Well, people, by now I think we already have info on five fallen empires of five different races and they're: Arkhosia (Dragonborn), Cendriane (Eladrin), Nerath (Human), Bael Turath (Human and Tiefling) and Zannad (Yuan-Ti). This may just be well enough for most DMs and campaigns, however, with this thread I'd like to invite all interested into a creative exercise. Let us create our own ruined empires and share our ideas with the rest of the community! Cite your sources and inspirations, and there's no need to be completely original, you can use other world's kingdoms you think would fit the Points of Light setting as a lost civilization. So, let me begin with my land of Agaria, inspired by the world of Etheria from the Warlords Battlecry 3 computer game:
The Lost Kingdom of AgariaLegends state that Agaria was one of the first great kingdoms of mankind in the world, occupying a large portion of the fertile lands between a great mountain range and the sea. Cut by silvery rivers and covered by thick forests rich with natural resources, those lands have always had an abundant wild life full with magical beasts (especially unicorns) and a strong connection to the Feywild.
Agaria was actually founded by Eladrin worshippers of Bahamut and Corellon who made their way into the world with the goal of civilizing those beautiful untamed lands. The Eladrin structured a feudal society there and eventually made contact with the primitive humans of the land. They shared their faith in Bahamut and in the ideals it represented so, soon enough, the Eladrin faithful of the Platinum Dragon made an effort to educate those men and honor them with a place in their society. Those Eladrin faithful to Corellon tolerated this and, however uncomfortable with the presence of such uneducated people in their lands, they were eventually convinced that mankind had potential and they could benefit from civilizing their barbaric society.
As the kingdom developed and expanded it reached the mountains to the south and east, contacting the dwarves. Sharing similar beliefs on honor and valor, the dwarves were also gladly absorbed into Agaria and made for great warriors, artificers and engineers. As time passed, Agaria grew into a place of tolerance and enlightment, and also as a great bastion of Bahamut's faith, with a mixed society of Eladrin, Men and Dwarves, supporting a meritocratic feudal system that elevated those worthy enough to nobility and stripped abusive aristocrats of their power. And so, humans made their way into nobility as well, which ultimately led, through inter-marriage, to a royal house mainly composed by half-elves.
Agaria grew in power, might and magic and it was a very prosperous land led both by wise, honored rulers and faith in the Platinum Dragon, Bahamut. Agaria founded the most ancient knightly orders known today in the world and it was a shining beacon of light in a dark, uncivilized world. With time, human population superior growth rates made Agaria a mainly human kingdom, though it didn't affect the honored position Dwarves and Eladrin had in society nor changed the fact that, still, most of the kingdom's nobility had at least one trace of Eladrin blood.
However, the glory of that fabled land was not to last forever. Agaria fought many wars and crusades from its early days against malignant dragons, demons, monsters and humanoids, winning time after time. That enraged Bane and Tiamat more and more to the point they simply wouldn't stand by it anymore. In the midst of the cold glaciers of the north, Bane and Tiamat forged an alliance and raised a Dark army to march over Agaria. It was a bloody and merciless war, but, with the aid of their patron, Bahamut, Agaria was able to win it and defeat the Darkness. However, those Dark Gods did not give up on destroying the mighty kingdom and repeatedly sponsored attacks on that land.
Ironically enough, Agaria would not fall because of external threats, but because of a civil war. With the apparent death of the royal house’s last descendant, the Eladrin left the world to the Feywild and men disputed the throne. Though a noble family eventually won the crown, the rivalries between the noble houses of men and the feudal structure of the land eventually led to a kingdom divided by baronies and shires with no strong unified leadership. And, with time, this made for the fall of Agaria. It didn't take long before distant baronies proclaimed theirselves independent, a trend that was followed by the most powerful lords. Eventually, Agaria did not exist anymore and those baronies faded to the march of time and attacks of dragons.
It is told by half-forgotten profecies that one day the last descendant of the Agarian original royal house will refound the kingdom and lead it back to its former glory.
Agarian ArchitectureSpoiler:
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Picture ripped off from Warlord Battlecry 3 :P
So, your turn now, share your ideas!
