The Umbra Accord

The Umbra Accord is a coalition of mages jointly operated by the Kingdom of Salandi, United Clans of Midiiz, the Almaridian Empire, the New Elven Union and the Dominion of Tilliden. Founded in the wake of the War of the Warlocks their primary goal is to stave off the corruption of the Shadowfell.

Background

In 17 A.o.R., the War of the Warlocks had begun to turn in favor of the League of Tilliden. The Aestren Republic had been conquered and was being divided up. The Kingdom of Salandi was still standing but was slowly being surrounded and eaten up by their enemies. For the League of Tilliden, the ultimate goal was the city of Kildran, the capital of Kildranos. Here the leader of the Children of the Black Sun, Malik, resided. An attack lead by the Dominion of Tilliden with help from the New Elven Union and the United Clans of Midiiz were seeking to pincer the city and hopefuly kill Malik, dealing a death blow to the Coalition of the Black Sun.

The first hours of the first battle of Kildran were going well for the coalition, whose immortal army was able to stave off the attacks from the league due to sheer overwhelming numbers. As the hours went by though, the league gained the upper hand. Seeking to end the war quickly, they were hoping to either capture or kill Malik. As they closed in and began to climb the city walls, it is said that Malik went to the ramparts and cast some kind of spell. Upon the casting's completion, a massive portal over a mile wide opened underneath the attacking army. Tens of thousands were consumed as they fell into the portal before it shut closed, never to be seen again. Among them were soldiers from both sides and all nations, and even the King of the New Elven Union, Valanor Elidad. The event, known as the Day of the Dark would forever live in infamy for both sides. Though it would allow the Coalition of the Black Sun to survive another year, both the Kingdom of Salandi and the Domuc Empire began questioning their alliance with Malik and Kildranos.

Though the event in isolation was bad enough, forcing both sides to retreat and gather more forces for future incursions, it would not be the final portal to open to the Shadowfell. More portals, smaller and temporary began to open across the whole continent. First in Kildranos, then the surrounding nations. Reports of portals opening for various durations of time would be reported all the way from the Hadaran Empire and even from Haffanland. From these portals emerged creatures native to the Shadowfell who attacked anyone they came across. After the war, it was decided that the problem required immediate action, which lead to the formation of the Umbra Accord on the 15th of Brynholm, 19 A.o.R.

Modern Day

Though portals do not open as frequently as they did durng the War of the Warlocks, they still occasionally appear releasing their native inhabitants out into the world. The frequency of these portals seem greater the closer in proximity one is to Kildran, with the city itself constantly having to be safeguarded against possible monster attacks. Portals still appear in the surrounding areas, sometimes opening for as long as a week.

It has become the Umbra Accord's goal to find these portals, study them, then close them all while making sure no creatures escape from within them. The ultimate goal is to figure out how to close them for good, and make sure no new portals form. This has proven a difficult task, and many postulate that whatever magic Malik used to open the portals is the same magic that is needed to stop them. If true it would mean that no ordinary mage could stop the portals for good.

Functions

The Umbra Accord is jointly operated by several different nations, each of which have had trouble with the opening of the such portals within their own borders. Many mages who were once part of the Celestine Assembly have found pardon in serving with the Umbra Accord. Among the ranks are some of the most powerful wizards of the current age and most knowledgeable scholars of planar mechanics. They have also worked with countless mercenaries to assist them in seeking out and elminating any threats that emerge from still active portals. Despite their best efforts, new portals continue to open.