Alphatia

Alphatia, which began it's rise from an ill-populated region to a great imperial power more than two millenia ago, is a land of mystery and alien custom. While anyone can amass fame and fortune, the only way to rule, or even to receive the respect of the Empress and the empire's ruling council, is to know the art of magic. newborn children, from the poorest peasant child to the most extravagantly indulged royal princess, are examined by magic-users to determine their magical potential. Those who show even the slightest hint of mystic ability are trained in the arts from the time of their earliest memories.

Yet, for all this obsession with one subject - the arcane - the Alphatians are notorious for their chaotic and illogical maintenance of their empire. This is an empire where the use of powerful magics can change the very nature of entire cities, where the whims of the Empress and her council become law - even if only for a day - and where domination of subordinate nations is maintained through fear and intimidation, or through eccentric blood-ties, or through sheer magical might, rather than by managerial effiency and impartial law.

The Broken Lands

Aaah, welcome, come with us. Visit the broken lands. Home of many beautiful and varying different races, living together happily under the iron fist (well, leather, but iron sounds better) of Thar, our great leader. We have many great sites, including our impressive beltching and drinking competitions. Come visit the Broken Lands and meet the orcs of Thar! Where all your dreams of conquest come true* (Oh, and if you could bring lots of weapons, horses and wolves with you that would be nice)

*Your dreams may vary from Thar, the Broken Lands and other races in the Broken Lands

The Shadow Elves

"Come here Wart-bag and sit down like your brother Scar-snout! This is important stuff and if you don't shut your gob and listen I'm gonna have to smack you across the room. I don't wanna have to tell you more than once, get me?

"That's better, you little squirt. Now, both of you, I'm gonna tell you how brave and fearless and full of courage and, uh, brave your dad is. You know what I'm gonna do tommorrer, dontcha? Wipe that grin offa your face Wart-bag, or I'll be kicking your butt tommorrer!

"Okey, now, let's have a little respect for your elders. I'm going on a secret raid, kids, and I'm gonna be bringing back gold and silver and gems and powerful magic and, uh, gold for you and your mother. If you're lucky I might even bring somefink good to eat. 'Coz ya know here I'm going? Against the shadow elves."

Glantri

The fog is thick and the distant clamour of the city slowly dies out in the night. The reflection of the golden glow of a magical street lamp on the oily surface of the canal is cut by a passing gondola's bow. At the rear of the boat, a lonely figure slowly pushes on it's pole, whistling in the night. Finally the ghostly gondolier stops under a street lamp next to a narrow marble stair on Manor Row. The bell on Alexander Platz eerily rings twice as half a dozen men furtively walk out from the dark. One after another, they cautiously step down and board the narrow, swaying boat. The night is cold and the passengers pull their cloaks around them. Moments laters, the gondola slowly leaves, gliding quietly on the waterway.

Thyatis

Thyatis, once nothing more than a spur on the wetern continent, began its rise to from obscurity a thousand years ago to become the dominant power of the western world. It's an empire where a peasant can fight and connive his way onto the imperial throne...and find himself on the executioner's block when he makes his first mistake or shows the first signs of weakness. It's an empire where races blend freely, where organisation and efficiency are the hallmarks of the national character, where trade and negotiations are taught to children on their mother's knees.

And yet, more than all these traits, it is fighting ability which is most admired by Thyatians of all racial backgrounds and social classes. Only one man can hold the throne at a time; only those learned and lucky in trade can amass huge mercantile fortunes. But anyone, from any part of the empire, can become a warrior-knight, and that's the dream and ambition of the masses.

The Emirates of Ylaruam

"In the annals and legends, oh my children, there are many stories of bygone men and things, of antique races, departed rulers, vanished cities, and mysteries without end - many stories indeed, but this is all that I might tell you, so that my wisdom does not show thin and so that your suppers do not grow cold.

"In the beginning there was the sand and the wind, and into that sand and wind came the nomad - the man of the swift steed, the white tent, and the restless herd. From whence he came, none might know but the Eternal. Some say he came from the north, from the grassland-without-end that stretches to the top of the world. Some say he came from across the sea, exiled from distant continents and unimagined empires. Some say he has always been here."