The continent of Hallenae, year 633 A.B. The land is plagued by a blackened sky. Over six-hundred years ago, the sun—its source of warmth, light and life—suddenly winked out, never to be seen again. The darkened world fell to panic, strife and chaos for 328 black days.

In the face of an eternal night, the alchemist mages of the Koertz Empire erected the Splendent, a radiant tower of light that now illuminates all of Hallenae during the traditional daylight hours. In homage to this miracle, the surrounding kingdoms each paid tribute and swore loyalty to the Empire so that they would never again be forced to face a cold darkness without reprieve.

Residing over the Koertz Empire is Emperor Fosclaut, the fifth of his name. He rules Koertz with a thirsty vigor and eye for expansion.

To the south lies the Republic of Rymin, overseen by its senate and the wise and temperate Prime Minister Isaiah. Its ports, with fleets of merchant vessels, dominate the surrounding seas.

To the west lies the Kingdom of Dalrson, ruled by the venerable king Poaman. It's landscape is rugged, covered by both vast valleys and rocky peaks.

Further west, along the Diamond Sea, are the Trucan Islands, a populated archipelago. On the year 547 A.B, Isle Massive—once held by the Koertz Empire—fell to slave revolt, lead by General Xserin, then elected ruling Commandant. His grandson, Vran, now rules with pride.

The eight lesser islands of Trucan remain under direct control of the Empire. They are overseen by Viceroy Jakkes and Koertz forces commanded by the gelid General Iri.

In the Kingdom of Dalrson, King Poaman has fallen ill to a madness. As his father's health worsens, his eldest son, Prince Antonio, prepares to assume his duties. Yet there is a clandestine treachery brewing inside the walls of Dalrson Keep…

###

Prologue: Blood of Kin

• • • • •

Dalrson Keep – in Eretou, the capital city

[In Antonio's chambers.]

Asyrm: Prince Antonio, the day has arrived.

Antonio: Asyrm…

Asyrm: I bear the news with a heavy heart, Your Highness. I had hoped that, by now, the king's condition would have improved…

Antonio: But it has not. So I must accept my duty, in accordance with his will. Will there be an official coronation?

Asyrm: It has yet to be decided. Regarding that, perhaps you should consult your mother, the queen, as well as Prince Aerik.

Antonio: I see. Yes, that would be wise.

Asyrm: The queen will not leave his majesty's side, however… Prince Aerik wishes to see you. He waits in the throne room.

Antonio: The throne room? Very well.

[In the throne room. Aerik's sprite sits upon the throne, guarded by two enemy units, a Hero and a Berserker. Condote's friendly sprite.]

Aeirk: Ah, Antonio. I hope you slept well.

Antonio: Brother, what is the meaning of this? Who are these men? And that you sit upon the throne, now…

Aeirk: Haven't you heard? Father has yielded the throne, and I mean to take it.

Antonio: By what right? I am your elder brother, the rightful heir apparent.

Aerik: You are—so long as I let you live. Gerald!

Gerald: Aye.

[Gerald, the Berserker, steps forward to attack Antonio, but he is stopped by Condote. The two fight. Condote is injured.]

Antonio: General Condote…!

Condote: Run, my prince! Escape!

[Antonio runs, leaving the throne room. Outside, he encounters Asyrm.]

Asyrm: Your Highness, the castle is overrun with foreign men.

Antonio: They are under my brother's employ, and they mean to kill me.

Asyrm: Then we must leave this place. With me, my prince. I shall carve us a path.

###

Some leagues outside of Eretou

James: To think that we, royal knights, would be forced to flee Dalrson Keep, chased out by a pack of honorless Ryminian sellswords.

Kurt: It is… dispiriting. How many of the guard survived?

James: Would that I knew. I had no time to count the bodies.

Asyrm: That's enough. The true heir of Dalrson still lives. Prince Aerik's treachery will not go unanswered.

Antonio: Thank you, General, but it will until we've enough swords to take back the Keep.

Asyrm: As you say, your highness.

Antonio: Yes, however, I do mean to get them. But where first should we look?

Kurt: Hmm. General, have we any men in the field?

Asyrm: One small force, if memory serves. They were sent east to drive off a small company of brigands.

James: I remember. Weren't they to call upon Fort Gigan, as well? One of Rymin's petty lords had been giving the border guard some trouble.

Antonio: We head east, then. When we reach the border, perhaps we can petition aid from Rymin.

James: Aid from Rymin? It was Ryminian hired blades who spilled blood in our halls! Your Highness, they butchered our friends and comrades!

Antonio: Hired blades. Not all of Rymin must support my brother's work. Lord Jardan has been my father's close friend and confidant for many years. He commands his own legion of mercenaries and holds much influence in the senate.

James: Be that as it may—

Asyrm: Your impudence can wait, James. We are under attack.

Kurt: Have Prince Aerik's men caught up with us?

Antonio: No. Not unless my brother has also thrown his lot in with the local brigands.

James: Bandits, so close to the capital? Unbelievable. They must have smelled the blood.

Kurt: Do we run?

James: From this untrained rabble? I'd sooner keep my manhood.

Asyrm: It seems they've given us little choice.

Antonio: Stand strong. They're coming!

• • • • •

1st Player Turn

Asyrm: Prince Antonio, do you mean to fight?

Antonio: I do.

Asyrm: Stay close to me, then. The true ruler of Dalrson must be restored. I will not see you fall here.

###

1st Enemy Turn

Brigand: Har! That boy's dressed pretty enough, wouldn't ya' say, boss?

Veelta: That he is. He'll be worth a few pounds a' gold, no bones about it.

Brigand: I'll get 'im, boss.

Veelta: See that ya' do. And kill the rest! We wouldn't want any of 'em crawling back to Eretou, tellin' tales a' who took their little lord.

###

[Antonio, fighting Veelta.]

Veelta: Ya' gonna try to beat me brains in with that little book o' yours, boy?

Antonio: Is that what you'd prefer? The words inside are far more odious. They could burn the flesh from your bones, for instance.

Veelta: Wah…? You're a mage?

###

[Fighting Veelta.]

Veelta: Royal Knights of Dalrson… w-wait, then that boy is…

###

[Veelta dies.]

Veelta: Aaugh… sorry, lads… picked the wrong fight… this time…

[The battle ends.]

• • • • •

Antonio: We've won. That's the last of them.

James: That was your first taste of real battle, wasn't it, Prince Antonio?

Antonio: It was.

Asyrm: How do you feel?

Antonio: …Fine. It was… similar to what I expected.

Asyrm: Good. You're uninjured?

Antonio: I am. Once we've had time to catch breaths, let's press on to the border.