Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have sat us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin
But met in infantry,
And staring face to face,
I swiped at him as he at me,
And killed him in his place.
I stabbed him dead because
Because he was my foe,
Just so, my foe of course he was,
That's clear enough, although
He thought he'd 'list, perhaps,
Off-hand like, just as I
Was out of work, had sold his traps
No other reason why.
Yes, quaint and curious war is
You cut a fellow down
You'd treat, if met where any bar is,
Or help to half a crown.
Before Gorgen Magnar sailed his army to the continent a thousand years ago, Magnaria was called "Kokuchembasha" by the short, cave-dwelling natives that called it home. It meant "Dirt Which is Precious" in their harsh tongue, which he would only discover as an old man after entirely subjugating their precious dirt and appointing scholars to translating their stone tablets and cave-paintings. Since Magnaria has been Magnaria, even for the hundred-odd years when the imperial line had nary a throne or castle to put it in, the people of Magnaria have followed the line of Gorgen. First Gorgen Magnar, then Arvall Gorgen, then Arvall's son Kentam Gorgen, and then Kentam's son Otho Gorgen, and so on for a thousand years.
Wars have been fought between the countries of Magnaria, but the line of the House of Gorgen has never been so much as questioned successfully. The imperial army has always dwarfed the combined forces of other countries. The Gorgen Dynasty has produced unfailingly wise and benevolent emperors, or at least emperors wise enough to appoint wiser councilmen. The times Magnaria has seen invaders, it was always an Emperor Gorgen who lead the fleet of ships to the defense of his lands, and within each of the historical tomes, it is clear to see that the Gorgens have been responsible for nearly every major technological achievement. The unquestionable rulership of House Gorgen has been the backbone of Magnaria since its inception and until today, the first day of our story.
At first, the Gods showed their displeasure with a deep subterranean rumbling. The Earth shifted, tearing apart houses and roads as if the foundation they stood on had been replaced by water. For a terrible few minutes, the very ground was torn in twain, collapsing mountains, villages, and most notably, the imperial castle. Every last Gorgen, from Emperor Taggart to his farthest cousin, soon found themselves crushed beneath the tremendous walls and towers that had kept them safe for sixty generations of sons.
Chaos has stricken the quiet continent like a plague. In some lands, chaos is is seen in the temples overflowing with panicked devout seeking answers. In others, it is seen in the blue-faced, swaying remains of lords and their families, ripped from their bedchambers and hung in the street by peasantry assured that law and order have left Magnaria. Now, chaos has forced kings to send reinforcements to ransacked storehouses, their swords to quell rebellions, or align troops against those who doubt their right to rule. But only days have passed since the fall of the imperial castle, and an unease malingers in the air. For the first time, Magnaria has no Emperor. The soldiers of the imperial army cannot report to their commander, because their commanders are all gone, along with their storehouses of armor and weaponry. In a few moments, all that the imperial line worked to accomplish was swallowed up by the dirt. Now, all that remains are five kings following a system of laws set up to give fealty to an emperor that is not there. In chaos, laws can only be followed for so long.
Wars have been fought between the countries of Magnaria, but the line of the House of Gorgen has never been so much as questioned successfully. The imperial army has always dwarfed the combined forces of other countries. The Gorgen Dynasty has produced unfailingly wise and benevolent emperors, or at least emperors wise enough to appoint wiser councilmen. The times Magnaria has seen invaders, it was always an Emperor Gorgen who lead the fleet of ships to the defense of his lands, and within each of the historical tomes, it is clear to see that the Gorgens have been responsible for nearly every major technological achievement. The unquestionable rulership of House Gorgen has been the backbone of Magnaria since its inception and until today, the first day of our story.
At first, the Gods showed their displeasure with a deep subterranean rumbling. The Earth shifted, tearing apart houses and roads as if the foundation they stood on had been replaced by water. For a terrible few minutes, the very ground was torn in twain, collapsing mountains, villages, and most notably, the imperial castle. Every last Gorgen, from Emperor Taggart to his farthest cousin, soon found themselves crushed beneath the tremendous walls and towers that had kept them safe for sixty generations of sons.
Chaos has stricken the quiet continent like a plague. In some lands, chaos is is seen in the temples overflowing with panicked devout seeking answers. In others, it is seen in the blue-faced, swaying remains of lords and their families, ripped from their bedchambers and hung in the street by peasantry assured that law and order have left Magnaria. Now, chaos has forced kings to send reinforcements to ransacked storehouses, their swords to quell rebellions, or align troops against those who doubt their right to rule. But only days have passed since the fall of the imperial castle, and an unease malingers in the air. For the first time, Magnaria has no Emperor. The soldiers of the imperial army cannot report to their commander, because their commanders are all gone, along with their storehouses of armor and weaponry. In a few moments, all that the imperial line worked to accomplish was swallowed up by the dirt. Now, all that remains are five kings following a system of laws set up to give fealty to an emperor that is not there. In chaos, laws can only be followed for so long.
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