Having dedicated numerous years to the noble pursuit of documenting the history of ARNOS, I can attest that few tales stand out as prominently as that of Old King Singurd, whose initial ascent from a Barbarian to a sovereign ruler is immortalized in the Battle Song of Nürnrock.

The esteemed records of Imperium-Hyperion, if taken at face value, recount Nürnrock as a flourishing town situated roughly 500 mille passus west of today's Seedorf. Unfortunately, the precise location of this town eludes us, as nature has reclaimed its dominion.

While by contemporary standards it may have been a modest town, scarcely larger than a village, Nürnrock was a beacon of equestrian excellence. Stories of the renowned Nürnrock Horses traveled far and wide, reaching Imperium-Hyperion strongholds such as Weinbach, Kolben, and Minpest.

These horses brought wealth and influence to this humble abode, undoubtedly drawing the ambitious gaze of Singurd. Legend has it that Singurd, aided by a band of Grey Men, laid claim to the town. Although certain songs weave fanciful tales, portraying them as otherworldly spirits or even ghosts, such embellishments are the creations of storytellers attempting to add a particular 'flavor' to Singurd's first noteworthy victory.

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Nevertheless, the alliance forged between Singurd and the Grey Men is not only the foremost but the only such alliance ever heard of. The Grey Men may bear the label of 'Men' but share little resemblance to our race, refraining from involvement in our conflicts.

Today, encounters with the Grey Men are rare, except for travelers venturing into the depths of the Rheinhältkette, where some of the lost Grey Men tribes still inhabit caves and makeshift villages. In the old days, the Grey Men were a common sight south of the Rheinhältkette, as Dwarfs who kept written accounts during their Golden Age mention numerous encounters with them.

But enough of them, let us return to the Battle Song of Nürnrock and how Singurd secured his first victory.

It is worth mentioning that after the battle, Singurd was still considered a Barbarian, but it is clear that his ascent to the throne of a vast Kingdom, unlike any the world had seen before, began at that very moment, four centuries ago, in the years leading up to The Year the Great Owl Descended from the Heavens.

An excerpt from The Chronicles of Singurd

Written by Meister Thomason of Athena