Fate of Tara History

World Overview

The world has experienced near destruction, due to the acts of powerful wizards who tapped into alien powers. The Old Ones were awakened and a great war took place between the forces of the world and alien invaders. There is not much left of civilization from this armageddon of a war, leaving ruins, perverse creatures and the powers of nature to reclaim civilized lands.

There are three main human civilizations that have survived in this part of the world: the Yan-Ki (Celts), the war-like Northmen (norse) in the north, and the peaceful, but clever traders, the Phoenicians in the south.

The sentient races were laid low and scattered to the winds, losing much of their culture and in many cases, reverting to more tribal ways of life. A conspiracy has emerged with a powerful sidhe on the island attempting to hinder humanity and keep it in its place. Tribes and villages are stunted and underdeveloped. It's for their own good, is the thinking. Another war with alien powers would likely leave nothing alive in this world.

Crannog, the fallen sidhe, along with his minions, keeps the local population in its place. Aillyn, a satyr sorcerer, keeps the town of Tara from expanding and exploring, as he lulls the population to sleep once a year and burns down their town. The population is terrified, afraid to explore outside their walls, to navigate and settle more towns on the large island of Redstone, named after the red sandstone found in abundance and used for building.

As the party explores threats to their town, they begin to see patterns emerge that point to a more sinister plot, an overarching cabal that rewards and instructs the malevolent creatures of Redstone to keep the humans in their place. Defeating this cabal may allow the Yan-Ki to thrive and explore, unleashing their cultural potential as great warriors and craftsmen. 

History of Redstone Island

The Early People lived in natural shelters on the island, hunted and fished for their food and used basic tools. These people lived in harmony with nature. Over tens of thousands of years, they grew to have powerful druids that rivaled the wizardry of more advanced civilizations. The Early People are responsible for many of the standing stones and megalithic monuments of the island. 

The Northmen came to the island next, sophisticated settlers and conquerors who created the original towns and cities of Redstone Island. They brought agricultural knowledge, especially how to grow crops on a larger scale and how to brew alcohol (the reasons for the crops). The Northmen were renowned for their magic and often took concepts and magical constructs of The Early People, like standing stones, and infused them with magic or integrated sites into their own tombs, holy places or rituals.

The Yan Ki Empire expanded during this time, along with The Northmen and The Phoenicians. Fierce economic competition led to fierce military rivalry and dangerous magical research to gain any and all advantages. At one point, all three empires were competing to open gates to other worlds to wield weapons to dominate over each other. The Northmen were the most sophisticated warriors. The Phoenicians were the most adept traders with the most wealth. The Yan Ki wielded the most powerful magic through their seers and warlocks.

This lead to The Dark Time, when humanity was at war with otherworldly beings. Rivalries were put aside, both between the three empires, and those of the forces of magic and nature. By the time these mind rending enemies were vanquished, sent back to their alien realm, all three empires were in ruins. Pockets of civilization remained, but most people left their broken, dysfunctional cities and set out to start over.

By this time The Northmen had retreated from Redstone Island to their northern homes, leaving Redstone for a new people to inhabit, The Yan Ki. However, rather than seeing a growing expansion of empire, like before, The Yan Ki were barely able to subsist on the land. Things had changed. Forces of nature, once an alley, now seemed intent on destroying them. The druids were indifferent to their plight, wishing them back to their fallen lands. Monsters attacked anyone intent on exploration and went as far as to ritually humiliate the community each year.