Overview

The volcanic eruptions associated with the reconsecration of the Temple of Eternal Embers on the western flank of the Badcrag Mountains are generally held to mark the beginning of this period of upheaval. The regional powers of the area underwent signficant changes of fortune, much of it revolving around the control of territory surrounding the cities of Highbridge and Darkstone and the trade routes, rivers and forests between them. The major players in the area and the impact on them can be summarized as:

• Empire of Polonia - Previously, the empire had controlled the entirety of The Riding - the southern bank of the Green River from the Forearc Basin to the foothills of the Badcrag Mountains. Despite a small series of initial victories over the forces of the Orcish Dominion, by 166 AFE the reach of the Empire extended upriver only as far as Hornsferry.
• Ancient Dominion of the Unending Lands - Before this period, the Orcish territories had extended eastward from Darkstone and the Pillars of Krokus into the Badcrag Mountains and had been ruled over by an uneasy alliance of Orcish tribes - predominantly the Red Claw Tribe and the Black Fang Tribe. In 163 AFE, an ancient power initially based in the Temple of Eternal Embers and eventually relocating to Harketh united the existing Orcs tribes and formed (or reformed) the Ancient Dominion of the Unending Lands. Initial forays included the sacking of Highbridge, but the Ancient Dominion's control of territories west of the Pillars of Krokus currently includes only the lands between the Green River and Caterwaul Run.
• The Hate Incarnate - A fanatical region sect of unknown size, the Hate Incarnate appeared from within the Black Forest in 164 AFE and seized the battered city of Highbridge. The sect has repaired the walls of the city and currently controls it.
• The Riding - The older country last ruled by Lord Willmuth III continues to be occupied, whether by the Empire, the Ancient Dominion, or The Hate Incarnate. The closest the old realm comes to self-rulership is the city council in Highbridge. The council is allowed to manage day-to-day activities as long as it doesn't overstep boundaries placed upon it by The Hate Incarnate.

Events of the Period

Rise of the Ancient Dominion

During the summer of 163 AFE, orcish priests emerged from the previously unknown Temple of Eternal Embers and demanded that the Orcish tribes swear obedience to ancient traditions which granted them sole authority over the tribes. In conjunction with the emergence of these priests, volcanos in the Badcrag Mountains began to smoke and rumble, the most notable instance being a minor eruption of a volcano within a dozen miles of the temple that belched forth large plumes of smoke and ash.

The details surrounding the consolation of power of these priests is largely unknown, but it is evident that the Orcish tribes quickly pledged their fealty to this new order of priests. This new order established a presence in the city of Harketh and proclaimed their rulership of the newly reemerged Ancient Dominion of the Unending Lands.  The Ancient Dominion quickly closed all existing trade routes, massacred all known outsiders, and seized the goods of all foreigners.

Attack on Highbridge

The following spring, a small army of newly equipped Orcish troops spilled into The Riding and quickly advanced on Highbridge, driving the inhabitants of small Riding villages before them. Upon reaching Highbridge, this army, numbering around 200, destroyed Overtown, crossed the High Bridge, circled the city, and set up camp outside the western wall of the city. The Polonian defenders - numbering close to 1,000 troops and defending the tall and thick walls of the city - felt no need to sally forth from the city. It was evident that the Orcish forces did not have sufficient numbers to lay siege to the city and were not equipped to block river traffic. Feeling that their position was unassailable, the Polonians within the city merely manned the walls and waited for Legions of Polonia reinforcements.

On the second night after their appearance, magic was used to blast a huge hole in the western wall of Highbridge and the Orcs stormed through the city, headed for the Baron's Grounds. After a few hours of heavy fighting within the walls, the Orcish army was chased from the city by the Legionnaires.  The next few days consisted of a series of running skirmishes in the farms and forests outside of Highbridge. The Polonian reinforcements eventually turned the tide in these skirmishes and the remnants of the Orcish Army are presumed to have retreated across the Green River back to the lands of the Ancient Dominion.

The Appearance of The Hate Incarnate

In the days immediately after the initial assault on Highbridge, a group of forty to fifty zealots of The Hate Incarnate entered the largely undefended city of Highbridge, killed or chased out the remaining Polonian forces, and established their rulership over the city. Using magical means, they repaired and began patrolling the city walls. A single attempt by a force of approximately two hundred Polonian legionnaires to reclaim the city was shattered by magical attacks and control of the city was never again contested.

The Highbridge cell of The Resistance, a group of underground fighters that had been resisting Polonian control, quickly hailed The Hate Incarnate as liberators and began serving as native enforcers, carrying out the whims of the occupying fanatical sect. A theocratic rule of the city, based on teachings of the Prophet Ezekiern and his unexpected reinterpretations regarding the worship of the god Lathander, was quickly established and enforced by Brothers of the Sect and their Resistance allies.