A note on dates in this guide: Current reckoning at the time of this story uses the Enlightened Carbein Calander, and divides history into three separate epochs, more commonly called ‘ages.’ The First Age (IA), also known as the “Golden Age” is considered to date from the Creation of the world to the Death of the Gods. Due to the calamitous nature of the end of the first age, very little hard facts are known about it, and most records of any importance have been lost. All that remains of this time period are stories and ruins.
The Second Age (IIA) is also called the Age of New Gods, and dates from the foundation of the city of Carbein to the Battle of Winter’s Spear, in which the Great God of the Orcs was banished from the world and imprisoned. It is counted in 2,867 years.
The Third Age (IIIA) is the current Age of the world in this story, and dates from the Year directly following the Battle of Winter’s Spear to the Present Day. The devastating effects of the war between the Gods are still being felt, and the Gods own removal from the world has caused the very fabric of reality to subtly alter. As yet, the long-term changes are unknown. It is a time of great social and political unrest as well.
Carbein: The capital seat of the Gnomish Confederation of City States of Carabos, usually simply called Carabos. The city has fallen on hard economic times, but still prides itself on being the center of learning for all of Oestland. It is home to many academies and universities. The most prestigious of which is the Carabien Academy of Magical Arts. The city is ruled by a Tricameral government known as the Circles of Power. The First Circle is a form of direct democratic representation open to all Male Gnomes in the city. The Second Circle is a legislative body elected by the First Cricle that has twenty seats. The High Circle is a council composed of seven wizards, each from a powerful noble family. These positions are hereditary. The High Circle holds nearly all political power in the city.
Carbein River: Also called the Redwater river, this river runs south from the Ferros Mountains to Bay of Tears. The river is populated mostly by Gnomish settlements that are members of the Carabos Confederacy.
The Compact of The Five Peoples: A military alliance established in the Dwarven settlement of Paladine in the year IIA 12. The five signatories were the Human Empire of Litiha, The Dwarven Freehold of Ferros, the Elven Kingdom of Ironwood, the Gnomish Confederacy of Carabos, and the nomadic Halfling tribe called the Shadow Seekers. The five pledged military aid and support in war against the Orcs camped in the Icy Mountains. Although the treaty lasted nearly five centuries and created some of the most finely crafted weapons known, the Orcs managed to not only survive, but create a vast network of hidden villages in the valleys of the mountains. Internal struggles and distrust eventually led to the dissolution of the treaty.
