Vista

History

(Main Article, History)

Vista's history and calendar begin with the arrival of the four Heroes of Legend. Garrin arrived first, Ajax 100 years after, Ben 100 years after that, and Ellcrys last, in the year 300. The Heroes left on a quest in the 412th year and never returned, though their powers exert a real influence on the world, and their followers are still numerous.

Since then, civilization has been steadily advancing. Large cities grow and produce the tools of civilization while funding research in the magic arts. Villages continue to spring up wherever natural resources can be found. States of all sizes form alliances with their neighbours, strengthening the protection on their borders and trade routes.

Geography/Climate

(Main Article, Geography)

All known civilization on Vista rests on a single supercontinent, which is also called Vista (the world and the continent are generally accepted to be the same thing). The ocean surrounding the continent is seemingly endless, though many small islands can be found near Vista's shores.

Climate on the continent is moderate and fairly uniform. Most areas experience about 2 months of mild winter from December to January. fall and spring each last about 2 months, with summer occupying the remaining 6. Summer temperatures rarely reach uncomfortable levels, and nights are always cool. Extreme weather is rare, though mild thunderstorms are very common.

The landscape is mostly fertile plains. The whole continent is littered with small forests and mountains. Small coniferous woods grow quickly and in neat patches, good for harvesting timber but otherwise not notable. Larger deciduous old-growths are less common. They are generally accepted as dangerous places, home to monsters.

The Great Forest, a massive wood at the world's center, is believed to house a powerful evil. It is surrounded by a great wall and on all sides by sprawling cities. No one goes into the forest, and the strange creatures that used to come from it haven't been seen in over 400 years.

Mountains are small and short, occurring only as single peaks, not as whole ranges. The deeper areas are rich in valuable ores, while special herbs are grown at the higher altitudes. These mountains are often the sources of rivers and streams, which feed the myriad lakes covering Vista. Small bodies of water are very common features in the landscape, and often the centers of civilization.

Occasional bogs, badlands, desserts, and other barren features can be found on Vista. They are associated with evil and believed to serve as lairs for monsters which send their spawn into the world. Civilization tends to stay far away from these places.

Inhabitants

Humans are by far the most common people in Vista. They make up the majority of the population, government and workforce of its cities and villages. Humans are found in almost all societies, except for occasional small villages founded by small groups of a particular race. Even communities of elven hunters or goblin bandits generally count a human or two among their numbers.

All intelligent races tend to live at peace in the cities and villages of the world. Even goblins, hobgoblins, half orcs, drow, and other races given to unseemly behaviour are a regular part of society. Orcs and Gnolls are exceptions to this rule. Their savagery is so great that they make war upon the civilized world, even as they are cursed for doing so.

Members of the 'savage humanoid' races are often ostracized for their ancestry. Half-orcs, hobgoblins, bugbears and other large types are considered savage and violent, or at best belligerent and unclean. Goblins, kobolds, and other sneaky types are generally assumed to be thieves, or at the very least untrustworthy.

Locations

Sanctuary: A village on the frontier of civilization, near a fortress that held a strategic point in an old war fought by Ajax against monster hordes. Population 350. It is the starting location for the campaign and Soren's hometown.

Hearth: The first city founded in Vista's known history. It is the largest city on Vista and located on the east side of the great forest. Many wealthy nobles, artisans and craftsmen live here.

Ciel: A port city on Vista's east coast. It is built on two sides of a wide river which flows into the continent from the Great Ocean. Brave explorers set out from its coast in search of treasure and mystery on the nearby islands. Transports make their way down the river to trade with towns further inland.

Player Characters

Soren: A brilliant warlord from Sanctuary who overcomes long odds. Currently active.

Mina Celess: A warlock still struggling to understand and control her own power. Currently active.

Nogu: A half-orc warior and nomad who travels the world protecting the innocent. Not currently active.

Grunk:  A half-orc barbarian who lives in Sanctuary and has killed dozens of orcs to protect it. Not currently active.

NPCs