Legend of the No Life King First Part
A Tavern on the Edge of the Woods
“Hail, travelers from the Empire. What brings you so far out to the East to edge of these Dead Woods?”
“We heard of an undead plight in the ruins rumored to be beyond them, and we seek to route it out.”
“Oh, certainly not? No one has ever come back who’s gone in those woods. Have you not heard of the legend?”
“What legend? No mere undead could compete with a troupe of the Empire’s finest hunters.”
“Well then, certainly such a decorated crowd wouldn’t mind listening to an old man’s tale while they rest for the night?”
“Fine then, spin your story.”
In a time before the Empire, past a lush forest in the East lay a kingdom, isolated, but rumored to have wondrous medicines and artefacts. It was said that they wanted for nothing, and could produce anything they desired simply by wishing it into existence. Even the poorest of their people lived like barons. Now you’ll excuse me if I cannot recall the name of this kingdom, as it has certainly fallen into antiquity, however it was marvelous to behold!
Born from one of the noble houses were a pair of siblings, twins, I’ve heard tell. A brother and a sister. The young lad showed great promise in his learning, being able to read from a very young age, and able to recall even the most minute in the finest of detail. His sister, however, began to show a preternatural beauty, and even as a young girl began to rival the finest maidens of marriage age. Blessed, they were, I’m sure of it. Though perhaps some blessings are curses in disguise.
It would be shortly after the boy finished his schooling and became a man that he was brought before the king. He showed an aptitude above all else for the learning of things, as well as for the arcane. The king found great use for such a man and granted him the title of Grand Historian and made him one of his personal advisors. Quite an honor, and certainly that rubbed a fair few the wrong way. However, at the time it did not concern the young man, for he was granted full access to the library of the castle, his love of books kindled into a burning pyre in a quest to know every detail.
The king had an heir, a son, but his son certainly did not like how his father seemed to play favorites with his new Historian. Regardless, it was time for the prince to consider marriage proposals. One after another, the noble houses brought forth their daughters, but one stood out. This house never brought their daughter forward, perhaps not wishing to play the dangerous game of politics so common in nobility. For these reasons, perhaps, an air of mystery, intrigued the king.
This girl, now grown and of marrying age, was the Grand Historian’s sister! It is said her beauty resembled that of a goddess, and her perfect demeanor befitting a woman of nobility, quiet, polite, sincere, and certainly never speaking out of turn! Enraptured, both the king and the prince decided that she must bear the heir to their dominion. It was then things took a turn for the worse, you could say.
For you see, during his time as Grand Historian, the young man became intimately familiar with his liege and the prince. They had a darkness inside them. Covetous, avarice, and wrathful when not given precisely what they wanted. He had seen many another servant sent to the dungeons to be whipped and beaten to within inches of their lives.. or past. He knew that should his sister marry into the royal family, she would suffer unimaginable pain and anguish. Little did he know then, her fate when he protested.
A Tavern on the Edge of the Woods
“Hail, travelers from the Empire. What brings you so far out to the East to edge of these Dead Woods?”
“We heard of an undead plight in the ruins rumored to be beyond them, and we seek to route it out.”
“Oh, certainly not? No one has ever come back who’s gone in those woods. Have you not heard of the legend?”
“What legend? No mere undead could compete with a troupe of the Empire’s finest hunters.”
“Well then, certainly such a decorated crowd wouldn’t mind listening to an old man’s tale while they rest for the night?”
“Fine then, spin your story.”
In a time before the Empire, past a lush forest in the East lay a kingdom, isolated, but rumored to have wondrous medicines and artefacts. It was said that they wanted for nothing, and could produce anything they desired simply by wishing it into existence. Even the poorest of their people lived like barons. Now you’ll excuse me if I cannot recall the name of this kingdom, as it has certainly fallen into antiquity, however it was marvelous to behold!
Born from one of the noble houses were a pair of siblings, twins, I’ve heard tell. A brother and a sister. The young lad showed great promise in his learning, being able to read from a very young age, and able to recall even the most minute in the finest of detail. His sister, however, began to show a preternatural beauty, and even as a young girl began to rival the finest maidens of marriage age. Blessed, they were, I’m sure of it. Though perhaps some blessings are curses in disguise.
It would be shortly after the boy finished his schooling and became a man that he was brought before the king. He showed an aptitude above all else for the learning of things, as well as for the arcane. The king found great use for such a man and granted him the title of Grand Historian and made him one of his personal advisors. Quite an honor, and certainly that rubbed a fair few the wrong way. However, at the time it did not concern the young man, for he was granted full access to the library of the castle, his love of books kindled into a burning pyre in a quest to know every detail.
The king had an heir, a son, but his son certainly did not like how his father seemed to play favorites with his new Historian. Regardless, it was time for the prince to consider marriage proposals. One after another, the noble houses brought forth their daughters, but one stood out. This house never brought their daughter forward, perhaps not wishing to play the dangerous game of politics so common in nobility. For these reasons, perhaps, an air of mystery, intrigued the king.
This girl, now grown and of marrying age, was the Grand Historian’s sister! It is said her beauty resembled that of a goddess, and her perfect demeanor befitting a woman of nobility, quiet, polite, sincere, and certainly never speaking out of turn! Enraptured, both the king and the prince decided that she must bear the heir to their dominion. It was then things took a turn for the worse, you could say.
For you see, during his time as Grand Historian, the young man became intimately familiar with his liege and the prince. They had a darkness inside them. Covetous, avarice, and wrathful when not given precisely what they wanted. He had seen many another servant sent to the dungeons to be whipped and beaten to within inches of their lives.. or past. He knew that should his sister marry into the royal family, she would suffer unimaginable pain and anguish. Little did he know then, her fate when he protested.
