Story #1: The Shackled Shadow
This story takes place seven hundred years before the start of Shadow Rider.
Zar'roc Alastor Zicronium is a slave to Dorothea SaDemoni the High Priestess of Lengi. Bound to her by the Shackles of Obedience and something else he is her personal assassin. He was trained in the dark arts of poisons, deadly, magic and weapons by none other Tal the Black who is said to be the best Wetboy in all of Alagaësia. Due to an accident over two decades ago he has no memory of the first part of his life with the exception of one person. He has been told that he like his half brother Daemon Sadi that he is the bastard child of Hepsabah Dorothea's sister and an unknown outland noble. When word reaches Dorothea of that of threats in the north she sends Zar'roc to investigate and deal with it. Plots, murders, and decades old lies come to light as he enters the Sa'kagé and becomes a player in a game of gods and devils that could become a war cataclysmic proportions.
Territories
Lengi
Lengi is a large territory located in the mid west of Alagaësia. The territory and its capital Draga are home to the Lengani who are one of the long lived Blood races. The territory is home to several of the world's largest and most thriving cities however beyond them most of the territory lives and poverty. For centuries the territory has been ruled by a High Priestess the current being Dorothea SaDemoni who wears a Black Jewel and is known for her cruelty. Over the years Dorothea has purged the territory of all the stronger Blood focusing on the Queens and Warlord Princes. This has left only the weak and corrupted to serve as the rulers of the various parts of the territory. Lengi has expanded in the past centuries along Dorothea's greed as she seeks to rule the entire realm and marshal an army strong enough to oppose and take control of the Dragon Riders.
Pruul
Pruul is a hot dusty dry shell of a land where everything remains low to the ground. It is located in the southern Hadarac desert safe from the watchful eyes of the Riders. Both Blood and non Blood live in this territory and though rich in gold its people have lost the spirit they once had. Its Queen Zuultah is one of the corrupted Queens in service to Dorothea. The most notable thing about Pruul is that it is the home of the salt mines where disobedient slaves are sent as a punishment that is more like a drawn out execution.
Alitaer
Alitaer is a small filthy crime infested territory located in north Alagaësia and holds the lands in and around Palancar Valley. Though many Blood live there the territory is not Blood ruled. The territory has been concurred dozens of times over the centuries and because of this has no specific style or traditions of its own. Currently no one holds the territory. The current ruler is King Egon Gunder the Ninth who is greedy, self centered, and childish. However though the king sits on the throne Alitaer has little to no political or military power. The true power belongs to the large criminal organization known as the Sa'kagé. Though there are multiple Sa'kagés the Alitaer Sa'kagé has been regarded as the most powerful for more than a hundred years.
Khalidor
A large but narrow territory far to the north deep in the snowy peaks of the Spine and the northern islands. No Blood live here because they have long been persecuted by the Ursuuls who are the Godkings that rule it and there mages known as Meisters. Khalidorans worship the goddess Khali who feeds of cruelty and pain as well as the life force of her worshipers. In exchange she grants the Meisters use of the Vir making them stronger then the mages of other territories. Khalidorans revel in torture, pain and humiliation. Even though they aren't Blood Khalidor has enough power to rival even Lengi.
Vroengard
Vroengard is the mysterious island home of the Dragon Riders. Deemed neutral territory by both Blood and non Blood it is often the sight of delegations between territories. Though each territory is sovereign is within the power of the Riders to interfere in their dealings to protect the realm.
The first chapter will be out soon.
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