Archaearth

It is roughly about six-and-a-half centuries after the Great Collapse of modern civilisation. Our environment is a late-mediæval grimdark fantasy version of Caucasus. Forests are filled with dangers such as grotesque aberrations, vile shape-shifters and horrors both in man's and monster's skin. Use of the arcane has become a nigh-necessity for civilisation to thrive - or mayhaps even survive. Status quo is unlike anything it has been before; intelligent non-human races now reign in their own kingdoms among many other states of men.   To the east, the Emirate of Caucasus has reigned supreme over the peoples of Dagestan and Chechnya, crushing any means of an uprising under its iron boot. Sworn to banish the Arcane and the creatures that came with it, the Emirate abhors the non-human races, hunting them wherever they manage to find any, claiming that they are spawns of demons. They constantly war against the dwarves who have tunnelled and built their city-states deep under the mountains Shukgelmezr, Dultygad and Shakhdagh and five other city-states outside the borders of the Emirate, largest of them under Oskhamafe. Several times in the past they had also attempted to lay claim on the Princedom of Kabardia to their west and managed to do so with the help of collaborators within, although not for too long.   Princedom of Kabardia - reigning over more than half of the lands of historical Circassia - is perchance the strongest authority in the region. Ruled by the grand prince it mostly deals with border incidents with Mountain Turks, Caucasus Armenians - who established their own rule around Stavropol and Armavir, the Emirate and the remnants of the two previous nomadic invasions on the Caucasus within the last four centuries.   To their west and to the north of Abazia, a no-man's-land divides Circassia in two - Wild Elves loose their arrows upon anything that walks on their hind legs and not one of theirs; laying claim on Hatukoia and surrounding lands while its previous residents are now attempting to resettle into their homes who had sought refuge in Bzhedughia after the Bleeding of the Veils, in constant clash with the Wild Elves.   To their south, countless Orcish tribes roam the lands, warring with both each other and travellers who are unfortunate enough to run into their raiding parties. Every once in a while, they form warbands and perform larger raids which costs the surrounding authorities many lives and resources.   To their south, Wood Elves reign over half of the lands which once were settled by Abazins. Their relations remain tense as none of the sides has been willing to give up land, also since the Woods Elves are not quite the diplomatic sort.   Various powers rule over Western Circassia: Two Elven kingdoms ruling over once-were Ubykh and Natykhodzhe lands - Nardwynion and Gwynadhren. Yispia - a name given to both gnomes and halflings by Circassians yet have become their political power now rule over both sides of Mount Fisht. Last but not least - Bzhedughia, Abdzakhia and largest of the three, Shapsugia has kept standing since their reestablishment after the Great Collapse.   To the North of Kuban river, Cossackia has become the sole authority of Slavs. The Crimean peninsula has - yet again being ruled by Tatars - become the harbour of most trade around the Black Sea. Wooden ships yet again sail along, however, not unthreatened by dangers lurking beneath the waves.   This is the world we are playing in. But who will you be in it?