One way to think of Darkness Rising is as a brand name or line name for the fantasy setting created by myself and others over the past few years, much as is DragonLance or Forgotten Realms a name that wraps up the various novels and game material set in thier respective worlds. Another way to look at is as a kind of boiling pot of all the ideas and the evolutions of those ideas and concepts. Bare with me as I try my best to convey what Darkness Rising not only is, but what it means.

Darkness Rising is a dark high fantasy setting based on an earth like world known as Terra, and more particularly upon the nations, races and people that live upon the continent of Imber. Imber is hardly the largest continent of Terra but it is easily the most population and hands down the most diverse. The current era of Darkness Rising inparticular focuses upon the events taking place within Imber and to a lesser extend the island nation of Ocena.

The continent of Imber is home to numerous nations, kingdoms and empires and each is home to the various races and peoples of the world. From the powerful human Arcadian Empire that dominates central to Imber, or the fledgling Londinium Republic, to the primal tribes of the Li'Kari lands to the south or the fey kingdom of the Elfin at the heart of the jungles of the Green Hart.

For the sake of these forums and the side of the setting that they portray these nations and distant lands play minor roles in the grand scheme of things. The key factors of these boards are the Mercenaries, and the numerous Clans that battle one another for turf in the ever growing shadow of the Darkness.