▼
TL;DR for Dummies
The Emperor of Tenebria issued an ultimatum, demanding our forces withdraw from Tenebran territory and proposing to buy territories for Tenebran outposts, accompanied by threats of an unknown weapon.
Council discussions were heated. Tamnogorie decided to withdraw their troops, allowing Tenebria to establish a hub in a distant maritime territory. Despite this, the council adopted a response, negating the ultimatum and demanding reparations from Tenebria.
Two responses followed. The first, from the Emperor, warned of consequences. The second, from Tribune Gaius Tiberius, offered negotiations, requesting assistance and a meeting behind the main fortification line.
The Story So Far
In 2023 А.Е., our nations fell under the rule of the Tenebran Empire – an enigmatic and powerful state from the East, across the Pontic sea, claiming to be the direct successor of Emperor Jarn’s ancient empire.
The Tenebran Empire was founded by elite officers from the original Order of the Seventh Path, who had remained in stasis during the Mage Wars and resurfaced only recently. These officers, known as Tenebran Operators, possessed longevity and anti-magic abilities due to special black masks implanted on their heads. These masks stripped most of their humanity, leaving only fanaticism for efficiency.They also gave them their popular name – The Black Masks.
For two years, our countries existed as imperial provinces. The Tenebrans ruled with calculated cruelty, pushing us towards submission and uniformity and destroying what had made us unique. But in 2025, we united and organized a Rebellion – a successful uprising that escalated into the Winter War.
During the Winter War (2025/2026), our joint forces liberated our lands and even pushed into Tenebran territory. However, logistical challenges and strategic uncertainty halted further progress. Although the war practically ended, official closure remained elusive.
The Emperor’s Ultimatum
In response the Emperor of Tenebria sent an ultimatum to the Joint Security Council – the international body representing our allied nations. He demanded an immediate halt to our advance and proposed buying territories from each nation for Tenebran outposts. Overt threats of using some yet unknown weapon accompanied his offer.
The Belitsa Council
The council buzzed with discussions that rekindled old differences and enmities. To some extent, the emperor’s cunning maneuver succeeded in sowing division – division that had never truly disappeared. Representatives from Tamnogorie announced their decision to withdraw their troops from the combined forces, allowing the Tenebrian state to establish a hub in one of their distant maritime territories. Despite this development, the council managed to adopt a response text, initially drafted by the diplomatic representative of the Kingdom of the Seven Hills.
The return letter rejected Tenebrian trade hubs but demanded reparations – 500 g.p. over 10 years. The Emperor would send delegates for a truce and formal negotiations vis-a-vis. If accepted, we’d honor the ceasefire and withdraw forces to pre-occupation borders. To foster future relations, we proposed consulates between the Tenebran Empire and each JSC state.
The Future
To the astonishment of all, not one, but two responses materialized. The first, penned by the Emperor, bore a somewhat expected message in the lines of “you have been duly warned; now face the consequences.” The second missive arrived a day later, its tone markedly different: “We are prepared to negotiate with you. Do not dread the Emperor’s weapon. We request your assistance to complete what we initiated. Unable to come to you, we ask that you meet our representatives behind the main fortification line”. Specific time and location details followed. The signature stated: Tribune Gaius Tiberius, Legate of the Revolution.
TL;DR for Dummies
Smerlo, councilor to the old Emperor Jarn and powerful mage, foresaw the future and sent a gruesome warning to the future generations. He predicted the withdrawal of the Fog, which would let pure chaotic magic uninhibited. Smerlo advised praying to the Gods for help in saving the world’s sheer existence. An ancient altar to the six original Gods – Breyta, Timi, Aevilok, Dreyma, Marthrod and Leid was discovered and reactivated. Prayers were offered to the first six and to some of the new gods. Most prayers were addressed to Breyta but it was Leid who was the most committed to answer.
The story of Smerlo
Smerlo was a powerful and wise mage who lived a thousand years ago. He was the invisible power behind Emperor Jarn’s ascension to the throne and subsequent rule of the First Empire. Guided by his patron Timi, the God of Time, he foresaw all the most important events of the future.
The Fog
An immediate consequence of the First Empire’s collapse was the cataclysmic Mage Wars. The Mage Wars almost destroyed the world due to the excessive and uncontrollable use of magic. To prevent the termination of all existence, the Fog fell, initially separating the warring mage factions and subsequently all major settlements. According to mages and researchers, the Fog was not a natural phenomenon; its major feature was to inhibit magic.
A message from the past
Smerlo decided to break his promise to Timi and warn his distant descendants about the lifting of the Fog, which he foresaw as a huge disaster. He imbued a message into a crystal to be found at the right moment. He even made another one, knowing the first would be destroyed. To ensure people from the future would believe him, he detailed the chain of events from their lifetime and his distant time ahead.
The Fog has lifted
In 2026, significant portions of the Fog subsided, and the world’s matter was about to dissolve as pure magic was no longer limited. Uncontrollable voids in the form of Blue Holes appeared, instantly killing anybody in the vicinity. In addition creatures native to the Fog were left exposed and rampaged through the known world. Alarmed messages from panicking governors poured in from everywhere. Nobody knew the extent of the Fog’s withdrawal or what the consequences would be.
Smerlo’s mistake
Both crystals were found – the broken and the functioning one – just as Smerlo had foreseen. His message was extremely convincing due to the precise quoting of recent years’ events. All predictions were correct until the moment of the meteor, from which point they deviated from actual history. Smerlo did not foresee the meteor. From that crucial point, history took another turn that Smerlo missed. In his version of events, the Tenebran Empire did not delay their offensive because of the meteorite and the crisis that followed. With a triumphant march, they conquered all known lands, and the world entered an age of stability and prosperity. There was no defiance and no rebellion. That is why Smerlo addressed his message to the Tenebrians. Whether it was purely his mistake or Timi deceived him, we don’t know, at least not yet. Smerlo’s advice, though correct – to use Tenebran technology and ask the gods for help – was set on a wrong foundation.
The Altar
Belitsa once housed a temple to the gods. Many years later, the pieces of the temple’s altar remained intact, though scattered. The pieces were gathered, and the altar was reassembled. It was dedicated to the six original gods:
- Breyta, the god of Change.
- Timi, the god of Time.
- Aevilok, the god of Death.
- Dreyma, the god of Dreams.
- Marthrod, the goddess of Nightmares.
- Leid, the goddess of Pathways.
A book was also found that had survived as if by a miracle, providing more insight into the gods and their domains. With the gathered knowledge and the reassembled altar, prayers were offered to the gods. Both the first six and some of the new gods were invoked.
Council of the Gods
It is uncertain how the information below became known to people. It is said to have begun with a ballad, sung by an unknown bard in taverns, who swore by the truth of his story. Some listeners believed him and spread the tale far and wide. Among the people, reactions varied. Some felt relief, their prayers seemingly answered. Others were filled with outrage towards the gods. And there were those who were devastated with the unsettling notion that the gods might not be what they had always believed. Here is the story, as told by the ballad.
The gods knew something was wrong since the meteor. During numerous sittings, Breyta accused Timi of messing up, and the others pointed fingers at him, demanding he fix it. Timi kept reiterating, “It’s not the timeline. There is nothing wrong with the timeline.” What they disliked even more than not knowing what was wrong was people knowing something was wrong. Timi’s involvement was clear. After all, he revealed the timeline to his favorite, Smerlo, who abused this knowledge and made the gods look bad – worse, look wrong.
Aevilok insisted that now, more than ever, it was time to ask the new gods to join the deliberations. Being younger, they knew mortal beings better and were dearer to their worshippers. Everyone finally agreed, and Solor, Gargavran, Sigðir, Siad, Taranas and Alin’kerem were invited.
As angry as Breyta was, the prayers helped – most were addressed to him, which undoubtedly helped him overcome his dissatisfaction and stop his tantrum. Marthrod pointed out that although prayers to him were the most abundant, they were also the most banal and egoistic. “My worshippers might be the fewest, but they are the most devoted. I might even grant their wishes…” she murmured.
Leid sighed wearily and left the room, shaking her head. The fact that she had received the second highest number of prayers and turned out to be more popular than expected raised a couple of divine brows, but she took it as a heavy burden of responsibility. The cold, pristine mountain air outside filled her with calm. “I hope I will not disappoint you. This is me believing in you. I will show you a new path, that I promise.”
TL;DR for Dummies
The Fog hasn’t dissapeared completely but has only pushed outward, thus connecting the previously divided lands. Have a look at the new world map here. This is yet to bring significant political and economical changes, some of which are already present.
The Lifting
The lifting of the Fog unveiled a new dawn for explorers and cartographers eager to map the lands that long lay hidden. Where a swirling wall once stood, there now stretches a few kilometers of barren expanse leading to lands curiously resembling our own.
What Lies Beyond
Some territories are the home of familiar nations from the south, west, and north.
Yet, much of this earth is inhabited by unorganized communities, akin to the already known so called “free territories”, their names whimsically chosen by the mapmakers, often disregarding local toponyms.
It was not the end of the Fog though. The known world’s borders have pushed outward, but it still surrounds them, offering yet another mystery.
Political Consequences
In the aftermath of the liberation from Tenebria, most nations restored their statehood, but a few are yet to formally restore their rule of their former territorites. Meanwhile the resilient Tandriall nation emerged as a robust political force, deftly maneuvering to claim the coveted Noldor lands.
The world map changed laden with anticipation and unresolved threads.
While the liberation war has taken a heavy toll, it also led to an economic surge with new leaders emerging in the ranking of national economies. With so much new land now available, it is expected to spark renewed competition in investment.
Meta
The rules for acquiring territories will be updated soon with a specific mechanic regarding the new parts of the map, including defining home territories for non-Bulgarian factions. Otherwise, there will be little change to the core rules for buying new territories.