Aendrim

Based on the world of the same name created by Matt Colville.   Over 500 years after the fall of the world-spanning Caelian Empire, the remaining human civilizations in the region known as Aendrim were on the verge of collapse. Self-styled Kings and Warlords spilled oceans of blood across the land, locked in an endless war against bloodthirsty monsters, savage barbarian tribes, and one another. Meanwhile, the Elves and Dwarves kept their own counsel, each believing the short-lived race of Men would soon drive themselves into extinction.   It was during this time that the greatest hero of the age emerged. The Good King Omund, along with his four Black Dukes, stemmed the tides of chaos, crushing the rampaging Orc tribes, laying siege to the temple cities of the accursed Snake Men, and driving the howling Gol barbarians into the far north. Heralded as Humanity's savior, Omund unified the Men of Aendrim under the banner of the Blue Falcon, and for many years the land knew peace. The encroaching wilderness was pushed back, new roads were built, cities grew, and trade flourished.   But it could not last.   After decades of relative peace, Omund's armies were not prepared when the flying citadel of Ajax the Immortal appeared in the skies of Aendrim. The forces of the Good King, bolstered by his wizard Vitae's creations, the Dragon Knights, battled to a stalemate with Ajax's War Breed shock troops. As the war reached its peak, Omund was struck down by treachery - his greatest knight, Sir Mandrake, betrayed Omund, assisting Ajax's agents in murdering the Good King in his own castle.   After Omund's fall, Ajax, now calling himself Overlord, conquered the remainder of Aendrim with little trouble. The armies of the Black Dukes were isolated and destroyed, and the Dukes executed. The Barons, last remaining leaders of Men, had no choice but to swear fealty. The leaders of the Elves and Dwarves were forced to kneel, and now pay tribute to Ajax in the form of magical relics and slaves in exchange for their freedom.   53 years have passed since the Good King's death. The remaining Baronies of Men, impoverished due to the Overlord's hefty tithes, are hard-pressed, unable to protect themselves from the encroaching wilderness. The Elves and Dwarves supply no aid. Ajax and his court, ruling from his floating sky city, take little interest in the problems of his subjects. Chaos reigns.