An introduction - a little background to set up the game logs

Of Gods and Religion

It is five years since the death of King Archibald of Rosengrad – an event that is widely seen as the catalyst for a new age of Grayhawk. The emergence of Malakar as the Godking of Rosen shakes the world to its core…his religion accelerates and temples spring up everywhere, not just in the heartland of the Rosen Hills. Malakar’s first act as king was to drive out the vampiric influence. Two thousand years of undead rule came to an abrupt end the night Malakar cleansed the ancient citadel of the three noble houses. The dark shadows of Rosen saw sunlight for the first time in two millennia and the people were free…free to herald their new king…their new god.

Malakar shows himself to be wise beyond his years and within months the citadel – and its people – are transformed. The Rosen race now think that the newest god has chosen them, their hearts sore and they believe that they are special. The chosen ones. Whilst the rest of Grayhawk watches on intently Malakar builds a kingdom, a religion and an army of zealots to follow his every instruction.

Elena creates the Maidens of the Leaf, a group of priests and disciples who spread the word of her ascension to the four corners of Grayhawk. A force for good she is seen as a saviour by many disenfranchised people and her following explodes over the next five years. She influences kings, queens, sorcerers; indeed everyone who meets her falls for her beauty and her charm. All decent law abiding people take up her moral code – she spreads hope where there is none, her priests and priestesses are warmly welcomed wherever they go.

Willowstar is seen as the Mother of the gods with Jarik the arbiter of balance, old and wise together. But the rise of cults should not be underestimated. The two main ones are the Sword Cultists and the Wolfen…both these groups worship a higher power without a tangible god head present. The Sword Cultists aim to achieve a higher state with their perfection of their art (some have already carved out reputations) and they gain a growing respect from friends and foes alike. The Wolfen are mysterious (yet numerous) groups who see the wolf as a higher spiritual being. Accompanying them are the ubiquitous wolves – seen more frequently and in larger numbers than ever before.

The war in Bretonia is in its fifth year. Illeum Runesabre and Korven tore down any resistance to their reign but the pressure of two armies in the same kingdom soon took its toll…Runesabre turned on Korven and the war – which started four years ago – is still nowhere near completion. As a result Bretonia is divided, war-torn and slowly falling apart.

Rosengrad grows under the reign of the Godking. As a result Queen Illyanth and Myrid strike an alliance. The rich kingdom of Myrid (still without the errant King of Thieves, Viator Varkos) is awash with the armies of Elenorians under the generalship of Valadain, the Godslayer. His influence and power (despite his dark brooding over the death of his son Brendil) is thought to be the main reason why there is peace and stability in the area.

The rest of Grayhawk is relatively quiet, immersed in internal politics as the Bretonian civil war continues to rage.