Aldea

The world in which the Blue Rose RPG takes place.

From the fast play rules:

Blue Rose is set in the world of Aldea, a fantasy world of ancient and powerful magic. Specifically, heroes arise in the land of Aldis, the fabled Kingdom of the Blue Rose. Some three hundred years ago, the people of Aldis threw off the yoke of the tyrannical Sorcerer Kings, who abused the arcane arts for their own selfish ends. With the aid of the mysterious Golden Hart, and the power of the Blue Rose Scepter, the Kings and Queens of Aldis have ruled fairly and justly, creating a realm where all people can live together in peace. Aldis has become a culture of art, learning, craftsmanship, and understanding.

The peace and prosperity of the Kingdom of the Blue Rose is threatened, however. To the north, beyond the Ice-Binder Mountains, lies the dark Kingdom of Kern, ruled by the last of the Sorcerer Kings, the evil Lich King Jarek. In his fortress tower, the undying ruler of Kern dreams of the day when his nightmare armies will sweep down over Aldis and reclaim all that once belonged to him and his kind. The Lich King’s spies and agents work to undermine Aldis’ defenses in preparation for that day.

To the east, across the treacherous Veran Marsh, stands a nation that should, by rights, be Aldis’ ally. The Theocracy of Jarzon also threw off the chains of the Sorcerer Kings in the Great Rebellion, but where Aldis embraced justice and equality for all, Jarzon has become a fundamentalist theocracy. Under the rule of the tyrannical Hierophant, the priests of the Church of Pure Light use their psychic arts to root out heresy and enforce the Church’s ideas of right and proper behavior. Although a staunch foe of the Lich King and his unholy legions, Jarzon is just as opposed to the "immoral and decadent" ways of Aldis, and would like nothing more than to "save" its people: by conversion if possible; by fire and sword, if necessary. Aldin diplomats struggle to create an understanding between their nation and the Theocracy, knowing Kern will exploit any conflict between them to plunge the world back into darkness.

Perhaps worst of all, there are threats to Aldis from within. The ruins of the Sorcerer Kings’ strongholds still stand in isolated places, avoided by all good folk. Ancient evil slumbers there, reaching out to taint the careless and foolhardy. In the Shadow of the world, the darkfiends lurk and plot and await their chance to return to the world. These embodiments of corruption whisper temptation into the hearts and minds of the people, turning them from the light and testing Aldis’ belief in the fundamental goodness of all people.

To stand against these threats, the Kingdom of the Blue Rose needs men and women of courage, conviction, and character. In these trying times, the land of Aldis needs heroes. Will you be one of them?