Run at Kaleidoscopic Consequences

by Alex Helm, Rich Wood

For as long as the world has existing, the Dark has battled the Light.

Before time recorded, the world was young and volatile. Powers gained substance and substance gained form. One such form became known as the Dark Mistress Sadahla, and she brought shadow to the lands. She raised a great citadel out of nothing but pure darkness, and the forces of evil flocked to her banner.

It is unknown how she was defeated. Was it a great hero who defeated her armies, or was she betrayed by one of her own? The answer is a mystery, but the result is known to all – the Dark Mistress Sadahla was locked away in an Eternal Prison in the depths of her Dark Citadel.

However, that wasn’t the end of the fighting. The hordes of evil were still aligned to her cause and wanted to see her freed. For thousands of years, the fighting continued – the dark armies of humans, orcs, dragon- blooded and shadow elves battled against the forces of light – humans, sun elves, dwarves and angelim.

It became known as the Time of Legends. Great heroes rose to do battle against terrifying villains. Magic rained from the skies, the gods gained priests and believers, and the world was shaped as a battleground. Countless attempts were made to free the Dark Mistress from her Eternal Prison, but all failed. However, neither was there any end to the ambition of those who would try.

A key to the Eternal Prison was found by a lowly farmhand – an amulet forged from unnatural metal. A band of heroes led by Knight- Commander Lirieth took the amulet and set out to find a way to destroy it, ensuring that Sadahla remained locked away for good. They never returned and the amulet disappeared.

The Dark Mistress remained locked away and the fighting continued more fiercely than ever. Events culminated when the dwarven race was completely wiped out as a result of the ongoing war. This event proved to be the touchstone for change.

Sensing that the ongoing war was futile and was going to result in the destruction of all, the generals of Dark and Light called a conclave. Representatives of all races and factions attended, and a peace treaty was hammered out. Borders were drawn up, trade agreements signed, and apart from the odd border skirmish, peace has reigned for 200 years.

Every 50 years, ambassadors from across the world assemble in the Dark Citadel to resolve issues and renew the peace treaties. This year is the time for the Great Conclave, but challenges face those who attend – peace and prosperity brings forth its own problems in the form of population booms and border- swelling. Meanwhile, deep in the bowels of the Dark Citadel, something is stirring – could the Dark Mistress be breaking free from her eternal prison to start the war once again…?

‘After the Shadow’ is a high fantasy freeform game for 30 players, and draws inspiration from the likes of Dungeons and Dragons, Lord of the Rings, Eragon, Earthsea, Wheel of Time and similar.