Nor Galad (4e Campaign Setting)/Introduction



About this campaign... The realm of Nor Galad is a campaign setting that encompasses a very large number of planets all revolving around basic interconnected mythos. As of now, this campaign focuses on the planet Sentia, which is more similar to a DnD type world. One of the main powers on Sentia resides on the continent Kalina, the home of the political power and nation, the "United Continent." Due to early name changes, both the planet (Sentia) and the continent (Kalina) may still be (mistakenly) referred to as Nor Galad (the campaign name).
 * All of these will be used to refer to the United Continent, with the words "Unified" and "United" used interchangeably, with "unified" being less a common term: The Untied Continent (UC), the United Continent of the Monarch Races (UCMR), the United Continent of Kalina (UCK)

The campaign setting Nor Galad is a universe concept designed to incorporate mythos and universe building elements to make an interesting background for stories, literature, and other projects I'm working on--my little playground. The campaign can be used for players and DM's, and outlined here will be the fantastic fantasy world of Sentia. Enjoy.

This campaign setting takes place in the realm of Nor Galad, and aims to be unique and original while still retaining much of the feel of other classic campaign settings. It builds off of the basics of core DnD (or other pen and paper) gameplay, making it easy for new players and veterans alike to enjoy. With it's familiar feel and simple background--and it's own hefty doses of intrigue, and twists and turns-- it has storyline so complex (or simple) that there is enough for all. In this campaign, I've aimed for a few more realistic touches as well. For instance, unlike many Campaigns, Nor Galad, does not focus merely on a vast single continent. Although many full blown campaign setings have other continents, they usually are not central in any way, are not fleshed out, and are rather insignifigant to the story. Although the "first" continent built is the "U.C", there are other continents as well, other planes, and other societies, that in my opinion brings a much realistic feel to the world and setting without sacrificing simplicity or fun action packed gameplay when needed. The campaign will have many campaign story arcs, and "campaign settings" inside of it, such as the "Fueding Orcs" campaign arc, as well as the "Wasteland" desert area. I've also tried to bring the downfall of a very typical undertaking in campaigns, which is the the uniformity in which races are shown, (mostly due to the "single-continent" focus). Although their may be "racial diverseity" as it were, most campaigns do not really try to implement this in any signifigant manner. However, in the Nor Galad campaign on Sentia, even in just one continent, some elves may be lanky and tall or evil and chaotic. Different villages near each other may have different views, with very different personal, with their own strange traits. Continents, clans, areas, and island nations, each with their own separate and unique identity without being clumped into preset groups--this is one of the main goals of this campaign setting Nor Galad brings to light that not all Orcs, goblins, or Drow are evil, and not all dwarves,elves, and especially humans are good- and even if they are good or "evil", that they are all living beings that have thought. (Goblin stole a cow. Let's kill all the goblin nation.) Nor Galad is the Campaign, where everything is how it should be, but nothing is as it seems. Remember, if this bores you, this is much more of a personal project as a setting for my literature (etc), designed by an avid (ish) world builder, background story making narrative person...therfore, much of the extra details included you don't neccesarily need to bother with to play. I certainly don't when I DM for a group in "The Realm of Nor Galad"

Kalina: The United Continent
As a player, you may have learned some of the truths of the world on your travels. Perhaps Dritzil, an old Tiefling Sage living in the countryside has told you the Ancient Stories-an old mentor who braved far off lands long ago. Perhaps an ancient monk of the Divine Order has sent you off to see the world in all it's beauty and cruelty, or an Warlock of the Black Brotherhood to cleanse the superstitions of the world.

In Kalina, the people of the world, although happy and content, are unwise, and cruel people. They consider most races other than themselves to be inferior and evil: once they have been shown the truth, most realize their mistakes, but are to afraid to stand up against the goverements propaganda. Some old-bartenders may have been friends with orcs, tieflings, and drow, and after there long adventurers, setled down, only to realize that he can't do anything against the goverment.

Most characters roles, in the world of NG, is the not one of a savior, but one who shows the truth. Instead of going against the goverment directly, you may go on quests to the Barbarian lands, or to the sky, to gain the trust of different races. And when gained the trust of, moving on, until you confront the Empires again, and show them there errors.

PC's in the United Continent can tend to be more evil by nature. Because of this fact, it is very easy to make an evil aligned character in the UC (within limits of your DM), than many other campaigns.

4 Important Facts
 * Sentia is an old world. So old in fact, the actual age of the planet is unknown. The world has ancient history, waiting to be uncovered. Sentia also contains stories of unknown lands, untouched by the hand of Civilization.
 * Throughout the the ages, Sentia has been torn apart, rebuilt, and destroyed. By the hands of ancient Empires, beings both good an evil, and even the wrath of the Primordials,  sentia has been shaped, a diverse Planet, home every kind of being, place, thing and wonder imaginable.
 * The main continent of Sentia, the United Continent, is home to the same type of diversity Sentia embodies: if you look hard enough.
 * Many things remain the same, but different. (cont)

The United Continent of Monarch Races
The United Continent of Monarch Races, or more commonly known as the United Continent of Kalina, is a group of affiliated provinces, empires, and kingdoms from the established Monarch Races of Kalina (Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes, Humans). The UC is one of the major political forces in Kalina, controlling huge amounts of land and resources, and thus having some of the greatest power in Kalina. Although some of these individual parties may hold mutual interests, the establishment of the United Continent in Kalina linked all the major "Monarch" races was in the best self-interests of these parties, rather than their mutual interests in common goals. At one time or another, each of the various factions and racial alliances have taken more or less control over the UC's governmental power. Although the political power began as an republic, as modeled by the Ancient Elven texts and traditions, the government has fallen under the control of one single faction--the Humans. After the Dragonborn appeared in Sentia, the slowly budding republic faded quickly, as forces consolidated to "fight" this foriegn threat. The mountain danger of the Ancient Gray-Tiefling empire brought an close to the freedom once promised. Although many parties still work as they once did, such as gnomes and elves, many provinces are increasingly dictatorial, and the human factions have gained more and more control in the capital. An well informed propaganda and intelligence service keep the people complacent, happy, and ignorant--malleable and easy to control.

Warlock Brotherhood
The Warlock Brotherhood has an extremely long and complicated history. In the past five hundred years, the Brotherhood has undergone many changes, while still continuing to preserve it's ancient traditions, and many of the best traits of each of the more recent incarnations. One of the most important facts of the Warlock Brotherhood is the continuation of both magical, scientific, and worldly knowledge. It is here that most of the ancient scriptures, along with the ancient Elven libraries, are translated and kept. The Warlock Brotherhood is a major opponent of the UC's dominance, especially in the more heavily oppressed (generally more human populated) areas. The Warlock Brotherhood is also split into major factions-- this is understandable as the many changes that the Broterhood have endured-- some ancient sect to dark magic, to currently a political haven and refuge for almost everything in between has brought rivalries. Power has remained central under a triumvurate council of Arch-Wizards and Warlocks, and secretely [driztil] the cosmic warlock.

Social
Despite the many atrocities of the UC, most places under it's jurisdiction are relatively peaceful and free. Although still ruled the propaganda and racial superiority of the human elected powers of the UC, there is relative peace and prosperity throughout the UC--assuming you're one of the Monarch Races. Although many of the other nations have kept there own ties, teachings, and knowledge safe, the UC controls many aspects--including the technological advancement-- of the people. By repressing the common folk and making it difficult for budding technologies and magic to appear throughout the continent, the UC weakens the people and strengthens their own hold. The Warlock Brotherhood works with many of the terrorist and resistance force communities both inside and outside of UC jurisdiction. These forces work together to destroy the UC and what it stands for--however, due to often conflicting interests and methods, the Brotherhood (and it's various darker factions normally related to street violence and the Black Markets) and these other affiliate groups have made slow progress. The Brotherhood sees a potential ally in the Dragonborn Empire, and potentially the Haburaman empire. Although the Gray Tiefling Empire may eventually pose a threat to the Broterhood and Kalina or even Sentia itself, the Brotherhood is willing to take the risks to both establish contact and avoid the ire of both the Gray Tieflings to learn more about this dangerous enemy. Although the Gray Tiefling Empire is a dark threat from the past, Englightened Tieflings and some of the Changelings from this society are appearing every where--making the idea of a true "Tieflin Nation" more and more appeasing to the common people.

Dragonborn Republic
The Dragonborn Republic (sometimes called the Dragonborn Empire), is a growing political power in Kalina. The Dragonborn people returned to Kalina in mass after being held in Planar captivity. They appeared roughly 200 years ago in the volcanic Mt. Ikron, and from here, the remnants of the Dragonborn empire reestablished itself as a Republic and rebuilt to greater power. The "Children of the Republic" embracedboth the traditions of their ancient past, and the opportunities of this golden future. The Dragonborn now stand as a very powerful member of Kalina's political landscape, but as of yet has not establisheditself as an affiliate of the UC, nor does it have any plans to in the future.

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