Throughout the ages, the realms of Delfaer have been defined by their principle races and their respective pantheons. The deities (and their alignments) that hold spheres of influence on the world are Carl Glittergold (NG), Corellon Larethian (CG), Ehlonna (NG), Gruumsh (CE), Heironeous (LG), Hextor (LE), Merrshaulk (CE), Moradin (LG), Nerull (NE), Obad-Hai (N), and St. Cuthbert (LN). (Note that this is a reduced cast of gods from the list in the Player’s Handbook.) The nations of the elves lay at the northernmost reaches of the land, the domain of dwarves (Etherholt) is south and to the east, with the empire of men (Ilmire) between them. To the west, Meridor Island is a frontier rumored to be home to gnomes, dragons, and many other strange magical races. To the far south is the dark land of orcs, trolls, and Yuan-Ti.

The conflict known as the Great Rivalry ended only two years ago. This war between deities affected all the major populations in Delfaer.

The Rivalry stems mainly from Hextor’s utter hatred for his half-brother Heironeous, who was gaining a growing base of worshipers in the realm of men. To stop and destroy this threat to his sphere, Hextor planned to unite the forces of the dark lands and wage an epic war, starting with the dwarves, obliterating men, and finally crushing the elves. Unfortunately for Hextor, it was infinitely impossible to convince Gruumsh and Merrshaulk (lords of the orcs and Yuan-Ti respectively) to work together in response to his call for domination. So Hextor convinced Gruumsh (the stupider one) to conspire against Merrshaulk and purge the Yuan-Ti from the dark underworld. Once Merrshaulk and his people were incapacitated, Hextor and Gruumsh turned their eyes (all three of them) to the dwarven realm of Etherholt.

Heironeous suspected his half-brother of foul play, but he did not (nor did anyone else) see a reason to stop the downfall of the Yuan-Ti. Once the orc raids began on Etherholt, however, he realized his shortsightedness and acted quickly. He sent his followers to the temples of both Moradin and Corellon Larethian in hopes of an alliance. At first, the dwarves were confident of their ability to repel the attacks, and the elves thus saw no reason to lend assistance. As soon as the dwarves witnessed Hextor’s resolve firsthand and their outposts began to fall one after another, they agreed to work with Heironeous in developing a way to oust Hextor. A plan to ensnare the god himself was struck upon, but it required the legendary magical abilities of the elves were it to have a chance at success. Corellon Larethian finally joined with Moradin and Heironeous with one exception: that after Hextor was dealt with, they would continue and take down Gruumsh.

Heironeous oversaw the paradigm of industry in Delfaer: the Panhelion Gate, built by the dwarves, and powered by the elves. It allowed travel between the Material Plane and the Outer Planes (where deities dwell), and thus direct access to the realm of Hextor.

And so Hextor saw Heironeous assaulting his realm on the Outer Plane and gave him chase, but Heironeous appeared to be uncharacteristically fleet of foot, and passed through the Panhelion Gate before he was caught. Hextor followed him, and met the form of Heironeous among a host of human clerics and elven mages in Etherholt. The evil god was thus snared by a clever magic trap, enforced by a circle of lawful abiding (created by the clerics) so that he could not save himself from the mages’ wish (see Player’s Handbook, page 273). The chased god showed himself to be Corellon Larethian in disguise, and so he was not snared by the lawful wish (as Heironeous would have been). Hextor was cast to the Elemental Plane of fire, there to burn for eternity.

For the forces of Heironeous, Moradin, and Corellon Larethian, retribution was swift against the orc followers of Gruumsh. The lands beyond Etherholt became known as the Dead Lands as orc establishments fell quickly and were mostly wiped out. Gruumsh was severely weakened if not defeated, and thanks to the enterprise of Heironeous, the civil realms endured relatively little loss of life.