Arast, the Fallen
Overview & Demographics
Government: Theocracy
Arast was ruled by a hereditary Emperor until one hundred years ago, when Tayel the Sonless died., Civil matters are handled by the High Priest of the Zostarian Church, the Regency, and the Academy working together.
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Population:
Elf: 46 %
Human: 22 %
Half-elf: 15 %
Dwarf: 7 %
Halfling: 4 %
Gnome: 4 %
Half-orc: 1.5 %
Other: 0.5 %
Of Church & Empire
The First Prophet, Zostar, was born as an elf into the small human kingdom of Arast, a land devastated by the war.
Returning from the planes above and below at the age of three hundred and thirty-three, Zostar brought his teaching to the city of Corvale. There he preached of the weakness of the Gods, and he gained a following. After three short years he gained the ear of the human King of Arast, Bjorn Half-Hand.
King Bjorn converted to Zostar’s teachings, outlawing worship of the gods in the realm of Arast and establishing the first Zostarian Church in Corvale. The conversion of King Bjorn Half-Hand marks first year of the Royal Age, the fourth age of the World, an age that is over.
For the next five hundred years the Zostarian Church grew, attracting followers across Arast. As the Church grew it gained political power as the state religion of the nation. During this time numerous smaller nations were absorbed, including the kingdom of Ethyrya.
The power of Church and Empire reinforced each other. And in all their lands the clerics of the mortal gods were persecuted, until they became all but extinct. For the next five hundred years the Arastrian Empire enjoyed a golden age. But it was not to last. In the one-thousandth year of the Royal Age the Empire began to stagnate. A corrupt and hedonistic Emperor, Calin the Hungry, squandered the Empire’s resources.
The thirteenth and fourteenth centuries of the Royal Age were a dark age. The Empire crumbled under waves of invasion. Governors began to claim the title of King, and there were none to stop them.
The Teachings of Zostar
Zostar taught that the Triad—Law, Chaos, and the Balance—are not deities to be worshiped but impersonal and disinterested forces to be supported and maintained.
Thus Zostar gave two basic instructions:
(1) Serve either Law or Chaos but strive for balance;
(2) work to free others from servitude to the gods.
To serve a god, Zostar proclaimed, makes one a servant in this world and in the next. Balance brings liberation in this world and those to come. This is the teaching that the Church has kept for over one thousand years.
Or so it has been until recently, when the new Prophet came. Melech teaches that Law will one day become complete. When it is, a new age will dawn, and the gods will be finally defeated.
This new teaching has created a schism in the Church.
World & Empire
It is the year 443 of the Vanir Era, by Midgard reckoning. By Arastrian reckoning it is the year 100 of the Fifth Age. One hundred years ago, a war among the gods tore the World asunder. Now, chaos is ascendant while the gods negotiate peace.
Over the past one hundred years the Arastrian Empire has lost what little power it maintained. The last Emperor of Arast, Tayel the Sonless, left no heirs. The clergy has seized power.
A new prophet has arisen, an elf named Melech, who teaches the coming of the Age of Law. Traditionalists within the Church consider this a heresy, but they are outnumbered by Melech’s disciples.
Meanwhile, in the borderlands of the fallen Arastrian Empire, worship of the Old Gods is returning.
Distinctive Personalities
Melech, the Second Prophet: Melech travelled to the outer planes, just as Zostar himself did. He returned with the conviction that the time for balance had passed, and that Law should ascend to finally rid the world of Chaos.
Stegold, the Regent: A quiet and soft-spoken, middle-aged elf, the Regent of Arast is also known to be ruthless in his political maneuverings.
Amelia, Master of the Academy: Young (for an elf) and beautiful, the Master of the Arcane Academy in Corvale rose to power by virtue of a compelling intellect and an utter willingness to use anyone that could be manipulated to her advantage.
Kath the Red, Warden: A large human with a braided red beard and bald scalp, the Warden of Corvale leads the City Guard with efficiency and good humor.
Celestria, Leader of the Zostarian Old Guard: An elderly female elf, Celestria is known to be an accomplished intellectual and scholar, as well as fiercely opinionated and sharp-tongued.
Radat, Prince of Thieves: A black-haired gnome, the leader of the Thieves’ Guild in Corvale is the nephew of Ladreathador in Thieves’ Bay.
Tanasia, Keeper of the Courtside Inn: Tanasia hears every rumor that circulates through Corvale. She understands her position, however, and knows how to keep secrets.
Government: Theocracy
Arast was ruled by a hereditary Emperor until one hundred years ago, when Tayel the Sonless died., Civil matters are handled by the High Priest of the Zostarian Church, the Regency, and the Academy working together.
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Population:
Elf: 46 %
Human: 22 %
Half-elf: 15 %
Dwarf: 7 %
Halfling: 4 %
Gnome: 4 %
Half-orc: 1.5 %
Other: 0.5 %
Of Church & Empire
The First Prophet, Zostar, was born as an elf into the small human kingdom of Arast, a land devastated by the war.
Returning from the planes above and below at the age of three hundred and thirty-three, Zostar brought his teaching to the city of Corvale. There he preached of the weakness of the Gods, and he gained a following. After three short years he gained the ear of the human King of Arast, Bjorn Half-Hand.
King Bjorn converted to Zostar’s teachings, outlawing worship of the gods in the realm of Arast and establishing the first Zostarian Church in Corvale. The conversion of King Bjorn Half-Hand marks first year of the Royal Age, the fourth age of the World, an age that is over.
For the next five hundred years the Zostarian Church grew, attracting followers across Arast. As the Church grew it gained political power as the state religion of the nation. During this time numerous smaller nations were absorbed, including the kingdom of Ethyrya.
The power of Church and Empire reinforced each other. And in all their lands the clerics of the mortal gods were persecuted, until they became all but extinct. For the next five hundred years the Arastrian Empire enjoyed a golden age. But it was not to last. In the one-thousandth year of the Royal Age the Empire began to stagnate. A corrupt and hedonistic Emperor, Calin the Hungry, squandered the Empire’s resources.
The thirteenth and fourteenth centuries of the Royal Age were a dark age. The Empire crumbled under waves of invasion. Governors began to claim the title of King, and there were none to stop them.
The Teachings of Zostar
Zostar taught that the Triad—Law, Chaos, and the Balance—are not deities to be worshiped but impersonal and disinterested forces to be supported and maintained.
Thus Zostar gave two basic instructions:
(1) Serve either Law or Chaos but strive for balance;
(2) work to free others from servitude to the gods.
To serve a god, Zostar proclaimed, makes one a servant in this world and in the next. Balance brings liberation in this world and those to come. This is the teaching that the Church has kept for over one thousand years.
Or so it has been until recently, when the new Prophet came. Melech teaches that Law will one day become complete. When it is, a new age will dawn, and the gods will be finally defeated.
This new teaching has created a schism in the Church.
World & Empire
It is the year 443 of the Vanir Era, by Midgard reckoning. By Arastrian reckoning it is the year 100 of the Fifth Age. One hundred years ago, a war among the gods tore the World asunder. Now, chaos is ascendant while the gods negotiate peace.
Over the past one hundred years the Arastrian Empire has lost what little power it maintained. The last Emperor of Arast, Tayel the Sonless, left no heirs. The clergy has seized power.
A new prophet has arisen, an elf named Melech, who teaches the coming of the Age of Law. Traditionalists within the Church consider this a heresy, but they are outnumbered by Melech’s disciples.
Meanwhile, in the borderlands of the fallen Arastrian Empire, worship of the Old Gods is returning.
Distinctive Personalities
Melech, the Second Prophet: Melech travelled to the outer planes, just as Zostar himself did. He returned with the conviction that the time for balance had passed, and that Law should ascend to finally rid the world of Chaos.
Stegold, the Regent: A quiet and soft-spoken, middle-aged elf, the Regent of Arast is also known to be ruthless in his political maneuverings.
Amelia, Master of the Academy: Young (for an elf) and beautiful, the Master of the Arcane Academy in Corvale rose to power by virtue of a compelling intellect and an utter willingness to use anyone that could be manipulated to her advantage.
Kath the Red, Warden: A large human with a braided red beard and bald scalp, the Warden of Corvale leads the City Guard with efficiency and good humor.
Celestria, Leader of the Zostarian Old Guard: An elderly female elf, Celestria is known to be an accomplished intellectual and scholar, as well as fiercely opinionated and sharp-tongued.
Radat, Prince of Thieves: A black-haired gnome, the leader of the Thieves’ Guild in Corvale is the nephew of Ladreathador in Thieves’ Bay.
Tanasia, Keeper of the Courtside Inn: Tanasia hears every rumor that circulates through Corvale. She understands her position, however, and knows how to keep secrets.