Mundi Dirige. This is a living document and will be updated as needed. Currently the following sections exist within this vellum.

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1 Mundi Dirige Within this scroll are the notes about the world of Drae Ord. Gathered from sources both reputable and suspect, the closer to Illestria the subject, the more apt this information can be considered correct. This is a living document and will be updated as needed. Currently the following sections exist within this vellum. Illestria, jewel of the north faiths of drae Ord Other realms As a living document, this information is subject to be updated as the Drae Ord is put into play. This version is current as of July 21, 2015.

2 Illestria, jewel of the north Situated on an island in the great lake illest, this citystate is the center of trade, knowledge, and humanity in the northern expanse. Housing countless thousands, this city is a mecca for life and it shows. The current era is set roughly a thousand years after the fourth founding of the city. The city was first founded by a group of wizards who sought sanctuary from persecution, and so they raised the land from the lake bed and formed the island that would house their arcane halls. The people found life good around the wizards, with their magic easing the sufferings of all the social classes, and so a city grew around the refuge. The city became besieged by the combined might of the then powerful Rokar empire and the dwarven kingdom of Brinhold. While the wizards were powerful, the army arrayed against them were numerous and within a few months the city was leveled. Thus began the second founding as the survivors began to rebuild. Building around the ruins of the wizard s enclave, the second founding was laborious and made more difficult by the lack of magic to assist in moving supplies to the island. This marked the beginning of one of the greatest architectural projects ever undertaken, the illest Arc a bridge spanning nearly a mile across the lake. As the bridge was completed, an illness swept across the land. Some claimed the ailment was magical in nature, but it took the lives of all who dwelt in illestria, leaving the city an empty shell. So the city would rest for a millennia, a haunted remnant of the history of the land. The rokar family fell out of power, a weak emperor gave rise to a new power within the empire. Facing annihilation from the new ruling power, the family was

3 forced to flee for their lives. Knowing they would be persued, the patriarchs chose to migrate to a place where none would come for them, the ruins of illestria. And so the third founding of the city began. The aging island was decrepit, most of the ruins were long covered over and buried. So the city began anew, building upon the foundation laid so many centuries ago. The toil required was immense, but many in the region were enthusiastic to rebuild on the ancient site, and so a city rose once more for those who fled persecution. Over time illestria rose to prominence in the region, attracting wizards and clergy, and becoming a center for knowledge. The enemy came once again against the city, an array of empire troops mixed with dwarves and orcs. This time, however, access to the city was easily granted by the Illest Arc, the stalwart bridge across the lake. by the end of the battle, the city again rested in ruins, though this time the victor was left with little glory. The defenders wrought havoc among their assailants and once more the once grand city was given over to death and destruction. And so it would rest another millennia, until the Fourth Founding. The empire s indulgence of the goblinoid races was its greatest mistake. Shortly after the fall of illestria, the orcs turned on the empire. The dwarves exposed the bitter heart of the empire. The consequences were dire as a flood of goblinoids swept into the northern expanse. They overwhelmed a weakened empire, and so began the dark age of the world. Near the end of the millennia a new power began to rise, a new group of settlers, warriors and wizards, moved back into the northern expanse. They formed citystates throughout the expanse, and fought to take back the lands that had fallen to the monsters. Eventually they stumbled across the great bridge, and decided they would found a city on the derelict island.

4 Some dwarves among their number knew of the island and they recalled their ancestors part in its fall. They bargained and earned the pledge of the dwarven kingdoms to help rebuild the city. When finished, illestria had become that jewel once envisioned by an ancient wizard. The spires of magic rising above the skyline to be seen for miles around. In the centuries since its fourth founding, the city has grown, and bursts at the seams with life. Beings from every culture can be found here, and the resources of the region are dwindling. The once grand spires are dull relics of a time long gone, the once immense halls echoing the lack of spell casters. The clergy fight to provide, but their resources too are strained. Many desire a magical solution to these problems, calling for the spells that will alleviate their plights. But long ago the folly of replacing hard work with magic became apparent, and no longer will either cleric or mage give away their precious magic without recompense. So the squalor increases, the city itself having fallen into a cesspool of corruption. <<A map of the northern expanse will be placed here>>

5 Faiths of Drae Ord The deities of the drae ord setting are numerous, but most are merely different names used in different areas of the world. Below are the active faiths in the city of illestria. Aeris, god of protection and destiny Alignment: NG Suggested Domains: life, knowledge Symbol: upraised gauntlet gripping a shield Other Names: Bithern, Aendir Maeli, goddess of war and strife alignment: cg suggested domains: War, trickery symbol: winged helm other names: jubil, m lari

6 other realms As eluded to in the section concerning illestria, there are other powers in the world. These other places primarily serve as locations where players may have their characters originate from. Hureth Located along the southeastern border of the Northern expanse, this small region is home to a number of nomadic tribes, and one major settlement. The hurethian breed some of the finest warriors in the land. << A sketch of this region will be placed here >> Mentan Locked between two dangerous regions, the mentan nation is primary comprised of elves and gnomes. Bordered along the north by necromantic Shangrylir, and along the south and western borders by the remnants of the goblinoid hordes, these people have become a militaristic society that knows nothing but war. << A sketch of this region will be placed here >>