Welcome to the Borderland Provinces, where the great tide of an empire is drawing back, leaving its old provinces to fend for themselves, yet still trying to hold its ancient grip upon them. Unlike the Sundered Kingdoms to the east, the Borderland Provinces are not plunged into chaos - at least, not yet. It is an eternal truth that gaps left by the slow retreat of a decaying and decadent civilization are inevitably filled; either by young and vigorous new civilizations rising to offer new hopes and aspirations, or by a self-devouring maelstrom of war, pillage, plague, and barbarism. Such times are the knife-edges of history, where the deeds of heroes may shift the course of entire kingdoms.