Prologue
Since the defeat of the Goddess Ashera by the chosen ones a year ago, Tellius has regained a sense of normalcy. All of the nations affected by the war struggle to rebuild their lands. The people of Tellius all realize how close they came to destruction at the hands of their enraged goddess, and pledge themselves to a new era of peace. While they know now that the peace cannot last forever, they will do whatever they can to keep the peace lasting as long as possible. All of the countries have new, young leaders that will remember Ashera and the cost of war for a long period of time.
Crimea's young queen, Elincia, continues her kind and benevolent rule of her subjects, aiding the southern country in its reconstruction since the march of Begnion's central army through her lands. She married her long time friend and knight Geoffrey shortly after the fall of Ashera, and will soon grace the kingdom with an heir. Gallia prospers under the rule of Skrimir and his advisor Ranulf. The people are saddened by the heavy loss of soldiers during the war with Begnion, but do what they can to move past the pain o their loss, and help with the reconstruction of the neighboring countries, like they did after the Mad King's War.
The Dragon tribe of Goldoa took murderous losses in the Tower of Guidance, including the death of the country's first King, Deghinsea. Deghinsea's younger son Kurthnaga took the throne after his father, and did what he could to open Goldoa to outsiders for the first time in its history.
The surviving Hawks, Ravens, and Herons, formed a single Bird tribe nation. The Ravens in particular felt a great need to help those whom they had harmed in both of the recent wars. Tibarn became the first King of the Unified Bird Tribe Nation. Naesala married Leanne and established a home among the trees in the central part of the Serenes Forest.
Begnion slowly settled down under the rule of now Empress Sanaki. The revelation of Sanaki's true birth came as a blow to the devout people of Begnion, as did the betrayal by the Senators, their supposed representatives in the government. However, remembering the former Apostles just actions of the past, most of the people of Begnion had only to struggle with a lack of self identity, and the devastation visited upon their lands by war.
Daein continued its interrupted reconstruction period with renewed vigor under the guidance of their new Queen, their much beloved Priestess of Dawn. With the fall of Ashera, many Daeins came to see her (to her chagrin) as a second, much greater Goddess. This was only accentuated by her continual youthful appearance, which came as a result of being Branded. She married her lover Sothe the morning after the defeat of Ashera, and he continues to aid her in helping the people of Daein.
While none can say that peace is a bad thing, it does have a side effect of putting mercenaries out of business. Without any threats from neighboring countries, nations can focus on removing brigands and pirates. Losing their income, some mercenaries turn to brigandage themselves, or more commonly, become absorbed by the local military forces. Others simply abandon fighting, and become common workers.
Needless to say, the Greil Mercenaries, under Commander Ike, the twice Hero of Tellius, didn't succumb or disband. Their love of each other, combat, and the common people prevented any separation. However, their dwindling coffers demanded gold, and with that in mind, Ike decided to set out in search of new lands, where the land had not fallen victim to an epidemic of peace.