| The Historian's Perspective | Herold's Story

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Fortunes of the Past

Many years ago, a magnificent kingdom known as Etopia dominated the lands of Wyn. This kingdom united the people of the world under the four ruling heritages, all of which served under the ancient protocols of justice. These protocols were forged by the leaders of that time, and declared the two fundamental rights of each heritage. Which were:

* The supreme right of each heritage to own and control territory.

* The supreme right of each heritage to rule over their people and their land.


In addition to these two declarations of justice, the protocols also included six fundamental agreements.

* To never wage war within the kingdom.

* To always unite in the fight against external threats.

* That every person within the kingdom must follow the laws of their land and their heritage.

* That in the case of violation against the protocols, only the kingdom court has the right to judge. (Comprised of the elected candidates of each heritage)

* The kingdom shall never stand in favor for anything other than the kingdom itself.

* Within the kingdom every person is seen equal, its laws does not extend nor restrict.

And so the world was divided into four territories, one for each of the lineages, together forming the magnificent kingdom Etopia. The kingdom stretched out in every direction, securing trade routs and raising armies. Outlaws were intimidated by its might, and could no longer roam freely across the world. A new era lay at hands, and prosperity like never seen before had arrived to the realm of Wyn.

On the eastern coast, beneath the great mountain region of the north, a city took shape. It was built around a large hill. This wasn't just any hill, it was so large that the slope of it reached all the way to the river, more than a mile away. In the scope between river and the hill, a marvelous valley was formed, providing rich soil and abundant wildlife.

Forrest was cut down, dirt was dug up, rocks were moved – all piled towards the cliff region north of the hill. Slowly the land was transformed, and as the ground was hauled up and dispersed, the hill increased in size. Soon enough it had reached the heights of the northern cliffs – like a giant ramp, made out of rocks, dirt, decomposed lumber, and debris of every kind.

It was built steep, with winding brick roads laid all the way to the top. On the higher altitudes, only the nobilities could afford to own property, making the top of the hill a haven for the wealthy. They lived in abundance, safely surrounded by the walls of the cathedral which decorated the hill, with its tall white structures and guards patrolling the roads.

There were vineyards stretching along the slopes, and the hill provided overview over both the city to the west and to the south, and also over the cliffy coast to the east. The hill was so immense that when you stood on the highest wall of the chapel and looked out over the valley and the city, it looked like a giant patchwork, getting sparser in the distance, with the yellow fields of the farms at the very horizon.

This became the home of the wealthiest, the center of trade, and the largest city of the kingdom, known as Aleria.