Stezzunia

Stezzunia is a young world. The gods have scarcely ascended to their thrones and the progress of mortal discovery and invention still turns unhindered by stagnation or planar degeneracy. History has already been made on Stezzunia, the lives of Kingdoms and Empires measured in centuries, have blossomed, the branches of their influence reaching across their continents and beyond. Yes, Stezzunia is a young world, but not one without its fair share of glories and tragedies.   By the intricate timekeeping of the Jade Wizards of Peer'ai the world has existed for a little over a billion years, though the calendars of its inhabitants cannot agree on this fine detail. To the Khimerian Empire, mightiest scions of the Celestial Guides, the year is 308 PU (Post Unification), to the Kanta Marri of the Slatelands, years and centuries mean much the same thing, but they at least agree that a millenium has passed since their victory in the final war of the Aldinae (Elves). Sagas, stories, fairy tales, and so-called truths are all so meaningless in a world still in the grip of change.   For such value as it has, the Khimerian truth is one of expansion. The Empire has ventured from its Archipelago and beyond the Grey Sea to the Wild Continent of Averland. Prince Vuvic Vlko Saren, heir to the throne and Lord of Opals has declared a mighty war of conquest, claiming vast swathes of land in the name of proving himself ready for the Throne of his father 'The Cobra'. Regiments uncounted march and sail to war with savage tribes in a land that contains more myth than real history. Monsters walk these mountains and shores and the people worship strange spirits of earth, wood and sea. The effort of expansion has crippled the region, the Khimerian coffers are spent and both military, Church and merchants guild scrabble for profit. Political tensions rise as the General of the 1st Vuvican Army goes missing, lost along with nearly four full regiments. The Corona Treatise, the pact between the tribes of the River Kingdoms and the Khimerian Empire has been broken, a second army of conquest is called for, stretching the limits of the royal purse and imposing crippling tariffs upon trade guilds already beset with pirates.   All the while forces in the newly named 'Expansion Region' plot and plan, Khimerian and Averish alike. This is a violent land, full of horrors unknown to civilization and joy unfettered by the gilded chains of Imperial law. In the New World, one would not find heroes. Pirates, freedom fighters, and renegades are the closest one may come, fighting for causes just as righteous or repugnant as one another. A thousand little stories of a million little lives, all while a great and gluttonous nation slakes itself on the spirit of Kingdoms long collapsed.