Arak (Domain) - Revision history

The Lesser Evil at 23:05, 26 January 2016

2016-01-26T23:05:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:05, 26 January 2016
Line 4:		Line 4:
	\|ecology=Full		\|ecology=Full
	\|terrain=Mountains, Hills		\|terrain=Mountains, Hills
	\|year_formed=[[575 BC]]		\|year_formed=[[575 BC]]<ref name="RLCS p.18">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.18</ref><ref name="RLPHB p.20">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.20</ref>
	\|population=24,000		\|population=24,000
	\|races=Arak 40% (teg 7%, powrie 7%, brag 7%, muryan 6%, shee 4%, sith 4%, alven 2%, fir 2%, portune 1%), changelings 25%, other 35%.		\|races=Arak 40% (teg 7%, powrie 7%, brag 7%, muryan 6%, shee 4%, sith 4%, alven 2%, fir 2%, portune 1%), changelings 25%, other 35%.

The Lesser Evil at 03:50, 19 March 2015

2015-03-19T03:50:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:50, 18 March 2015
Line 15:		Line 15:
	\|nationality=[[Arakian]]		\|nationality=[[Arakian]]
	}}		}}
			{{canon}}
	Arak was a [[domain]] in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in [[575 BC]] and ceased to exist in [[740 BC]]. A pair of immense but extinct [[Volcano\|volcanoes]] dominated its landscape, with [[Mount Nyid]] standing at the heart of the land and [[Mount Nirka]] guarding its northern frontier with [[Darkon]]. Mount Nirka soared to a height of 7960 ft, easily surpassing [[Barovia]]'s [[Mount Baratak]]. Mount Nyid soared to 9530 ft, only [[Bluetspur]]'s [[Mount Grysl]] and [[Mount Makab]] rivalling it for the title of the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. The [[Mountains of Misery]], both the lesser peaks and the foothills, radiated out from this sprawling pair of mountains. When Arak formed northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. Darkon formed on its northern frontier a year later. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A [[road]] also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By [[682 BC]], if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for [[Nova Vaasa]] formed on the southern frontier of Arak. The [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour in [[683 BC]]. And finally in [[691 BC]], [[Tepest]] became its western neighbour.		Arak was a [[domain]] in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in [[575 BC]] and ceased to exist in [[740 BC]]. A pair of immense but extinct [[Volcano\|volcanoes]] dominated its landscape, with [[Mount Nyid]] standing at the heart of the land and [[Mount Nirka]] guarding its northern frontier with [[Darkon]]. Mount Nirka soared to a height of 7960 ft, easily surpassing [[Barovia]]'s [[Mount Baratak]]. Mount Nyid soared to 9530 ft, only [[Bluetspur]]'s [[Mount Grysl]] and [[Mount Makab]] rivalling it for the title of the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. The [[Mountains of Misery]], both the lesser peaks and the foothills, radiated out from this sprawling pair of mountains. When Arak formed northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. Darkon formed on its northern frontier a year later. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A [[road]] also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By [[682 BC]], if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for [[Nova Vaasa]] formed on the southern frontier of Arak. The [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour in [[683 BC]]. And finally in [[691 BC]], [[Tepest]] became its western neighbour.

Gonzoron at 18:53, 28 March 2013

2013-03-28T18:53:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:53, 28 March 2013
Line 13:		Line 13:
	\|darklord=[[Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend]]		\|darklord=[[Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend]]
	\|analog=		\|analog=
			\|nationality=[[Arakian]]
	}}		}}

Cure at 03:25, 24 November 2011

2011-11-24T03:25:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 23 November 2011
Line 25:		Line 25:
	Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]], the interior of the former domain remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, essentially devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made headway however. The frontiers of the former domain were far greener and included stands of young trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.		Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]], the interior of the former domain remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, essentially devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made headway however. The frontiers of the former domain were far greener and included stands of young trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.

			[[Category:Former Core Domain]]
	[[Category:Former Domain]]		[[Category:Former Domain]]
	[[Category:The Core]]		[[Category:The Core]]

Cure at 16:59, 23 November 2011

2011-11-23T16:59:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:59, 23 November 2011
Line 15:		Line 15:
	}}		}}

	Arak was a [[domain]] in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in 575 BC and ceased to exist in 740 BC. A pair of immense but extinct [[Volcano\|volcanoes]] dominated its landscape, with [[Mount Nyid]] standing at the heart of the land and [[Mount Nirka]] guarding its northern frontier with [[Darkon]]. Mount Nirka soared to a height of 7960 ft, easily surpassing [[Barovia]]'s [[Mount Baratak]]. Mount Nyid soared to 9530 ft, only [[Bluetspur]]'s [[Mount Grysl]] and [[Mount Makab]] rivalling it for the title of the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. The [[Mountains of Misery]], both the lesser peaks and the foothills, radiated out from this sprawling pair of mountains. When Arak formed northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. Darkon formed on its northern frontier a year later. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A [[road]] also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By [[682 BC]], if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for [[Nova Vaasa]] formed on the southern frontier of Arak. The [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour in [[683 BC]]. And finally in [[691 BC]], [[Tepest]] became its western neighbour.		Arak was a [[domain]] in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in [[575 BC]] and ceased to exist in [[740 BC]]. A pair of immense but extinct [[Volcano\|volcanoes]] dominated its landscape, with [[Mount Nyid]] standing at the heart of the land and [[Mount Nirka]] guarding its northern frontier with [[Darkon]]. Mount Nirka soared to a height of 7960 ft, easily surpassing [[Barovia]]'s [[Mount Baratak]]. Mount Nyid soared to 9530 ft, only [[Bluetspur]]'s [[Mount Grysl]] and [[Mount Makab]] rivalling it for the title of the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. The [[Mountains of Misery]], both the lesser peaks and the foothills, radiated out from this sprawling pair of mountains. When Arak formed northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. Darkon formed on its northern frontier a year later. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A [[road]] also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By [[682 BC]], if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for [[Nova Vaasa]] formed on the southern frontier of Arak. The [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour in [[683 BC]]. And finally in [[691 BC]], [[Tepest]] became its western neighbour.

	Dwarves from Tempe Falls and gnomes from Mayvin came to work the stone of the land. Miners returning to Darkon brought stories of strange temporal fugues. One might spend a week underground and return to the surface to discover that only a day had passed. Stories were also told of the native inhabitants of Arak. The [[Arakians]] were humans who herded [[sheep]] and [[goat\|goats]], but were also themselves miners. They warned the [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] not to dig too deep. Equally, they tried to impress upon their northern guests their abject fear of the hours of the night when the ''[[Sneeuane Feallagh]]'' ("Gossamer folk") would swarm up from the kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' ("Shadow Nether") to devour the souls of men. The dwarves began to believe in the existence of these beings whom they took to be a race of dark elves.		Dwarves from Tempe Falls and gnomes from Mayvin came to work the stone of the land. Miners returning to Darkon brought stories of strange temporal fugues. One might spend a week underground and return to the surface to discover that only a day had passed. Stories were also told of the native inhabitants of Arak. The [[Arakians]] were humans who herded [[sheep]] and [[goat\|goats]], but were also themselves miners. They warned the [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] not to dig too deep. Equally, they tried to impress upon their northern guests their abject fear of the hours of the night when the ''[[Sneeuane Feallagh]]'' ("Gossamer folk") would swarm up from the kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' ("Shadow Nether") to devour the souls of men. The dwarves began to believe in the existence of these beings whom they took to be a race of dark elves.

	All life across the face of [[Arak]] was eradicated in [[588 BC]] by a sandstorm of unprecedented ferocity that scoured the land clean in an event recorded as the [[Scourge of Arak]]. Dwarves familiar with the region maintain that an entire [[mountain]] was carried off and deposited in the newly formed domain of [[Keening]]. The Scourge of Arak did not harm life far beneath the surface of the land. Yet when the [[shadow fey]] emerged from their hidden kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'', it was to survey their loss. The surface dwelling Arakians, who had been an excellent diversion from the ''ennui'' of eternity, were no more. Fortunately, others came to the land of the [[The Arak\|Arak]]. There were [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] seeking lost kin. There were looters and treasure seekers too. Those who failed to quit the land before dark risked being carried off as the new playthings of the Arak. As the flow of visitors to Arak shrank, one's risk of being buried alive under miles of rock grew. Until it became accepted wisdom in [[Darkon]] and later in [[Nova Vaasa]] and [[Tepest]] that anyone who dared the hours of the night in their unwanted neighbour would end up entombed without a trace far beneath its stone.		All life across the face of [[Arak]] was eradicated in [[588 BC]] by a [[sandstorm]] of unprecedented ferocity that scoured the land clean in an event recorded as the [[Scourge of Arak]]. [[Dwarf\|Dwarves]] familiar with the region maintain that an entire [[mountain]] was carried off and deposited in the newly formed domain of [[Keening]]. The Scourge of Arak did not harm life far beneath the surface of the land. Yet when the [[shadow fey]] emerged from their hidden kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'', it was to survey their loss. The surface dwelling Arakians, who had been an excellent diversion from the ''ennui'' of eternity, were no more. Fortunately, others came to the land of the [[The Arak\|Arak]]. There were [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] seeking lost kin. There were looters and treasure seekers too. Those who failed to quit the land before dark risked being carried off as the new playthings of the Arak. As the flow of visitors to Arak shrank, one's risk of being buried alive under miles of rock grew. Until it became accepted wisdom in [[Darkon]] and later in [[Nova Vaasa]] and [[Tepest]] that anyone who dared the hours of the night in their unwanted neighbour would end up entombed without a trace far beneath its stone.

	In [[740 BC]] as part of the [[Great Upheaval]], ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' and the shadow fey were dragged away to the southwest by [[Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend]]. The land of Arak ceased to be and the [[Land of the Mists]] tore open beyond [[Tepest]]. The [[Shadow Rift]], sealed by roiling black mist, was the new land of the Arak. The old land of the Arak was annexed to Darkon, a fact of which perhaps only its [[Azalin Rex\|darklord]] was initially aware. But the consequences could not go unnoticed for long. Desperate men discovered that to spend the night in the [[Mountains of Misery]] was dangerous but no longer tantamount to suicide. Individuals who returned told tales of having been beset by things other than fey. Shadow fey incursions into the countryside beyond the frontiers of their former homeland all but ceased, which did the Tepestani no good at all for the most trustworthy [[fracture]] from the [[Shadow Rift]] proved to be in [[Tepest]]. The reputation of the [[Mountains of Misery]] for being haunted by the [[fey]] was gradually eclipsed by a reputation for being haunted by the [[The Undead\|dead]]. The bravest, or most foolhardy, of [[dwarven]] and [[gnomish]] miners return to the heart of the mountains. Darkon could begin work on the [[Strigos Road]] which, when completed, will join the [[East Timori Road]] at [[Liara]] in Nova Vaasa to the [[Argenteus Road\|Argenteus]] and [[Tempe Road\|Tempe roads]] just east of [[Tempe Falls]]. The new road will largely follow the course of the old. And the [[Forgotten Hills]], in particular, became a hideout for intrepid or desperate bandits, arguably making the northern frontier of Nova Vaasa a more dangerous place, especially along the [[East Timori Road]] and the [[Vaughn Dnar River]] from the [[Tepestani frontier]] to the [[Trished River]].		In [[740 BC]] as part of the [[Great Upheaval]], ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' and the shadow fey were dragged away to the southwest by [[Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend]]. The land of Arak ceased to be and the [[Land of the Mists]] tore open beyond [[Tepest]]. The [[Shadow Rift]], sealed by roiling black mist, was the new land of the Arak. The old land of the Arak was annexed to Darkon, a fact of which perhaps only its [[Azalin Rex\|darklord]] was initially aware. But the consequences could not go unnoticed for long. Desperate men discovered that to spend the night in the [[Mountains of Misery]] was dangerous but no longer tantamount to suicide. Individuals who returned told tales of having been beset by things other than fey. Shadow fey incursions into the countryside beyond the frontiers of their former homeland all but ceased, which did the Tepestani no good at all for the most trustworthy [[fracture]] from the [[Shadow Rift]] proved to be in [[Tepest]]. The reputation of the [[Mountains of Misery]] for being haunted by the [[fey]] was gradually eclipsed by a reputation for being haunted by the [[The Undead\|dead]]. The bravest, or most foolhardy, of [[dwarven]] and [[gnomish]] miners return to the heart of the mountains. Darkon could begin work on the [[Strigos Road]] which, when completed, will join the [[East Timori Road]] at [[Liara]] in Nova Vaasa to the [[Argenteus Road\|Argenteus]] and [[Tempe Road\|Tempe roads]] just east of [[Tempe Falls]]. The new road will largely follow the course of the old. And the [[Forgotten Hills]], in particular, became a hideout for intrepid or desperate bandits, arguably making the northern frontier of Nova Vaasa a more dangerous place, especially along the [[East Timori Road]] and the [[Vaughn Dnar River]] from the [[Tepestani frontier]] to the [[Trished River]].

	Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]] the interior of the former domain remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, essentially devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made headway however. The frontiers of the former domain were far greener and included stands of young trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.		Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]], the interior of the former domain remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, essentially devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made headway however. The frontiers of the former domain were far greener and included stands of young trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.

	[[Category:Former Domain]]		[[Category:Former Domain]]
	[[Category:The Core]]		[[Category:The Core]]
	[[Category:scoured]]		[[Category:scoured]]
			[[Category:Eroded]]

	==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==		==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==

Cure at 00:25, 20 November 2011

2011-11-20T00:25:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:25, 19 November 2011
Line 27:		Line 27:
	[[Category:Former Domain]]		[[Category:Former Domain]]
	[[Category:The Core]]		[[Category:The Core]]
	[[Category:~~Sourged~~]]		[[Category:scoured]]

	==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==		==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==

Cure at 00:24, 20 November 2011

2011-11-20T00:24:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:24, 19 November 2011
Line 25:		Line 25:
	Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]] the interior of the former domain remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, essentially devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made headway however. The frontiers of the former domain were far greener and included stands of young trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.		Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]] the interior of the former domain remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, essentially devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made headway however. The frontiers of the former domain were far greener and included stands of young trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.

	[[Category:Former Domain]][[Category:The Core]]		[[Category:Former Domain]]
			[[Category:The Core]]
			[[Category:Sourged]]

	==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==		==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue==

Cure at 03:16, 13 February 2011

2011-02-13T03:16:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:16, 12 February 2011
Line 15:		Line 15:
	}}		}}

	Arak was a [[domain]] in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in 575 BC and ceased to exist in 740 BC. A pair of immense but extinct [[Volcano\|volcanoes]] dominated its landscape, with [[Mount Nyid]] standing at the heart of the land and [[Mount Nirka]] guarding its northern frontier with [[Darkon]]. Mount Nirka soared to a height of 7960 ft, easily surpassing [[Barovia]]'s [[Mount Baratak]]. Mount Nyid soared to 9530 ft, only [[Bluetspur]]'s [[Mount Grysl]] and [[Mount Makab]] rivalling it for the title of the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. The [[Mountains of Misery]], both the lesser peaks and the foothills, radiated out from this sprawling pair of mountains. When Arak formed northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. Darkon formed on its northern frontier a year later. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A [[road]] also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By [[682 BC]], if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for N[[~~ova~~ Vaasa]] formed on the southern frontier of Arak. The [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour in [[683 BC]]. And finally in [[691 BC]], [[Tepest]] became its western neighbour.		Arak was a [[domain]] in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in 575 BC and ceased to exist in 740 BC. A pair of immense but extinct [[Volcano\|volcanoes]] dominated its landscape, with [[Mount Nyid]] standing at the heart of the land and [[Mount Nirka]] guarding its northern frontier with [[Darkon]]. Mount Nirka soared to a height of 7960 ft, easily surpassing [[Barovia]]'s [[Mount Baratak]]. Mount Nyid soared to 9530 ft, only [[Bluetspur]]'s [[Mount Grysl]] and [[Mount Makab]] rivalling it for the title of the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. The [[Mountains of Misery]], both the lesser peaks and the foothills, radiated out from this sprawling pair of mountains. When Arak formed northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. Darkon formed on its northern frontier a year later. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A [[road]] also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By [[682 BC]], if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for [[Nova Vaasa]] formed on the southern frontier of Arak. The [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour in [[683 BC]]. And finally in [[691 BC]], [[Tepest]] became its western neighbour.

	Dwarves from Tempe Falls and gnomes from Mayvin came to work the stone of the land. Miners returning to Darkon brought stories of strange temporal fugues. One might spend a week underground and return to the surface to discover that only a day had passed. Stories were also told of the native inhabitants of Arak. The [[Arakians]] were humans who herded [[sheep]] and [[goat\|goats]], but were also themselves miners. They warned the [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] not to dig too deep. Equally, they tried to impress upon their northern guests their abject fear of the hours of the night when the ''[[Sneeuane Feallagh]]'' ("Gossamer folk") would swarm up from the kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' ("Shadow Nether") to devour the souls of men. The dwarves began to believe in the existence of these beings whom they took to be a race of dark elves.		Dwarves from Tempe Falls and gnomes from Mayvin came to work the stone of the land. Miners returning to Darkon brought stories of strange temporal fugues. One might spend a week underground and return to the surface to discover that only a day had passed. Stories were also told of the native inhabitants of Arak. The [[Arakians]] were humans who herded [[sheep]] and [[goat\|goats]], but were also themselves miners. They warned the [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] not to dig too deep. Equally, they tried to impress upon their northern guests their abject fear of the hours of the night when the ''[[Sneeuane Feallagh]]'' ("Gossamer folk") would swarm up from the kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' ("Shadow Nether") to devour the souls of men. The dwarves began to believe in the existence of these beings whom they took to be a race of dark elves.

Cure at 03:16, 13 February 2011

2011-02-13T03:16:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:16, 12 February 2011
Line 15:		Line 15:
	}}		}}

	Arak was a [[domain]] in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in 575 BC and ceased to exist in 740 BC. A pair of immense but extinct ~~volcanos~~ dominated its landscape, with [[Mount Nyid]] standing at the heart of the land and [[Mount Nirka]] guarding its northern frontier with [[Darkon]]. Mount Nirka soared to a height of 7960 ft, easily surpassing [[Barovia]]'s [[Mount Baratak]]. Mount Nyid soared to 9530 ft, only [[Bluetspur]]'s [[Mount Grysl]] and [[Mount Makab]] rivalling it for the title of the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. The [[Mountains of Misery]], both the lesser peaks and the foothills, radiated out from this sprawling pair of mountains. When Arak formed northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. Darkon formed on its northern frontier a year later. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and ~~probably~~ terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A [[road]] also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By 682 BC, if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for ~~Nova~~ Vaasa formed on the southern frontier of Arak. The [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour in 683 BC. And finally in 691 BC, Tepest became its western neighbour.		Arak was a [[domain]] in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in 575 BC and ceased to exist in 740 BC. A pair of immense but extinct [[Volcano\|volcanoes]] dominated its landscape, with [[Mount Nyid]] standing at the heart of the land and [[Mount Nirka]] guarding its northern frontier with [[Darkon]]. Mount Nirka soared to a height of 7960 ft, easily surpassing [[Barovia]]'s [[Mount Baratak]]. Mount Nyid soared to 9530 ft, only [[Bluetspur]]'s [[Mount Grysl]] and [[Mount Makab]] rivalling it for the title of the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. The [[Mountains of Misery]], both the lesser peaks and the foothills, radiated out from this sprawling pair of mountains. When Arak formed northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. Darkon formed on its northern frontier a year later. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A [[road]] also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By [[682 BC]], if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for N[[ova Vaasa]] formed on the southern frontier of Arak. The [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour in [[683 BC]]. And finally in [[691 BC]], [[Tepest]] became its western neighbour.

	Dwarves from Tempe Falls and gnomes from Mayvin came to work the stone of the land. Miners returning to Darkon brought stories of strange temporal fugues. One might spend a week underground and return to the surface to discover that only a day had passed. Stories were also told of the native inhabitants of Arak. The [[Arakians]] were humans who herded sheep and goats, but were also themselves miners. They warned the dwarves and gnomes not to dig too deep. Equally, they tried to impress upon their northern guests their abject fear of the hours of the night when the ''[[Sneeuane Feallagh]]'' ("Gossamer folk") would swarm up from the kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' ("Shadow Nether") to devour the souls of men. The dwarves began to believe in the existence of these beings whom they took to be a race of dark elves.		Dwarves from Tempe Falls and gnomes from Mayvin came to work the stone of the land. Miners returning to Darkon brought stories of strange temporal fugues. One might spend a week underground and return to the surface to discover that only a day had passed. Stories were also told of the native inhabitants of Arak. The [[Arakians]] were humans who herded [[sheep]] and [[goat\|goats]], but were also themselves miners. They warned the [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] not to dig too deep. Equally, they tried to impress upon their northern guests their abject fear of the hours of the night when the ''[[Sneeuane Feallagh]]'' ("Gossamer folk") would swarm up from the kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' ("Shadow Nether") to devour the souls of men. The dwarves began to believe in the existence of these beings whom they took to be a race of dark elves.

	All life across the face of [[Arak]] was eradicated in 588 BC by a sandstorm of unprecedented ferocity that scoured the land clean in an event recorded as the [[Scourge of Arak]]. Dwarves familiar with the region maintain that an entire mountain was carried off and deposited in the newly formed domain of [[Keening]]. The Scourge of Arak did not~~, of course,~~ harm life far beneath the surface of the land. Yet when the [[shadow fey]] emerged from their hidden kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'', it was to survey their loss. The surface dwelling Arakians, who had been an excellent diversion from the ''ennui'' of eternity, were no more. Fortunately, others came to the land of the [[The Arak\|Arak]]. There were [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] seeking lost kin. There were looters and treasure seekers too. Those who failed to quit the land before dark risked being carried off as ~~play things~~ of the Arak. As the flow of visitors to Arak shrank, one's risk of being buried alive under miles of rock grew. Until it became accepted wisdom in [[Darkon]] and later in [[Nova Vaasa]] and [[Tepest]] that anyone who dared the hours of the night in their unwanted neighbour would end up entombed without a trace beneath its stone.		All life across the face of [[Arak]] was eradicated in [[588 BC]] by a sandstorm of unprecedented ferocity that scoured the land clean in an event recorded as the [[Scourge of Arak]]. Dwarves familiar with the region maintain that an entire [[mountain]] was carried off and deposited in the newly formed domain of [[Keening]]. The Scourge of Arak did not harm life far beneath the surface of the land. Yet when the [[shadow fey]] emerged from their hidden kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'', it was to survey their loss. The surface dwelling Arakians, who had been an excellent diversion from the ''ennui'' of eternity, were no more. Fortunately, others came to the land of the [[The Arak\|Arak]]. There were [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] seeking lost kin. There were looters and treasure seekers too. Those who failed to quit the land before dark risked being carried off as the new playthings of the Arak. As the flow of visitors to Arak shrank, one's risk of being buried alive under miles of rock grew. Until it became accepted wisdom in [[Darkon]] and later in [[Nova Vaasa]] and [[Tepest]] that anyone who dared the hours of the night in their unwanted neighbour would end up entombed without a trace far beneath its stone.

	In 740 BC as part of the [[Great Upheaval]], ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' and the shadow fey were dragged away to the southwest by [[Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend]]. The land of Arak ceased to be and the [[Land of the Mists]] tore open beyond [[Tepest]]. The [[Shadow Rift]], sealed by roiling black mist, was the new land of the Arak. The old land of the Arak was annexed to Darkon, a fact of which perhaps only its [[Azalin Rex\|darklord]] was initially aware. But the consequences could not go unnoticed for long. Desperate men discovered that to spend the night in the [[Mountains of Misery]] was dangerous but no longer tantamount to suicide. Individuals who returned told tales of having been beset by things other than fey. Shadow fey incursions into the countryside beyond the frontiers of their former ~~home~~ all but ceased, which did the Tepestani no good at all for the most trustworthy [[fracture]] from the [[Shadow Rift]] proved to be in [[Tepest]]. The reputation of the [[Mountains of Misery]] for being haunted by the [[fey]] was gradually eclipsed by a reputation for being haunted by the dead. The bravest, or most foolhardy, of [[dwarven]] and [[gnomish]] miners return to the heart of the mountains. Darkon could begin work on the [[Strigos Road]] which, when completed, will join the [[East Timori Road]] at [[Liara]] in Nova Vaasa to the [[Argenteus Road\|~~Argentenus~~]] and [[Tempe Road\|Tempe roads]] just east of [[Tempe Falls]]. The new road largely ~~follows~~ the course of the old. And the [[Forgotten Hills]], in particular, became a hideout for intrepid or desperate bandits, arguably making the northern frontier of Nova Vaasa a more dangerous place, especially along the [[East Timori Road]] and the [[Vaughn Dnar River]] from the [[Tepestani frontier]] to the [[Trished River]].		In [[740 BC]] as part of the [[Great Upheaval]], ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' and the shadow fey were dragged away to the southwest by [[Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend]]. The land of Arak ceased to be and the [[Land of the Mists]] tore open beyond [[Tepest]]. The [[Shadow Rift]], sealed by roiling black mist, was the new land of the Arak. The old land of the Arak was annexed to Darkon, a fact of which perhaps only its [[Azalin Rex\|darklord]] was initially aware. But the consequences could not go unnoticed for long. Desperate men discovered that to spend the night in the [[Mountains of Misery]] was dangerous but no longer tantamount to suicide. Individuals who returned told tales of having been beset by things other than fey. Shadow fey incursions into the countryside beyond the frontiers of their former homeland all but ceased, which did the Tepestani no good at all for the most trustworthy [[fracture]] from the [[Shadow Rift]] proved to be in [[Tepest]]. The reputation of the [[Mountains of Misery]] for being haunted by the [[fey]] was gradually eclipsed by a reputation for being haunted by the [[The Undead\|dead]]. The bravest, or most foolhardy, of [[dwarven]] and [[gnomish]] miners return to the heart of the mountains. Darkon could begin work on the [[Strigos Road]] which, when completed, will join the [[East Timori Road]] at [[Liara]] in Nova Vaasa to the [[Argenteus Road\|Argenteus]] and [[Tempe Road\|Tempe roads]] just east of [[Tempe Falls]]. The new road will largely follow the course of the old. And the [[Forgotten Hills]], in particular, became a hideout for intrepid or desperate bandits, arguably making the northern frontier of Nova Vaasa a more dangerous place, especially along the [[East Timori Road]] and the [[Vaughn Dnar River]] from the [[Tepestani frontier]] to the [[Trished River]].

	Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]] the interior of the former domain remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, essentially devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made ~~significant~~ headway however. The frontiers of the former domain were far greener and included stands of young trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.		Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]] the interior of the former domain remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, essentially devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made headway however. The frontiers of the former domain were far greener and included stands of young trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.

	[[Category:Former Domain]][[Category:The Core]]		[[Category:Former Domain]][[Category:The Core]]

Cure at 03:09, 13 February 2011

2011-02-13T03:09:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:09, 12 February 2011
Line 19:		Line 19:
	Dwarves from Tempe Falls and gnomes from Mayvin came to work the stone of the land. Miners returning to Darkon brought stories of strange temporal fugues. One might spend a week underground and return to the surface to discover that only a day had passed. Stories were also told of the native inhabitants of Arak. The [[Arakians]] were humans who herded sheep and goats, but were also themselves miners. They warned the dwarves and gnomes not to dig too deep. Equally, they tried to impress upon their northern guests their abject fear of the hours of the night when the ''[[Sneeuane Feallagh]]'' ("Gossamer folk") would swarm up from the kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' ("Shadow Nether") to devour the souls of men. The dwarves began to believe in the existence of these beings whom they took to be a race of dark elves.		Dwarves from Tempe Falls and gnomes from Mayvin came to work the stone of the land. Miners returning to Darkon brought stories of strange temporal fugues. One might spend a week underground and return to the surface to discover that only a day had passed. Stories were also told of the native inhabitants of Arak. The [[Arakians]] were humans who herded sheep and goats, but were also themselves miners. They warned the dwarves and gnomes not to dig too deep. Equally, they tried to impress upon their northern guests their abject fear of the hours of the night when the ''[[Sneeuane Feallagh]]'' ("Gossamer folk") would swarm up from the kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' ("Shadow Nether") to devour the souls of men. The dwarves began to believe in the existence of these beings whom they took to be a race of dark elves.

	All life across the face of [[Arak]] was eradicated in 588 BC by a sandstorm of unprecedented ferocity that scoured the land clean in an event recorded as the [[Scourge of Arak]]. Dwarves familiar with the region maintain that an entire mountain was carried off and deposited in the newly formed domain of [[Keening]]. The Scourge of Arak did not, of course, harm life far beneath the surface of the land. Yet when the [[shadow fey]] emerged from their hidden kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' it was to survey their loss. The surface dwelling Arakians, who had been an excellent diversion from the ''ennui'' of eternity, were no more. Fortunately, others came to the land of [[~~the~~ Arak]]. There were dwarves and ~~gnome~~ seeking lost kin. There were looters and treasure seekers too. Those who failed to quit the land before dark risked being carried off as play things of the Arak. As the flow of visitors to Arak shrank, one's risk of being buried alive under miles of rock grew. Until it became accepted wisdom in Darkon and later in [[Nova Vaasa]] and [[Tepest]] that anyone who dared the hours of the night in their unwanted neighbour would end up entombed without a trace beneath its stone.		All life across the face of [[Arak]] was eradicated in 588 BC by a sandstorm of unprecedented ferocity that scoured the land clean in an event recorded as the [[Scourge of Arak]]. Dwarves familiar with the region maintain that an entire mountain was carried off and deposited in the newly formed domain of [[Keening]]. The Scourge of Arak did not, of course, harm life far beneath the surface of the land. Yet when the [[shadow fey]] emerged from their hidden kingdom of ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'', it was to survey their loss. The surface dwelling Arakians, who had been an excellent diversion from the ''ennui'' of eternity, were no more. Fortunately, others came to the land of the [[The Arak\|Arak]]. There were [[dwarves]] and [[gnomes]] seeking lost kin. There were looters and treasure seekers too. Those who failed to quit the land before dark risked being carried off as play things of the Arak. As the flow of visitors to Arak shrank, one's risk of being buried alive under miles of rock grew. Until it became accepted wisdom in [[Darkon]] and later in [[Nova Vaasa]] and [[Tepest]] that anyone who dared the hours of the night in their unwanted neighbour would end up entombed without a trace beneath its stone.

	In 740 BC as part of the [[Great Upheaval]], ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' and the shadow fey were dragged away to the southwest by [[Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend]]. The land of Arak ceased to be and the [[Land of the Mists]] tore open beyond Tepest. The [[Shadow Rift]], sealed by roiling black mist, was the new land of the Arak. The old land of the Arak was annexed to Darkon, a fact of which perhaps only its ~~[[Darklord]],~~ [[Azalin Rex]], was initially aware. But the consequences could not go unnoticed for long. Desperate men discovered that to spend the night in the [[Mountains of Misery]] was dangerous but no longer tantamount to suicide. Individuals who returned told tales of having been beset by things other than fey. Shadow fey incursions into the countryside beyond the frontiers of their former home all but ceased, which did the Tepestani no good at all for the most trustworthy [[fracture]] from the [[Shadow Rift]] proved to be in [[Tepest]]. The reputation of the [[Mountains of Misery]] for being haunted by the [[fey]] was gradually eclipsed by a reputation for being haunted by the dead. The bravest of [[dwarven]] and [[gnomish]] miners return to the heart of the mountains. Darkon could begin work on the [[Strigos Road]] which, when completed, will join the [[East Timori Road]] at [[Liara]] in Nova Vaasa to the [[Argenteus Road]] and ~~the~~ [[Tempe Road]] just east of [[Tempe Falls]]. The new road follows the course of the old. And the [[Forgotten Hills]], in particular, became a hideout for intrepid or desperate bandits, arguably making the northern frontier of Nova Vaasa a more dangerous place, especially along the [[East Timori Road]] and the [[Vaughn Dnar River]] from the [[Tepestani frontier]] to the [[Trished River]] ~~and even beyond~~.		In 740 BC as part of the [[Great Upheaval]], ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' and the shadow fey were dragged away to the southwest by [[Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend]]. The land of Arak ceased to be and the [[Land of the Mists]] tore open beyond [[Tepest]]. The [[Shadow Rift]], sealed by roiling black mist, was the new land of the Arak. The old land of the Arak was annexed to Darkon, a fact of which perhaps only its [[Azalin Rex\|darklord]] was initially aware. But the consequences could not go unnoticed for long. Desperate men discovered that to spend the night in the [[Mountains of Misery]] was dangerous but no longer tantamount to suicide. Individuals who returned told tales of having been beset by things other than fey. Shadow fey incursions into the countryside beyond the frontiers of their former home all but ceased, which did the Tepestani no good at all for the most trustworthy [[fracture]] from the [[Shadow Rift]] proved to be in [[Tepest]]. The reputation of the [[Mountains of Misery]] for being haunted by the [[fey]] was gradually eclipsed by a reputation for being haunted by the dead. The bravest, or most foolhardy, of [[dwarven]] and [[gnomish]] miners return to the heart of the mountains. Darkon could begin work on the [[Strigos Road]] which, when completed, will join the [[East Timori Road]] at [[Liara]] in Nova Vaasa to the [[Argenteus Road\|Argentenus]] and [[Tempe Road\|Tempe roads]] just east of [[Tempe Falls]]. The new road largely follows the course of the old. And the [[Forgotten Hills]], in particular, became a hideout for intrepid or desperate bandits, arguably making the northern frontier of Nova Vaasa a more dangerous place, especially along the [[East Timori Road]] and the [[Vaughn Dnar River]] from the [[Tepestani frontier]] to the [[Trished River]].

	Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]] the ~~heart~~ of the ~~land~~ remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made ~~some inroads~~ however. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.		Even a century and a half after the [[Scourge of Arak]] the interior of the former domain remained a blasted, rocky wasteland, essentially devoid of trees. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs had made significant headway however. The frontiers of the former domain were far greener and included stands of young trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consisted chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. In the years since the annexation by Darkon, the flora will not have improved much. And the fauna, particularly monstrous fauna, has probably grown worse.

	[[Category:Former Domain]][[Category:The Core]]		[[Category:Former Domain]][[Category:The Core]]