The City States of Secundus are ancient lands. As the name implies, they are the second oldest of the Mortal Realms, with Secundus itself being the alleged second city of humanity. It is also claimed the third, fourth and fifth towns were also founded here in Tria, Quadia and Quintus respectively. This is disputed among such, the peoples of the Southern Realms claim their oldest towns pre-date Secundus. Nevertheless, the name has stuck for centuries.

The City-States are divided into two major leagues. The Western Cities are part of the League of Trading, their connections to ports and rivers bringing in a lot of money from trade. Secundus, Notia and Tria represent the borderline of this alliance.

The Eastern Cities are in a group known as the League of Strength. These cities have historically dealt with hardship, the woods to their north are often host to Maelim, Horrorlim and other monsters. And the sea and foothills beyond bring more Maelim, Ghouls, and Leviathans. In response to these attacks these cities have militarized themselves and boast some of the greatest warriors of Secundus.

While the two Leagues have sometimes fought each other, for the most part they seek to work together. A lot of the economy of the LoS comes from their western neighbors and their warriors are always in need by the LoT. The result is a robust group of cities whose system has lasted for centuries!

Unbeknownst to them however, a greater threat lurks in the forests adjacent to their lands. A portal to the Underworld, one big enough for armies to come through! This has brought misery to the City-States several times before. During the Daemon Wars, a sizable incursion crept out of the forest, taking the lands of Secundus off guard. Trelapolis, Exopolis, Noctos and even mighty Gennaiapolis all fell in quick succession. Despite a valiant defense from the remaining city states, particularly from a mighty hoplite named Leonidas, it was a losing battle.

Leonidas and his forces sacrificed themselves to give Secundus time to prepare defenses. Yet Quintus and Gonimia and Tria fell soon after. The human forces were simply outmatched and the daemons too fast! Just when it seemed like Secundus would fall too, the daemons retreated back into the forest. Their forces gone as quick as they came. Soon after an army of Benelim clad in black and red docked in the bay. After parlaying with the people of Secundus, they left. What was said between them no one knows. It was speculated it was this army of Benelim that caused the daemons to flee, for they came from the Realm of Terra itself. And even daemons fear Domina Terra.

Yet the daemons discovered a crucial weakness in the Mortal Realms. If their expeditionary forces could cause so much havoc quickly, what could they achieve if a much larger force invaded. The City-States have no idea the danger that looms over them and in the coming conflict, it just might cost them dearly...