Crown of Madness

Prologue: Ashes to Ashes

Bay Hollow. One of the old ancient kingdoms in the nation Tearmann

A wonderful place filled with autumn leaves and friendly people. This was the home to the Whitlaw family.

A family of six; a kind and loving mother and father, two brothers, one sister, and Paddock.

"Paddy" Whitlaw was a kind-hearted and noble individual. He had a head of messy black hair and beautiful emerald hues that lit up from time to time. He had pointy ears on both sides of his face, as well as freckles dusted over his cheeks and up the bridge of his nose. He had caught sight of an ad for Monroe's Traveling Carnival and was immediately hooked. His parents approved, seeing his desires to travel and make others happy.

"Thank you so much! I'll make you proud!" He smiled and pulled both parents into a hug.

He had hugged them tightly that day.

He went to tell his siblings about the news. They were happy for him. Excited even. As one of his brothers and his sister help him pack, Ronan, his oldest brother, stands up to speak.

"The world... is not a kind place," he warned as he pulled Paddy into a firm hug. He reluctantly let go and put a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful, little brother."

His other siblings gifted him a wooden mask.

"Have hope!" The young elf cheered. The rest of his family smiled and nodded.

"Have hope."

As the years passed, Paddy began to grow and mature. He discovered magic he never knew he had inside him and preformed for the people in the towns they visited. He received letters from his family weekly and he wrote back, describing the sights and experiences he's had over the years.

But soon, the letters got less frequent. Eventually, they stopped coming altogether. Paddy began to worry, but he pushed his fears aside to put on his best face for the shows. On the nights he couldn't sleep he could almost hear his brother teasing him.

What are you getting so worked up for? You're living the life, Paddy! You can't get cold feet now.

"Is it wrong to worry? I haven't heard from any of you for the past month."

A pause.

Such a worry wart Paddy-cake.

"You haven't called me that since we were children!"

Nothing wrong with staying young, Paddock. Now, go get some rest. We'll be waiting for you here. Have hope.

"Have hope..."

- - - - - - - - - -

The carnival makes a stop near Bay Hollow and Paddy takes his leave. Excited to see his family after all those years. He had a small satchel with things he'd been saving for his siblings and parents.

As soon as he stepped into town, it felt like the air was sucked out of his lungs.

The town was burned to the ground. The buildings were completely destroyed, the smell of smoke slightly lingering in the air. There was no crunching the leaves beneath his feet, no children giggling, no one around to even say hello. He quickened his pace which soon turned into a run. He ran through the blackened streets and trees, his heart pounding in his ears as his stomach did flips.

He arrived at what used to be the Whitlaw household.

Great care was taken to completely destroy the structure. All that stood of the house was the door frame; a strange crest burned into the wood and over his own. He walked up to the door and dragged his fingers over the scorched wood. Tears began to form in his eyes as he fell to his knees, clutching the bag of trinkets close to his chest.

"... Have hope." He said quietly.

"Have hope."