Hello people and welcome to my first story 'A Broken Kingdom'. I just want to say that this is my first story and I would appreciate some constructive feedback since I think I have a lot to improve. Also, I do not own intellectual rights to Final Fantasy Tactics Advance or any of the characters or locations appearing in the game.

Prologue

The first two months nobody noticed anything. It was normal for the Royal family to completely seclude themselves at random times; especially since Prince Mewt was born it happened more regularly. But soon after the second month was over people noticed something was not normal. At first it were the usual rumours here and there and that either the Queen or the Judgemaster would return soon and then it couldn't be long until Prince Mewt would be in Bervenia. Another month passed and the only news from the Palace was that "the Royal family was on a longer vacation in an undisclosed location", issued by the leader of the Prince's personal guard Babus Swain. Another unusual thing was that Clan Nutsy has not been seen during these three months which was unsual for a Clan that active. Gossip about the disbandment of the Clan had already started and some people even thought that they had been captured or even died although many experienced Clanners questioned the credibility of these rumours. A Clan like Clan Nutsy, so experienced and calculated, would at least have sent a messenger to warn other Clans or travellers of any dangers. Clans Ritz and Doned, although still around, have reportedly lost their leaders. Shara tried to play it down and said that Ritz had left camp in the middle of the night without any notice though slowly but surely less and less people believed her.

Fast forward again by two months and the first extraordinary things started to happen… by not happening. The Palace didn't give any information on the Royal family and when they would return, Clan Nutsy still hasn't been seen, the same with Doned and when Shara was asked about her leader or she was about to mention her the words got caught in her throat and she turned her eyes to the sky.

In the meantime some rogue Clans started to use the power vacuum to their advantage and raided caravans and villages without consequences. Judges could still be called to watch over engagements but the laws were a lot less strict and therefore the judge was more of a formality so no one would die in the fight. The first nobles were beginning to stir as well, seeing the opportunity to seize the throne for themselves should the Queen not return soon.

Half a year had now passed and there was still no word, no sign of life from the Royals, Marche, Ritz or Doned. Babus tried to keep everything under control as the temporary regent with his gathered council but as it is with patches in politics, they weren't thought for the long haul and the return of Queen Remedi still expected.

Through all the tumultuous times there was one winner though. Ezel Berbier. The self-proclaimed genius' business with law cards was booming, the Palace pardoned him, Babus called him onto his council and with the judges he got a new lucrative client who orders cards in masses. He didn't have to hide anymore so he moved his shop to the merchant's street of Cadoan. The business man Ezel liked the development but the council man and even the person Ezel were worried about the development.

Shara, now official leader of Clan Ritz, has banded together with Clan Doned to search for their respective leaders and Clan Nutsy in the hopes of gaining some sort of stability by that. But nothing they would have found could have stopped what had already been set in motion.

The first nobles had begun to deny Palace orders, some even didn't pay their taxes and assembled armies of volunteers and rogue Clans. Some rogue Clans, including the Yellow Powerz, were acting in their own interests. Gain land and power, control trade routes and important roads and most importantly self-sustainable but easily defendable positions.

But even in these situations there were beacons of hope. The big cities all over the kingdom became safe havens for refugees, merchants and head hunters from everywhere. The cities were not prepared for the masses though and therefore slums developed in the cities. The city of Cadoan had no problem keeping the slums clean with their magic, the Viera of Muscadet tried to share houses with as many newcomers as possible which was hard for everyone. Baguba Port had no problem either. The bustling wet dream of merchants and airship crews had enough money to build new houses for the refugees in record time.

Cyril and Sprohm though were a bit different. In Cyril the people tried to help as much as they could but when the first Seeq came to the city there were people, mostly humans of course, who demanded that the number of new refugees per month will be regulated. These people feared that the refugees would take their money and jobs. The city of the Bangaa didn't trust the refugees from the start and after a few confrontations between city folk and refugees the slums received a curfew and was heavily guarded. Sprohm was actually seeing a decline in slum population as a few brave ones tried to get to the other cities.

And so things went on for another three months. The country seemed more or less stable despite the unintended decentralisation and rogue nobles. That was until one fateful night.

A noble from south of the city had arranged quite the formidable army and was now trying to take the city. It was an easy decision for the council to defend the city and build up an army of volunteers. Surprisingly many of the refugees wanted to help in holding the city. They made bedrolls, gathered food and water, some even joined in the cities army. After a few days the noble's army lost morale and he had to make a decision. The following attack was bloody but short and unsuccessful. Not a single attacker set foot on the walls of the mountain city and their leader was killed by a trained arrow into the neck. Sprohm was saved… but something bigger had been set in motion.

Over the next few months nobles, Clans, bandits and even the Palace were squirmishing over control of roads, plains, woods, mountains, deserts and even cities. The biggest cities (Bervenia, Cyril, Cadoan, Baguba Port, Sprohm, Muscadet) were treated as independent political entities under Palace protection. Babus expanded his council to have representatives from the cities at hand, Ezel left the council and decided not to expand his business to somewhat slow the chaos that was undoubtedly going to follow. Clans Ritz and Doned have not found a single trace of Clan Nutsy or any of their members and were walking towards Bervenia for a meeting with Babus and there was still nothing new from the Royal family. Whether the Kingdom of Ivalice can be restored or it finally shatters into a tumultuous divided piece of land, this is the time during which heroes and legends are formed.