Vampires, Mummies, Liches, Ghouls, Zombies, Skeletons, Ghost, and Spirits; together, they have terraformed the very earth. They turned seven active volcanoes on seven continents into gigantic cauldrons that continuously spew forth fumes of foul necromantic magic that have turned the sky a perpetual Blood Red. This corrupted atmosphere has infected every living creature on the planet. Any sentient being who dies (unless transformed by the undead in other ways i.e.: Vampirism, Mummified, Possessed, etc.), returns as a zombie unless the body is decapitated, burned, or magically preserved. The more battles that are waged, the more their ranks grow, for even if they lose a battle, all of the living who perished that day return under the banner of the Crimson Empire.
For five years, the Crimson Empire swept through the lands killing all who opposed them while adding their land, wealth, and magical artifacts to their ever growing coffers. Entire races and kingdoms were displaced as the Crimson Empire continued to expand.
Finally, an accord was brokered between the last and largest kingdoms of the living races. Led by the Human General Ambrose Sterling, the Human, Elven, Dwarf, Orc, and Goblin empires joined under one banner: The United. All living beings; Dragons, Giants, Ogres, Trolls; all forgot their differences and hatred toward one another and united to stop the unstoppable.
Soon the unthinkable had happened. The United forced the Crimson Empire back, ever so slow, but back, and back, and back. General Sterling rallied a force to the largest of the volcanoes and liberated it, besting Chronos himself in one-on-one combat. One of the seven sources of the necromantic magic had ended. Chronos escaped, and his forces retreated to the other side of the Great Divide; a series of mountains and valleys that separates the largest continent in two.
An unspoken truce has been in place for ten years, with periodic skirmishes fought near and around the border between The United and The Crimson Empire. Without a common enemy, the alliance within The United has grown weak and many of the more solitary races, such as Dragons and Giants, left. The larger metropolitan kingdoms are quite integrated, where many races live in harmony. In the more rural areas, segregated communities are the norm. Each race seems bent on returning to their old boarders, old prejudices, old hatred and distrust of one another.
There have been rumors that the Crimson Empire is reading itself to march again. A call has been sent for all Kingdoms and villages to send a champion forward. It is thus that you find yourself on a wagon entering the stronghold of The United. You are ushered into a great Hall with a handful of other adventurers of many races and classes. Sitting at the podium is General Sterling himself with generals of many other races by his side.
Next: Chapter 1 - The Heroes United