Western Costrana

Change is coming to Western Costrana. This, the year 1250, is a tumultuous time in this torn region. While made up of several independent city-states, one single entity looms over the others: the city of Volagvaros. But even with such strong influence over the land, Volagvoros itself is heavily divided and has been for many over 200 years. The city was formed in 998 as a union of guilds to increase profits by creating a center for commerce and trade. Ideally, this would have benefited each guild equally. Unfortunately, dirty dealings led to the unfair advantages of certain guilds over others. The less fortunate guilds were forced to retaliate in order to remain afloat in the city economy. And so the dance began. Guilds became heavily involved in sabotage, subterfuge, and double-crossing. The city has been in a constant power struggle since, but now, something has occurred that may upset the balance. Zekral Solzyr is the drow leader of the Bronze Covenant and has been since its formation in 897. Now, he has reached the end of his life. He is expected to die any day now. He has yet to name a successor, claiming he will do so "when he is ready to pass into the next life". Solzyr is the last of the original guild leaders and many fear that with his passing, the balance will be thrown into chaos. Many amongst the guilds treat Solzyr with respect. For the citizens of Volagvoros, he is all that stands between balance and city-wide conflict. To the west, the elven city of Covenfeld has spent 100 years recuperating from heavy losses. Prior to 1139, the elves of Covenfeld held all of the land North of the Drannor River. The fey forests were brimming with life and resources, all of which the elves treated with care. When Volagvoros bled the fields north of the city dry, they decided to push into Covenfeld territory to take advantage of the bountiful valley of the Drannor. Volagvoros payed off sellswords, quickly funding an army. Because of the low cost of the mercenaries, they did not follow any rules of engagement that most would in such conflicts. As a result, their methods were cruel and inhumane. They called on dark, twisted forces from beyond to assist them in battle, corrupting the elven societies that had existed for so long. In 1237, the elves of Covenfeld formed the Covenfeld Alliance, a coalition of cities united under one banner for the good of Western Costrana. The Alliance currently consists of Covenfeld and New Lelathir. The interests of Volagvoros may soon turn north once more, as their overuse of the Elven Pipeweed plant has led to a shortage. It is a widely popular herb for its hallucinogenic effects and the loss of it would hurt the profits of some guilds. And the last thing the guilds want is decreased profits.