Gautland History

Millenniums worth of historical records of the **Albion continent** are kept under the State Library's jurisdiction. Humans throughout history have assembled those records into a collective archive presently known as **"The World's History".** However, Scholars from the **Royal Academy** has raised questions about the accuracy of the accounts, as it was written through changing point of views.

The World's History as we know it is divided into 2 parts;

1. Before the Norman Calendar (2500 B.N. ~ 0):

* The Ancient Era: The era of the First Men, Fir Bolg. They were the native inhabitants of Albion continent. Notable events:
	+ The migration of the elven tribe called Nemedians to Albion, warmly welcomed by the Fir Bolg humans.
	+ Dragons invaded the realm, enslaving both men and elves.
	+ The birth of Deva, an elven warrior that defeated the dragons.
	+ The corruption of Deva who ended up enslaving the humans.
	+ God Odin's wrath, sealing Deva into a crystallized form called Devarium.
	+ Humans enslaved the elves as revenge and began mining the Devarium crystal as it gave them magical powers like the elves'.
	+ The First Scourge occurred due to Deva's weakened seal.
	+ The appearance of Dana, an elven swordstress that defeated the First Scourge.
	+ Dana and the Nemedian elves sacrificed themselves to re-seal Deva, leading to the extinction of elves in Albion.
	+ Deva's "graveyard" became the Ruins of Albion, a dangerous uninhabited land in the North of Albion.
* The Age of Danaan:
	+ The rise of the religion known as "Danaan" based on Dana's Martyrdom.
	+ Dana's widower, a human named Airgeadlámh, became King and prohibited the use of magic to end the mining of Devarium.
	+ King Airgeadlámh changed their tribe name from "Fir Bolg" to "Danaan" in honor of Dana.
	+ The grieving King Airgeadlámh grew mad and executed the existing mages. Some managed to escape.
	+ The Black Plague hit the realm, no medic was able to find the cure. The plague struck Princess Ganieda, the halfling daughter of Dana and Airgeadlámh.
	+ Prince Aurelianus, the halfling son of Dana and Airgeadlámh, had pursued magic in secret.
	+ Prince Aurelianus failed to cure Princess Ganieda and ended up exiled by King Airgeadlámh for breaking the anti-magic law.
	+ The exiled prince met and seek refuge in the mage escapees' settlement. The mages gave him a new name, Merlin.
	+ Merlin accidentally caused the Second Scourge by touching the Devarium in an attempt to find the cure for the Black Plague.
	+ Merlin and the mages saved humanity by undoing the Second Scourge and the Black Plague, reminding the people that magic is needed for survivability.
	+ Princess Ganieda gave up her life to re-seal Deva once again, causing Merlin to be depressed.
	+ Merlin invented the Lux crystal, a way for humans to use magic without the Devarium. His invention revolutionized humanity.
	+ The depressed Merlin refused to ascend to the throne and disappeared. His incompetent cousin became the new King.
	+ In Merlin's absence, the scarlet-eyed warlock named Morgaine gathered the mages and launched a coup against the new King.
	+ Morgaine's reign was short lived as the Normans invasion occurred shortly after.
	+ The Danaans were wiped out by the Normans. The escapees, including Morgaine, ran North to hide in the Ruins of Albion.

2. After the Norman Calendar (1 A.N. ~ 580 A.N)

* The Normans Invasion: A human tribe called Normans invaded and conquered the entire realm of Albion. Notable events:
	+ The erasure of Danaan culture & religion, replaced by Normans'. Faith of Odin became the dominant religion.
	+ The formation of 12 Norman Kingdoms.
	+ The Third Scourge that destroyed the 12 kingdoms.
	+ Uther Pendragon's journey to end the Scourge and unite the 12 Kingdoms, making him the First Emperor.
	+ The last disappearance of Merlin along with Uther Pendragon's daughter.
* The Present Time: Historians noted a common occurrence that had happened 3 times throughout history; namely the curse of the land, also referred to by the men at that time as "The Scourge". They discovered that the symptoms leading to The Scourge outbreak have been detected lately, which led them to fear that The Fourth Scourge may be coming. Due to political restrictions, Emperor Uther Pendragon IV rallied for outside help.

## The Ancient Era (2500 B.N. ~ 346 B.N.)

After creating the **Nine Realms**, the Gods decide to populate each realm with different races;

* **Vanaheim** became home of the gods tribe **Vanir**
* **Asgard** became home of the gods tribe **Aesir**
* **Nifleheim** and **Muspelheim** are icy and fiery realms where **ice and fire giants** reside
* **Hellheim** is the realm of the dead
* **Nidavellir** became home to the **Dwarves**
* **Jotunheim** to the **Giants**
* **Alfheim** to the **Elves**
* **Midgard** to **Humans**

### The Two Tribes: Fir Bolg and Nemedian (2500 B.N.)

The earliest records discovered are of 2500 years ago.

Humans had began to spread across **Midgard**, populating all of its continents. One particular continent, later known as **Albion**, was initially inhabited by the ancient human tribe called **"Fir Bolg."** They ruled for over 100 years until one day, the Elves arrived. The Elves called their tribe **"Nemedians"**, meaning *those who come from the sky.*

The **Nemedians** crossed **Bifrost**, a rainbow bridge that connects **Alfheim** and **Midgard**. The elven tribe left **Alfheim** to escape slavery and oppression imposed by Dragons who had colonized **Alfheim** at that time. The **Fir Bolg** offered refuge for the **Nemedians** in return of knowledge of science, engineering, and magic. The two races lived in harmony for 952 years until ***"The Calamity from the sky."***

### The Calamity From The Sky (1548 B.N.)

***"The Calamity from the sky"*** refers to the first ***Dimensional Crack*** incident that took place in **Albion**. During this event, the sky split open and **Dragons** descended from above. These were the same dragons that had enslaved the **Elves** in **Alfheim.** Led by a colossal red dragon named **Draigoch**, they left a path of destruction in their wake. Seeing the **Nemedians** escapees in **Albion**, the dragons seek to recapture them. To the **Nemedians'** surprise, the **Fir Bolg** stood to their defense against the dragons. This conflict later becomes known as the **"War of Dragons"** or the **"Ancient War."**

Unfortunately, the combined effort of humans and elves were still no match for dragons. Desperate, they prayed to the **God,** **Frey,** to help them, but their pleas were unanswered. The dragons continued to decimate the **Fir Bolg** and **Nemedians**, and those captured were turned into slaves. The dragons created the **Dragon Cult**, a cult where the enslaved **Fir Bolg** and **Nemedians** were forced to worship the dragons as their new gods. Then the dragons had them build a colossal tower that pierced into the sky, and they called it **The** **Throat of The World, *"Pharynx”*.** For the next 500 years, **Draigoch** ruled over Albion from on top of that tower.

### The Mythical Sword: Lævateinn (1048 B.N.)

During the ages of slavery, the **Fir Bolg** and **Nemedians** have lost their faith to **God Frey**, who had "forsaken" them. Among the enslaved **Nemedians** was an elf named **Eochaid.** **Eochaid** remained devout to the **Faith of Frey,** he firmly held onto the belief that **Frey** would save them from the dragons.

On one fateful night as **Eochaid** was praying on a mountainside, he encountered an **mysterious old man**. The **mysterious old man** guided **Eochaid** to the mountaintop. There stood a solitary tree, burned with a fiery blaze. On its trunk, **a sword** lies firmly embedded. The **mysterious old man** revealed that if **Eochaid** could remove the sword, he would gain the power to defeat the dragons and free his people from slavery.

**Eochaid** pulled the sword and as it emerged, it emitted a brilliant radiance, causing onlookers to believe that dawn had arrived prematurely.

The **mysterious old man** was delighted by what he witnessed. He revealed that the sword is called **Lævateinn,** a "Holy Sword" that can repel evil. He claimed that **Eochaid's** unwavering faith granted him the strength to wield it. The **mysterious old man** had led **Eochaid** to gain the power to slay **Draigoch**, and in return he asked **Eochaid** to bring **Draigoch's** heart to him.

Overjoyed by his newfound power, **Eochaid** dropped to his knees as he worshipped the **mysterious old man** whom he believed to be the God **Frey**. He made a solemn vow to carry out the task.

Once **Eochaid** had left, the **mysterious old man** smirked before he vanished to thin air.

### The Second Ancient War (1050 B.N.)

With the power of the Holy Sword **Lævateinn**, **Eochaid** formed an uprising and lead the **Fir Bolg** and **Nemedians** to battle against the dragons. This time, the tide has shifted in favor of the slaves. However, it wasn't until 50 years later that they could claim complete victory.

At the final battle, they stormed **Pharynx** and on its highest level, **Eochaid** slayed **Draigoch**.

To **Eochaid**'s discovery, **Draigoch**'s heart contained **a** **fragment of the primeval being, Ymir.** The **Heart of Ymir** is the very foundation of Midgard itself, and its fragments are capable of endowing its possessor with godlike powers.

50 years of bloodshed has darkened **Eochaid's** heart and made him obsessed with power. **Eochaid** fell into temptation and kept **Draigoch's** heart to himself, breaking his vow with the mysterious old man. **Eochaid** then consumed the **fragment of Ymir's Heart** and he became a divine being equal to the Gods. **Eochaid** let go of his old self and adopted a new name; **Deva.**

### Deva and The Kingdom of Albion (1000 B.N.)

**Eochaid**, now known as **Deva,** used his godlike power to fully eradicate dragons from **Albion**. The humans and elves **Deva** freed from slavery praised and worshipped him. They crowned him as their king and gave him the title ***"God-King"***. Under Deva's rule, the **Fir Bolg** and **Nemedians** built a civilization **“Kingdom of Albion”**.

   However, absolute power corrupts absolutely. **Deva's** godlike power did not only instill adoration but also fear from his people. **Deva**, who was originally a **Nemedians** elf, ruled in favor of his fellow **Nemedians**, granting them privileges and treating them as first-class citizens. The **Fir Bolg** felt betrayed and questioned **Deva.** Blinded by arrogance, **Deva** doubled down and declared the **Fir Bolg** as *"impure blood"* and relegated them to the status of slaves. While enduring slavery, the Fir Bolg began to plan a **rebellion** against Deva.

Unlike the **Fir Bolg,** the **Nemedians** possessed extended lifespans and saw no necessity for procreation. Despite the **Nemedians'** magical advantage, over the span of 500 years they became severely outnumbered by the **Fir Bolg**. Despite so, the **Fir Bolg** knew better that their numbers alone can't defeat **Deva**. That's when **Odin**, the deity that formed **Midgard**, came to the humans' alliance.

**Odin** was enraged that **Deva** and the **Nemedians** betrayed and oppressed the humans of his realm. **Odin** called **Deva** a "false god" and unleashed his fury upon him and decimated **the Nemedians** while submerging **Deva** in a torrent of the elves' blood. By submerging **Deva** in the elves' blood, **Odin** allowed the **Fir Bolg** to cast a blood spell; the sealing spell.

Hence concluded the era of **Deva's** tyranny... so they thought.

### New Age, Old Pattern (500 B.N.)

It was the dawn of a new age for the **Fir Bolg**. In the aftermath of **Odin's** wrath, there were a few surviving **Nemedians** who pleaded for mercy and swore an unbreakable oath to **Odin,** vowing to never repeating the same mistake ever again. The merciful **Odin** granted redemption on the condition that they should never again wage war against the humans.

Finally, before He departed **Odin** tasked the elves to hide the **Lævateinn** as He claimed it was not a sword for mortals.

Following the agreement, the **Fir Bolg** took control of the **Kingdom of Albion,** while the **Nemedians** split into two groups. One group chose to retreat into the forests, leading an isolated and nomadic lives in order to preserve their elven culture and avoid subjugation. The other group chose to live alongside humans thinking that all was forgiven.

Yet as if history had repeated itself, the **Fir Bolg** seek revenge by treating the **Nemedians** as second-class citizens. They were compelled to adopt human customs, erasing knowledge of the elven culture and heritage in the **Kingdom of Albion**.

### The First Scourge (450 B.N.)

In time, the **Fir Bolg** discovered that by utilizing fragments of **Deva**'s crystallized form, now known as **the Devarium**, they too could harness the elves' magical abilities. They began mining and extracting the crystal, little by litte. The **Fir Bolg** lived in prosperity for a span of 50 years until **Deva's** seal weakened. Even in crystallized form, **Deva's** remained powerful enough to unleash **a wave of curse**, giving birth to monsters and **Demiurges.** **Demiurges** wreaked havoc and emitted **miasma**, a noxious mist that inflicted diseases upon living beings and contaminated the land. This catastrophe is called **The** **Scourge**.

**Demiurges** lack higher intelligence, however they are able to coordinate with each other thanks to their connection with the hive-mind known as **Archon**. **Archons** are dragons resurrected by **Deva's curse.** They are highly intelligent and they embody the pure malevolence of **Deva'**s will to destroy human civilization.

The **first Archon** called himself **Paraplex** and he commanded his army of **Demiurges** to destroy the **Kingdom of Albion**.

### The Swordstress and The Black Warden (445 B.N.)

The **Scourge** nearly wiped out all lives within the **Kingdom of Albion** and **Demiurges** had driven away the humans and elves from their settlements. The **Albion Castle** became Paraplex's lair.

Amidst the despair, a **Nemedians** warrior named **Dana** appeared with the **Lævateinn** in her hand. **Dana**, alongside her allies, raised their arms against the **Demiurges.** Her band called themselves the **Black Wardens.** The **Black Wardens'** bravery and resilience inspired all people to unite and march against **the Archon**. After 100 years of relentless struggle, **the** **Battle of the Albion Castle** ended in victory for the humans and elves.

Despite **Paraplex's** death, **Deva'**s curse continued to persist. **The** **Scourge** will not end until **Deva's** blood seal is replenished. Knowing that only elven blood can seal **Deva**, **Dana** and the last of the **Nemedians** made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their life to replenish the seal. **Dana** and the **Nemedian's** selfless act is forever engraved in the hearts of the **Fir Bolg.**

## The Age of Danaans (345 B.N. ~ 0)

### Religion of Danaan (345 B.N.)

**Dana’s** martyrdom made her a revered figure among some **Fir Bolg** communities. She was hailed as the savior of the world, and at times as if she was a divine being. Soon, a religion known as **"Danaan"** became widespread. The followers of this faith called themselves the **"Children of Danaan".** Dana's widower was a **Fir Bolg** called **Airgeadlámh.** Under his leadership, the **Children of Danaan** built a new kingdom in her honor, called the **Kingdom of Danaan.**

### The Purification (344 B.N.)

**King Airgeadlámh** was left heartbroken by **Dana's** passing. In his grief, he passed various controversial decrees. One of them was that from now on- to show eternal gratitude towards **Dana-** everyone who wished to continue living in the Kingdom must forget that they are "**Fir Bolg**". Their tribe is now known as "D**anaan.**" Afterwards, the King ordered the commencement of **"The Purification"**, an act to eradicate magic so that no one will be tempted to mine the **Devarium** ever again. These reforms led to the execution of hundreds of humans who practiced magic. **The Purification** lasted for a year. The surviving mages fled from the kingdom, seeking refuge in the ancient tower from the era of dragons, **Pharynx**. There, they erected an impenetrable magical barrier to protect themselves and erased all traces of their existence, leading **King Airgeadlámh** to believe that mages had come to extinction. With each passing generation, knowledge of magic gradually decreased and at the end it was as if it never existed.

### The Black Plague and The Sorcerer Prince (343 B.N.)

Over time, the **Kingdom of Danaan** realized that life became increasingly challenging without the presence of magic. Those who were in favor of magic attempted find a way to restore magic to the kingdom. Their mission gained urgency when **Albion** was suddenly hit by a mysterious disease called the **Black Plague.** The disease caused blackening of veins and limbs its advanced stages before it ultimately takes the life of its victim. Some attributed it to the return of **The** **Scourge**, but there were no sightings of **Demiurges**. The physicians failed to cure the afflicted, leaving the people to believe that only magic could heal them.

Before Dana's passing, the elf and her human husband had conceived two halfling children. Since the **Nemedians** had extinct, those children are the only ones left carrying elven blood. The Prince**, Aurelianus**, had persisted in the study of magic in secret to honor his mother. Without his father's knowledge, he established a covert task force with the objective of restoring magic without the **Devarium**. Eventually, the Prince discovered a method to extract magic from magical creatures and imbuing it into humans. Thus, he dispatched his task force to track and capture those magical creatures.

The Prince was racing against time as the **Black Plague** was close to taking the life of his sister, **Princess** **Ganieda.** He took his experiments to extreme lengths, involving unethical procedures on humans. However, none of his experiments succeeded, except for one. The only magic compatible with humans are that of a **Demiurge's**. Once the magical essence was extracted from a **Demiurge,** it dies.

**Prince Aurelianus** did the experiment to himself and he gained the innate ability to wield magic without relying on **Devarium**. Unfortunately, he was still unable to heal his sister as he could not wield magic well. When **Prince Aurelianus'** father, the King**,** found out about the experiment, he punished the Prince by Exile. The defeated Prince wandered aimlessly in the frozen lands until he arrived at the **Pharynx.**

By that time there were only five mages left in the **Pharynx.** They were startled by the Prince's arrival, thinking he was there to carry on his grandfather's mission to kill them. **Prince Aurelianus** pleaded his case and requested they take him in and teach him magic so that he could save his sister's life.

The mages decided that he must first complete a test, and so **Prince** **Aurelianus** was sent to the **Pharynx underground** to solve a case of recurring earthquakes. Within the depths, he discovered a cave leading to an underground lake where the elderly dragon **Khilgaraah** resided. The dragon was weak and wounded, and his cries are what caused earthquakes. The compassionate Prince tried to fully restore the dragon's health, but he wasn't strong enough to do so. He promised to return after he has grown stronger, but for the time being, the earthquakes have stopped.

Having successfully passed the test, **Prince** **Aurelianus** was granted permission to stay in the tower. **Prince** **Aurelianus** gained invaluable knowledge of magic and the history of **Albion** from these mages. For the following years, the Prince studied and trained diligently. Finally, the mages- proud of their tutee- bestowed upon him a new name that befits a powerful sorcerer: **Merlin.**

### The Second Scourge (336 B.N.)

With his newfound power, **Merlin** fulfilled his promise to heal **Khilgaraah** and an unusual friendship between a human and a dragon blossomed. Feeling indebted, **Khilgaraah** disclosed that to end the **Black Plague**, **Merlin** must journey to the **Ruins of Albion** where the **Devarium** lies. **Merlin** must acquire the fallen **fragments of** **Devarium** to harness its magic and cure the plague.

**Merlin** told the dragon that it was impossible to reach the ruins, for **King Airgeadlámh** built an impenetrable **Northern** **Wall** that prevented anyone from approaching the **Devarium**. That was not a problem for the dragon **Khilgaraah,** who offered **Merlin** to ride upon his back and together they flew over the wall, making their way towards the **Ruins of** **Albion.** When **Khilgaraah** dropped **Merlin** off, he warned him that no matter what, he must only collect the fallen fragments and not touch the main body of the **Devarium**.

It was as if the **Devarium** sensed their arrival, for it immediately hypnotized **Merlin** by using **Princess** **Ganieda's** voice. Compelled by his dear sister's voice emanating from the giant crystal, **Merlin** approached and made contact with it. In an instant, chaos erupted. A tremendous surge of energy flung **Merlin** away, followed by the rapid spread of a **miasma** from the crystal. The **miasma** tainted **Khilgaraah**, transforming him into a new **Archon** named **Hekate**, thus initiating **The** **Second Scourge**.

**Merlin** feared what he had done. He quickly returned to **Pharynx** using a teleportation spell to sought the mages' help to undo it. The mages told **Merlin** that first he has to break the news to the **Kingdom of Danaan** so that they may prepare themselves.

When the King learned what his son had done, he raged and cursed at **Merlin** before sentencing him to death. Trapped in a prison cell while awaiting death, **Merlin** despaired. At the darkest hour, the **Princess Ganieda**'s guard, **Sir Ryderch**, helped Merlin escape. The Princess herself could not see him as it would risk the King finding out, so she sent her trusted guard to accompany **Merlin** on his mission to undo **The Second Scourge**. **Merlin** made a promise to himself that he will return for her.

### The Merlin Circle (333 B.N.)

**Merlin** and **Ryderch** returned to **Pharynx** and asked the mages to get out of hiding to lend their power to the **Black Warden,** who will be fighting **The Second Scourge**. The mages were hesitant at first, but **Merlin** managed to persuade them. Upon their arrival, The King was prepared to capture and sentence all of them to death, until he heard that **Demiurges** have been sighted near the city.

Led by **Archon Hekate**, **Demiurges** emerged from the **Ruins of Albion**, advancing towards the **Kingdom of Danaan.** They destroyed the **Northern Wall** and swarmed the cities. When the King learned the gravity of the situation, he permitted **Merlin** and the mages to join the battle. The six mages called themselves the **Merlin Circle**, and together with the **Black Warden**, devised a plan to ensnare **Archon Hekate** by using the city walls.

However, to their dismay, the intelligent **Hekate** had anticipated their plan and counterattacked, surrounding them with **Demiurges**. The battle was almost lost until the King revealed that he was in possession of the holy sword **Dana** used to defeat evil, the **Lævateinn.** The King, who had began to see his son in a new light, bestowed the sword to him. With the **Lævateinn**, **Merlin** delivered a fatal blow to **Hekate**, vanquishing the dragon he once called friend.

His friend wasn't the only thing lost in the battle, as **Princess Ganieda** offered herself to seal the **Devarium**. As **Merlin** and **Ganieda** are last elven descendant, they were the only ones who could perform the task. The Princess decided that **Merlin's** life was too valuable and so it should be her. This bittersweet victory marked the end of **The Second Scourge**.

### The Price of a Prophecy (331 B.N.)

In the aftermath, **Merlin** dedicated himself to expanding the **Merlin Circle** to bring back magic to the **Kingdom of Danaan**. He eventually invented the **Lux Crystal**—an alternative to the **Devarium**. This magical crystal allowed humans to harness its power, which finally lead to the end of **the Black Plague.**

Despite his feats, **Merlin** was still unable to shake off the remorse and grief following the deaths of **Princess** **Ganieda** and **Khilgaraah.** When **King Airgeadlámh** passed away, **Merlin** refused to inherit the crown. **Merlin**'s cousin **Gaibhel** ascended to the throne in his place and the people's disappointment was loud and clear. They deemed **Gaibhel,** who could not wield the **Lævateinn**, inferior to **Merlin** and unfit to be King.

On one fateful night, **Merlin** dreamed of two dragons engaged in a fierce battle—a young white dragon pitted against an old red dragon. After a grueling conflict, the white dragon emerged victorious. It then retrieved a sword embedded within its own giant, rocky form. When **Merlin** awoke, he realized that what he saw was a prophetic dream. This prophecy spoke of new people arriving in the land, displacing the old inhabitants. Among those newcomers would be the rightful king who is destined to wield **Lævateinn.**

**Merlin** thought he could share this knowledge with his cousin, but **Gaibhel** had been blinded by his jealousy towards **Merlin**. With his authority as King, he banished **Merlin** and discarded the fabled sword, **Lævateinn**, into a nearby lake, both never to be seen again.

### The Fall of The Kingdom of Danaan (200 B.N. ~ 0)

Without **Merlin** as their leader, the **Merlin Circle** soon lost its way. Unchecked use of magic became rampant and crime rate skyrocketed. This hindered the **Kingdom of Danaan**'s recovery from the aftermath of the **Black Plague** and **The** **Second Scourge.** Due to King **Gaibhel's** inability to control these mages, they became arrogant and believed themselves more fit to lead the nation.

The **Merlin Circle** launched a coup d'état under leadership of a scarlet-eyed warlock named **Morgaine** and they succeeded in overthrowing the monarchy.

However, their victory was short-lived. On one ill-fated day, the lighthouse's siren rang like it never before. Warships bearing an unknown banner were headed to the shore. On those ships were a human tribe called the **Normans.** Bearing arms, they marched towards the kingdom. They were superior in number and their opponent was a divided nation still picking up their pieces after a coup d'état. It was an easy victory for the **Normans**. The **Danaan** armies were decimated and with their lands stolen, the **Kingdom of Danaan** was no more.

The remaining **Danaans** who managed to escape ran towards the **Ruins of Albion**. Word had it that **Morgaine** was one of the escapees, but there are no discoveries of her whereabout. Many tragedies have befallen them, but the **Danaans** were a resilient tribe.

Up north lies the secluded **Kingdom of Caersid.** It is believed that the Kingdom was founded by no other than those **Danaan** escapees themselves.

## The Normans Invasion (1 A.N. ~ 579 A.N)

**Normans.** They were a tribe of men hailing from **Rune Midgard**, a kingdom in another continent far east. They crossed the treacherous **Aegir Sea** to search for new lands. Their warriors were formidable, mounted on sturdy horses and equipped with advanced weaponry. In just one century, the **Normans** have conquered the entire realm of **Albion**.

The **Normans** subdued all of the native populations in Albion, erasing their culture and religion. The **Norman**s worshipped God **Odin**, and so **Faith of Odin** became the new dominant religion in Albion, replacing the **Danaan**. Lastly, the **Normans** created the **Norman Calendar,** resetting the dating system of **Albion**.

However, the **Normans** made certain exception to preserve some of **Danaan**'s existing institutions, one namely the **Black Warden**. Even though they were an army, the **Black Warden** had only one purpose which was to combat **Demiurges**. During the invasion, they declared that they have no intention of fighting humans. The **Normans** were amused by the **Black Warden's** tales about **The Scourge.** They decided to spare them as their small number could not pose a threat even if they wanted to.

### The Age of Twelve Kingdoms (100 A.N.)

With **Norman's banners** overarching at every corner of the continent, the **Norman Invasion** was concluded. Yet the **Normans** were known to be a tenacious and greedy tribe. As soon as they were done fighting against the native tribes, it did not take long before they started fighting among themselves. The power struggle between the **Norman** leaders to claim bigger portion of the land caused a division among the **Normans**.

As there are strength in number, the small groups eventually merged into 12 large groups, each group occupying a land vast enough to become a region. In time, those groups elected their own Kings and nobles ranked based on their heroic achievements during the invasion, thus began the age of 12 kingdoms, namely;

1. **Queendom of Benoic**, led by **Queen Ygraine** of **House Du Lac**
2. **Kingdom of Monsalvat**, led by **King Galeath** of **House Corbenic**
3. **Kingdom of Listenoise**, led by **King Parzival** of **House Pellinore**
4. **Kingdom of Carlisle**, lead by **King Ludwoc** of **House Lothians**
5. **Kingdom of Drumelzier**, led by **King Bedwyr** of **House Bedrydant**
6. **Kingdom of Winchester,** led by **King Ectorius** of **House Dumnonia**
7. **Kingdom of Roxburgh**, led by **King Trystram** of **House De Gannes**
8. **Kingdom of Carhaix**, led by **King Cain** of **House Caius**
9. **Kingdom of Glastonbury**, led by **King Gorlois** of **House Beaumain**
10. **Kingdom of Caerleon**, led by **King Gaheris** of **House Lyones**
11. **Kingdom of Andegavia**, led by **King Cerdic** of **House Gales**
12. **Kingdom of Northland,** led by **King Galleron** of **House Galvariun**

### The Third Scourge (200 A.N.)

After formation of the **Twelve Kingdoms**, there was a period of prosperity. Trade routes thrived and arts flourished. Churches and sacred sites dedicated to God **Odin** dotted the landscapes.

During this age of growth and harmony, echoes from a distant past loomed ominously. **The Normans** have overlooked the **Black Warden's** warnings of the curse that tainted the lands of Albion, so they were ill-prepared when the **Third Scourge** emerged.

The cause of the **Third Scourge** became a subject of speculation and theories among scholars in the present era. One proposed theory suggests that **Danaan** survivors purposely triggered **the Scourge** as a desperate act of defiance against the colonizers. Another theory implicates that the fugitive mages of the **Merlin Circle** tampered with the **Devarium.** However, these theories remained as speculations.

#### Northland, The First to Fall

Under the command of **Archon Ariouth**, a horde of **Demiurges** poured down from the northern mountains, first setting their sights on the nearest human settlement; the **Kingdom of Northland**. **Northland** had suffered from prolonged harsh winters, leaving its people vulnerable. Furthermore, the **Black Wardens,** receiving no financial support from **King Galleron of Northland**, had dwindled in power. The **Normans** never took the **Black Warden** as a serious institution and had used their fortresses as asylums for criminals and impoverished individuals. The **Kingdom of Northland** became the first to fall.

#### The Treacherous Duke of Listenoise

Having breached the **Northland**'s defense, the **Demiurges** began to advance south towards the nearest Kingdoms **Listenoise**. Their tracks were stopped by the last remaining members of the **Black Warden,** but they couldn't hold them off for long. After learning about the situation, **King Parzival of Listenoise** sought assistance from **King Cerdic of Andegavia**.

However, their defense were curbed by the selfish ambitions of one man. **Duke Vortigern** was **Listenoise's** military commander. He was not satisfied with his position and plotted to utilize the disaster to his advantage. The Duke made sure **King Cerdic** did not receive **King Parzival**'s request for help.

When the **Demiurges** arrived, instead of leading his army to defend **Listenoise**, he escaped to **Andegavia** instead. Without an assembled army to defend them, The **Kingdom of Listenoise** was swept. Meanwhile, after arriving in **Andegavia, Duke Vortigern** fed false information to **King Cerdic**, claiming that **King Parzival** was murdered by the **Black Wardens**. **Vortigern** gained the favor of **King Cerdic** and took on the role of the **King's Advisor.**

Under **Vortigern's** influence, **King Cerdic** made the decision to close and strengthen their borders, temporarily protecting **Andegavia** from the **Demiurges** attack.

#### Assassination in Andegavia

**Uther Pendragon** and **Lanze du Lac** were members of the **Black Warden** and the only two survivors of the battle in **Listenoise**. They were rescued by the sudden appearance of a sorcerer who called himself **Merlin.** Having caused the **Second Scourge** himself, **Merlin** felt responsible for the fate of humanity. **Merlin** decided to go out of hiding and vowed to aid the remaining **Black Wardens** in their quest to rid the world of **the Scourge.**

**Uther, Lanze,** and **Merlin** traveled as a party to **Andegavia** to report the treachery of **Duke Vortigern**. Instead they were apprehended and accused of being responsible for the death of **King Parzival** and the downfall of **Listenoise** and **Northland.**

Fortunately, they encountered **Constantine**, **Prince of Andegavia** who was a close friend of **Uther.** With **Constantine's** assistance, they managed to arrange a meeting with the king. However, once again **Duke Vortigern** was one step ahead. The king was assassinated just before their arrival, and the party of four walked right into his trap. **Vortigern** skillfully accused the Prince and his band of assassinating the King. When the band realized all hands were pointing at them, they realized the only option was to flee the kingdom.

#### Monslavat Against The Archon

Exploiting the power vacuum, **Vortigern** rose to the throne and declared the **Black Warden** as **Kingslayers,** and ordered for their capture. The band sought refuge in **Monsalvat** while **Vortigern**'s soldiers relentlessly pursued them. In the meantime, the **Demiurges** had breached **Andegavia**'s borders. Seeing that it was a losing battle, **Vortigern** fled for his own safety, making his way to **Monslavat** where he intended to pull the same trick he did before.

Fortunately, **Uther's** party managed to reach **King Galeath** of **Monsalvat** before **Vortigern** did. **King Galeath** proposed a trial to discover the truthteller between **Uther** and **Vortigern**. The trial was an old tradition that took the form of a duel, with the victor being deemed the rightful truthteller. The devious **Vortigern** drew a poisoned sword and emerged victorious over **Uther.** Before the King, **Vortigern** told lies about **Uther**'s party's unforgivable crimes. **King Galeath** was persuaded to issue a death sentence.

On the day of their execution, chaos erupted in **Monslavat** as the **Archon** **Ariouth** descended upon the land. In the midst of chaos, **Uther**'s party managed to rescue **King Galeath** from certain death and took him to flee **Monsalvat**. Having witnessed their valor, **King Galeath** decided to place his trust on them. Not having a throne to return to, the king joined their cause to spread awareness of the **Scourge** and gather support from the other kingdoms.

#### The First Victory in Roxburgh

**Uther**'s party, now along with **King Galeath**, made haste to the court of **King Trystram** in **Roxburgh** to seek aid to defend the realm from **Demiurges** and hunt down **Vortigern**. Initially hesitant due to his longstanding rivalry with **Galeath**, **King Trystram** decided to set aside his personal grievances upon learning of the destruction of **Monsalvat**. United, they rose up and achieved the first victory for humankind. The horde retreats to the mountains, and after witnessing the fighting capabilities of the **Uther** and his companions, many pledged to fight alongside them.

#### The Banquet in Caerleon

News of the remarkable victory at the **Battle of Roxburgh** spread far and wide across the continent. **King Gaheris of Caerleon** personally extended an invitation to the battle participants to a grand banquet in **Caerleon**. Little do they know that it was a trap carefully orchestrated by none other than **Vortigern** himself. **Uther**, along with the other guests including **King Galeath** and **King** **Trystram**, fell victim to **Vortigern's** poisoning. This betrayal shook them all, as **King Gaheris** was renowned for his honor and wisdom.

It is revealed that **Vortigern** had the true **King Gaheris** exiled and had his twin brother, **Galhavet**, pretend to be **Gaheris**. Just as **Vortigern** was about to execute **Uther**, **Merlin** intervened with his powers, allowing them to escape to the nearby forest. There, they encountered the **Lady of the Forest,** a mystical being with great knowledge and the ability to cure their poisoning. The **Lady** **of the Forest** advised them to seek out **Gaheris**' son as he will aid them in overthrowing **King Galhavet**. The **Lady** **of the Forest** prophesized that their path will lead them to her sister, the **Lady of the Lake**, and when the time comes they could ask for her aid.

Soon, they found **Prince Gaheriel**, who revealed that he seeked revenge against his uncle, **Galhavet.** Together, they arranged an assembly of **Caerleon** nobles to democratically elect **Gaheriel** as the rightful king. This infuriated **Vortigern** and **Galhavet,** and in their final act of desperation they opened the **Caerleon** borders, allowing the **Demiurges** to swarm the city. **Galhavet** himself fell victim, while **Vortigern** fled to the mountains and headed for **Drumelzier.**

At the same time, **King Trystam** had heard that the **Demiurges** had breached **Roxburgh**'s borders as well. **King Trystam** cursed **Uther,** saying he never should have joined his cause and stayed in his Kingdom. With **King Trystam**'s departion, **Uther**'s resolve wavered, if not for **Merlin** who held him together. After renewing their resolve, **Uther** and his remaining companions, now along with **Prince Gaheriel**, pressed on towards **Drumelzier.**

#### Drumelzier in Ruins

Upon their arrival, the **Kingdom of Drumelzier** was already in ruins. **Archon** **Ariouth** had found its way into their cities. **King Bedwyr of Drumelzier**, though grievously wounded and had lost his right arm, had managed to gather survivors and established a resistance. **Uther** explained the situation to the King.

**King Bedwyr** disclosed that he once heard of a **Danaan** myth that legendary sword capable of slaying the Archon and ending the scourge. This fabled sword known as **Lævateinn** was in possession of the **Lady of the Lake**, who resided in the hidden **Kingdom of Benoic**. **Benoic** had remained concealed from the world through a magical barrier cast by its Queen, who was none other than the **Lady of the Lake** herself.

#### The Grateful King of Carhaix

**King Bedwyr** led their path to the **Kingdom of Carhaix** to meet his longtime friend, **King Cain.** Upon arrival, **Carhaix** was in no better situation. The entire land was plagued by illnesses deriving from the **Third Scourge**. **King Cain** had almost died if it wasn't for **Merlin**'s sacrifice. **Merlin** casted a forbidden spell to cleanse the kingdom's illnesses at the expense of his own health. **Merlin** almost lost his life to help **Carhaix**, an act that gained **King** **Cain'**s utmost respect and gratitude.

Without question, **King Cain**- who knew the secret passage to **Benoic**- guided **Uther**'s party to their destination.

#### The Queen of Benoic

At **Benoic**, **Uther** finally gained the audience of the **Lady of the Lake**, who revealed that her name was **Ygraine.** Uther fell in love at first sight with the Queen's ethereal beauty. As the two spent time together, their connection deepened. **Queen Ygraine** revealed a prophecy she had long ago, that **Uther** was destined to wield the **Lævateinn**. She revealed that **Uther**'s bloodline will birth a **True King**. **Queen Ygraine** entrusted the **Lævateinn** to **Uther** so that he may one day pass it on to the **True King.** Sadly, **Uther** must now leave to continue his journey, but his heart stayed at **Benoic. Merlin** had also stayed behind to fully recover from the aftereffects of the forbidden spell.

#### Winchester, The Hero's Hometown

**Uther** received a distressing call from his homeland, the **Kingdom of Winchester.** **Uther's** party arrived to the grim sight of the kingdom surrounded by a horde of **Demiurges**. With the **Lævateinn** in hand, Uther extinguished all the **Demiurges** in his path, securing the second victory for humankind. However, amidst the celebration, **Uther** was confronted with a heart-wrenching news that his beloved adoptive father, **King** **Ectorius of Winchester** himself, has fallen in battle. Overwhelmed by grief, **Uther** was comforted by the presence of his step-brother, **Prince Kyner.** Together they vow to avenge their father.

Using **Prince Kyner's** authority, they summoned an official gathering known as the **Landsmeet,** an ancient **Norman** tradition where highborn individuals come together to address crucial matters. The **Landsmeet** was to be held at the **Kingdom of Carlisle.**

#### The Landsmeet at Carlisle

At **Carlisle,** **Uther** and his companions were warmly welcomed by **King Ludwoc of Carlisle,** who had heard of their valiant efforts against the **Scourge**. At the **Landsmeet**, before the leaders of the twelve kingdoms, **Uther** delivered a charismatic speech that successfully rallied the twelve kingdoms to join forces to defeat **Archon Ariouth**. All was in favor except for the newly appointed **King of Glastonbury, Gorlois**, who demanded that **Queen Ygraine** marry him as a condition for his alliance.

#### A Wedding in Glastonbury

Against what's in her heart, **Ygraine** accepted **Gorlois'** proposal to help **Uther's** cause. Their wedding took place in **Glastonbury,** leaving **Uther** heartbroken. **Uther** abruptly departed to **Benoic** to avoid the festivities and to retrieve **Merlin**.

When **Uther** and **Merlin** returned to **Glastonbury**, a tragedy occurred. **Archon Ariouth** had found its way to **Glastonbury** and demolished the kingdom to ashes with its destructive power. **Uther** found the injured **Ygraine** next to **Gorlois**' cold body. **Ygraine** insisted that she must stay to protect the people of **Glastonbury**. **Uther** was conflicted due to his personal resentment towards **Gorlois**, but he lent his power for **Ygraine**. With the **Lævateinn,** **Uther** managed to corner **Archon Ariouth** into fleeing to the **Lands Between,** an island on the west of **Albion**.

#### Back to Benoic

After successfully repelling the Archon, **Uthe**r now faced a new obstacle in their quest: **Vortigern's** return**. Uther** had believed him to be dead, but **Vortigern** resurfaced and seized control of **Benoic** in their Queen's absence. **Vortigern** was accompanied by a scarlet-eyed warlock named **Morgaine**, who claimed to be the leader of the **Merlin Circle.**

Determined to settle matters once and for all, **Uther**, **Ygraine**, and **Merlin** returned to **Benoic**. Their arrival was greeted by **Morgaine**'s indiscriminate attacks. **Merlin** was astonished by **Morgaine'**s magical power that matched his own. It was only with the help of **Uther** and **Ygraine** that they managed to defeat **Morgaine**. However, before her death, **Morgaine** cursed **Ygraine**, proclaiming that if **Ygraine** ever give birth to a child, their soul will belong to **Morgaine.** The proclamation shook **Ygraine** and **Uther**, but they had a bigger matter in hand.

Without **Morgaine**, **Vortigern** was left powerless against **Uther**. The cowardly man tried to escape by jumping into **Lake Escavalone** and since then, **Vortigern's** body was never found. With his disappearance, **Ygraine** reclaimed her land and **Merlin** regained control of the **Merlin Circle.** The only task remained was the ultimate battle against the **Archon**.

#### The Archon Slayer

Now, their final destination was the **Lands Between. Uther,** followed by his party and his companions from the twelve kingdoms, crossed the sea towards the island. It was devastating battle that tested the full might of humankind versus the **Demiurges**. The Archon killed everything it set its sight to, leaving humanity in despair against such a terrifying creature. The battle was almost lost if it wasn't for **Uther** who risked his life to slay **Archon Ariouth** with the **Lævateinn**. The Archon's carcass petrified, transforming into a colossal dragon-shaped rock that trapped the Lævateinn in it. No matter what **Uther** tried, he could not pull the sword out of the carcass.

### An Empire Led By A Hero (220 A.N.)

The twelve kingdoms witnessed **Uther**'s heroic deeds. Words began to spread about **Uther**'s selfless journey to save the realm from the **Scourge**. Soon, the entire **Albion** recognized **Uther** as their one true leader. The twelve kingdoms united and pledged their loyalty to him, crowning **Uther** as their Emperor. **Uther** named his realm the **Gautland Empire**.

#### In The Aftermath

When the dust settled, **Emperor Uther Pendragon** wed his beloved **Ygraine**. Their true love was celebrated by the entire realm. However, their blissful days ended as soon as **Ygraine** gave birth to a daughter with scarlet eyes resembling **Morgaine** the Warlock. Despite his best effort, **Uther** could not rid himself of his worries. Without **Ygraine**'s approval, **Uther** had **Merlin** take the child to experiment the removal of the curse. Following the taking of **Ygraine**'s daughter, **Merlin** once again disappeared without a trace.

This decision enraged **Ygraine**, straining their relationship. **Ygraine** eventually returned to **Benoic** to mourn the disappearance of her daughter in solitary. Consumed by grief, **Ygraine** passed away at a young age. Devastated by sorrow and regret, **Uther** could not bear to remarry. In his twilight years, **Uther**, whose only direct heir was his missing daughter, had no choice but to fool the realm. Only a select few within the royal council knew of the fact that **Uther** had his nephew pretend to be his son and crowned him as the next Emperor, as **Uther Pendragon II.**

In the end, **Uther** passed away without ever finding out what happened to **Merlin** and his daughter. Under a different reign, the palace eventually stopped searching for them. Their whereabouts are unknown until the present day.

## The Present Time (580 A.N. ~)

360 years have passed since the **First Emperor**'s death. The world has evolved significantly since then. The **Gautland Empire** of today is under the reign of **Uther**'s 4th successor, **Emperor Uther Pendragon IV.**

Three generations has lived free from the terrors of **The Scourge**. Many in today's generation live carefree lives, only thinking of **The Scourge** as a myth told to scare ill-behaved children. Until one year ago, the Palace received a letter from the **Black Warden** fortress in the **Northern Walls**. The **Black Warden** reported sightings of **Demiurges** beyond the wall. The Palace deployed their scouts to join the **Black Warden** on their patrol beyond the wall, but they did not find any signs of **Demiurges**. This happened several times until the Palace stopped entertaining the **Black Warden**'s request for backup.

Despite mockery, the **Black Warden** did not stop warning the people of the danger to come. The royal court, followed by the masses, disavowed the **Black Warden**, proclaiming their existence is purposeless. The **Black Warden** was soon stripped of their budget and they had to send home a great portion of their members. Consequently, **Gautland** became ill-prepared when suddenly a horde of **Demiurges** breached the **Northern Walls**.

Suddenly, all **Gautlandians** are reminded of their history. Fearing that the **Fourth Scourge** is coming, the Emperor must gather enough fighting power to prevent nations-wide collapse like what happened 380 years ago. Without the **Black Warden** at full capacity, **Northland** was fighting a losing battle. If the **Scourge** is truly as terrifying as the textbooks said, sending in more troops to **Northland** would only result in an increased death toll.

The Empire could not risk to lose more of its military power, not if it wants to maintain its position as the strongest nation in the realm. The Royal Council must construct an elaborate scheme to receive outside help. A few days later, a Priority Quest was posted in **The Union's Questboard**.

**Emperor Uther Pendragon IV** has put forth a good sum in coin to **The Union**; a non-governmental organization acting as an Adventurer's Guild with the purpose of protecting civilians wherever its numerous and continent-spanning branches reach. **The Union** has a long-standing policy of non-involvement when it comes to a nation's political matter, so the Adventurers will just come and go. They will not ask questions as long as they get paid. The Royal Council concluded that they will make the perfect help.

Thus, the **Call for Adventurers** was posted in **The Union's Headquarters** across the realm, inviting unsuspecting **Adventurers** from all over the world to **Gautland**.