SCOURGE.

INTRODUCTION

In the world of Heimurinn, there lies an island to the northeast of the mainland, where the Queendom of Misellus was founded. Before it was settled, it was home to countless species of flora and fauna, endless seas of forest, and pristine lakes that glimmered with cerulean hues. Eventually, mankind sailed the seas to discover and claim the lands for themselves, led by a woman who came to be known as Queen Audra the First. She hopes to construct the world's first matriarchal nation, the first Queendom.

The forests at the very center of the island were cleared to form a perfect circle around what would eventually become the Capital City. Initially a small but well-fortified city, architects from the world over traveled to Misellus to assist in the Queen's most daring endeavor. Over the next two decades, they created what was essentially a man-made mountain of homes, facilities, barracks, churches, stairs, spires, and the Queen's very own Citadel to top it off. The Capital City was soon considered to be the greatest architectural wonder the world had ever seen. Upon its completion, roads were webbed across the Queendom, connecting every city, village, or port town together into a massive and thriving network of trade and commerce. The Queendom of Misellus had become the most prosperous and peaceful nation the world has witnessed since ages past.

In June of the year 1143, the Orthodoxy of Misellus was founded, designed to rewrite history and return faith to the people of the Queendom. Larger churches and bethels were built across the nation, and the Cathedral of the Orthodoxy was built atop the Capital City, where the Archbishop and his apostles may convene. They installed the Holy Edicts, regulations idealized to institute order and discipline within the confines of the Orthodoxy and its followers, assuring that they pay proper reverence to the deities of ancient days. The Orthodoxy rapidly grew to be the most dominant religion in the Queendom, eventually attaining enough following to effectively cast out all other cults and religions found in the land. Though the rest of the world did not inherit their beliefs, the Queendom remained devout, undisturbed for centuries to come.

It is now 1543, exactly 400 years after the founding of the Orthodoxy, and the denizens of Misellus are preparing to celebrate the Orthodoxy's founding, at the suggestion of King Malcolm himself, supporting by the now reigning Queen Audra Orenstaph XXXII. The aristocracy plans to gather at the Cathedral of the Orthodoxy atop the Capital City, while the lower classes of citizens take to the streets to celebrate on their own whims. At midnight, the Archbishop is scheduled to appear before the denizens of Misellus and give a sermon before the festivities commence, with the Queen and King in attendance.

As the Queendom prepares for this spectacle, a lonesome silhouette approaches the Capital City's gates. The figure carries a ragged pack slung over its shoulder, and its face is shrouded by a dark, hooded cloak. They pass with an air of grief, though their arrival within the city is hoped to relieve them of their sorrows...