Exiled
Delving into the deep and storied lore of Ertha, we uncover the tale of the Goblin Queen, an enigmatic and indomitable ruler. A figure steeped in history, tragedy, and unrelenting resolve, she clings to the remnants of her shattered kingdom. Once the sovereign of Lo’etiem, the grand and ancient goblin city, she now rules in exile within the rugged landscape of Kalnor Province, guarding the ember of a once-great civilization.
Lo’etiem Jewel of the Goblins
During the First Age, the goblin race stood united under the Goblin Queen’s rule, and their civilization flourished in Lo’etiem. This city, carved from the heart of Ertha, was an architectural wonder—a nexus of goblin ingenuity, magic, and prosperity. Towering citadels reached for the sky, intricate tunnels spread beneath its foundation, and elemental magic pulsed through its very stones. The Sacred Flame, an artifact of immense power, lay at its core, fueling both the city’s defenses and its people’s spirit.
However, this age of prosperity came to a catastrophic end. When the Shadowgate tore open, the Voidborn descended upon Ertha, seeking to consume all life. Despite the Goblin Queen’s formidable sorcery and strategic genius, the city fell. The Voidborn extinguished the Sacred Flame and twisted its energy for their own dark purposes. What was once a beacon of goblin civilization became a ruin, lost beneath the weight of time and conflict.
The Fall and Exile
With Lo’etiem razed and the goblin people scattered, the Goblin Queen led her loyalists into exile. She fled to Kalnor Province, an untamed and perilous land where the remnants of her court could find refuge. Bound by an ancient enchantment, she could never leave these lands; to do so would see her crumble to dust, her existence erased like an ember in the wind.
Here, she carved out a domain among the Calden Orchards, a grove of poison-laden fruit coveted by goblins but fatal to other races. Beneath the orchard lay the Sraederham Mines, where goblins unearthed forgotten relics and remnants of their lost empire. Though diminished, the Goblin Queen’s court remained a force to be reckoned with, ever seeking a way to reclaim their homeland.
The Sacred Flame’s Legacy
The last ember of the Sacred Flame still exists, hidden deep within the labyrinthine tunnels of Lo’etiem’s ruins. This ember is the key to rekindling goblin sovereignty, and many have sought it—none have returned. The Queen guards it jealously, knowing that should it be restored, the goblins might rise once more. But if it falls into the wrong hands, it could spell devastation for all of Ertha.
Legends speak of weapons and armor bathed in the Sacred Flame, their properties enhanced beyond mortal craftsmanship. Weapons infused with the ember glow with unearthly energy, dealing +3 additional damage, while armor tempered in its fire gains a formidable -2 AC enhancement. Such artifacts are relics of an age now lost but not forgotten.
A Queen’s Wrath and Hope
The Goblin Queen remains relentless in her struggle to reclaim her people’s legacy. She wages war against human settlers who encroach upon her domain, seeing them as trespassers upon goblin soil. Yet, not all seek conflict—some adventurers have earned her wary respect, granted safe passage through her lands in exchange for tribute or service.
Those who seek an audience with her must tread carefully. The Queen is not easily swayed, and deception is met with ruthless reprisal. However, for those who prove themselves worthy, she may offer secrets of Lo’etiem, or even a fragment of the Sacred Flame’s power. But all must remember—her loyalty lies with her kin, and her patience for outsiders is thin.
GM’s Tips
A Political Chess Game
The Goblin Queen is not a mere monster to be slain; she is a ruler, a strategist, and a force of nature. Players can approach her as an adversary, an ally, or an uneasy neutral force. She may offer powerful boons in exchange for services that further her cause.
The Sacred Flame Questline
The ember of the Sacred Flame makes for an excellent long-term objective. Whether players seek to restore it, destroy it, or wield its power for their own ends, its presence should have major consequences in the world.
The Ruins of Lo’etiem
The haunted remains of the goblin city are a treasure trove of lost artifacts and forgotten magic. The labyrinthine tunnels beneath it offer opportunities for dungeon crawls, encounters with restless spirits, and clashes with the Queen’s elite guardians.
Factional Conflict
The Goblin Queen is engaged in a constant battle against human settlers, rival goblin warlords, and external threats seeking to claim the ruins of Lo’etiem. Players can align with or against her, each choice shaping the world around them.
Negotiation and Intrigue
Unlike the brutish goblins often encountered in Ertha, the Queen’s court is refined and steeped in ancient traditions. Socially adept players may find success in diplomatic engagements, potentially gaining access to forgotten knowledge or rare artifacts.
The Goblin Queen stands as a testament to resilience and the cost of survival. Bound to a dying kingdom, she refuses to let history erase her people. Whether players cross her path as adversaries, allies, or unwitting pawns in her grand designs, they will find themselves entangled in a story of vengeance, loss, and the enduring embers of a forgotten empire.
To tread in her domain is to walk upon the echoes of a past that refuses to be silenced. The only question that remains—will the players be the ones to reignite the flames of goblin greatness, or will they become just another footnote in the Queen’s long and bitter exile?