In the Palm of the White Hand : Background

In Hyperborea, a new and great evil is rising, comparable to that which dwells eternally in Stygia; more dangerous, perhaps, as less known.

The Witchmen of the White Hand are slowly uniting, and reaching out to occult forces throughout the world, even as far as Khitai.  The dynasty of Witch-Queens, of whom Vammatar is the most recent and bloodthirsty avatar, draws on this growing power like a bloated succubus.

Turanian emirs in the north, always chafing at the power of the Sultan, are lending a ready ear to the whispered promises borne by the emissaries of Hyperborea.  Should they band together, and then grab the attention of their Hyrkanian cousins on the shores of the Vilayets Sea, the Sultan himself would be at risk.  It is not difficult to imagine what the world would be like, if the Hyperboreans gain sway over the future ruler of the court of Aghrapur...

There are many in the North ready to stand against this threat, but they lack unity.  The lords of northern Brythunia hate the Hyperboreans, but imagine them as nothing more than bloodthirsty raiders.  The Cimmerians slay them on sight, but rarely leave their rainswept lands.  The spies of the Grand Sultan Yezdigerd are of course active in the north, but are only slowly piecing together the puzzle.  The Watch are well-informed of the Hyperboreans' movements and intentions, but number only a handful of men, who often work alone; their bravery is unmatched, but they have little influence.

In the windswept north, all men of good will are now running an unequal race against time, to thwart the dark plans of Hyperborea and the chaos the Witch-Queens would unleash on the world.