User Guide

Most of the daily life in Chedian now centres on the planting seasons and the
raiding seasons. There are wealthy towns along the Coast of the Verhoffin
Sea, and it is not uncommon to see raiding ships full of soldiers heading
toward the rich lands to the south.
THE THJORADRIC WARS
Since the discovery of Elemental Thjorad (somewhere around 100 AC), there
have been a number of wars over who controls this valuable resource. The
last one was fought in 418 AC between Thjorgard and Thronheim.
About Elemental Thjorad
Elemental Thjorad is a metallic substance that takes to enchantment easily. It
is also by nature very heavy. It is only found in the Miner’s Gulch region of
Thjorgard. It is possible that it might be found elsewhere in the Fenn Mountains
(the mountain range encircling the Verhoffin Sea), although the expense it
would incur to prospectors makes the concept nearly unfathomable.
The Early Wars (112–200 AC)
The first four Thjoradric wars were fought between rival village chiefs in
the region now known as Thjorgard. During this time, a single chief came
to prominence. He became known as Bjarnus the Mighty, and in addition
to uniting the Thjorgardian clans, he founded the city of Thjorgard (named
for the ore that is mined there). His army conquered the last of the
Thjorgardian clans, and became known as The Thjorgard Clan. Thjorgard
enjoyed peace even after Bjarnus’ death…until 238 AC.
The Middle Wars (240–310 AC)
In 238 AC, Hridmir Strawhands, the Jarl of Thjorgard, travelled to
Thronheim to meet his prospective bride for the first time. During a game
of stones that Hridmir was playing with her older brother Hafgrim, the
two began arguing. Hridmir strangled Hafgrim over the game board and
promptly left for home. Hafgrim’s father, Dain Fasoltssen, was outraged.
He demanded Hridmir pay a wergild of 2000 pounds of Elemental
Thjorad. Hridmir refused, and Dain invaded Thjorgard.
Thjorgard was under siege for thirty days, until Dain broke through the
walls and Hridmir fled. Under Dain’s leadership, his army looted the city of
Thjorgard. Houses were burned, shops were looted, and its citizens were
held in the grip of fear. Dain held the city for exactly two days until Hridmir’s
sister Oda arrived and chased his army from Thjorgard. She chased them
all the way to Thronheim and laid siege to his city. Dain eventually paid
Oda off, and she raised her siege.
Introduction ✦ 14
Somewhere near 10 BC, Emperor Trandis assigned an assassin named
Nazrim to assassinate Verhoffin. After 10 years and the commissioning
of several magical artifacts, Nazrim attempted to end Verhoffin’s life.
Nazrim failed, and in response to this attempt, Verhoffin climbed to the
top of his tower and cast a spell that laid waste to half the Ursanian
Empire. For thousands of miles, he wreaked havoc and destroyed land.
Earthquakes ripped the surviving cities apart. A giant section of the land
surrounding Verhoffin’s Tower was torn asunder, forming what is now
known as the Verhoffin Sea. Most of the citizens of the Ursanian Empire
were left without homes or families. Although the Ursanian Empire
would last another 13 years, this event is generally associated with the
fall of the Ursanian Empire.
The New Settlers (0 BC–Present)
Of all the regions that were affected by the Great Cataclysm (sometimes
called Verhoffin’s Cataclysm), Chedian was affected the least. Although
its climate and landscape changed, Chedian suffered very little. In other
areas, survival was a struggle. Those who were able to followed the
sparse food supplies. Eventually those food supplies led to the fertile
lands of Chedian. Since the Great Cataclysm, the population of this
region grew enormously. At first, the dominant population of Half–Orcs
was reluctant to accept the new settlers, but times were rough and any
able hand became a welcome hand.
Modern Chedian (521 AC)
Modern Chedian is divided into six major clans, each ruled by their own
leader. Known as a Jarl, this leader is autonomous from the other clans,
though trade between clans is frequent. Much of the economy of
modern Chedian (particularly in Thjorgard) is centred on the trade,
refining, and use of a new metal known as Elemental Thjorad.
Elemental Thjorad is a metal that is easy to work, and takes well to
powerful enchantments. Some of the strongest magical items made in the
last 500 years have been made from Elemental Thjorad.
Given the amazing properties of Elemental Thjorad, it is surprising that so
few wars have been fought over the possession of it. There have been
only a dozen wars in the last 500 years (collectively known as the
Thjoradric Wars), and the last one was fought nearly a century ago.
With the exception of the Sturmford and Drangheim clans, the Jarls speak
often to each other, and work out their disagreements every summer at a
festival known as "The Thing".
13 ✦ Introduction
MM9_inners UK 4/3/02 12:42 pm Page 13