THE WORLD OF TOURMALINE


History

A thousand or more years ago, the world was ruled by an ancient empire (or empires), but war between divinity and primal elementals caused a great cataclysm that sundered the land and shattered the civilizations of the time (The Dawn War). Much of the land sank beneath the hungry waves before the primal spirits of the world invervened, and cast back the warring forces without. Since that time, only lesser divine beings and summoned lesser elementals may cross the rift between their worlds and this one.

Although the cataclysm cast the surviving races back into a dark age, over the many years they developed into smaller, less advanced societies and kingdoms. They have grown into five distinct kingdoms centered around a large island chain (the known world as it stands now; about 15% of the world in total). There exists an uneasy peace between the kingdoms as trade flourishes, and no one kingdom wishes to invade another only to weaken itself and invite invasion from the others.

The most valuable resource anyone can find are artifacts from the old empire(s); powerful and beatiful, and worth a fortune as well. The common man may count himself lucky to even see such treasures, but adventuring bands risk all to find such rewards. Mostly what they find is death at the hands of the ancient mysteries and monsters unleashed upon the world during the Dawn War. But it doesn't stop the races from testing their luck.

Known Kingdoms

Everbright
This kindom of islands is ruled by Eladrin, and populated by Elves, Gnomes, and Wilden. They are rumored to be the greatest arcanists known, and are led by a council of their wisest. Although they welcome trade, the home island of their kingdom is off limits to outsiders. Their flag is a Golden sun and three white stars on a green field.

Kullaern
These islands are ruled by tribes of barbaric Gnolls, Goliaths, Humans, and Orcs. Petty land disputes lead to contant border skirmishes, but none carry the war too far lest they be destroyed by the other kingdoms. Small populations of Dwarves dwell in small but well-fortified mountain keeps and underground warrens. The badlands of these lands are home to ogres and giants. The warriors of the tribes favor spears and axes, carry great shields, and wear leather and hide, or (rarely) dwarf-forged mail (some trade exists between the dwarves and the tribes; although they hold each other in disdain). Their primalists are as renowned as their warriors. Their flag is a Black, horned skull above crossed axes on a red field.

Pelhem
Pelham is a merchantile kingdom populated by fair-skinned Humans with hair of blonde, light-brown, and red, and eyes of blue or green. Their military-men favor wide brimmed hats and cloth or leather uniforms. They make extensive use of firearms, sabers, and bucklers. They are known to be skilled duelists and fine navigators; and many serve such roles in other kingdoms. They are also known for their advanced agriculture, which is largely run by halflings. Their flag is a white ship on black waves beneath a white cresent on a blue field.

Sunar
The Sunari people (Humans) inhabit various desert islands with limited agriculure dependant on annually flooding rivers. It is a land of oppressed peoples benath an entrenched noble caste known for extravagant opulance (as well as political treachery). Nobles tend to be masters of the arcane, and many with teifling bloodlines. The warrior caste are made up of phalanx-pikemen, skilled archers and slingers, and a small but elite cavalry. Priests worship gods of life and death, and spies and thieves are known to be the most skilled in the world (since arrests always lead to torture and death). Their flag is a black falcon above crossed lances on a field of gold.

Teheyen
Teheyen is an proud kingdom of ancient customs and honor. Their people (Humans) are tall and well-built, with long, dark (often braided) hair and pale skin. They favor metal armor and great weapons; and are feared for their heavy cavalry charges. They have several petty kings, but in the name of unity, elect a single warlord to deal with outsiders (whom they are suspicious of). Their noble bloodlines are often cursed (Vryloka), and vampire-kings are not unheard of (though unpopular with the peasants). Their lands are of high cliffs and sweeping vales; and cold, snowy winters. The gypsyish kenku peoples originated here, and although they are migratory, know this land as home. The flag of Teheyen is a red sun with a stern face on a black field.

Other Races

Goblins, Kenku, and Kobolds are common, but decentralized. They tend to inhabit the lower eschelons of society in all kingdoms (except Everbright, where they are not tolerated).

Bugbears, Dragonborn, Genasi, Minotaurs, and Shifters are rare wanderers with no lands to call their own (amongst the explored lands, anyways). They make lives for themselves as best they can; using their strengths to fill a niche in whatever land they end up in.

Changelings are known to exist, but their creature type is considered abberation. They are universally distrusted and feared across the five kingdoms, and mobs have been known to form up for the sole purpose of lynching and burning one that has been discovered.

Outside of the Kingdoms, various races exist as undeveloped smaller tribes yet undiscovered. Other races not mentioned above surely have developed elsewhere in the world, and may become fast friends or perilous enemies. Time shall tell the tale...