Stormlands

Far to the east of the known world lies the country called the Stormlands, known for it's fast changing weather, strong winds and fantastical storys regarding the earth and the sky like legends of Elemental Titans and a religion called "the Horde in the Sky". It is a country mostly controlled by Minotaurs and aside from Gracia the only place were these humonoids are seen to have relevance. Currently the fractions of the Stormlands are in Conflict of each other, since the rule of the Minotaurs recently fell into chaos. Several Hord-Leaders and a newly arrived High-Elf Army are fighting over the control of this area while other factions like humans, fey and others are cought within the conflict. Even though this place is rough to live in it seen to be very open for pritty much any kind of individual, misfits, former criminals and alike as long they learned how to be useful.

Even though the current situation is dangerous and chaotic, the undefined rulership actually attrcted many adventurers since before these times entering the well controlled and guarded country was very difficult. The risk might even pay off since it might offer a new beginning for some and the land is sad to hold plenty of ancient ruins, treasures, artifacts and a rich history to uncover.

Ancient History (DM Only)

In ancient times, during the time of Elf's, the sormlands were a part of the Kingdom of Aravaile (High Wind/Elvish). The Kingdom included the whole southern area now known as Pyrilea and stretched north up to the Eismeer. It's inhabitants were beings of emense intelligence, magical power and military prowess. They were the last great kingdom of Elf's that fell. Before that they were unrivaled to the point where they were able to spend their time to study and create, being rumored to even use the old elven Magic, unimpeded by the laws of the Goddess of Secrets.

For all their existence they have been driving different kinds of ancient Giants from their land with the help of mighty gem dragons and other steeds it is said. Old pictures show army's of black armored knights atop graceful horses riding into battle against any kind of giant known to the modern world, their swords and shields glowing in any color gems can create but mostly in the light of bright burning ruby's. There is no cavalier in the known history that could rival these riders of old, no horse stronger and more dedicated.

The size of the Kingdom Aravaile became it's downfall when unknown evil forces ripped open the gates to the hell's of demons. Faced with a new enemy in a part of their kingdom deemed save until then ended in a devestating confrontation between the Ruby Knights and the forces of chaos. The Elf's have been able to drive back the demons on several accasions just to be faced with a new legion of evil. Being outnumbered the by every accasion, the numbers of the Ruby Knights dwindelled to the point the kingdom of Aravaile had to send more and more troups from it's nothern realms, just to fall back later on. The times were dire and so the common folk of the south turned to pray into the void and Baphomet answered...

As a second rift opened, this time allowing the armys of devils to enter the plane, the ones who completed the ritual imediatly understood the gratitude of their mistake, as the devils burned through their land, killing demon and Elf alike. The ruby knights retreated as Vulkanos started to spring forth from the ground, covering the land with fire and molten stone, creating Pyrilea in the process. It took just a few weeks until the devils pushed back the demons and closed the rift to their chaotic domain. The Bargain was fullfilled, the demons disappated, but the forces of the devild did not just contain devils...

Great part's of the devil army consisted of bestial humanoids, half man, half bull, beeing called "the Minotaurs", accompanied by a flock of red dragons send by Tiamat herself. Those creatures continued their strife for power over this domain. Luckily the infighting between the two gave the kingdom of Aravaile decades time to think and prepare. They noticed a weakness in the mind of the minotaurs, a naivety, sense of bestial self preservation, human self importance and ambition. These creatures were well designed but their thinking could be manipulated and so the Elf's began to slowly converted many of the Minotaurs into their service, functioning as slaves and soldiers, following the promise of the Elven King of freedom and a self determined life.

When Baphomet noticed far too late how many of his creations had fallen into the hands of the Elf's, he struck a deal with Tiamat, promising to join forces with her until the Elf's of Aravaile have been vanquished. The Dragon-goddess agreed and so the final confrontation lied ahead. A large army of remaining Ruby Knights stood aside hordes of Minotaurs, being motivated by the thought of freedom outside of a Maze. They faced a legion of evil minotaurs, being greater in size than those who have decided to switch sides but being more ruthless and simple minded. The Sky was filled with dragons, some red, fighting for the hell's, others in the color of ruby's facing their brethren. The battlefield chosen was the large, burning area east of the Twin Mountains and the flames shooting up from the ground diminished any chance of victory but when the horns of war rang in every bodies ears, there was no going back.

The horses of the Ruby Knights started to move and the hordes of hopefull Minotaurs followed closeley. Faster and faster they ran until the air was willed with thunder, running into the burning breech when the clouds itself seemed to grant their aid in this confrontation. Rain started to fall down from the skies, extinguishing the flames from beneath while lightning struck over and over, lighting up the whole are and smashing flying rocks, spat out by the vulkanos into thousands of peaces. The devilish forces were cought offguard as the battlefield itself turned against them. The battle ensued and even though the forces of evil cut down most of the enemy, they faced annihilation. After the forsces of Baphomet fell, Tiamat was not willing to loose here, so she struck at the heart of the elven army. As the last remaining red dragon ripped the elven King into pieces and roared so loud that the remaining Ruby Knights and the Monotaurs began to flee and so did the red dragon. The fight was won, but the King of the elves lied dead, as did most of the brave soldiers fighting this battle.

When the Elf king died, so did his promises to the Minotaurs, at least it seemed so for several decades. Since the day pesant Elf's have opened the door to the nine hell's no Elf has been able to cross over to paradise of their people even after the hellish brute has been defeated. The great Mages, Nobles and Scientists of their people have died and a young prince, one of the few survivers of the fight, now had to rule a land much to big for what he could manage in addition to a slowly revolting horde of Minotaurs, waiting for their promised freedom. Luckily the new king was wise and even though those closest to him disagreed he handed the two most influencial Minotaurs one weapon each, before leaving the Sormlands as a present to the new found folk. One he called lightning, a scimitar that was created during a storm, cutting a tree right in the midddle from top to bottom, and Thunder, a Hammer that was thrown once an knocked out a red dragon in the battle over this lands. As the two weapons were gifted to the two Minotaurs it started to rain again. One stood in silence and amazement, the other spoke their first word in their own lenguage known to history - przyjaciel, which means "friend".

History

Since the existence of the Stormlands it has most often been ruled by two Minotaurs, but instead of husband and wife, the most peacefull times were created by pairs of siblings. Many decades and even century's have been turbulent since individual hordes always did strife to be the most worthy to rule and so till this day a ruler can be rightfully overthrown overthrown if there are more powerfull forces to claim the right to rule. Documentation of the past is rare and hard to come by. The most recent pair of regents might be the most relevant for their rule is commonly known as the most just and peaceful in the history of the country - The twins Lebos and Mina.