Legion Fall

By Nathan Ford

Legion Fall takes place in a pre-renaissance period; describing a conflict from the view of multiple characters, describing the burdens of a common soldier to the intrigues changing political and financial climates. Desperate grabs for land and power, epic battles and the rediscovery of forgotten technologies; humanity caught in a revolving conflict between nations and civil upheaval.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483533742

Book preview

over.

Chapter 1

Late October, Year 320 of the New Kingdoms

King Charles Speed Hessop, ruler of the Eastern Kingdom, sat in richly adorned chair in the War room. From his elevated platform, he could observe the enamel painted map that covered a lapis floor. This splendid depiction of the known world was nearly 35 feet across. Standing below him one level was a member of his personal guard. A Swords Master, mute and illiterate by design, no person was allowed to come between the King and his personal guard without the King’s assertion, including Crown Prince and the Queen. Any man who dared close on them the distance of the guard’s sword was to be struck down without hesitation. The Sword Master wore no sheath and the blade when removed from the rack in the guard’s quarters was never to be set down. There were a hundred Sword Masters in his personal guard; never less than five were around him. That included when working, eating, drinking, sleeping, shitting and fuk’n; even the Queen, though that hadn’t been the case in years.

Today the Crown Prince, Charles Brian Hessop, was afforded the right to stand slightly behind the King as the next phase of his instruction began. Prior to this he’d spent every waking hour in study and training. He was a Sword Master at 18 and was fluent and literate in four languages. Standing over six feet in height, athletic build, blond hair blue eyes and imbued with all the knowledge the Masters could impart, was now ready to take his place in the King’s retinue.

In attendance High General Sig Bjorn and Chief of Scouts Charles Blain, standing before the raised platform at the distance of ten feet, an honor reserved for the highest royalty. They stood, silent, with both hands cupped in front of them, faces straight forward, the only action allowed to them was to walk straight to the appointed place and bow their heads. After a minute of scrutiny passed, Hessop finally blurted out, Speak.

Bjorn began, A petition arrived from Lord Jessum for military intervention concerning one of his holdings in the Black Mountains. King Hessup nodded slightly allowing him to continue. If undertaken the objective is in the Western Kingdom a poor Fief with no more than a couple hundred defenders. Campaign will require six months.

King Hessop turned his head slightly toward Blain and nodded. Blain began, Reports have said the Western Kingdom have been recruiting and training a vast force.

King Hessop extended the first two fingers of his right hand and made a sweeping motion toward the door. Bjorn and Blain nodded slightly then backed away. The heavy doors opened by two guards and then closed behind them. Five minutes passed in complete silence then King Hessop raised his right arm and wagged his index finger. Prince Hessop walked slowly in an exaggerated semi circle keeping the distance of five feet between them. Stopping in front of the King, hands cupped in front, nodded his head slightly.

King Hessop then leaned forward and said, Tell me what you have discerned.

It is a feint meant to draw us out with a minor force that will be destroyed, or may possibly succeed, but will give cause for an invasion from the Western Kingdom.

How would ye advise we proceed? King Hessup said this with a tone that implied, get this wrong I’ll have you garroted and make a new Crown Prince.

Imperial Legion mobilizes a token force; Officers are appointed, half from Houses loyal to ye, half from Houses that are yer rival. Those appointed will be First Born from the Houses. Enlisting the First Born from the dedicated houses would help ensure their cooperation. Increase the recruiting for the Legion and City Watch by ten percent, specifically from the frontiers. Tax increase across the board; to pay for refurbishing the Imperial Armories. Double the Scouts and patrols along the frontier. Raise an army from Lord Jessum’s Fief, confiscate everything of value, and leave only enough for them to survive. Ready a force to do the same for the Fiefs adjacent to the Wine River Fife. Jessum’s army will campaign next spring under the guise of protecting our interests; more importantly will flush out the real danger to the Kingdom. The Prince omitted saying the token force would be destroyed, unifying the Kingdom against the looming threat from the west. The omission was already understood the populace would not support a war effort unless the threat was dire; waiting for the first village to burn would delay the necessary build-up. If previous reports were true, King Jarl had been preparing for war for quite some time.

King Hessup smiled and asked, Why ravage the frontier of men and materials?

Leave nothing for an invading Army. In the event this turns out to be nothing, we can put the Lords on the frontier on trial for abusing our subjects. A Royal contingent will bring in relief supplies under command of an agent favorable to the Throne’s interests; Crown appoints them as the new Lord.

King Hessup shouted, Royal Decree. A guard opened a side door and a scribe entered the room, sat on a desk that had pen and paper ready, another guard moved alongside the scribe, placing his sword on the scribe’s neck. Hessup continued, I name Crown Prince Hessup as High Counselor to the King, with the rights to pass judgment on all Minor Houses; from this day forth will receive petitions for six hours each day; further promoted as Army Staff Council will attend all official military planning functions. The new ink was powdered the document was taken from the desk by a guard and brought to the dais, a blob of hot red wax was applied the King applied his signet ring and it was Law. The scribe departed, a guard appeared form behind the Dias with an iron box. The King reached over, picking an ornate gold ring from the box, immediately all the Kings men dropped to both knees, heads bowed to the floor, swords held with both hands out from them.

King Hessup approached the Crown Prince grabbed his right hand and place the ring on his right index finger. Then took him by the shoulders and hugged him for the first time. I never allowed myself to love ye, the Kingdom cannot afford it. The people must come first, these guards do not protect me; they protect the Kingdom from civil war. Protect the people from others and themselves. Guards rise, from this day forward ye will never come between the King and the Crown Prince. One Swords Master will never leave his side. Accelerate the training of the recruits I want yer numbers doubled by spring. These had been years of peace and plenty; storm clouds were building on the horizon.

Year 320 of the New Kingdoms

Henry Rose Jarl, King of the Western Kingdom, twenty two years of age was born on the spring equinox; prophecy foretold he would unify the Kingdoms that had been separated since the Great Civil War over 300 years prior. He had been King for six years now, since Henry’s mother had poisoned his father. His first Royal Decree was to have her burned. Henry spent eighteen hours each day training, studying and planning to be Emperor. Year one in his reign he stopped the trade route to the Eastern Kingdom and equipped and supplied the Hill Clans to raid every convoy going to and from the Kingdom. Year two, he emptied the prisons trained and equipped them in Hessup Livery. They raided his frontier Fiefs with impunity. Year three Jarl’s propaganda machine spoke of rejected treaties and slain ambassadors, the people cried for war. For the next three years the forges burned and hammers fell day and night. Whenever conviction faltered a new village burned, women raped then impaled, with the men and children. The Kingdom seethed with anger and revenge. Merchants that once were known to trade with the Western kingdom were taken from their homes by angry mobs and torn apart. The Kingdom was on fire, the people begged to invade. They withstood all taxes and privations; the military preparations had become more akin to a religious experience. This would not be an invasion but a crusade. His actions were sanctioned by the Clergy, the Great Houses, and all the Guilds. A few slaughtered serfs were well worth the cost of such fervent loyalty. Knowing that his military buildup could never be kept secret worked into the plan. The Eastern Kingdom would be forced to raise taxes and recruit; their populace would be on the verge of revolt. When his Army entered they would be considered liberators. Soon his criminal Army would be ambushed and slain by the Elite Rose Guard; a few would have their tongues cut out and paraded in the streets for public execution and consummation of the original prison sentence. King Jarl’s plans of conquest would usher in a new age. The Jarls would reign for centuries; with the power of the combined Kingdoms they could settle the frontiers, and subjugate the Forest territory beyond the Great Waste in the North and whatever lay beyond.

King Jarl swung his leg over the dun stallion; he always smiled in public, tall, handsome, angelic face that beguiled the Kingdom. No King in the history of the realm was loved like he. The procession went through the streets; roses were thrown in front of him. King Hessop has loyal Sword Masters for protection; his entire Kingdom would gladly shield him. The troops riding with Jarl were only there to keep the crowd from crushing in. The small procession went through the Cities’ West gate above the harbor crowded with merchant ships. The sea faring nations had been sending aid, supplies and troops to support their cause. The crowd thinned and the retinue moved at a gallop to the open fields south of the Capital where an observation tower was recently erected. Dismounting he waived off the elevator that had been constructed for his use; and climbed the five storey wood tower taking stairs two at a step. The troops cheered as Jarl climbed. His paced sped up and the small crowd of guards produced a roar. Arriving at the top level he waved his arms to quiet them down or they might yell until they passed out. Henry stepped up to a marvel, gifted by Sea People, a tremendous telescope, to observe the training from a half mile away. Adjusting the view, Henry said, Please motion them to proceed.

The tower used a flag to signal the teams working the great brass cannons. The object of today’s experiment was a recently constructed granite wall 30 feet wide and 60 feet tall. The cannons belched forth a great cloud of smoke obscuring them; King Jarl turned the wheel beneath the telescope, the well oiled gears smoothly moved the view to a preset position on the wall. A second later the first ball struck; about the same time the tremendous boom and shockwave shook the tower. The sound of the ball hitting the wall was lost as the nineteen other cannons fired. The noise was like the sound of thunder. After the last shot and the dust cleared from the target, the wall had not been breached but huge cracks had started, a pile of spilt stone had begun to accumulate at the base of the wall. By the recommendation of the Engineer on the tower Henry turned the wheel again and it focused on a breached part of the wall.

The wall breach was sixty feet wide; the rubble pile beneath the breach was twenty feet deep, sloped up at a forty degree angle. Wilber Patterson the project lead Engineer said, Its steep climb but far better than ladders or tunnels. It took eighteen hours of continuous fire to make it with twenty guns. The guns are placed on ramps so they’re faster to aim. We currently have one hundred guns this size.

Kneel, I Henry Rose Jarl King of the Western Kingdom, proclaim your title before God and Realm, rise Lord Patterson. You will be granted lands of your choice commiserate of your worth in the new realm. King Jarl turned and was handed a Golden Rose pin that he fixed to Lord Patterson’s lapel.

The Prince departed, even as he smiled and waved at crowds in the streets of the Capital his thoughts were on the immense power of the guns. The logistics of moving them were astronomical but there was no city that could withstand. The cannons also could fire swarm shot that would cut swaths through cavalry and infantry ranks. Last report said they had seventy smaller sized and a thousand hand weapons. With this power at my disposal the war could be over in two years. Once the Eastern Capital fell their Noble Houses will fight over the right to swear allegiance.

September, Year 320 of the New Kingdoms

Lord Jessum paced back and forth through his study, the money lenders will be calling soon; a caring and efficient manager he lived a frugal life. The trappings of the position required that he entertain visiting nobles and Minor Houses with opulence. Jessum did his best to keep taxes low, economy can only thrive if it had stored energy. The strategy had not yet paid off. There were more acres plowed than ever in this area, the new vineyards started would pay dividends in two more years, the fruit trees a couple years after that and the herds were increasing every year. The extravagant gift sent to the Crown Prince for his coronation should have curried Royal favor. Instead his efforts only brought messages from the lenders. This petition from the mining hold might be just what he needed to for a change of fortune. Never saw a penny from the mining claim but it didn’t cost anything either. They brought their crude ingots to the market to sell and purchased supplies from his shops. But the mine really needed an improved road and a foundry to make a real economic contribution; something Harold could not yet afford. A sanctioned raid into another Fief, he could claim punitive damages, this could save Harold’s finances. His taxes were paid; the Imperial Legion should do its job and protect the frontier. Jessum put quill to paper and substantiated claim, carefully adding the loyal support the taxes, to the Throne this last year; without recompense his support may not see a measurable increase this year. He was not military minded, his expertise was economic. Jessum never saw the purpose; a plow not sword planted the crops. Harold bore no illusions seizing bags of plunder, but he could see bringing back a herd of draft horse or oxen. Twenty of each would jump his breeding program years ahead. Harold called for a courier, and bade him to make the capital with all haste. Never once did he seek the counsel of his major-domo or the military attaché; had this been done the Fief may have escaped the worse for the time being. It was a two week trip to the capital; to his amazement the response came thirty days from the departure of the courier.

The courier returned escorted by Imperial quartermasters, guards and taxmen. They immediately confiscated Jessum’s careful records, a month later began to collect and commandeer supplies throughout the Fief. Lord Jessum brooded in his chambers now fully comprehending the amount of ruination. The snow melted and brought the full Imperial contingent; whereas he found that General Bjorn had command of the venture and He would accompany and command the militia raised from his Fief.

-Jasper-

Jessum’s military attaché, short, thin and bowlegged, went by the name of Martin Jasper. Jasper spent years in the saddle and looked out of place indoors; but astride a mount, he was a falcon racing the wind. Jasper was doing his best to train and equip a force. The Light Calvary was passable and well mounted; Longbow men would perform well as any the realm could offer. The rest of the lot would never stand; but that was not what bothered him, this would be no simple raid; Martin knew that if he returned the home, it would be changed forever. Damn this venture, there was storm coming, he could feel it in his bones.

Chapter 2

Year 321 of the New Kingdoms

The campaign started with the taxation of the Wine River Fief, the Army took grain, livestock, leather, criminals, unemployed, volunteers and all those who could not hide well. Martin Hess had enlisted in the Imperial Legion of Eastern Kingdom two years prior. At sixteen and employed to labor the same farm his parents, without change, end or future; season after season it seemed the only option. Martin’s enlistment was also spurred on by his first foray with young love, where advised with no uncertain terms, limited prospects do not encourage amorous attention from the daughters of Guild members. Hess signed up and was well compensated with a uniform, pay, regular meals and revenge best served cold, helping guard the tax collectors taking their due from a Guildsman with a very fine horse and far too many coins.

The venture was designed to settle a disputed mining claim held by the Wine River Fief in the Black Mountains. The mining camp, had never acknowledged allegiance to either Realm, was subject to the taxation by a Fief of the Western Kingdom. Feeling greatly mistreated by having to pay taxes they appealed to Lord Jessum to take their side. Lord Jessum raised his Banner and evoked King Hessop to protect Wine River Fife’s rightful interests. King Hessop sanctioned the venture by sending General Sig Bjorn, Chief of Scouts Charles Blain, 500 Heavy Cavalry, 500 wagons, 100 Mounted Scouts, 300 Infantry, Cooks, Cobblers, Quartermasters, Barbers, Engineers and Drovers. This retinue added to Lord Jessum’s 200 Light Cavalry, 100 Men at Arms, 500 Long bow and 500 Pike. The whole march would have close to four thousand men; some were women in disguise as General Bjorn did not allow prostitutes to march with the Imperial Legion. On paper this was a vast force to set out against a minor Lord who probably could raise no more than a few hundred troops. Of course the force may have to contend with the Western Kingdom, if they chose to intervene on the side of their Lord. If that happened the dispute would be most likely settled by arbitration. Lord Jessum had only about 500 trained soldiers in his hoard, the rest were best left to see to the farms left behind.

The mine was raided, or taxed if you prefer the polite term, the prior fall when it had the most to offer. A horde of thugs, also known as tax officials, descended on the settlement. Stores were looted women raped, those who resisted put to the sword. The levied tax rate far exceeded the expected norm, the taxation calculus was greatly simplified by the Western Kingdom representatives multiplying available assets by the percentage of All. Further audits were conducted to ensure the accurate assessment and evaluation. Said obligors understandably felt violated but both parties involved reached a temporary equitable solution. The mining shareholders retained the use of their remaining fingers, and the tax representatives took everything else.

Winter in the Wine River Fief was spent recruiting and training troops; gathering arms and stores for the spring march. April came and the country was bled of all it could offer. There was much gnashing of teeth and rending of sackcloth by the people in Jessum’s Fief. An invading army would not have devastated the country as thoroughly.

Hess spent many hours dreaming of adventure, battle, and vast sums of gold that would be looted. Then he’d return mounted on a destrier, wearing gilded armor, throwing gold to an adoring crowd; at journey’s end would find his lost love in rags, though still beautiful and chaste. She would weep and her now beggar of a father would beseech him to take her. There were many versions of this dream, many ended in physical congress with the Guildsman’s daughter. Martin held no reservations; this would be a grand adventure.

Late April, Year 321 of the New Kingdoms

Financial ruin, complete financial ruin, Bjorn’s agents took everything in the warehouses, all the gold that could be found, wagons, oxen, workers, metal tools and horses. They left two brood mares with foals and an old gelding. Plenty of feed left for the few animals, nobody left to hay the fields. Able Myer Head of the Merchants Guild had entered his darkest hour. Prior to the taxation or legalized robbery, had been the wealthiest man in Miller’s Mill. Three days were spent, never leaving the study that lay in the upper storey of a fired brick manor. This was the only building in Miller’s Mill with glass windows. The windows alone were worth more than all the buildings in town. He supposed that still made him the wealthiest man in town. Able still had some gold still buried here and there. Old shrew of wife still hiding in her room pouting, since he’d made her return the fabric just purchased. Able said aloud, What did she expect, dosey bitch, brains of mush. Embarrassed, not like she took the fabric back herself, sent the maid; sends goods back all the time for not meeting her uppity standards. Most of the cows remained in the dairies since their use for military campaign was limited; but it would still take two years to produce even a passable aged cheese that had made him successful. Able was probably the wealthiest cheese monger in the Eastern Kingdom. Walking up to the window, looked down into the garden, well what was left of it after being trampled, to see the only thing he truly valued. Karen, his only child that he knew of, slight of build, golden hair, and fair skin, she spent hours riding or did prior to them driving away the horses. His frown deepened, remembering how Karen had pleaded with him to stop the tax men from taking Bell. Now she lingered in the destroyed garden trying to prune and prop up mangled plants. There were good blooms on the fruit trees, should be plenty of apples and peaches this fall. His thought raced, Need to get out and hire a plowman, and plant a garden that produced more than flowers. Even if I did, we don’t have tools left but a couple wood axes and rakes. How do I start it all? Damn kid, know it was him, forgot his name, had him whipped for consorting with Karen. What was his name? Saw him with the tax men. That’s the only way they found all the cellars.

Able shut his mouth tight realizing he’d been talking to himself. After three days brooding he prioritized, First get out of this room, second get seeds in the ground lest we starve this fall. Need every bit a gold to start this business over, can’t do that if we use it for food. Third talk, to the money lenders, one that will hold a note for three years. Able’s face soured again thinking about the interest due. Striding out of the dark room down the hall into the master bedroom he shared with Bethany his wife of twenty years. The room was a mess; she was lying in bed and probably had been for three days. Get up, clean this midden. Able stripped off a soiled shirt tossing it on the floor, then splashed water on his face from the basin; and then smoothed his hair. Grabbing a new shirt from the bureau and donned it quickly, then returned to the bed. Able grabbed the cover and yanked it roughly to the floor. I said get up; if ye don’t work, ye won’t eat!

Bethany rose up bosom heaving hair disheveled, I’m not hungry.

Able softened slightly, Look, things have changed and there is a hard road ahead, ye will need to contribute.

I’m taking Karen and going home.

Ye can leave, but ye will do so on foot, there are no horses to pull the carriage and no drivers and guards in our employment, and Karen will stay here.

Bethany rolled unto to her stomach and began to sob. Able turned and left. Anger boiled, Still thinks of her parent’s house as home. They would have no home if I’d not covered their dept n paid thar bills. Need to gather her jewels for sale.Able stormed down the stairs to the main floor. Jacob. Jacob. Jacob!

The old groomsman hustled from outside the front entrance. Sir, Jacob was near seventy, stooped back, a bad leg, bald head, and white beard. He wore woolen pants and a stained shirt. A person might discount him entirely unless you caught his eyes still clear, grey and sharp.

I want ye to mark off an area, about five acres in the south pasture near the stream. I’m off to buy seed and hire a plowman if one can be found. Jacob left to be about it. Able exited the Manor out the aft door that entered the garden, finding Karen bent over the rose bushes. Karen, I’m sorry.

Karen looked up big blue eyes beginning to well up and said, What happens now, are we leaving?

No. This is our home, we will fight. Voice was soft, almost pleading, all would be lost if she wanted to leave. Able knew she should have been sent to a school and be educated in the ways of a lady. His wealth would have provided a vast dowry, or would have; it could’ve attracted Royal suitors. Able’s progeny would have been Lords maybe even a Duke someday. Things had been cold between them since he’d had that boy whipped. Able thought, should have sent her away then. Imagine rutting with commoners like a whore. Instead he’d bought her Bell, and lost her to a horse. Do ye want to leave?

Nay Father.

Good. Things will be hard for awhile. We’ll have to work, field work… it won’t be easy.

I’ll stay, this is my home.

There was much more to say, and it was obvious she had many questions to ask. Instead Able grabbed her quickly and hugged tightly, kissed the top of her head; turning before she could ask another question or see the tears in his eyes. Making for the barn to saddle the old grey nag; he kept the horse there during the day to prevent him from eating too much. Even so it would take a very tall man to be able to sit in the saddle and not have his legs splayed out.

Myer rode with feet extended over Old Grey’s shoulders to avoid the bulge. The horse was slow but gentle, constant attention had to be kept as Old Grey would attempt to crop tufts of grass while walking, and cause him to stumble, one fall could cause much harm to the animal or more importantly, to Able. Half way to town, he spied plowman Barnes turning the soil over in Nelson Millers’ field. Nelson Miller was the descendant and inheritor of the Water Mill built by Michael Miller. By rights should be the wealthiest man in the village but his entire family was plagued with a form of generosity that allowed them to pity the indigent.

Ho there Plowman Barnes. Able pulled Old Grey near the lead ox, where Barnes would walk along side of his team. The Plowman had a team of four Great Oxen, yoked to a plow with two shears. Myer was surprised they left him with his animals; they were worth a King’s ransom. Must have had a very good hiding place, of course Barnes had all the farmers on his side. Plowman Barnes was a serious business man, gentle spoken even with his animals.

Whoa Team. Master Myer, how may I serve?

Need new bottom ground broken, five acres. Able spoke in a restrained tone, may be a commoner, but damn, Myer did need him. He hated to ask directly, but his Forman was now a member of Lord Jessum’s Long Bow.

Barnes replied, Crop er garden?

Garden.

Be two Crowns a day. Kin be thar n’ two days time, Master Myer.

Able nodded, Good man. His neck burned as he rode away, could feel them laughing at the ridiculous mount. They also know that it was getting late to start a garden; and Able was paying a high rate of the plowing. On crop land Plowmen would just take a percentage of the yield, same with garden land. In this case they would get gold because; knowing the yield produced from Able’s labor would be marginal. Myer turned toward the village mill to purchase seed. Maybe they would take blood in payment instead of gold. Able smiled for the first time in days; Or would they take Bethany in trade?

May, Year 321 of the New Kingdoms

The march began in May, snow still covered the tops of the Black Mountains, and the valleys had been green for weeks. The Army had set tight to avoid the worst of the spring rains. The advance party departed a week before the main column, relaying information back to General Bjorn about river crossings and supplies to be had in route. The Scouts would put on four times the distance than the column. Long Range Scouts, working in pairs, would be advance of the main column by three days. They were followed by Quartermasters and Light Cavalry who would set up the next camp site a day ahead. The Army would travel near forty miles a day; this was tough on the stock but the Drovers tended a vast herd and nearly every animal had a replacement. The Army was skirting along the foothills of the mountains making for the Gap, a wide valley that lay between two mountain ranges, the Black in the south and the Green to the north. The mountain ranges divided the Kingdoms and served as boarder. The territory around the mountains was considered the frontier; and was inhabited by nomadic bands called Hill Clans. There were other passes through the Black mountains more direct but none that could suffer so vast a wagon train.

It would take two months for Bjorn’s Army to reach its destination; allowing two weeks to raid the offending Fief, then two months to return. The campaign schedule would give Hess plenty of time to enjoy the Fall Harvest festival that figured into his fantasy of returning as the conquering hero. To understand the march, most visualize soldiers walking in line one after the other singing merry songs passing wine skins back and forth. At least this was Martin’s concept, and he was wrong.

Short Range Scouts would advance a couple hours ahead, and then Light Cavalry rode just ahead of the column in full kit. Additional Light Cavalry, called flankers, surrounded the march sometimes a mile out in small groups. Inside the outer ring of flankers, Light Infantry marched in company at double space. Center of the mass would be the wagon train, Heavy Horse, Bowman, Pikes, and Drovers pushing the herds behind; followed by the rear guard. This whole conglomeration would be nearly four miles across and 5 miles long. The Lords would go on hunting excursions and would usually keep their own and paths of their choosing. General Bjorn was always found mid the Heavy Cavalry beneath a vast white banner marked with a Gold Lion standing with paws out-stretched. Riders would come from all directions at a gallop to his banner, and then a new rider would head back out. The Chief of Scouts Charles Blain, the men called him Sir Charles just not where he might hear, could be found anywhere. If Blain did come near, the men would all look down and away. Any Lord might have them flogged for a perceived or real violation, which did not evoke fear; they all feared Charles Blain.

The Royal Sigil of the Eastern Kingdom was a Gold Great Lion, jaws spread, reared on hind legs with paws out-stretched. Great Lions were still rumored to live on the High Plains or on the frontier; they were supposed to be the size of horse. Doubtless these were tales told to scare children, just like dragons and spirits. Some Commanders added unique details to the Sigil, like a large phallus, or a crown top the lion’s mane. The Sigil was that of the Hessup’s; who were the current ruling family of the Eastern Kingdom. The Eastern and Western Kingdoms were formed three hundred years prior. The old Empire’s Capital was once near the Black Mountains, the city was completely destroyed during the civil war and the victors ensured no stone stood upon another. Prospectors and adventure seekers flocked to the Black Mountains searching for lost treasure; though all they recovered were bad memories.

The Old Kingdom had lasted for five hundred years though peace was never known during that time. Organized religion had been abolished in attempt to stop the chaos. A plague nearly wiped out the population; those that did survive were further diminished by the cures and charms of the medicine men. Humanity nearly ceased to exist; but from the ashes the new Kingdoms were born and peace reigned for many years. The people survived and began to rebuild; science and education strived to regain what was lost during the civil war. Organized religion is still mistrusted by most but has re-gained a foot hold in society, though taverns still outnumber churches, they are being constructed as often as schools. Exploration has once again become a topic for economic investment. Most of the known world is still considered frontier and even the civilized areas are still sparsely settled;