The History of Tellaia: The Present Day

Since the rise of the Dragon Princes, the different city-states have been engaged in an endless struggle with each other to be the best. Some of the cities have hired condottiere (mercenaries) to expand their territory militarily. The red dragons of Vanzenia have been creating an extensive empire of colonies, using it to further control their trade monopolies. The bronze dragons of Staglia have declared themselves the rightful heirs of the Auromian Empire, and are marching against all their neighbours. Meanwhile, the Church, led in secret by the green dragons, is trying to establish its own right to rule all of Tirenia, bringing it politically into conflict with the courtiers of the bronze dragons. Meanwhile, in the south, the great matriarch of the black dragons has fallen: her offspring are engaged in a vicious civil war to take control of the great crime syndicate.

A generation ago, a terrible plague swept across the world. It begun in Vanzenia, and killed nearly a third of the population. The Great Death is almost entirely gone now, but there are reports that those who contracted it and survived have developed strange powers, or have begun behaving erratically. In the wake of this massive loss of life, the Church has lost even more influence as it could not use magical healing to treat the infected. Their position is further weakened by the emergence of preachers, who denounce the church, but are able to perform healing miracles. The Church has declared that the plague is the result of mortal sinfulness and the influence of fairies, and launched a great Inquisition, which is mostly aimed at hurting its enemies and gaining power. 

The dragons have kept power through fear. Individually, no one can stand against them, and anyone who tries will be destroyed. While there is a 'humanist movement' aimed at overthrowing the dragons, any real victory seemed to be unthinkable - until earlier this year, when a group of humanist mercenaries killed Rubina, the red dragon heir to Vanzenia. Suddenly, with tangible proof that the dragons can be defeated, the humanists are growing in number and strength. What happens next is yet to be written...

Image result for alexander dragon illuminated
Art: 'Alexander the Great fighting dragons.' From the Miroir du Monde, c. 1463.

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