Broken Empires

The realm of Eisen has been wracked with wars for many generations. Far to the icy north is the warmonger empire of H'Ral. To the industrial east lies the empire of Isordan. Generations upon generations have passed, and all other countries of Eisen have pledged allegiance to either H'Ral or Isordan.

The tyrant Aran rules H'Ral, who is also called the Great Dragon, attributed to his fierce adherence to martial prowess and unsatiable expansionism. His solitary heir, Marik, the Red Dragon, follows the ideals set upon by his father. Strength in resources, arms and industry as well as absolute loyalty and patriotism are what drives the H'ralial engine.

The Priest King Isorde rules Isordan, under the benevolent guidance of the goddess Aya. Isorde believes that Aran's existence is detrimental to the spiritual growth and safety of all folk of Eisen. Isorde has six sons (Ehron, Friedrich, Zohen, Hels, Yarin and Morin) and one daughter (Francine). Isorde's sons are accomplished warriors and magic-users in their own rights, and his daughter is a faithful follower of Aya.

Between both empires stands the Great Isordan Wall (or simply "The Wall" to most folk). A majestic construct of iron, stone, magic and arcanika, the Wall has withstood countless attacks from the H'ralial Empire. Aran, together with his son, Marik, constantly assail the Wall with an inexhaustible drive to break their enemies' defenses.

FALL OF ARAN, FALL OF ISORDE

The three eldest of Isorde's sons, Ehron, Friedrich and Zohen, are the ones who are assigned to guard the Wall, and are also the ones whose countries suffer the most due to continuing war efforts. The other three, Hels, Yarin and Morin, were granted smaller territories, thus were expected to handle the empire's economical and spiritual needs more (though at times, the younger three are also called to commit forces to man the Wall).

It was autumn when Aran led a massive attack on the Wall, so massive that the royal Isordan family manned the walls at weeks at a time. But the H'ral made attacks so numerous and unpredictable that repairs to the Wall could not be kept up. On the advent of the Wall's breaking, it was then that the sons of Isorde changed the world.

Aran was on the Wall, leading his soldiers from the front and decimating anything and anyone in his path. Winter was already underway when Isorde himself went to meet the Great Dragon on the ramparts himself, accompanied by his sons, Ehron, Friedrich, and Zohen. The battle ensued, and Aran took down the sons and their father by himself. But when the Great Dragon was about to deliver the killing blow to Isorde, Ehron took his blade and beheaded his own father.

The Great Dragon suddenly shook, blood flowing from his eyes. Ehron revealed that they took the extreme sacrifice for the greater good of all of Isordan - they have renounced Aya and pledged themselves to a greater power, one which can rid the land of Aran. Once again, the Shadow has come back to Eisen.

Ehron stood over his father's broken body as the H'ral retreated. Plunging his hand into dead Isorde's chest, Ehron took his heart. One of his soldiers approached Ehron, bearing Aran's sword. Ehron took the weapon and raised it in the air, and those loyal to him shouted out in victory.

And then, the headless body of Friedrich, too, stood. Grasping his own decapitated head by the hair, his soldiers, too, cheered for their lord.

The supposedly dead body of Zohen also stood, and his soldiers cheered as well. Zohen took his father's head in his arms.

Winter snows started to fall harder and harder, and the three Fallen brothers parted ways, heading for their respective kingdoms. What happened next took place a year after the Fall of the Two Emperors. And the whole of Eisen was never the same again.