In Asteio there is a legend of a hero called Leion the Pure. According to the legend, he lived during a time when corruption and bigotry were rampant. He spent years fighting corrupt nobles and trying to teach people to treat each other with respect. After many decades of trying to purge Asteio of corrupt nobles and bigoted leaders, he and his noble band of companions decided that all of the kingdoms of Asteio were irredeemably corrupt, and went to a far corner of the land to create there own country, one based on merit and honer, rather than nobility and bloodline. He called this country "The Land of the Equals".
At first it worked great, those who had been oppressed came in droves, his armies quickly went from holding back his foes to gaining ground every time they fought. The citizens were happy and kind to each other. It seamed like his dream of a world of equals was going to come true. They managed to create tests that could reliably test for all kinds of aptitude, weather magic or mundane, and turned his empire into a well oiled machine.
The problems started small, a few people tried to trick there way into positions they were not qualified for, weather it be by faking achievements or stealing credit for other peoples. People started to discriminate against the humans who had made there life hell until then. Slowly people in higher and higher positions slowly changed there focus from helping the people to growing there own power, changing and creating laws to suit there own needs. Eventually even Leion himself was corrupted by the power, and became known as the Demonic King, or, the Demon King.
Leion's empire actually became worse than what he was trying to destroy, an empire of slaves worse off than any peasant from any land.
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The Royal Palace of Gabrall
”My lord, a messenger has arrived from the war front.”
“Send him in.”
The guard brings in a very tired messenger, dripping with sweat, who immediately kneels and bows to the king.
“Report.”
“Yes sir, our armies managed to destroy the empire's army, however the solders are not in any position to keep fighting. They should recover in a few months, but only a quarter of there number remain.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“You are dismissed, take some time to rest.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
The exhausted messenger leaves the throne room, as the king considers the best course of action.
“Its nearly winter, so it should take them awhile to raise another army, probably six months, but it will take us nine to replenish our army... at this rate we are doomed.” the king mutters.
One of his advisers steps forward, and says “My lord, may I offer a suggestion?”
“Speak.”
“We may have a chance if we can kill the empires generals and king before they can raise another army. If we are careful about how we phrase it, we may be able to pacify the people at the same time.”
“Hmm”, muses the king, “That could work, send out a proclamation to have the strongest warriors gathered, we shall pick one of them to be the hero, who will be given money, land, and a title if he can kill the Demon King and his generals.”
“It will be done.”