Prelude
Here in these walls does a tale begin,
As though part of a master plan.
From histories rich, and places old
comes a tale of Monster and man.
Forth from two un-reconcilable lines
Spring sons who knew not of their feud
Until the story of their kingdoms unraveled
And bloody war ensued.
Like a board of chess,
One might think there was a black and white
But time has worn away the color
And distinction of wrong and right.
So listen well and watch quite closely
And tell me if you can;
At the end of the day, at the end of the battle
Which is monster and which is man?
A much condensed history.
The society of wizards began as one, back when numbers were small, and eventually through the years together a king was happily crowned. But as numbers expanded and time drew on, as with any group there were arguments. Largely the wizards held traditional views, but slowly a few disagreed. And as a snowball rolling down a hill, they gathered and grew, the nameless, the ignored. They grew into a group, under the watchful (scornful) eyes of the kingdom, making their way as best they could. The kingdom was kinder than most would be, but it was not enough. They did not seek to be chuckled at, treated as children under a watchful elder brother… They sought to be more than that. So they distanced themselves, and brought together a town on the outskirts of the land to call their own. As ever, the kingdom laughed it off in good sport, watching from a distance the nameless.
In this town the nameless group grew, prospered and gave themselves a title. They called themselves Neuanfang, meaning ‘New Beginning’. They hoped perhaps the name would give them luck in breaking away to begin their own kingdom; they had certainly prospered and could manage themselves. But the only reward for their prosperity and independence was an increase in tax and a new law demanding that the children be taught in kingdom-run schools. The Neuanfang thought the new laws spiteful, and they grew defensive and bitter. They argued, but even when their voices were heard, the kingdom did not really listen. The king still laughed along, ‘friendly’ but far from respectful.
It was then that the stranger came, and he brought with him ancient knowledge of arts forbidden in the kingdom. Magic that was dark and desperate, that was dangerous and cruel but so powerful that the Neuanfang were fascinated.
A small group began to learn from the man, and many books were written, the covers always black with no words for fear a traveler from the kingdom might see them. They became known as the Black Ledger line, for often when they were questioned about the unmarked books they claimed they were simple ledgers. The longer it continued, the more the town grew to be awed by the power. Finally, one of them asked of the stranger how they might boost their numbers, to do battle with the kingdom and win their right to independence. And the stranger was all too happy to help.
A spell was given, something so dark, so horrific that many argued they ought not to use it. But the masses were angry, and the voice of reason was overruled. On the night of a new moon, in the town hall they took a young man and young woman. The spell was uttered, and the two were slain, and in their blood the seal was written. They waited. Long was their wait, and painful, and all began to feel ill from the dark magic the place had seen. But eventually from the blood rose an army of men and women, nearly the same as the race that had called them… but being begotten of blood and dark magic, they were not the same. They were something new. Their eyes were wide seas of black and from their mouths sprung sharp sets of teeth, and violent they were!
A wizard guard came into town and saw the creatures and ran to the king. Battle had begun. The creatures (called the bloodborn) were killing machines, but yet outnumbered and eventually they all but perished. However, some stole away unto the night with those of the black ledger line, and they, powerful with certain kinds of magic, jumped dimensions and left the others for dead. It was many generations before the mixed children of the bloodborn and Black ledger lines returned to their home realm, and found themselves a land occupied by the weak race of men.
Callous and ruthless, they took over the beginnings of a kingdom small enough not to call attention from the wizard kingdom. Their leader seated himself on the throne, and they began to interbreed in the population of humans, covering their tracks in the history books to make them disappear seamlessly into the world of men… Perhaps a bit too well. It was many, many generations before the resulting mix-breeds began to notice and understand their magic, and more still before they found the black books of their ancestors. They tended to avoid dark magic, being sensitive to it and frightened of it from hearing tales from the wizard kingdom.
Though their roots are well covered, there are reminders of the Black ledger line; in antique books, and in an artifact passed down along the royal line- the skull of the human king they overthrew.
Recent Events....
It has come to light recently that a member of the Brightenvale Royal family has dabbled in the dark arts. In accordance with the laws of the Wizard kingdom, he ought to be executed, but these are not laws to which the Brightenvale monarchy adheres. Tension ins mounting between the two groups, and many fear that as a result of the death threats to their royalty, war will be upon them in no time.
