Magic, it has existed since man first crawled from the muck. Though most calim that magic is unholy, demonic, but it is not. Magic can be considered the life blood of the universe. It gives life to the forces of nature, and only a select few individuals known as mages are able to manipulate it. As we all know how well man handles things we don't understand, the mages became feared, and subjugated. They were casted out from normal society, except for the extraordinarily powerful few, they were forced to serve the rulers of whatever land they hail from.
In the kingdom of Tionchar this is no different. The bulk of the mage population resides in the bog village Veneficas Den. The Den is a safe haven for all who are outcasted from their people, and wrongfully persecuted. Though this has often brought the attention of many unsavory types, the community is relatively peaceful. So long as none of the Den's inhabitants stay away from the major cities, the King of Tionchar let's them be. Most citizens don't dare enter their swamp unless absolutely necessary out of fear of the mages.
The current king of Tionchar is King Cahir Atretis. He rules through complete dominance by military might. His greatest weapon however is his elite troops, the Silver Guard. They are the greatest warriors of unparalleled skill. They are stronger, and faster than any known army. The Guard are completely, and unquestionably loyal to the crown, and act as if emotionless machines to carry out the orders of their king. In fact, in their long history only one has ever disobeyed a direct order, one Rylen Winterblade. The exact circumstances of this is unknown, and is a closely guarded secret. In fact only the King, and the highest ranking Guards know of this.
Now word has been spreading of a powerful young Mage. She has been sought after by the King to serve the crown, but has yet to be found. But then it happened. The Mage murdered Duke Leto Pasquel, a very popular nobleman who has been calling for change in the crown's dealings in magic, change for the better of mages. Fearing that this could be the sign of a Mage uprising, Rylen has been dispatched to hunt down the witch, and capture her if possible, or kill her if nescescary. The problem? The Mage is innocent.
She has had nothing to do with the murder of Leto, nor did she have any reason. Leto was trying to improve the lives of mages. But since no one will believe a witches word, she must find the killer herself. And without the help of the Mage community, since they also believe she did it, and since Leto was a friend to their plight they wish to see justice served. But things are more complicated than they appear, and Rylen may hold the key to the Witch's innocence.
In the kingdom of Tionchar this is no different. The bulk of the mage population resides in the bog village Veneficas Den. The Den is a safe haven for all who are outcasted from their people, and wrongfully persecuted. Though this has often brought the attention of many unsavory types, the community is relatively peaceful. So long as none of the Den's inhabitants stay away from the major cities, the King of Tionchar let's them be. Most citizens don't dare enter their swamp unless absolutely necessary out of fear of the mages.
The current king of Tionchar is King Cahir Atretis. He rules through complete dominance by military might. His greatest weapon however is his elite troops, the Silver Guard. They are the greatest warriors of unparalleled skill. They are stronger, and faster than any known army. The Guard are completely, and unquestionably loyal to the crown, and act as if emotionless machines to carry out the orders of their king. In fact, in their long history only one has ever disobeyed a direct order, one Rylen Winterblade. The exact circumstances of this is unknown, and is a closely guarded secret. In fact only the King, and the highest ranking Guards know of this.
Now word has been spreading of a powerful young Mage. She has been sought after by the King to serve the crown, but has yet to be found. But then it happened. The Mage murdered Duke Leto Pasquel, a very popular nobleman who has been calling for change in the crown's dealings in magic, change for the better of mages. Fearing that this could be the sign of a Mage uprising, Rylen has been dispatched to hunt down the witch, and capture her if possible, or kill her if nescescary. The problem? The Mage is innocent.
She has had nothing to do with the murder of Leto, nor did she have any reason. Leto was trying to improve the lives of mages. But since no one will believe a witches word, she must find the killer herself. And without the help of the Mage community, since they also believe she did it, and since Leto was a friend to their plight they wish to see justice served. But things are more complicated than they appear, and Rylen may hold the key to the Witch's innocence.