Our story starts with a concept that many people would find interesting in their way:
Conflict.
Back then, Primera was a vast open country, filled with barbarians and territories led by families of which the people would now call the noble houses. Open conflict would be present everywhere due to barbarians, magical beings, and the like, for the land was beautiful but untamed. This would all change, however, after the royal house of Llyn managed to unite the houses into one kingdom. Other houses were convinced via diplomacy, others through trade while a few were forced into conflict as they were not so easily persuaded.
Eventually, they all made peace and agreed that the kingdom be led by House Llyn and that Unrel "Wolfsbane", the first of his name, be hailed as king.
The houses worked together to bring prosperity into the kingdom and make open trade and diplomacy with the Elves, Dwarves, and Mermen--all of which resulted in surprising success. Few of them not only found opportunities working alongside the other races but also were able to live alongside them and share each other's culture.
The king was pleased with this development, but eventually fighting and murder among Primera's inhabitants found itself knocking on the kingdom's doorsteps.
Because of this, he called for a meeting with the leaders of the other races, discussing how their future would be given the circumstances and so, a great gathering happened. Tensions were undoubtedly high and the night was long, but by dawn, the parties came to terms with one another, and thus, the Codex was created.
This sacred book would become the standard that all would follow and one, united idea was agreed upon by all houses of all races: break the rules set by the Codex and face the repercussions.
The other races present were also given a chance to speak during the meetings. Even though their races were bound to almost half of the rules found in the Codex, their respective kingdoms were to remain independent, and they were not responsible nor subject to conflicts created by Men. They had the freedom to include themselves--but were warned that they too would have to accept responsibility.
This continued for millennia, reaching the third age of Men. The kingdom was still prosperous as ever, and as other kingdoms rose in distant lands, Primera would adapt and remain the powerhouse of the known world.
However, that would all change when King Alaric of House Llyn ascended to the throne after his father, King Septimus, who was regarded as one the greatest rulers of the land, similar to their first king, died due to unknown reasons. The loss of his father was felt by the entirety of the realm. Everyone paid their respects to the loss of a great ruler--even those from foreign lands crossed deep oceans to visit Primera for the first time, just so they could see who this individual was, and view the realm that was a part of his great legacy.
When Alaric sat down on the throne, everything slowly descended into hell. Despite his unwavering love for his father and the effort that he exerted, it seemed that Alaric was cursed by the Divines to lead his great father's kingdom to ruin. Unexplained accidents would happen: mass murders, rape--all manner of chaos, as if the circles of Hell itself descended on the mortal plane and wreaked havoc.
People were saying that the House was cursed by the Divines themselves, and soon, controversy regarding the former king's death began to manifest within the Capital walls itself, instigating mistrust and deceit in Alaric's council. This would continue for what the people felt like an eternity until both sides were utterly spent. The king was in deep waters from the chaos, anxiety, and pressure being put on him meanwhile the townsfolk from all across the realm grew tired of the constant abuse from criminals and corrupt officials alike.
On one fateful day in an attempt to quell a protest, a tall man covered under the shade of black pierced through the crowd amidst the shouting and the shoving. He then proceeded to viciously strike down a member of the elite royal guard with a single swing of his war axe to the neck, immediately striking down the man without warning, which caused a riot that led to the deaths of the other guardsmen who were shocked at what they witnessed.
They were stripped of their armor and their bodies were left to be hung at the entrance of the town known as Blackroot as a symbol of defiance. The townsfolk took a curious, glance at this individual who retrieved his war axe from the carcass of the dead elite guard. A few of the populace were repulsed at the sight, while others prayed to the five Divines for forgiveness. However, for many, this sight became a symbol that would be etched into their minds.
'Dante', the killer called himself.
The mysterious man gave an impassioned speech to the townsfolk, and even though people did not know him, nor did they know his land of birth, hearing the man's speech pulled them towards something. Soon, only two words echoed in their heads.
Open rebellion.
Tales spread about what had happened in the town, an event people started calling 'The Blackroot Massacre'. Many common folk willingly joined Dante's cause after hearing what had happened. Soon enough, word reached the capital, and Alaric, already nearing his breaking point, dispatched messengers to the ancient seats of the other great Houses to request aid in what appeared to be an upcoming war.
The king's instinct was right, but luck was not on his side as almost half of the other great Houses sympathized with the common folk and joined Dante's cause. Faced with a grim situation, Alaric decided to summon all houses still loyal to him and charge headfirst into open conflict toward the different rebel territories to quell further rebellion.
This proposal caused his captains to panic, starting to believe that their king finally went mad and went against the idea, but bound by honor and out of respect for what his father had done for the realm, they rode with him into battle.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
After months of combat and seizing lands, it was time for the decisive battle to end it all. The respective leaders of each side were no slouches when it came to combat. Dante was viewed by the enemy as a demon on the battlefield, killing loyalists with ease while wielding an ebony war axe etched with foreign symbols. Soldiers who lived to tell the tale recalled experiencing strange phenomena when near the weapon's vicinity--blurry vision, sudden fatigue, and the like.
Such magic was not foreign to nobles and those having access to proper education, as this was regarded by many as a branch of enchantment, yet its true properties were known only to a select few.
King Alaric, on the other hand, was hailed as the second-best warrior when it came to the knights and nobles. Although more eccentric in contrast to his old self, his experience on the battlefield and instinct for combat were evident during the sieges. He was known to be armed with his signature sword, Justice, and a custom-made shield, which provided him the reputation of being unstoppable. However, since his father's passing, Alaric disregarded his shield to brandish the knife the former king was seen to be brandishing before being laid to rest under the royal catacombs.
This prompted Alaric to create a unique fighting stance; a fierce and rabid style with little to no regard for his safety which found rousing success on the battlefield. After months of exchanging blows, the leaders of the two opposite sides of the same coin finally met and battled to death on the most crucial day, which the world would call 'The Battle for Mount Dorba'.
The fighting was fierce, and both sides suffered heavy losses. Despite being outnumbered three-to-one, the forces of Alaric stood on even ground with Dante's rebels. The two leaders eventually found themselves face-to-face and the battle halted. Time seemed to stop as the other combatants watched in awe at what they were witnessing.
The two were evenly matched.
Those who witnessed the duel described it to be the deadliest dance to have ever existed. Dante swung his enchanted ebony war axe with such grace and strength while being able to weave and dodge through Alaric's frenzied, unorthodox fighting style with the sword and curved knife.
Those who have experienced fighting near the rebel leader wondered how Alaric was resistant to his weapon's magic, similar to how it was even possible for Dante to fight the King who was utilizing an unknown combat style. This would continue for some time until eventually, Alaric's disregard for his safety would cost him the battle. In one crucial moment, Dante found an opening and swung underneath the shoulder of Alaric's left arm that held his sword, dislodging it with ease and leaving Alaric bleeding on the battlefield.
A few words were exchanged between the two.
Scholars of the current age and witnesses of the battle were not able to figure out nor put together even a portion of what was said, as it seems that the divines respected the two duelists enough to keep other unworthy eyes and ears blind and deaf to have any knowledge of what was spoken. The brief pause eventually came to an end as Alaric slowly rose from one knee, his bruised face riddled in pain, and attempted to stab the dagger at Dante's heart, only for Dante to sidestep and lodge the axe in the King's chest, staining his black armor with a crimson red streak. Alaric's body afterward dropped to the blood-stained ground, signifying the end of the conflict. The loyalists rushed to their king's aid as the rebel leader kneeled on one knee, whispered a few words, and retrieved the ebony war axe from his opponent's body.
As if the Divines themselves were watching, rain immediately came pouring down on the battlefield, the sound of water dripping down on the armor and weapons of battle-hardened townsfolk and soldiers. It came as a surprise to everyone as they looked to the skies, seeing that beforehand there was no sign of rain to begin with. Both sides looked toward finding the kingslayer but found no trace of him except for a blood-stained piece of black cloth.
A few weeks passed, and eventually, the realm came to peace. The generals from the rebel forces held an open court in an attempt to discuss what to do, now that the kingdom was leaderless. The surviving loyalists were pardoned, as they were also victims of the chaos of the unfortunate events that had happened which led to the war, and were merely following orders out of honor and loyalty for Alaric and respect for King Septimus.
The heads of each great House were summoned to the Capital City, and the meeting began. Suggestions were brought to the table and a few profanities were let out due to scars that were still fresh, but they concluded that the realm would remain united. Each House would retain its territory of old and the approval of major laws and decisions that would affect the entire realm would be done through voting.
The heads of the Great Houses of Men worked together in an attempt to restore the kingdom to order. Both old and new laws were either removed or introduced, and actions were approved--some of which were partly unfavorable for the others.
It then came down as to which Great House would lead the kingdom of Men. This was the only topic that the Houses were not in unison with, as each House only voted for themselves. After all, the ones who were in power, despite the new system, would be granted the most strength and influence as House Llyn had stored powerful and even valuable resources throughout three millennia in the Capital City, not to mention having access to the Royal Guard--experienced, and talented soldiers who were sworn to protect and serve the ruling House, the very same soldiers who stood strong despite being outnumbered.
This would continue for hours until eventually, the heads decided that it would be best and leave the golden throne empty as of the moment, and that control of the Capital City would be given to the captain of the Royal Guard--Sir Byronard, the Honorable One. The captain accepted his new role humbly and without hesitation, vowed to fulfill his duties justly. Discussions were finished and the heads decided to return each year on the same summer day, bringing along with them new proposals, ideas, and of course: their vote on who would sit on the golden throne, as Primera was regarded as the beacon of the known world. They had a reputation to keep and being leaderless only showed nothing but weakness.
Now, twenty-three summers and a handful of days have passed since that fateful day, and we find ourselves on the outskirts of the ancient seat of House Polifio. The dawn has just risen on the horizon, and underneath a simple place that he calls home--a certain fellow lies asleep, unaware of the days that lie ahead of him.