

                   Kane and the Dead God's Return

	The Mortken have carved a huge empire from their strongholds in the 
Sparkling Desert. Mortgote, the High Priest, has discovered how to raise the 
Ancient One from the Void. He is sending what forces he can spare to capture
Tetragamonkal and bring him into the world of Anara as soon as possible.
	He has many tools at his disposal. His development of the halucinogen
Arnthara has enabled him to raise troops for little cost; they are completely 
devoted as long as they get their drug, which they call 'Heavens Nectar'. They 
are called 'Mortken Drones' and are used as suicide shock forces. The most 
physically fit among them have been subjected to extensive mental conditioning
and hypnosis. These are the 'Doom Guard' and are the heavy Knights of the Mortken
Empire. Of these, an elite is selected to undergo a chemical treatment that 
empathically bonds the knights to young 'Dragons', and these are the true terror,
the Dragon Riders. The Dragons are a species of flying reptile similar to 
Pterodactyls, and can glide for great distances with little food or rest.
	Little is known of the capabilites of the Ancient One, but gods from the
Void are not to be taken lightly, nor are the artifacts found in Tetragamonkal.
If the Mortken take it, a very difficult game is in hand.
	Arrayed against the Mortken are the Elissair, an ancient race, descended
from those who built Tetragamonkal. They have regarded it as a cursed place for
centuries, but now that Mortgote can bring back the Ancient One, they rush to 
it's defence. The Elissair are prosperous and advanced in technology. Their only
disadvantage is the proximity to the Mortken Horde prepared to capture
Tetragamonkal, and the Garlokan.
	The Numenorians are more wealthy than the Elissair, but they are a peaceful
people far removed from the events of the East, in fact they regard Tetragamonkal
as more myth than fact. They have been at war with the Mortken for 35 years and are
ready for peace. As a Democracy, war is difficult for them at best, but technologically
they are very advanced.
	The Garlokan are a barbaric race who have no concern for the Mortken. They
do not care who they pillage, and right now that is the Numenorians and the Elisair.
	The Pictari are a primitive, war mongering race, who currently are at war with
the Paynor Freemen. The are allied to the Mortken, and have been sucessfull till
now in their campaigns against the Freemen.
	The Sea Peoples are predominately pirates with a veneer of civilization. Lately
the Dragon Riders have begun hitting their ships as well, and this is intolerable to
a people who have long thought of themselves as the terrors of the sea. They are 
currently allied with the Numenorians, but are untrustworthy.
	The Paynor Freemen are descendants of those who had rebelled thousands of
years ago against the World Emporer, and brought him to ruin. They are technologically
advanced, but are also very independent minded, and quick to learn.
	The Freemen are the people Kane has been summoned to help, and as long as the
Temple in Calcutta is in Paynor hands, he will continue to dwell here. Upon arrival, he
taught them many technologies from the prior worlds he lived on. He gave them knowledge
of physics, mass manufacturing, steel weaponry, and many others. The chief advance
he gave them was high tension steel springs, with which he fashioned springguns that
could fire a crossbow bolt at 120 pounds of force, and also be used as a bayonette in
melee unencumbered by an awkward bow. Training these new troops how to fire and maneuver
in ranks has produced an imposing unit capable of sending a volley of bolts downrange
every 8 seconds while advancing. They have already turned the tide in the war against
the Pictari.
	Kanes elite guard, the Hell Hounds, are trained in rappelling, scouting, tracking,
close order melee, horse archery, and many other war skills. They also have had their
minds and bodies enhanced with treatments Kane has learned in the centuries of his life. 
They are the single most devastating unit ever seen in Anara. He will need them, especially
if the Ancient One returns.
