Montel Background Lore

## Geography

Black Gold Online takes place in the fantasy continent known as Montel. The major defining feature of Montel is the sheer Ellescadia Mountains, a range running North-South through the center of the continent, and separating the land to East and West. To the West, the land is rough, filled with mountains and deserts. To the East, there are lush forests and natural plenty. Due to the impassability of the mountains and the distinct environments on either side, the two halves of Montel
developed in complete isolation of each other and in very different ways.

## Early Development

West of the Ellescadia, in the land called Isenhorst, there developed a race of short, hardy dwarves who named themselves the Lokemeans. In order to survive the harsh environment, the Lokemean dwarves developed technology, powered by steam engines fueled by Black Gold crystals, and in time created an impressive society of industry and mechanized automation.

In the East, in the natural bounty of Erlandir, many creatures lived and grew, with three particular races of people growing to intelligence. The Kosh were a feline people of the North, who in early days discovered the magical potency of Black Gold and came to build a great empire in reverence of their Sun God. The Aurek were a tribal and brutish people living at peace with nature and among their powerful beasts. The Yutonians humans were a race of skilled hunters and brave warriors, who due to their own infighting were too weak to stand up to Kosh expansion and soon came under the thumb of the Kosh Empire.

## Hokka's Expedition

These two worlds lived in separation, until an adventurous dwarven explorer by the name of Hokka beat all odds and managed to cross the storm-ridden, near-impassible Ellescadia Mountains. Hokka’s expedition forever changed the face of Montel.

Finding a highly curious race of humans, Hokka taught the Yutonians about steam technology. This enraged the high powers of the Kosh, who declared technology an abomination. Conflict ensued, and Hokka was forced to leave Erlandir, taking those humans who refused to give up technology with him to settle in Isenhorst. Among them were a group of defiant humans, cursed by the extremist high priest Sadethor to live unnaturally long and suck the blood of their loved ones and friends.

In Isenhorst, the Lokemea welcomed the humans, who settled and flourished to form the Buvont human dynasty. However, the cursed vampires, led by the exiled prince Delfara, were not welcomed, and forced to wonder the inhospitable wastelands to find their own home. They settled in the southern deserts, and came to be known as the Upyrians.

## War in Montel

Time passed for both Erlandir and Isenhorst, with barely a thought of the world-changing cross that had taken place. In Isenhorst, the humans fought their own wars, eventually challenging the Lokemeans. The Isenhorst Civil War came to an end when the Buvont, a particularly powerful family of humans, developed the mighty Steam Castle, and in so doing creating a peace between the humans, the dwarves, and the vampires. With the end of this conflict, the newly founded Kingdom of Isenhorst set their sights east, in search of Black Gold to fuel their industrial expansion.

Isenhorst led an invasion of Erlandir, and the once mighty Kosh Empire proved too frail to withstand them alone. The proud Kosh turned to the once oppressed Yutonians and naturally aloof Aurek to aid in the defense of Erlandir. With that, the Erlandir Union was formed, and the steam invasion repulsed. For a time the Erlandir forces pushed deep into Isenhorst, but in turn were forced to fall back to the Ellescadia line.

As players enter the conflict, the world sits on an uneasy détente. The forces of steam rally to the west, as the Kingdom of Isenhorst hungers for Black Gold. To the east, the mythical beasts, tribal champions and high sorcerers prepare to defend their natural home and destroy all technology. The world is primed for war.