Five years have passed since Morrow's Shield sacrificed one of their own to end the Cycle forever. Kuruvilla Paella is now known as Kuru the Redeemed. He has been formally inducted into the Harithman pantheon as a mortal who ascended to godhood, and is considered the patron deity of the downtrodden.
Rockridge
The Shield themselves are considered Heroes of the Realm, with all the reputation and privileges afforded to those of such standing. They have been granted a large plot of land, builders for a new keep, and 5 years of upkeep for their estate. The new castle, located just southeast of the Capital in the Spiderrun Valley, is a two-story stone keep situated at the base of a cliff just in front of the termination point of Stony Creek. A picturesque waterfall flows behind the keep, lending an air of wonder and beauty to the encircling walls of Castle Rockridge.
A small village has sprung up near the castle, initially settled by those who wish to live near the Companions, the holy group that saw the Ascended Kuru to his final destination. Others simply wanted to live near those who saved their families. This village has rapidly swelled to around 100 citizens, and a Temple honoring Kuru has just recently finished construction. The temple is a modest, one story stone building with simple stained glass windows. Inside, a bust of The Redeemed is placed front and center, with alcoves on the walls behind it for the rest of the Harithman Pantheon.
Stenlios, Morrow, and the Hope Unchained
Stenlios sought out the Shield 6 months after the fall of the Doomstar, sharing his tale with them. 'Morrow was buried,' he would begin, 'I was pinned by three of the monsters. I was forced to watch as they dug him out, still breathing somehow, and... well... I'll spare the details. He was executed, and I couldn't do anything about it.' He stops for a moment, seemingly lost in the memory. He continues, 'I fought on, trying to take as many of the bastards with me as I could. They overwhelmed me and took my sword arm, laughing and leaving me to die. I managed to bandage the arm as best I could... I honestly don't know how I survived. I woke up a day later. The shop was burned around me, Morrow lay where he was left, and I was barely coherent. To spare the mundane details, I attended to his final wishes, donating his research materials and selling the property, using the money to seek you out.' He rolls his right shoulder then looks at it strangely, seemingly still getting used to the limb being gone.
The Shield decided to keep him on in their new home, taking advantage of his knowledge and experience to help govern their new village. He seems well suited to this task, and appears to bury himself in his new responsibilities. Some have reported seeing him off on his own in the woods with a large bottle in his hand, but none have investigated further, holding a great deal of respect for the man.
The Emperors Legacy
The Emperors instructions to Legate Barton in the event that he did not return were enacted, converting his palace to a government building for the newly formed Senate. The Shield chose the first 3 senators, named the Wise 3, as per the Emperors instructions. The other 40 were called upon from various governing bodies to hold the position until general elections could be organized. Roughly 1 year later, the first elections were held. Many of the interim senators kept their seats, with only an unknown few being replaced by other, more connected citizens. After a few organizations attempted to take advantage of the weakened and destabilized Capital, the Senate decided to station a Legion within the city, just in case any more large-scale fighting broke out. Their most recent decision, passed just days ago, was a controversial one: the law revokes the requirement that a Senator disclose every financial detail of their lives, in the interest of a few Senators who own businesses. A few business rivals attempted to utilize the available information to take over or sabotage the sitting Senators' businesses, leading them to enact the new law.
There has been no word of Gaius since he disappeared into the Infernal Realm.
The Firstborn of the Genasi
On the first day of the year 5 ATC, the Firstborn had made themselves known. These half-elemental beings, formed by Kurus own divine hand, first approached the Shield to make their presence known and to divulge some information that Kuru had given them. They then moved on to the under-repair Capital to do the same with the new government. They have offered peace, and only wish to serve as ambassadors and to teach their new brethren. There have been growing reports these past few years of babies born with strange features, including oddly colored skin and limited magical abilities. These children will grow into the first generation of the race known as the Genasi. They have thus far been met with mixed reactions.
Seekers of the Key
The Seekers of the Key were devastated in the final day of the Cataclysm and were never quite able to recover. Their mystery had been solved, and they were unable to attract any new converts. Their new leader, Kiro Grey, ordered a reorganization: the sect was to rebuild at the Gate with a new goal of educating and sheltering those pilgrims who wished to visit the Final Site. The martial and scholarly traditions of the Old Way continued on in a select stubborn few, taught to those who wished to learn the ways of the old Seekers of the Key. Regardless, the organization has been stabilized and is experiencing a small growth in numbers.
The Beasthills
The Giants have been nearly wiped out by the rampaging orcs and goblins, clustering tightly in their remaining cities and becoming highly insular. The goblins were mostly unaffected, as always, and continue their relentless war under the mountains against the Dwarves. The orcs have had their numbers reduced severely, and have turned inward to rebuild.
Kel'Shok'Nal
The ironically named "Warlord of the North", Kel, has not been seen since he revealed his true identity to the Shield before the Last Stand of the Cataclysm. Many believe he found a far off island and decided to make a new home there.
Lucht Gentleharp
Lucht has been busy researching what he can about the Precursors, though information is scarce at best. He has taken a hands-on approach to governing, preferring to get to know each and every one of his subjects personally, as opposed to simply delegating and making decisions from the background. Lucht checked on Kira to make sure she was alive and well, though he did not approach her. He has had no further contact with her. He reportedly found a new artifact of the Precursors that he is keeping in his personal armory.
Kiro Grey
Kiro has given over control of the newly converted Seekers of the Key and opened a new monastery within the castle grounds. He has spent some time training new physicians to assist the residents of the village, whom he continues to teach every day that he is in town. Kiro took it upon himself as well to travel back to the Dwarven lands and enlist Rabuzhars help in creating an escape tunnel for the castle. He has promised an unspecified favor in return. Upon his return to the castle with Rabuzhar, he seems to be more reserved and quiet than is usual for him. It is evident to most that he is hiding something, but the respect of his peers has kept them from prying thus far.
Kiro, with the help of his trainee physicians, has pioneered a new alchemical recipe, one that simultaneously inhibits bacteria and numbs the body, making it a perfect surgery aid. Currently, however, this concoction costs 100 gold royals to make for a one-person dose (lasts about 4 hours).
Herkram
Herkram spent his days searching for a replacement to his beloved Eternity, the blade that was sacrificed to permanently end the Cycle. There are rumors he hired a mercenary company deep in the swamps of Hastati to assist in some sort of venture. These rumors have not been substantiated, however, as he has only been spotted traveling alone and with no distinctive equipment on his person, save for the glaring lack of his old sabre. The few days that Herkram spends in Rockridge are spent in the castle library, searching for something. He apparently has no desire to rule, ignoring any village issues that arise.