Age Of Dragons: Dragonwar
Age Of Dragons: Main Page -> Age Of Dragons: Mythology and History -> Age Of Dragons: Dragonwar
It has been approximately four and a half millennia since the Ascendancy began its spree of conquest, and a mere fifteen centuries since the Alliance formed in enmity to the Ascendancy. Though this is a mere space of a few generations for dragons, most of those who witnessed the Alliance's formation have already passed on, and a new generation of Dragon's has been born into a world that has been riven in two. Even the eldest have barely any memory of how things once were - tales of the time of their grandfathers seem lost in ancient history.
For mortals, three millennia is far longer. Entire civilisations were put to the sword in the North, and now all that is known and remembered is the Ascendancy. Mortals in the North may not even have heard of the Mother Goddess, and have come to accept life in the Ascendancy's empire as the way things have always been. In the south, folk are better educated in history, but even then the draconic Alliance has had mortal effects. Whereas once the City States of Arrantis warred amongst themselves, they now consider themselves a single nation. Whereas once the Arrantians looked upon the desertfolk of Kalarn as dark-skinned infidel, they now see them as trading partners and friends, and it is far beyond mortal memory when this was otherwise. Mortal men are aware of the existence of the "Alliance of Dragons" and of their guidance over their society, just as they are filled with fear at the thought of the "Empire of Night" that is in the distant North. Of course, with their short lifespans, the threat in the North may seem less immediate... Both Dragon and human analysts believe that it can only be a century or two at most before all out war reaches the South, but what is mere moments to a Dragon is a half dozen or more generations away to men.
Recent Events[edit]
The following are recent events (the last century) that have effected the course of the Dragonwar. Players and GMs are encouraged to use these as launching points for stories and quests. They also provide some foreshadowing of events to come, as far as the "official metaplot" goes.
- Doom of the Ghost Dragons
Twenty five years ago, Endless Night issued a proclamation that "the Ghost Dragons will die before four hundred and forty four more years have passed." This is no idle threat - Endless Night rarely makes such statements, and to date each has carried the weight of prophecy, his words inevitably coming true. The Ghost Dragons, unsurprisingly, have been desperately searching for some Ascendancy scheme or plan aimed to fulfil this doom, but have so far found no clue. Regardless, the "Prophecy Clock" (which now stands at four hundred and nineteen years before extinction) has infected the Draconic breed with a mix of desperation and fatalism.
- Cracks in the Ashen Wall
In the last ten years, analysts have noted that the Ashen Kingdoms have been failing to keep the growth of their defences in line with the growing power of Ascendancy and Alliance. This is not due to any special reason - merely that the Ashen Dragons lack the resources and land to keep expanding their strength, and are hemmed in on both sides. Unless they find a new edge, it is likely that in less than two centuries the Ashen Kingdom will cease to be a major power player. Commentators are unwilling to write them off yet however - the Ashen have been in this situation of impending weakness twice in the last thousand years, and each time they have unveiled some previously unknown resource to maintain their significance.
- The Prophet
In the past twelve years, a human in Kalarn who simply calls himself the Prophet has been preaching to the masses a heretical message: that the Mother Goddess is evil, and that the Dragons who rule the land as "gods" are nothing less than demons. No dragon has yet been able to catch up with this desert wanderer, but his charisma must be far beyond human as in the short space of a dozen years he has incited no less than three major revolts in different Citadel cities. Some suspect that he is a polymorphed agent of the Ascendancy, but his message seems to be against all dragons, rather than just the Alliance.
- The Buried Prince
Sixty years ago, at the direction of Endless Night, the Sable Dragons began an excavation in the northern Fang Mountains, with the aim of unearthing a powerful sleeping demon known only as "The Buried Prince". Farksy Rangers have discovered the site of the dig, and note that it is incredibly well fortified. Espionage and scouting suggests that they are nearing the completion of their dig - the Buried Prince will soon be unearthed...
