Many years ago...
The continent once thrived, a vast expanse of lush farmland stretching far and wide, where peace flourished between the various communities. The inhabitants, diverse in form and spirit, coexisted harmoniously. Man, Dragon, The Great Ravens, Serpents, and Dire Wolves lived side by side, each contributing to the delicate balance that made their world prosper. The Dragons, mighty and majestic, served as the vigilant watchers of the sky, their wings cutting through the clouds as they kept the lands safe from any threat above. The Great Ravens, intelligent and wise, soared through the heavens during both day and night, guarding knowledge and secrets. Over time, they earned the title of The Dark Wanderers, for they became keepers of the unseen, understanding things beyond what the world could perceive. The Serpents, ancient and sly, slithered through the waterways, ambushing and sinking enemy ships, ensuring the safety of the coastlines. Meanwhile, the Dire Wolves, fierce and loyal, became the guardians of the night, their keen senses and strength protecting the communities from threats that lurked in the shadows.
For a time, life was serene. Each family, regardless of its heritage, carried the same amount of power and respect, and in this unity, there was peace. The idea of power was seen as something unnecessary—why would anyone need to strive for dominance when equality reigned? This idyllic balance allowed for prosperity without the struggles that plagued other lands. But as with all things, the harmony was fragile, and a shift was coming, one that would challenge everything that had been built.
The rise of currency marked the first signs of disruption. People, once content with the natural order, began to see wealth as a means to elevate their standing. As cities grew and towers of stone reached ever higher, so too did the desire for more. The notion of wealth—of gold and silver—began to take root, promising not just comfort but power, status, and control over land. It was subtle at first, a few families buying more property, expanding their holdings, but soon, the greed spread like wildfire.
With this newfound currency came ambition, and ambition, unchecked, led to corruption. The ideal of equality began to fray, as the richest families sought to increase their dominion, pushing out those who had once shared equal standing. The once peaceful land of farmers, dragons, and wolves began to splinter. The land was no longer a shared gift, but a prize to be claimed. Those who could afford to arm themselves hired mercenaries and built fortresses, while others were left to fend for themselves, clinging to what little they had.
The Great Ravens, once revered for their wisdom, became divided in their thoughts—some believed in preserving the ancient balance, while others saw the rise of currency as a necessary evolution, adapting to the changing times. The Dragons, ever watchful, saw the looming threat but did not intervene directly, unsure of how to protect the land without breaking the sacred trust they held. The Dire Wolves, though still loyal to their cause, found their territory shrinking as cities expanded and their role as protectors grew increasingly difficult. The Serpents, who once served to defend the coastlines, turned their gaze inward, their old ways of ambushing enemy ships becoming irrelevant in a world where land battles dominated.
The old ways, so carefully maintained for centuries, began to crumble. No longer did the families share power equally, and with it, the fragile unity of the continent was tested. Trust began to dissolve into rivalry, and the harmony that once defined the world seemed but a distant memory.
As time passed, the land saw the rise of factions—each vying for control, each willing to sacrifice the delicate peace that had once sustained them. The idealistic belief that equality could conquer all was replaced by a brutal reality: those who had power, wealth, and armies could reshape the world as they saw fit. And with that, the delicate balance between houses of the dragon, raven, serpent, and wolf was irrevocably shattered.
Those who wished to preserve the ancient ways of the houses of the Dragon, Raven, Serpent, and Wolf, refusing to bow to the corrupting influences of wealth and power, founded their own separate kingdoms. These new realms carried the names of the very creatures that once protected them—symbols of strength, wisdom, and balance. The House of the Dragons, in all their mighty glory, kept close ties to the House of the Ravens, united by a shared respect for knowledge, protection, and the natural order. However, in a twist of fate, they chose to separate from the Serpents and the Wolves, both of whom forged a powerful alliance of their own. The Serpents, with their cunning and control over the waterways, and the Wolves, steadfast and loyal protectors of the night, became a formidable force together, each bringing their unique strengths to the alliance. In contrast, the House of the Dragons, with their aerial dominion and regal stature, and the House of the Ravens, with their unmatched wisdom, chose to focus on guarding the skies and safeguarding knowledge, drifting away from the others.
Meanwhile, the rest of the land fractured further into numerous other kingdoms, each revolving around the insatiable pursuit of wealth and power. These new rulers, self-proclaimed kings, sought only to increase their riches and expand their territories, heedless of the old values of balance, unity, and respect. Power became the currency of the realm, and those who held it ruled not with honor, but with greed, using their influence to crush anyone who stood in their way. The ancient bonds that had once united the creatures and people of the land—bonds built on mutual respect and shared responsibility—were replaced by a hunger for more.
In the midst of this turmoil, the kingdoms built on the names of dragons, ravens, serpents, and wolves held onto a sense of pride, even as the world around them slipped into chaos. But as the divisions deepened and the world was split into factions, there remained a quiet hope that perhaps, just perhaps, a group of brave souls would rise to challenge the corrupted kings, to undo the damage that had been done, and to restore the lost harmony that had once existed. Would there be those who would seek to unite the land again, to teach the so-called "kings" the true meaning of leadership? Would there be people willing to fight for what was right, to dethrone those who ruled without wisdom, and restore the values that a king should truly embody?
Only time would tell. The path to healing the broken world would not be easy, and the journey would be long. Yet the question lingered: would the people rise to fix what was shattered, or would the kings continue to reign unchecked, their power growing with each passing day? The future of the land, and the legacy of the ancient houses, hung in the balance.