“Some men have reason to be afraid of spirits,
but so too do spirits have reasons to be afraid of men.”
Arcturus

Resonance

Nestled within the early pages of the Aural Realm’s exalted history was a period of tribulation and heroes. These heroes fought authorities and powers to unite a region in disarray, and to save their people, they established orders and founded a hedge of guiding principles around the emerging kingdoms. This foundation took years to build and was made of the blood, sacrifice, and toil of noble souls. It was intended to grant security for centuries to come but was undone by one generation of fear.

Aghast at the rapid growth and development of a new power in the Saline Realm, the royals and ideologues of the Eight Kingdoms condemned the budding nation’s existence. They rallied allies, stoked the embers of resentment and conspiracy, and loudly proclaimed the practice of magic as nothing less than an affront to the very divinity of God. War broke out, and for two centuries, the Kingdoms fought to cleanse the world of an unholy taint, but for all of their dogmas and beliefs, the war ended in a resounding defeat.

Though shaken in their conviction, the institutions of Crown and Church held fast to their respective faiths. Within the castles, kings and their courts were encouraged to exercise their sovereign rights, and on hallowed grounds, congregations were soothed by assurances of divine protection over their souls. The war was over, but unbeknownst to them, the silver tongue of a new devil infiltrated the land, and the Demon instrumental to the Salian’s victory returned once more to settle an ancient wound.

The Aural Realm

The territory ruled by the Eight Kingdoms was a simple region defined by rolling hillsides, vast stretches of agricultural land, and a lively coast. It was easy for the people to domesticate, and the majority lived slow, steady lives where work and tradition were valued. When wicked men and fiends appeared to threaten the populace, heroes would appear to defend the realm, and while armed with truth, honor, and good faith, they prevailed over every obstacle put in their path. They believed in the principles, they believed in the people, they believed in the God whom they felt had blessed the Aural Realm, and they believed that good would always prevail. Then the age of heroes ended, and the people betrayed their faith for the security of doctrine.

Some of the initial rulers of the Crown were decent men, and some of the founding organizers of the Church were truly pious, but most were self-centered, ambitious, and petty. While presenting themselves as regal and ordained to administrate by the Divine, the Crown and Church behaved with the common sin of terrestrial mortals. A combination of pride, ignorance, and prejudice impaired their perceptions and permeated the culture and their relationships. Rife with clerical abuse, bureaucratic exploitation, and self-indulgent sermons to justify it all, the Aural Realm was strangled by the dominions that ruled over it, and it remained imprisoned by the institutions that preached of freedom while being blind to their own hubris.

Characters

Joel

The Advocate

To be king was both an honor and a great responsibility. As the highest civil authority within the province, he would have the ability and burden to make decisions that would affect people’s lives. Joel would be advised by the court to make righteous decisions of course. At least, that was the dream.

He remembered the face of his mother and how proud of him she was. She anticipated his ascendancy to ruler would result in a better life for them. Even Mare Igna would benefit. After all, Joel had so many things he wanted to change, and it was for the good of the people. He lacked only the opportunity.

But reality within the Aural Realm was cruel. Even as king, Joel was no greater than a servant, and the Queen, court, and Church were the farthest thing from allies. What hope he had left came from God alone, and even in his most ardent prayers, Joel wondered if his faith would be enough.

Aric

The Heretic

Life was hard, unfair, and would frequently kick a poor sod in the ribs when he was down, but what was Aric going to do about it? Cry and complain? No. That was not how he wanted to go down. He was going to survive this world, and it didn’t matter how many times it punched him in the gut.

Besides, who was he going to commiserate to? Half the people around him were brainwashed by religion, and the other half were too afraid to do anything about it. He couldn’t fault them for just trying to get by, but he wanted someone to do something. The Church couldn’t just get away with it all the time.

The inn should have been a good place to grab a bite. He didn’t have a coin to his name, but he should have gotten a little sympathy. Aric was thrown out, but there was a dark skin asking questions. Why not? If nothing else, helping the stranger would distract Aric from the pain of his so-called life.

Seris

The Unknowable

To be still was to be in control, and Seris exercised it over every facet of his being. His words were carefully chosen, and his course of action was thought out in detail. He did nothing unless it was on purpose, and he allowed no one to make decisions for him unless it was to his benefit.

To be still was to have order, and his would extend to the farthest reaches of the globe. His ambition went beyond the established boundaries of short-sighted men, and he envisioned an administration that would combine the Seven Realms. It would be an order without division, without nations, and without war.

To be still was to be at peace with the world, but Seris was not at peace. The world was chaotic, its denizens ensnared by violence, neglect, and the need to survive. Seris would never be still with the world until everyone within it was free, and they would never be free until the world was ruled by order.

I will not be ignored.

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