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The age is 1554, January 14th. The lands of Northgarde have long stood as a testament to the power and ingenuity of man. Grand towers and palaces dot the landscape and rich fields of grain cover the rolling hillsides. In an age of plenty, most people were content to live out their lives with what time and hard work had given them. For a unfortunate few, however, this golden age of Northgarde has all but passed over.

Corruption and taxation has created a lower class of Northgardian whose life has been a constant and ferocious struggle for survival. The most potent example of the poverty created by these polices can be found several miles south of Victi, the largest city in Northgarde. This spit of countryside known to all of Northgarde as Nor, once home to some of the most fertile lands in Northgarde, has been hit hard by taxation and harsh weather conditions. Despite investment by other communities and hard work, the economy of Nor has not recovered.

Abject poverty and the failure of reparative measures have led to intense rioting in the Nor countryside, over which the local defense troupe could not maintain control. A Nor Coaltion has taken control over the countryside and has refused to pay further taxes to Victi. Fearing a full uprising that could overtake the entire countryside, Victi has approved orders to send in the military to put down the rioters and regain control of Nor. As new members of a Nor coalition, you have been tasked with preparing for the impending military raid. Morale is low and the situation seems hopeless, but failure is not an option. The situation is dire, things must change or you and your family will die.

This story takes place in the era known as the renaissance. While new technologies are starting to appear the vast majority of people still use basic arms (swords, maces, etc) and technologies. While there is a place for magic in the story there is no official training in magic and what magic that is known and available is still being developed into something useful.

Climate: The climate of Northgarde is cold and harsh in the winter, and temperate in the summer, spring and fall.

Name: Vost Legend

Age: 25

Personality: Vost has a deep seeded hatred for the cities and what their bureaucrats have done to the hardworking folk of Nor. He has has a deep love for his fellow Nors however, and this has made him especially kind to those who still appreciate the old ways. While Vost gives off the appearance of strength in his anger and hatred for the "enemy", his insecurities show in relationships and the making of especially difficult decisions.

Bio: Vost is the only child of a wealthy farm family that has lived in Nor for generations. Brought up to appreciate the land and all that grows upon it, he has little patience for those who believe in city life. He visited Victi once with his father to sell the season's crop. He hated the hustle and bustle of it, so many people, not enough space. When Victi increased the tax on farm products and land, Vost was one of the most outspoken Nor advocates against its institution. Now that successful riots have wrestled control of Nor away from Victi, Vost is unsure how they will maintain control over a land filled with angry and starving families.

Weapon of choice: Vost prefers a stout hammer to just about any weapon. A hammer can be used to both build and destroy, and Vost knows that this dual power will come in handy in the days to come.

Vost hated meetings

As the new Nor Coalition began to take shape, leadership was required to direct the people of Nor toward the goals of the coalition, freedom and prosperity. To do this leadership, weekly meetings/parties were being held in the homes of prominent families. This week Vost's family was hosting the "get-together". Prominent members from the community were welcomed along with their entourage. It was the hope of the coalition that a leader would rise up from the masses and lead them through the tough times ahead.

"We must prepare a defense, Victi has dispatched its military! they should be here in a matter of days!"

"What defense do you think we can raise? We are farmers and peasants, we will be no match for the strength of the Victi military".

Ugh... back and forth, all day long, Vost thought. How boring was the clash between beurocrats and cowards. With a long sigh, Vost excused himself from the table and walked outside to get some fresh air.

Vost took a deep breath of the cool evening air... It was so nice to be outside and away from the stuffy house. Pulling his mace from the leather strap at his waist he brandished the weapon, the sound of it whriling in the air calming him.

Replacing the mace Vost surveyed his land. Times had been hard but his land had always provided for him and his family. As Vost's eyes panned accross his land he noticed somthing... somthing moving quickly through the trees.

"what the...?" He said... straining his eyes to see.

Suddenly the figure burst out of the forest... pursued by two men brandishing weapons. As a product of pure curiosity Vost dashed toward the figure, pulling his mace out once more.

Vost reached the trio just as the two men with weapons overtook the figure. He heard a scream and immediately knew that it was a woman... an incredibly beautiful woman.

"Stop!" Vost shouted. "What is the meaning of this!"

Vost glanced down at the hand held before him... visibly disgusted by the offer, Vost raised his eyes to meet those of Ray.

"Ray Leguizamo... I should have known..." Vost said, his words laced with spite "You do realize that with the old Northgarde government overthrown the ownership of "working girls" Is no longer tolerated?"

As Vost said the words the grip on his mace grew tighter and the sound of manipulated leather could be heard by all four of them.

"You will release this woman at once, and return to your home. I will be by tomorrow with a contingent of Nor Coalition soldiers to release anyone else you may still be holding there." Vost held is mace forward threateningly "There had better be nothing but Leguizamo filth when we arrive."

Vost looked into the eyes of the woman, he could see her anger... but could see no fear... Bravery in a slave woman? I didn't know such existed

Vost considered his options.

Attacking the guards would most certainly spell his death, Vost had no armor and his skills with the mace were hardly phenominal. Furthermore, Ray had a point, slavery was legal and so was the use this woman was being put to, figthing them for her would spell trouble for his family that they simply could not afford right now.

However, somthing inside of vost hated the idea of letting her go back with these men. Vost hated ray and hated slavery even more but the battle to end slavery was not high on anyones list at the moment. The Legend's had money and Vost had a large stake in that.

Vost forced the words out of his mouth, hating himself as he did "How much do you want..."

Vost winced as Ray's hand made contact with the woman's face. Anger boiled up in him that he could not control. Vost charged Ray and pushed him to the ground. Vost then tossed a bag of gold coins at the mans face.

"Take the money and go, I never want to see you on my father's land again".

Vost watched as the man struggled to his feet, putting the coins in his pocket. Vost watched his every move, glaring at him.

As ray and his guards began to leave Vost looked to the woman. A red handprint was the only imperfection he could see on her beautiful face, the curves of her body were stunning and he had to fight to keep his jaw from dropping. She may have been the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He did his best to hide these thoughts from her, though.

Vost held out his hand to the woman "Will you come with me? I... I am going to take you to my home." he managed to say.