I know a few fragments...dwarves blessed by and worship Krom of Knowledge...Orcs blessed by and worship Zar of War...Elves blessed by and worship the Magic God, who's name I forgot...and the humans worship the Chimera, Faceless Goddess of Evolution.

Plus, the apocalypse happened at some point...

But that's it. Can someone please just give me a detailed, start-to-present overview of the backstory of PANZAR? It'd be aa real help and let me know the HOWs and WHYs when I play.

Ah, a knowledge seeker I'm kinda curious myself!

I think I have some facts on that apocalypse though... First, it was some sort of counter-reaction against evil rituals performed in a fortress called Refuge of the Green Flame, on a map Meteor Hunt (the area within is actually called Dragon's Gorge). For all I know, the moon got partially shattered and some of it's pieces fell with high speed and temperature on huge area. It had been completely devoured of life, but still, it was only a part of the world. You can see on the maps in-game that some places have been untouched. But then happened something called the Night of Madness, and about that I know nothing, except for the fact that it probably was a series of disasters, and it could be one of main reasons of destruction of the empire and elven civilization.

Rather...hard to tell Panzar's background in few sentences (there are some books in Russian made by Studio's writer). If I had free time I could try to translate, but...but... Still I will try to give you as brief review as possible if it'll help.

Part I. The creation.
There was Chaos in the beginning. Once upon a time a goddess named Sai'Jahri came into this universe (nobody knows where she came from). Elves call her the All-seeing Moon, human alchemists- Faceless Mother of Elements. Using chaos' fluctuations Sai'Jahri created 7 basic elements that formed the world's sphere which was to protect the planet from chaos' corruption.
Still she was a part of chaos and another, dark side of the goddess, which is called Chimera or the Mistress of the Night, appeared- fickle, deceitful and destructive. That part of Sai'Jahri tried to destroy the world but the good part stopped her at the eleventh hour. So their endless battle began. Echoes of the battle attracted another gods: N'Rull (god of time), Zar (god of war), Ash-Tai (god of earth), Kairax (god of power, master of words) and Alvind the Grey (god of winds and weather). Together they had created the whole world and life itself.
And so there was the last aim- to create someone who will enjoy the beauty even when those Five will go futher through the Multiverse. N'Rull, Ash-Tai and Alvind mixed elements and give life to The Firstborn- the elves (well, they say gods might just transported elves from another world, or elves themselves came to Panzar, nobody can tell exactly now). Still, they were there.
Kairax fell into envy to his bretheren-gods and made several attempts to outdo them, but failed. Ash-Tai came to him, but angry Kairax destroyed the god of earth. The battle began. Zar with the assistance of N'Rull and Alvind defeated Kairax and put him into prison that was buried deep into planet's womb. A millenium passed. Kairax within his prison uttered a lot of words (curses) full of negative energy. As time went by, those words turned into powerful demons.
Gods noticed that elves with thier endless lives are too self-absorbed and created a new race- humans. Then they left the world.

Part II. The Worldmap
There is the Great Kharraz-Ghul wastelands in the middle of the planet- home for nomadic warlike clans of orcs (once it was fertile greenland). The most famous place there for now is the elven Temple of First-Songs-of-the-Moon in Redrock Valley (but there are more of them, of course) abandoned by the first race and rebuilt by orcs by the command of the greatest orcish leader Derzag-Khag into Orc Burgwall.
To the South stretches Arganai Ridge. Its Southern mountainsides are the home for elves leaving their serene and isolated lives. Elven monasteries- schools and training grounds of mages- keeps lots of secrets, but no other being was ever allowed to even approach to them for now.
To the East from Arganai lies widespread rainforests known as Ru-Arkh (it's said orcs came from here mutated (or been mutated) from legendary swamp apes)- home for even MORE primordial orcs. Those orcs prefer to confess ancient shamanistic cults while orcs of central wastelands mostly believe in Zar. Nevertheless Ru-Arkh is the place of wild beauty. It's know for orc shrines at Baboon Cascades, scary Swamp Fort and other fortresses. But the best-known place is the Simian Cliff- legendary gates that lead to Zar's Marquee where dead orcs are gathered by their god into the mightiest army in the Universe.
To the North from Kharraz-Ghul are high mountains of Torgorian Ridge that hides lava-lake Torgor inside- possible birthplace of dwarven ancestors. Dwarven state is called Deep-laid Empire. Beyound the Ridge is the lifeless endless snow-covered Taiga.
To the East from the Ridge is Farheim- the land of humans. It consist of 3 kingdoms (Nidgard, Stogword and Krullholm), Free City Isnar (now destroyed and abandoned), Paladin Order and Alchemists’ Brotherhood with their Citadels (former elven structures, perhaps).

Part III. Elves.
Elves were the first. For a long time they were building their once great civilization and exploring the planet in their attempts to conquer everything. Elves were blessed by longevity, magic and curiosity.
In the beginning they inhabited southern plains of Kharraz-Ghul. Artistry, science and magic were developing rapidly. Truly magic was everything for them, it is something between religion and philosophy for them, it is power to create and destroy, the only instrument of physically weak race. The Firstborn spent their lives to creation of structures, fountains, gardens, etc. But elven males don’t possess magic skills so their nation is matriarchy.
Humans with their short lives were developing with speed. They began their expansion to the South, to Kharraz-Ghul. Elves saw no need in fight against primitive barbarians and retreated step-by-step backwards to Arganai. Humans did everything for their children knowing no fear of death, elves hardly gave birth to their children. But. Such a situation gave way to elven philosophy: as gods have abandoned the world, elves were left there to rule. So the doctrine of The Firstborn Duty appeared.
To protect elven interest magic monasteries were built along the mountainsides. Each taught one of two Paths- Frost or Flame. The fact is as time went by those Paths began to hate each-other more than other races, but the very first successes of elven battle mages were remarkable as they driven invaders back to the North-East.
Then the greatest catastrophe happened. Elves from both Paths gathered together to discuss some points of their campaigns that ended with murdering of the leader of the Flame Path. The Frost Path was declared beyond the law and the civil war has begun. Mad Frost Witch Sianna-Blizzard-Sign opened a portal into the Abyss in desperate attempt to survive and let an abyssal demon in. Monster devoured Arganai and the whole Kharraz-Ghul plain until the portal was closed, no mortal or immortal survived.
Elves suffered grand loses- around two third of their race were gone. That was the fast and dreadful end of elven rule. Now elves prefer to live with their past slowly degrading.

Part IV. Orcs.
Orcish race comes of hostile and severe jungles and represents might and speed among the sentient races. Though Ru-Arkh stretches far and wide, once it happened to be too small for all orcish tribes. Some of them had to went to Karraz-Ghul desert where even more harsh conditions turned them into truly skilled warriors. Orcs raided and plundered human towns and dwarven outer factories for a long time, war gave them everything and was everything for them. Of course each and every tribe had its chieftain that was chosen by the fight of candidates. So Derzag-Khag from Crooked Fangs tribe appeared. They say he and his bothers were scouting human lands when the sandstorm began. Derzag lost his brothers but found Zar. God blessed him and told to unite orcish tribes into one great army to conquer the world. Is it so or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that such an army was formed. Orcs from both wastelands and jungles were united.
Orcs called their nation Khaganate in the name of their leader. Greenskins stormed human forts tactically, used different warriors and knew no doubts roaring “Der-Zag!” And… it ended as fast as it has begun- Derzag draw his last breath (they say he was assassinated, but who knows exactly?). His empire turned into nothing in a blink of an eye and smaller chiefs immediately began fighting to choose a new leader. Orcs were defeated and re-separated and finally tribes had to conclude an armistice to focus on inner matters waiting for a new Derzag.

Part V. Dwarves.
It’s said dwarven ancestors were made of stone and were born in Torgor lake deep in the mountains. Later generations grew vulnerable, so they suppose their physical shell imperfect and believe that they turn back into stone when pass away. May be it’s the source of Granite Ancestors cult. There are several guilds and each has its own Great Ancestors immortalized in stone- politicians, philosophers, engineers, commanders, etc. Lacking in strength, speed, magic or weapon mastery underground dwellers chose intelligence and made a great success. With the power of steam and their machinery dwarves has built grandiose halls and mines.
Elves tried to conquer dwarves and even organized Hill Campaign, but traps and tunnel labyrinth left mages with nothing but lots of dead elves. Also dwarves had to resist human invasions until orcish threat forced two races to unite. Dwarves themselves never organized aggressive campaigns.
Though dwarves call their state Deep-laid Empire, the emperor (with the title The Best Son of the Ancestors) has no real power as Guld Conclave truly governed. The most powerful: Guild of Ancestor Guards Guild, Guild of Miners, Guild of Artisans, Guild of Sages, Guild of Merchants, Guild of Warriors.

Part VI. Humans.
Humans’ first land was cold and stony Narmorg plain to the North from Farheim. First men were hunters as it was hard to till the land there. Then primitive tribes moved south to the banks of Jhar river and green forests and fields. Husbandry gave chance to survive and so humans built their first settlements, each with its own small “lord”. The number of such “states” in uncountable, still it was the first step to civilization.
Humans moved into fertile and rich Karraz-Ghul. Inhabitants weren’t counted as enemies and soon most of the plain was under human control. Contacts with much more developed elven culture gave humans everything: architecture, irrigation, art, writing, metal working, cooking, etc. Though lacking in longevity humans couldn’t do anything as great as elves do: their buildings lacked in beauty, their gardens suffered swarms of insects, their songs couldn’t clear the sky and their wine was nothing to arganai nectar. But it belonged to the race.
Then king Hadrick the Iron Eye managed, by money, steel and words, to unite humans. By that time Alchemists Brotherhood, a closed non-government organization that study the world, was found.
Elven mages appeared suddenly and rapidly turned human towns into nothing. There were separative moves and rebellions among the society, but for the dwarven campaign and the followed catastrophe, elves could have wiped humans off the face of the earth.
The united kingdom fell into many. Still the last 3 ones understood that the war leads them to the end and met in Isnar declared free and independent city. Kharraz-Ghuls has turned into wasteland and people left this place. During the military campaign against dwarves some noble lords united to found new organization- Paladin Order of healer-knights. Order was the only force that could have stopped Derzag’s invasion and thus became more powerful, rich and glorious than any king could imagine.

Part VI. Gods.
Zar is considered to be orcish god, but that’s not true. In elven cosmology Zar’s connected with revolution of the season and alternation of day and night, still in the end he lost his believers among the elves as a patron-protector. In contrast to dwarves that have ancient warriors to take place of Zar in their hearts and minds, humans popularize Zar. Though there are no shrines or cult of Zar, he’s a beloved figure of stories, songs and poems, philosophic texts.
Chimera, the mistress of dark corners of mind, wild thoughts and wishes, is known for everyone. Dwarves believe that the Pale Old Woman was born from the egg of the first basilisk (giant flying lizards inhabited Torgorian and Arganai mountains till were extinguished by elven magic and dwarven Guild of Trappers (abolished useless)). Four races have old tradition to depict her pregnant: when Chimera give birth to her children it’ll be the end of the world (nobody believes, but still). Orcs never worshipped her (they can only divide the world into black and white, not grey), but during Derzag’s leadership orcs tried to carry out some rituals to call her and made some success in magic (e.g. magic shields). Surely elves never forgot her and consider her equal to other gods. On the contrary among the humans chimerians were always (since the old shamanistic past) scorned and chased like criminals or the lepers. Still once upon a time chimera’s poison penetrated into the most pure and noble part of human society- knights. Spiritualism was common that time and noble lords and ladies asked witches and warlocks for help. Even some of Paladins began using dark powers. Black magic could rise dead or bring plague to the enemies. Absolute power corrupted their minds and finally they named themselves Shade Drivers. Three kingdoms, free city Isnar and Paladins had to fight against the sect and won. Chimera followers were burnt but the Order itself was almost dead. Still, Chimera is not the evil itself, she just give you a choise. E.g. Alchemists believe in Chimera as the symbol of knowledge…and hide blue scales under wide robes.
Krom is the first dwarf. And there are lots and lots of rumours. E.g. they say he’s the only one who can turn into stone and back; he’s travelled in the Abyss to gather knowledge; his mind is as brilliant so it could blind anyone; he even managed to build perpetuum mobile. In human stories and fairy-tales Krom is cunning, hostilish old man guarding innumerable treasures. For dwarves Krom is mostly mighty and clever, hospitable and just. Humans were always being rather afraid of dwarven mechanism and personificated it into Krom’s image. Nevertheless Krom as an inventor is welcomed amongst the Alchemists. Elves never took him seriously called him “northern juggler”, “clay fright” or just “nonsence”, while orcs execrated him though truly respected as a worthy enemy.
Argus is the double-headed lord of nightmares, secret paths, visions and sorcery. The superior god and, perhaps, the mightiest one. They say that Argus was an elven male but with magic talent. He managed to follow both Paths and read all the books in the libraries of several monasteries. Thus he turned from an apperentice into master and became a vagabond wiseman and soon was declared as the reincarnation Of Alvind the Grey. After the catastrophe the Path of Flame prohibited both the Path of Frost and Argus’ doctrine. Thus he had to seek help at Alchemist Brotherhood. There are several rumours about his death, but Alchemist think that he killed one of the brothers, opened gates into the Chaos and stepped in. He returned… changed. Another crazy creation. Chaos tore his mind and body apart and joined again, turned once beautiful elf into an abomination. But now he could create worlds, rule elements and minds. He appeared as mutilated lame monster in dreams of the ones who was chosen by him as messengers and heralds; prophets announced the coming of a new god, the master of dark magic, secrets and magic. Now dwarves know him as a Pale Master, the owner of a great palace under the moon’s surface. Orcs know him as Two-headed Death, the right hand of Zar who gather fallen orcs and guide them to Zar’s tent.

Part VII. The end.
Years passed. Shades Drivers’ sect managed to revive and even the Order’s grandmaster was Chimera’s follower. Meanwhile dwarves were digging deeper and deeper and suddenly found a strange object. They’ve opened it an immediately began killing each-other like some sort of madness filled mind of everyone. In a few days dwarves, humans and orcs gone mad, killing everyone in sight. Also the madness transformed them: dwarves got fangs, humans- horns and orcs fall deeper into savagery. That time was called The Last Plague.
Argus appeared before some chosen ones and helped them unite four races against the threat of the demon uneashed by dwarves. Demons were called Said-in-the-Dark (Kairax’ words). Demons broke the world’s sphere and let the Chaos in, but Argus destroyed the world, fell asleep forever and put the remaining of the world into the dream. Chimera (she supported demons in the beginning, but assisted Argus’ army with basilisks), Krom (he forged the weapon from meteor stone that could annihilate even demon) and Zar now stood on guard, because the world will be destroyed when Argus will be awaken (still he can exist in different reality planes simultaneously even if sleeping). But Chaos’ influence is still here and forces inhabitants to fight.

I suppose there are lots of mistakes, but I hope it's still clear enough.

I vote for this topic to be sticky

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