This campaign is set in a medieval fantasy setting, much of whose history has been written and influenced by players over a decade of play. You can find details on the world here:

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/r...bloody-hand-rakaneth

There is a lot of lore here, but it is not all necessary to play. The lore that is necessary will be covered below.
This message was last updated by the GM at 04:35, Sat 22 May 2021.

No small number of camp followers and other civilians travel with the Bloody Hand's armies. They perform menial labor and other tasks in camp, treated little better than slaves by the soldiers. They are provided with place of their own within a camp, as well as food if they choose to work, and are expected to carry out any tasks given to them to the best of their ability. Craftsmen, particularly blacksmiths and carpenters, hold some status among camp followers. Realizing the usefulness of willing and able hands, most Fists will provide their camp followers with men to guard them while in the field, though this is not strictly required.

It is important to note that camp followers can, and often do, come and go as they please, as they're not a regular part of the army. It is also worth noting that it is possible to earn a proper place in the army by proving one's worth as a camp follower; one well-known commander, Fist Keneth Brigan, is well-known for having done so.

The Empire of the Bloody Hand has recently been expanded by a victory in Angrath, the capital of Grakis. That extends its reach throughout most of the southern and eastern part of the realm known as East Keldun.

The Bloody Hand is, by most accounts, a warlike, belligerent group, eagerly conquering and rapidly expanding. A lot of their success has to do with the almost supernatural discipline and prowess displayed by their soldiers in battle, to such a degree that there are rumors of dark magic behind their success. Lands under Hand rule are strictly governed, with draconian punishments given for lawbreakers, though law-abiding citizens seem to be treated well enough. Notable exceptions to this are the wolf-blooded of the Fang Wood and the Dragonspeakers. The wolf-blooded are hunted if ever found outside the Fang Wood and Dragonspeakers are imprisoned when they can be taken.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:28, Sat 22 May 2021.