The War of Tattered Banners has ended, but the land is forever changed.
After a century of simmering and minor skirmishes in the aftermath of the fall of The Old Empire, all out war was inevitable, and when Westerland invaded Ardenshire and Talenburg, their allies of Ostmark and Bragen entered the fray. For nearly two decades war ravaged the land, and with it came famine, pestilence and death. In the shadow of war, horrific creatures of chaos prowled, and once honest men and women found themselves driven to evil in desperation.
The end of the war came fours year ago. After several mighty clashes, and the infamous Siege of Valden, Ardenshire was conquered. Borders had changed, old provinces where wiped out and new ones borne in blood. So great was the loss of life the warring nations came to an uneasy agreement. In the city of Talenberg the rulers of these lands debated for nearly a month before agreeing to end the war. Borders and disputes where settled, and the Treaty of Talenberg was signed. Some where happy with the treaty, others felt offended by the compromise. The war was over, but the games of power continued.
…comes hope in an age of blood and death…
Tattered Banners is a campaign for Zwiehander Grim and Perilous Roleplaying set a few years after a continent spanning war, that lasted for nearly two decades, has ended. The war has left it's mark on the land and it's people, and no one was left untouched by it. It would be easy to paint one side as the "good guys" and one side as the "bad guys", but in truth both sides committed atrocities just as each side displayed acts of valour. The war left many homeless, poor, or suffering from sickness borne of plague. Madmen preach of the end times, and the increase in monster sightings lends credence to these insane words. The forces of chaos ravage the land in the wake of war, and people fight for survival trying to rebuild their broken lives.
The Ardenmarch
Tattered Banners takes place in a war-torn borderland called The Ardenmarch, once part of the County of Ardenshire, now annexed by Westerland. The great city of Valden, now conquered by Westerland forces is at the heart of the Ardenmarch, surrounded by corpse-strewn battlefields infested with looters and undead, the infamous Blood Marsh, dark forests full of deserters, bandits and worse, and the barren Crags- a desolate moorland. The roads are thick with refugees, soldiers and criminals, and the marches are strewn with burned out villages, ruins, and other scars of war. The Marches are being rebuilt, through great efforts from Westerland, in an attempt to solidify their new border, but tensions run high, people rebel, criminals take advantage and soldiers bully the populace. The war may have ended but a few years ago, but memories, and wounds are still fresh in the minds of those who call this land home.
Characters in a Grim and Perilous world…
Although this is a grim, dark setting, it isn't all bleak. In the aftermath of war their is hope, and people reflect on the horrors and vow "never again". The war has led many common folk to start questioning the shackles of the feudal system, and others truly appreciate what they have, and are even more willing to fight to defend it. The loss of life has given more people social mobility, and for the first time the roads are filled with wanderers seeking their fortunes elsewhere- of course the roads are also full of bandits and refugees, but freedom comes with a cost.
You are one such individual, touched by war and now living on the road. For whatever reason you cannot go home, and your fate is your own to decide. Few have this privilege, and with it comes danger- starvation, violence, madness, plague and death, but it is a risk you are willing to take, or perhaps you have no choice.