The Empire of the Rose once stretched to the four corners of the world but strife within and without its borders have, over the centuries bought it to its knees. It now exists as a loose federation of independent member states, many of whom have chosen to settle old scores or pursue their own bloody agendas.
With the Caroledes Schism of 416, the church, which once united the empire was forever sundered and in its wake many once-pious men are turning to the grim gods of old.
The Riftlands a once wealthy imperial province stretching for a thousand miles, is now shattered. 20 or more balkanised states vie for the remains of their fading glory; war is rife.
Just east of the Galean Rift (a still prosperous inland sea) lies a trio of kingdoms that have recently settled into an uneasy peace: Guildor, the greatest of the three seeks to distance itself from local conflict and expand its borders to the unruly south; Malador a large and potentially powerful nation crippled by bitter internal politics and Esvidenia, a tiny kingdom surrounded by towering jagged peaks and the deepest forests… Here is where we begin.
ER - Empire of the Rose
AC - After the Caroledes Schism
King Leon Togsvig IV: 12 months ago the king was poisoned during the Feast of St Justine. Although he was not murdered, he was forced to retreat to his sick bed from which he is yet to emerge. For two months Queen Eleanor Togsvig ruled in the king’s stead but an intrigue at court lead to a suggestion that she had some Maladorian blood in her veins - as Esvidenia and Malador were still at war at that time, a regent was sort.
Leon and Eleanor have a son of age - Ruprect (early twenties) but is thought by many to be a simpleton (certainly he is a recluse, in fact he is a magic-user, a secret that none of the royal family will wish to reveal) and was overlooked. Instead Oraldo Maskar (the then governor of Songarten) was installed. Maskar is a weak man who has fallen prey to the machinations of various court politickers.
Queen Eleanor Togsvig: although the war was ‘won’ over 6 months ago, with chances of renewed conflict looking more and more unlikely, the queen is still practically under house arrest at the families country retreat 12 miles north of Milensk (where she tends to her husband).
Ruprect Togsvig: heir to the throne, closet wizard and considered by some to be backward and by others to be the architect of the assassination attempt that nearly saw him crowned King of Esvidenia.
Oraldo Maskar: the regent. A gruff burly general in his early forties, Oraldo is good out shouting and beating his fist on the table but the bluster disguises the heart of a coward. Maskar fought alongside the king in the Harkin Dispute: he witnessed terrible things in those dark southlands that cracked his soul and left him a paranoid emotional wreck. He is desperate for advice and will listen eagerly to any man who can talk with authority.
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