Dave Wood's

Campaign

Darkon

The History, The Ascension

Darkon has existed as a nation for no less than two hundred years, and records point back to important events even older than that. Of course, dates on such ancient records are a bit foggy, but the fact remains that Darkon, aside from being the largest domain, is also the oldest existent domain in the Lands of the Mists.

The oldest records available refer only to King Azalin as ruler, implying that he has been alive and in power for over one hundred years. Certainly, no one alive can remember a time without the wizard king in power.

While no record details the exact date or origin of the land of Darkon, it is a commonly known fact that it was once a realm of the dead. Death and his people were rudely displaced by the living. Eventually, so the story says, the dead will rise up to reclaim their land. This terrible date is known by everyone man, woman and child living in Darkon. It is referred to in prophecy as The Ascension.

The Faith

Only the Temple of the Eternal Order, the state religion of Darkon, know the secrets to keep The Ascension at bay. A Temple of the Eternal Order can be recognized by the hourglass-shaped symbol emblazoned on the doors. In past years, attendance has been lagging, and the dead have grown more restless.

On four recent occasions, in 700, 704, 711, and 722, the vengeful spirits who once owned the domain of Darkon have repelled the armies of Vlad Drakov. Priests warn that the dead will turn on the Darkonites soon, if the Temple of the Eternal Order is not properly patronized.

While your village has no such temple devoted to Death, Rivalis is home to a sizeable establishment, where all citizens in the area are required to attend services once each year.

Many small cults and other religious orders have sprung up in small communities, but the King and his men are quick to crush these faiths. Should the people turn away from the placation of Death, The Ascension will be upon the domain before anyone has time to realize their folly.

The Lord and the Land

Darkon is a magocracy, a land ruled by a wizard. Still, nothing in this land is quite that simple. In Darkon, mysteries have mysteries embedded in them, and so many spiderwebs of plots and schemes intersect that the majority of people give up without an attempt at understanding the world in which they live.

The one fact that everyone knows and understands is this: The true owner of the land is Death. Every man, woman and child of Darkon is comfortable with this state of being, for there is no changing it. Some day, legend states, Death will ascend to claim what is his.

The archmage Azalin is King of Darkon until the time of Death's Ascension. He is the "Iron fist in a velvet glove." The king has ruled as long as the oldest man can remember, extending his life through some sort of magic. He sets his laws by decree, but they are few. Most of the responsibility of governance rests firmly on the shoulders of the king's barons.

Two laws have been decreed upon all of Darkon, though, on pain of death.

1. The Dead crave magic, which they will use to reclaim Darkon from the living. For the safety of individuals and their families, any and all magic must be immediately taken to the nearest Temple of the Eternal Order and turned over to the authorities. The restless dead can sense the presence of magic, and will come for those who would horde it unlawfully.
2. The Dead cannot be kept at bay during the night. No traveler may break the King's Curfew. An ancient saying among the folk says, "The traveler in the Darkonian night will see amazing sights before he dies." The restless dead can sense the life of anyone out after dark, and the powers of the Eternal Order cannot keep them at bay.

The Mists

The Lands get their name from the misty border that touches on the domains at every compass point. Even the waters of the Sea of Sorrows sail into the Mists. No one understands the Mists, for no one knows what lies within them.

In some domains the Mists have poisonous characteristics, and entering them can be a deadly mistake. In other domains, those who wander the Mists find themselves disoriented; it is impossible to maintain direction. Some folk mad enough to step into the Mists never return, while others wander out speaking of terrifying places made of nightmare. On occasion, things are rumored to come out of the Mists. These creatures are the recognized as the embodiment of evil.