IN THE BEGINNING
In the early days of the Humanity, before the founding of the Empire, two gods reigned supreme: Taal, God of Nature and Wild Places, and his younger brother Ulric, God of Wolves, Winter, and Battle. Ulric, realizing that no place in the world belonged to him at all times, asked his brother for a boon: a place where he could found the greatest of his temples, where his followers could look for him even in the heat of summer. Taal granted to him a mighty pinnacle of rock, pointing skywards like the finger of a god. Well pleased with this site, Ulric struck the rock a mighty blow with his fist, shattering the top and leaving a flat stump a mile across.
Soon Artur, chief of the Teutognens, found this rock, naming it the Fauschlag. Recruiting the aid of a Dwarven clan, he tunneled his way to the summit and founded a fortress there . Soon his son Wulcan, the High Priest of the Cult of Ulric, was granted a vision: Ulric himself smashing the Faushlag with the butt of his massive war-axe, Blitzbeil, and a fountain of fire bursting forth. Upon waking, Wulcan discovered the site of the fountain and founded a temple to Ulric. In the fullness of time, this temple and fortress grew into a city; and the city was named Middenheim - the City of the White Wolf
THE BIRTH OF THE EMPIRE
The Teutogens enjoyed great success and wealth until their chief was slain in single combat by the new chieftain of the Uberogens, Sigmar Heldenhammer. Sigmar went on to join the Dwarves in driving the Goblinoids from the Old World and Black Fire Pass. With his great military victories, Sigmar Heldenhammer was able to realize his dream for a united Empire and was crowned Emperor by the High Priest of Ulric in the small town of Reikland - now known as Altdorf, capital of the Empire. Future Emperors were elected by the Provincial Electors and the Cult of Ulric.
THE BIRTH OF A CULT
During the reign of Sigmar Heldenhammer, many forests were cleared, a deep wound to the Cult of Taal that it has never truly recovered from. Ulric, as a result, became the chief god of the Humans. Nine hundred and fifty years after Sigmar laid aside his throne and set off for the Dwarven citadel of Caraz-a-Carak, however, a strange hermit arrived in Altdorf. This man claimed that he received a vision of Sigmar surrounded by the other gods. A temple was quickly built to honor Sigmar Heldenhammer as the patron god of the Empire and the hermit became the Grand Theogonist of the Cult of Sigmar. In time, the Grand Theogonist became an Elector, as well as his two lieutenants, the Arch Lectors. Obviously, the Cult of Ulric saw this as a threat, especially since a large number of Ulric worshippers believe in the Sigmarian Heresy: that Sigmar is not a god but the apotheosis of a collection of ideals about unity, strength, and the supremacy of the Empire.
TODAY
The conflict between the Cult of Ulric, based in Middenheim, and the Cult of Sigmar, based in Altdorf, still has not been resolved. For hundreds of years the struggle has gone on and shows no sign of resolving itself peacefully. Now the gods themselves begin to show personal interest. A time of discovery is now upon us, when many revelations will be made of the gods, the Empire, Humanity, and the world.
THE STORY SO FAR (ACTUALLY CONFUSING WORDS OF PROPHECY...)
In Middenheim, a new festival is ready to begin, celebrating the annexation of land the City no longer holds. As most of the citizens celebrate the victories of the past, two very different individuals both unknowingly begin to dredge up and relive the failures of the past. Both now journey below the surface of what the rest of the world perceives, struggling against terrors they never dreamed existed and perhaps against each other...
A recent visitor to Middenheim seeks change and transformation in his life, but when the Time of Transformations come, all men must tremble for no one can anticipate what Gifts it may bring...
Before the dawn, Change comes to Altdorf. Death hides behind the mask of Life Renewed and readies a dagger for purposes as yet unknown. One knife has been uncovered, but falls prey to its own trap before its secrets may be uncovered...
Just outside Altdorf, a young man struggles to strike out against his numerous enemies, but is tied down too securely with dozens of strong threads. Threads that his enemies are cutting one by one...
Between the two cities, two opposing extremes are travelling. Both with obligations that they believe are given to outside sources, but, in actuality, lie within themselves...
INSIDER'S EDITION
For the Insider's Edition of what is actually going on in the campaign and detailed information on the characters, click here. The story will be updated weekly. The information is primarily for the enjoyment of the lurkers; the players are discouraged from visiting the Insider's Edition, since information on other characters are included.
ENTER THE PLAYERS
Are you willing to enter a world of cloak-and-dagger politics, religious extremism, deadly foes, and streets of decadence and horror? ....Well, too bad! Right now I have seven players and possibly an eighth. At this point and time, that is just about as much as I can handle. However, if you really want to, I can put you on a waiting list, in case someone dies, quits, or I suddenly acquire more free time than I know what to do with. If interested or have any comments, suggestions, or questions, send a message to the address below with the subject: "PbEM-New". Turns are usually sent out daily, though I may change that to thrice-weekly due to server problems and time constraints. Lurkers are also welcome, contact me and or follow the link above to view the Insider's Guide to the campaign.
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This page is continually under construction as the mighty Empire brings more and more under its benevolent and enlightened rule. dreamers of the Impossible Dream have found it reality here since June 2, 1997. Send any praise, threats, curses, submissions, money, etc. to: danielriegler@usa.net
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