Midkemia

Lore & Background

The existence of the Rift is the defining element of Midkemia's recent history. For centuries, it remained dormant or unknown to most, but its creation by Tsurani magicians—and the subsequent invasion of the Tsurani Empire—brought two worlds into collision. The Rift, a portal between two separate worlds (Midkemia and Kelewan), was breached, allowing the forces of Kelewan to invade Midkemia. This event shattered the peace of the world, but it did not immediately force all kingdoms and races to unite; many remained divided or neutral. The unification was a gradual process, led by specific characters in a desperate struggle for survival against an enemy that understands magic far better than they do.

Reader's Guide

The history of Midkemia is rooted in the fall of the Kharkanas Empire, an ancient civilization that once ruled both continents through superior magic and military might. When the empire collapsed, its remnants fled to Ghan, leaving behind a fractured world where human kingdoms rose to fill the power vacuum. Centuries later, the re-emergence of the Kharkanas forces through the Rift shattered this fragile peace. The invasion was not merely a military campaign but an existential threat, as the enemy sought to reclaim what they believed was their birthright.

This historical context shapes the worldview of characters like Arutha and Kellhus, who must navigate the complexities of ancient prophecies and modern warfare. The conflict forces Midkemia's people to confront their shared heritage with Ghan, revealing that their enemies are not just invaders but distant kin. This realization challenges their identities and forces them to question the nature of magic, power, and survival in a world where the past is never truly dead.