Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.
The continent is made up of four kingdoms. First of these is the Mushroom Kingdom, the domain of Princess Peach. The second is Sarasaland, east of the Mushroom Kingdom, domain of Princess Daisy. Subcon is ruled by Wart, a lecherous amphibian who leads a life of debauchery. The fourth is known only as the Northern Domain, but if its leader has his way, his domain will be the continent.
SUPER MARIO BROS.
Chapter 1 Prologue: The Mushroom Kingdom
The Mushroom Kingdom has been described by its residents as a paradise. Because the four kingdoms keep to themselves, the beauty of the Mushroom Kingdom is not known to the other kingdoms. Fire flowers dominate the hillsides, creating a dazzling display of red and green that is not easily rivaled. Shimmering lakes caress fertile shores, cherry blossom petals floating ever so gently down to the mirror surface of the water. The most striking creation was not that of God, but of man. Princess Peach's castle protruded from the tallest hilltop, dominating the Mushroom Kingdom's skyline. Limestone walls are complimented with conical sandstone spires in an asymmetrical design that never ceases to be visually spectacular.
The countryside is the residence of most of the Eukaryots. Eukaryots are the indigenous people of the Mushroom Kingdom. They are so named for their large, round heads and their short, stocky necks that give them a vaguely mushroom-like appearance. Other features include olive-tinted skin and deep yellow eyes. So great is Eukaryot pride that they sometimes wear headgear that causes their heads to look more like mushrooms.
The hierarchy of Eukaryots are indicated (though not determined) by their headgear. The larger the headgear, the higher up they are. Most Eukaryots are peasants, who wear no or minimal headgear. This is because of the feudal system put in place in the absence of the King. The next level up is a guard of the castle, which provides basic housing and meals. These Eukaryots have white helmets, colored with large red splotches, which are painted with the blood of fallen attackers of the castle. Their garb is white with a plain blue sash. Next are the guards of the Court of the Spectral Garden. This elite force is a tightly knit group of eight that keep watch over a special garden of various mushrooms and other plants that are said to contain magical powers, which are released when touched. There are always four watching the garden at all times; those who are not on duty lead a debaucherous double life of drinking and partying. They wear plain white helmets and shimmering blue robes.
The highest Eukaryot is a lithe fellow called Toad. His lofty helm has red splotches on it, but not like those of the castle guard. These are meticulously painted circles, which has clean edges, unlike those of the castle guard, which has drippy edges caused by the thin blood. It should be noted that the function of this headgear is more like that of a crown than a helmet. His cobalt vest is adorned with designs made with intertwined threads of gold and silver. He is the Princess' chief architect and personal assistant, and he designed the castle. One thing he had to keep in mind while designing it was that he had to put large, abundant courtyards, as that was the most of the outside Kingdom that Peach was ever going to see. In the King's absence, Peach is not allowed outside the castle walls. Her days are monotonous and boring, seeing as she has no real duties (the Princess is a figurehead, meant to distract the other kingdoms from the political turmoil within the Kingdom). When she is lucky, she can talk to Mario when he works in the gardens.
No one knows exactly how Mario stumbled across the four kingdoms. Mushroom Kingdom folklore says that he and his brother were plumbers that fell down a pipe, and ended up in the plains. Whatever the case may be, Mario and his brother Luigi are in separate kingdoms, Mario in the Mushroom Kingdom, and Luigi in Sarasaland. Luigi is a mechanic in Sarasaland, as well as the steady girlfriend of Princess Daisy. His coronation is imminent. Mario, on the other hand, has little romantic interest in Peach, which draws worry from the peasants. Since Mario is the only other human in the Mushroom Kingdom, he is the only one who can marry Peach and reign over the Kingdom.
Our story begins here, in the Mushroom Kingdom...