Welcome to Nordmark

The land was long uninhabited by humans. Long, cold winters and a harsh environment made the humans stay away. But as people do, some went out, seeking their fortune and leaving their past lives behind.

When man first arrived in the valley between the Black Mountains and Wrothmark, the land was already claimed by centaurs in the south, and dwarves and orcs in the north. The already fragile peace was disturbed, as humans from south of the mountains wanted their share. Warbands plagued the land, and the other kin suffered greatly. The earth was colored red with the blood of orcs and dwarves alike. The centaurs, who took a different approach and joined forces with the humans, were better off at first. However, the humans soon betrayed their ally, and took the land for their own. They called it Nordmark, the northern lands.

However, the humans soon betrayed their ally, and took the land for their own.
They called it Nordmark, the northern lands.

The dwarves were forced down into the darkness of the mountain halls. The orcs suffered greatly, and were almost wiped out. The centaurs, who pleaded for help from their kin in the south, held on to the lands south of the river flowing through the valley. 

As time went by, the humans founded their own kingdom, Viddenmark. The valley of Nordmark was considered a separate province in this great kingdom, until a terrible war tore a rift between east and west. Hordes of giant spiders and undead – the Shadow King’s feared army – terrorized the province of Nordmark and threatened to spread across the continent of Mervalde. Viddenmark sent troops to aid Nordmark, and together they defeated the Shadow King. At that point, Nordmark declared their independence. Weakened by the war, Viddenmark tried to keep the province in check, but failed greatly.

The shadow mages and their order of knights helped the king of Nordmark rule, at times even claiming the throne themselves. Generations passed, and the memory of the Shadow King and his horrors faded into legend. But now, something is awakening in the north. There are rumors of a stirring evil, yet those who dare speak of it out loud are ridiculed or imprisoned. All the while, the past is slowly finding a way to seek its revenge.

As war once again threatens to make Nordmark suffer, things are unknowingly set in motion by clueless men. The hope stands to a few unexpected heroes.

Can you save Nordmark from its doom?

The Order of the Shadow

The Order of the Shadow are a religious order, ruled since centuries by the shadow mages. Above everything, they seek knowledge and understanding. Their hope and beliefs are directed to the eternal sleep – the reward granted to those who live their life well. They see this world as incomplete, full of suffering and wronging. They strive to make the world a better place. Sometimes, that means that you have to do bad things for the greater good. 

In the countryside, they are looked upon with admiration and reverence, but in the cities, people have started to change their view, and they are not always welcomed. Their temple, in the heart of the capital Ramos, is a place where their power is absolute. They rule their order from there, and also have a vast library – which is said to be the largest in the world – in several levels below the temple. Some knowledge is dangerous and even prohibited, why most of their books and scrolls are written in a kind o braille, which makes their knowledge inaccessible to the uninitiated. This also makes the king of Nordmark fear them. How can he keep them at their lengths if he can’t understand them? Also, their shadow magic is a terrible weapon which he cannot master. Therefore, for a greater good, he seeks unholy alliances to maybe one day triumph the shadow mages power over Nordmark. 

You can read more about the shadow mages and knights in Walking with Shadows. Available now via DriveThruRPG!

The Expelled People

The orcs are looked upon with distaste by most other kin. Suffering a declining existence, the orcs try to make do in the darkness below the Black Mountains, where they have declared their own kingdom, Stone-halls Home. The orcs are most often not accounted for by men, but the dwarves are often involved in disputes with the orcs regarding territory.

The orcs are silently suffering and dreaming of better times, and some even dream of revenge. Revenge on both dwarves and humans alike.

The Stone Halls of Boros

The dwarven kingdom Boros is a wealthy kingdom, with kind of good relations with Nordmark. The men needs their metals and forging skills, so they keep their internal affairs in order and peace. The dwarven king Bordonius is harsh and relentless. He strives to eradicate the orcs, to claim the entirety of the underworld for the dwarves. To their help, they have their magic runes, a powerful magic school which only the dwarves master.

The Centaurs of Cavalion

The centaurs in the south have not forgotten the betrayal of men. Frequently during history, they have been at war with Nordmark. For the past decade, they have boded their time and prepared for a full scale invasion. They have found it increasingly hard to keep good relations with the dwarves of Boros, as Nordmark is not looking kindly at centaurs travelling their lands.

It is said that Cavalion is all but ready to make their strike. Can Nordmark endure their wrath?

The Wrath Lands

In the south, volcanic mountains have awoken from their long slumber, making people fear that an eruption is imminent. Some even say there’s more to it, than fire and stone … 

The Chronicles of Sorrow

The campaign The Chronicles of Sorrow tells the story of Nordmark and it’s kin: the humans, the dwarves and the orcs. It’s a tale of darkness, hardships and hard choices, where the characters might change the outcome of conflicts hiding below the peaceful surface. 

Are their efforts enough to save Nordmark? Will the shadow order survive? Will the orcs claim their right? Will the dwarves manage to keep the orcs at bay?

This, and more, are events in which the characters will find themselves, whether they like it or not. And when all things are set in motion, will they – can they – prevent destruction and doom?

The campaign consists of four books:

Part 1: Soot and Soil

Ghosts of the past once again threatens the kingdom. A betrayal sets things in motion. Things both in the north and in the south awakens. And Cavalion is ready for war. 

Written by: Daniel Lehto

Illustrated by: Lasse Partanen, Peter Svärd

Editor: Marie Östling

Cover Artist: Walter Quinar

Part 2: The Fate of Bordonius

The gates to the kingdom of Boros are closed and not opened for months. The reason turns out to be more frightful than anyone could anticipate. The fate of dwarves and orcs are at stake.

Written by: Marie Östling

Illustrated by: Lasse Partanen

Editor: Daniel Lehto

Cover Artist: Walter Quinar

Story by: Marie Östling and Daniel Lehto

Part 3: The Heir of Durgaz

When rumors of a victorious orc chieftain are spread across the land, the orcs find a sudden hope for the future. Is it the heir of the legendary Durgaz that has arisen. Will he unite the clans and bring the orcs out of their suffering?

Written by: Marie Östling

Illustrated by: Lasse Partanen

Editor: Daniel Lehto

Cover Artist: Walter Quinar

Part 4: By Blood and Betrayal

An ancient secret is discovered. Following the clues, the characters will uncover even bigger secrets that might redefine all that’s known about the past, with huge consequences in the present. But not all want the secrets to be told …

Written by: Daniel Lehto

Illustrated by: Lasse Partanen

Editor: Marie Östling

Cover Artist: Walter Quinar

Story by: Marie Östling and Daniel Lehto

All parts can be played separately, or as part of the campaign. And remember – your choices will affect the future of the entire valley – and more. Coming to Kickstarter in June.

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Disclaimer

This game is not affiliated with, spon­sored, or endorsed by Fria Ligan AB. This Supplement was created under Fria Ligan AB’s Dragonbane Third Party Supplement License.