especially rough, as they were a symbol for their loyalty to the Ridian Empire more than anything. However, their largest and most famous army, The Wavebreakers, still stand steadfast, defending Isandor until the end.

Your Party

Your party, with a name remaining to be made up, are some of the most famous people within the army of the Myridon Empire. You were all handpicked, either by The Emperor himself or some other high standing person within Myridon nobility, for your individual skills.

Your group was one of a few such groups picked like this. 8 groups like yours were handpicked, to be used flexibly if the army’s generals or someone else needed specific tasks done, or just the extra help a group such as yours could provide in battles or skirmishes. Your group was by far the most successful.

At this point in the offensive, only 2 of the original 8 groups are left. Most sadly fell to the various battles or other missions, but yours and another still stand. This other group, you have a friendly ongoing rivalry with, and they call themselves the Black Clover Swords.

Important figures from either side

Myridon

General Thavis D’Vaelan

General D’Vaelan is the main general of the Myridon Army. He stands in stark contrast to what most Myridon people like in generals and men like him these days. He’s neither ruthless or harsh, but rather known as a lighthearted man, who often tries to be optimistic and inspiring. While he is successful, this has led to him being quite disliked within specific groups of the people of Myridon, although he chooses to turn the other cheek, not being close to home at the moment anyways.

General D’Vaelan has taken a particular liking to your group, as you’ve often served directly under him in battles and missions, and after battles he is often singing your praises. Often though, in your praises, he forgets about other pivotal parts to whatever fights you’ve been in.

Emperor Sauntes Myridon

The leader of the Myridon Dynasty is Sauntes Myridon. Descended from the long line of the Myridon family, he only took over as leader in the last couple of years when his father fell ill. He is determined to now seize the claim they have to the Empire, and already now calls himself Emperor Sauntes. He is exactly what the majority of people like to see in a leader, and has been instrumental in riling up the people, and starting the offensive towards the Stormwatch Duchy.

Of course, not all people like a man whose actions could be described as evil sitting at the head of the nation, and not everyone supports him. In the shadows, people have started calling Sauntes the “False Emperor”. However, anyone caught calling him this has been brought before his personal militia, “The Emperor’s Irons”, and executed.

He has a young son, Caspar, but neither Sauntes or Caspar are often seen in public, with even his speeches being images projected by his mages.

Stormwatch Duchy

General Belldam Bhaston

General Bhaston is one of the most known names in the Stormwatch Duchy, behind only the Duke himself. He leads The Wavebreakers, and has led them through many years through various battles, which are still sung about around the Duchy. In battle, his name is yelled as a battlecry to inspire the troops. His reputation often precedes him on the battlefield. Foes who fight against him and his Wavebreakers are often wracked with nerves before battles, and it is due to this factor, on top of their exceptional skill in battle, that has led to him and his wavebreakers being so successful. So far.

Belldam has lost his one arm, and now wears the skull of a beast as a shoulder plate. There are various stories about how he lost his arm. A few include

• Losing it in a fight with a dragon that threatened Isandor.
• Fighting off 100 soldiers from the Latien Confederacy all on his own
• Punching a wall during a siege so hard that it broke both wall and arm

Duke Orvil Rekrihk

Duke Orvil is one of the men in the Stormwatch Duchy most loyal to the Ridian Empire. Through all his years, his loyalty never wavered one slight bit. Before being Duke, he was a general, and it was him who created The Bloodsworn those many years ago.

Now, he has risen to become Duke of the Stormwatch Duchy, and even after the Fall of the Empire, he chose for the Stormwatch Duchy to remain nothing more than a Duchy, believing them still to be under the Ridian Empire.

Duke Orvil is loved by his people, and has through his years seen many songs and stories told of his exploits about his time, both as a general and a duke.

Duke Orvil is a very respectful and polite man, and one to recognize strength and a good heart, even in his enemies. Still, during his time as duke, he has missed the battlefield, and nowadays, he only hopes to somehow receive a warrior’s death.

Liberty

General Nahiri Danance

General Nahiri is the leader of the army of Liberty. Ever since the Fall of the Empire, she has led multiple battles between Liberty and the Stormwatch Duchy, to take more land for Liberty. While being incredibly gifted martially, she is also known for being a charismatic speaker.

When the Myridon Dynasty reached out to Liberty for a temporary alliance against the Stormwatch Duchy, Liberty was quick to accept, as long as the Myridon Dynasty promised land being given to Liberty in return. And as such, General Nahiri marched her army down to Isandor in time for the battle. She even managed to capitalize on the Giants of the Realm having helped Liberty in a few battles, and secured the help of a few of them for the coming battle.

People you know/Allies

Maxori ‘Maxi’ Stillbrook

Maxori Stillbrook, or Maxi as she prefers, is a powerful magician within the Myridon army. She was hired, like yourselves, by the Myridon Dynasty due to her knowledge and skills with the arcane. She had to be handpicked by the Emperor himself, with great pushback from religious figures of his council, as she is said to have made deals with devils to obtain her power. These rumors came about due to her imp friend, Mir, who serves the same purpose as her familiar. Before being hired, she lived outside the capital of the Myridon Dynasty in a smaller village, not being allowed to live in larger cities by the religious heads of the Dynasty. The Emperor himself takes a liking to her though, and had pardoned this ban, but she herself chose to live outside the big cities to practice her arcane knowledge. She has a teleportation circle located in a hidden location by her house, with knowledge of various circles around northern Nonera.

While hired the same way as you all, she has worked more as a personal assistant to General D’Vaelan, but due to his liking to your party, she has been working closely with you all as well.

Qiran

You don’t know much about Qiran, at least not personally. You pretty much only know his first name, which is all he has given. Qiran has also been hired by the Myridon Dynasty. He is an Angel, from the criminal guild the Angels of the Mist. Like Maxori, he’s been working closely with General D’Vaelan himself, and as such, with your party. While not being a soldier in the traditional term, he has provided his services whenever you needed help with an assignment that didn’t involve skirmishes or battles or the like, but instead needed information, traversal through cities, stealth or assassinations. In those situations, he’s worked closely with your group. However, he’s participated in some skirmishes and such, where he has also shown off his skills with his blade. However, he had a close call in one battle, where he got saved by one of your members, and as such, he has promised that once, if you require help, he, or another Angel, would provide. After this, he gave you a sending stone, whose counterpart you do not know who belongs to.

Black Clover Swords

Black Clover Swords is the name of the only other still-standing group like your own, hired by the Myridon Dynasty to assist in this offensive against the Stormwatch Duchy.

They’ve shown themselves to be quite capable, and as it is just you and them, there’s a bit of a friendly rivalry ongoing. However, your group has worked more in a way where it’s been easier for your achievements to be heard of, especially with General D’Vaelan, leading to just a bit of actual jealousy from the Black Clover Swords.

Still, even with your group being sung more praises of, they’ve amassed themselves a bit of a following from specific groups of the Myridon Dynasty people and army.

Before being hired by the Myridon Dynasty, they worked as both “adventurers” like yourselves and acolytes of a religious order in the Myridon Dynasty

Selwyn Naemaris

Selwyn is the leader of the Black Clover Swords. He was the one to originally form the group, and is now regarded by the others as the leader, although he doesn’t always quite agree. He tends to be more of a quiet person, preferring to listen rather than speak. To your group however, he has opened up to a little, every once in a while sharing in speaking highly of your individual abilities. Still, he seems quieter than usual whenever General D’Vaelan has one of his usual speeches of praises for your group.

Selwyn is very skilled with his blade, and has a little bit of magical prowess, although not a lot, preferring to stick with his blade. You would also be aware that he has a dragonmark, but he hasn’t shown off its powers yet - at least not to you.

He is also very religious, stemming back from his time with the religious order in the Myridon Dynasty.

Harman Bronzegrip

Harman is a large human, easily standing above the rest of the Black Clover Swords. In battle, he fights recklessly, swinging his large warhammer in wide arcs, crushing his foes. Throughout this conflict, you’ve seen him survive and withstand no one should be able to survive, but he has always pushed through. If it’s anger, pure will or something else, you don’t know.

Throughout his years of fighting, he has racked up a lot of battlescars, which gives him a scary appearance. This appearance fools however, as he is often very polite and sweet in conversation.

Harman was leader of the guards at the religious order before joining the Black Clover Swords.

Khalia Faertala

Khalia is a drow, exiled from her home in the underdark, for reasons unknown to you. After being exiled, she went to what would become the Myridon Dynasty, where she made a small living as an assassin, without a real place to call home. However, Selwyn at some point met her, and took her to their religious order, after which Khalia found her home among the Black Clover Swords. There, she put her assassin life behind her.

Now in this conflict, she can put her skills to use again. Khalia has a very unique and mobile fighting style. She’s very hard to lock down in a fight, as she’s constantly teleporting, both before and after attacks. If you blink, you might just miss her ever appearing. Speaking of blinking, she also has blood red eyes, shining with some kind of magical glow.

Daephne Hekan

The youngest member of the Black Clover Swords, Daephne is a human woman. While being the youngest, she is a “senior” member of the religious order the Black Clover Swords formed at, having been taken in as a young child. Daephne was an orphan, and managed to live on the street by using her magic abilities to steal food, and money, at times when it was needed. She was then found by a priest at the order, and was taken in.

Daephne basically became like a little sister to Selwyn, who is very protective of her. She is however quite capable herself, specializing in illusion magic

Meiavor Highoak

Meiavor is a Half-elf, in his late thirties, and is of the Black Clover Swords the closest to a right hand man to Selwyn. Meiavor has a closer connection to the religious order, at least in the magical sense, than most other Black Clover Sword members. The magic you have seen him use is all something granted to him by his belief. When used in combat, you’ve seen him use his magic in unsettling ways, meddling with the minds of his foes, often to maddening effects. He also always puts on a mask he has hanging at his side when he goes fighting.