Dear Brother,

I hope this gets to you. I have sent copies to every contact you gave me, but there are no guarantees any will make it through the blockades.

This peace has become uneasy lately. It all started with the reports that a dragon had been sighted in the dammed city of Hero's Folly. This unsettling news could not be confirmed, since mail shipments mysteriously stopped a few days later. In fact, all sea trade has slowly ground to a halt. The last boat through carried a crazed bunch of temple worshipers. They blathering on about ghosts taking over the battle temple, and spiders killing every man in sight, and the appearance of four new gatekeeper cities around the temple island. We let em through, and decided that perhaps it was time for us to leave as well.

The latest news brother is bad, the ancient nations rise up again. We may be forced to go through the beggars gate if they have claimed their traditional Gatekeeps. If I make it to open sea, I'll speak to you again.

Here is what I know:

The War Elves

Almost wiped off the map by there own financial collapse, and the damage they did to there own land during the last bad days of the Elven-Paladin War is still evident. Farmers and merchants have taken over the vacated cities while the War Elves hang on to their ancient stronghold and protective gate cities. They still levy a heavy tax for those merchants who wish to pass through the Tree Gate.

Old King Spry passed away a few months ago. There are whispers that he was poisoned by his war like son. This new ruler has lobbied the high council for a renewal of the Glory that was the Elven Empire. The neutral cities surrounding the War Elves have taken note of this shift in policy, and have armed themselves in hopes of deterring a rebirth of the War Elves. 

The Mountain Lords

Though their land was battered and scarred by rampaging Demons and War Elves, the giants stronghold in the mountain was never touched. They remained quiet and secluded during long stretch of peace. Assuming the Mountain Lords to be dead and gone, villages sprouted up from the ravaged landscape.

King Stone-Biter still lives, he has counseled restraint for so long though, that few listen to him anymore. They see the villages growing prosperous on resources that are rightfully Giant property. Among the most compelling voices is Stone-Biter's own son. He has called for a forced passage of regency, and none will stand in his way. He has heard of the rearming of the War Elves, and there are rumors that the Demon Lords survived somehow. He must prepare the mountain lords for war again.

The Demon Lords

The Demon Lords knew their days were numbered towards the end of the conflict.  Too many enemies had been made, and too thoroughly. The Mountain Lords were flooding into the valley, and their one time allies the Dark Elves were settling an old score to the north.  Always having a cruel vision when it came to cutting losses, the demon lords weaved a powerful and very costly spell. They would be spending 200 years in hell, working off the debt, but it was the only option that allowed them a real chance for revenge.  As the fifth pentagram was completed on the bloodstained floor, half of everything in the demon lords domain, died. And it appeared that in that half were the Demon Lords themselves.

Indeed, the Old Demon King had a few additional scores to pay up down below. It'd be a while before he showed up again. But the Demon Prince has put the past 200 years behind him. He has been transported back. The cities he once owned have strayed from his hand. They will need attending first, then onto the Dark Elves...

The Dark Elves

Paid dearly for the revenge they attained on the demon lords.  The strike included most of their military strength, half of which died in the immensely satisfying work of burning Demon cities. Half of those who survived the initial push were killed by disgusting magic. It repulsed even the Dark Elves. With three quarters of his armies dead, and his gates unprotected, the Dark Elves were in trouble. Nick the Nasty had a trick of his own. He placed his newborn son and surviving allies in the Dark Stronghold, murmured a few words at the entrance, and died. He died a happy man though, secure in the knowledge that 200 years from now, his son would be king of the Dark Elves, when the spell dissipated, and the stronghold opened again. And his son would be taught the ways of war, and the mighty price that the Dwarf Lords still owe the Dark Elves. 

The Dwarf Lords

When the ancient wars turned ugly, and the smoke of burning cities could be seen on the horizon, the Dwarf Lords took note. Always calculating the cost in gold, the Dwarf Lords decided to bow out. Two massive strike forces were assembled, and preemptive strikes were made on their two neighbors. The Dark Elves seemed unprepared for the attack, and the border resistance was quickly crushed. With the south flank secure, the dwarf lords decided to press their luck with the Paladins. Assuming them to be weak from fighting with the War Elves, Kazan himself lead the charge into open territory, and was cut down by waves of unicorns and pike men.

Fearing a counter stroke, the dwarves retreated behind their walls of stone, and left the above world for 200 years. Their coffers are full now, and the young Dwarf prince has not forgotten the Paladins, or the Dark Elves.

The Paladins

Once respected and regarded as honorable fighters, the Paladins image was tarnished by the realities of protracted war with the Elven Empire. The Paladins were committed to finding Kor the Pillager, and publicly executing him. The citizens and cities that stood in their way were of little consequence. Nations who questioned their practices, were revealing themselves as enemies of God.

When the venerable knight king realized the full weight of what he and his armies had done, he went into hiding, never to be been seen again. The Paladins fell apart with the disappearance of their King. A few hardy souls stilled trained and jousted in the old stronghold, but none ventured beyond its walls.

That all changed when a bold young knight appeared during the yearly tournament. Not only did he win by unseating the current prince, he declared the nation free of the sins of their forefathers. He has begun arming the Paladins once again, and denouncing the hedonistic sins of the surrounding cities. He means to rebuild the glory of the White Knights.

Good luck my brother, and I will write when I know more.

Tamal