Getting Started
This guide is intended for people who want to just start playing in Elara and pick up the details as they go, so if you're one of 'em, read on!
Who runs this joint?
Elara is owned and operated by Mike da Mighty Mage, with the support and machinations of AbyssalNocte. But although the proverbial buck stops here, everyone is welcome (and encouraged!) to get involved in the way the site is run. Everyone is on equal footing in Elara.
Click here to see the complete list of members and staff.
Click here to read the rules of the game.
So, what is Elara anyway?
Elara is the southern quarter of a much larger continent, called Kore. Most of northern Kore has been destroyed by a major volcanic disaster, known to humans as The Collapse and to dragons as The Upheaval, so Elara is the only habitable place left (for now). Only a single human settlement, Mas Ka'ar, existed in Elara before the disaster that destroyed the lands to the north.
Click here to read more about the geography of Elara.
Humans
Before The Collapse, humans lived in vast kingdoms that stretched across all of northern Kore. Most humans perished in the disaster, but a few hundred managed to escape to Elara. The survivors fled to a tiny town on the banks of the Elu River, called Mas Ka'ar by the locals, but often just referred to as 'The Settlement' or 'The Town' by the refugees. Human society in Elara is comparable to the Middle Ages in Earth history (roughly 12th-century if you want to be specific).
Mas Ka'ar is ruled by a Lord and his council, though society has become very disorganized and chaotic with all the refugees from the north. Crime is rampant, soldiers are sparse, and orphans prowl the streets by day while spellcasters and sorcerers lurk by night.
Dragons
Dragons lived on Kore for thousands of years before humans arrived. When the newly-established human kings began hunting the magical beasts of the world to extinction, the dragons fled to secluded mountain strongholds inaccessible to their foes. There they remained hidden for more than a century, until the Collapse. It is believed that the dragons in Elara are the only ones left.
Most dragons are fiercely independent and solitary creatures, and range in intellect from dolphin-like to just as smart as humans. The dragons of Elara live in and around Magi Saar, a volcano in the middle of the region, under the guidance and protection of their Patriarch. Dragons come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The chart below shows a range of possible dragon sizes and comparisons to real-world things to help players grasp the scale (no pun intended!) of these mighty creatures.
(Click to enlarge)
Religion and Gods
There are many different religions and a wide array of deities in Elara; some are well-known, others more obscure. All are optional. Characters can choose to worship an established religion, one of their own designs, or none at all. It�s up to you.
Magic
There are several different forms of magic in Elara:
-Human
Some humans are born with innate magical abilities, which they learn to use with time and practice. Human magic-users can manipulate the classical elements of Nature: air, water, earth or fire. If you want to join a human spellcaster, you can choose one of these elements for your character to use.
-Dragon
Dragons are inherently magical, which grants them the power of flight, long life and immunity from most diseases. Many dragons also possess the ability to breathe fire, frost, or acid. A rare few dragons have the ability to change their color at will, like a chameleon. If you want to join a dragon, you can choose to give your character one of these special abilities.
-Divine
Some of the deities of Elara have mastery over an element of magic, or are themselves a pure expression of magic. This kind of magic is totally beyond mortal understanding.