The Half-Demon Warlord Aryl'Arakas arose from the nomad tribes of the Bluewyrm Desert. He was named the warchief of his tribe after slaying the the elder dragon, Ieldrog. From there he conquered the human port city of Scawic and the Dwarven Keep, Ewen. He used these as a staging point to wage war on the main continent.

That was ten years ago.

Now much of the land is a smoking ruin, cities that don't kneel get torched and those that do have half their number killed to prevent uprising. There is hope though; the Lich-King of Bawic, Valdis the Unhallowed, remains free and is the defacto head of the resistance. In his lands, he shelters the Dwarven Kings of the Buzaram Highlands, the Trade-King of Emphis, and the Matron-Mother of the Ravenwood Elves all of whom still command sizable forces.

The aging tactician Vano the Pontifex remains in control of his lands as well, sheltering many monstrous humanoids and sentient nonhumanoids whom Aryl'Arakas seeks to enslave for use in dark, arcane rituals.