Kranos. The land that reaches from the centre to the edges of the earth. Home to man, nature and every form of creature in between. Kranos. Five houses govern the land. Five houses based in five grand cities spread across, in the North, the South, in the East and the West. And the Capital lies in the heart of it all. The North, Crimsonhelm governed by House Raider, surrounded by mountains and home to the finest archers and wealthiest citizens. Their House sigil, an arrow pointed north piercing a Phoenix Gate. The South, Brightgarden governed by House Blackwood, surrounded by lush forests and gardens of green, home to the finest food and alchemists for medicines and poisons alike. Their House sigil, a black rose on a field of green. The East, Valreath governed by House Amador, home to the most powerful army Kranos has ever seen, as well as the heartiest people you could ever meet. Their House sigil, a red lion rampant on a field of black. The Capital, Drakstar, at the heart of Kranos, governed by House Stryker and home to the finest mines and biggest industries. Home to the most proficient smiths and the most honourable people. Stryker Steel and Dragonleather are renowned even in the farthest reaches of the land. Their house sigil, a gold dragon on a field of crimson. And finally the West. Kyverndale governed by House Kyron, home to the largest trading port and the finest ships, a humble abode at best. Their House sigil, a silver hawk on a field of cobalt. After the Great War, 500 years past, Kranos has seen an era of peace. But the winds are changing and a new era is about to begin. And me? Where am I from?
I am Alexis, born to House Kyron and House Amador. My mother, Ilyanna of House Kyron, died protecting my little sister from an assassin. My sweet little sister Elia. She is born a bastard child, my father brought her home one day while returning from the capital, but I loved her all the same. She’s tall for a nineteen year old, golden haired, fair skinned and she has milky, green eyes that are soft like swaying grass. Her eyes do not see, she was born blind, but don’t let that fool you. She relies on her other senses to guide her, having a sharper hearing and sense of smell than you and I could ever have. A knowledgable, sharp, witty and budding alchemist, she is as likely to heal you as she is to poison you. She can hold her own, outfitted with throwing knives that sit on her lower back and behind her shoulders. She waits. She listens. She has proven to be able to find her target time, and time again. She is also outfitted with her twin-sided staff that is the same size as she is. Either ends are carved into a large hook-like shape, facing opposite sides. The outer edges are carved into small, rigid spikes that run along the curve like the spine of a dragon. The middle of the shaft is wrapped in blue and red swaths of cloth that help her grip the large staff. I have seen her use it to defend herself in combat, adopting a fluid style of martial art, twirling her staff around her like water and striking as fast as a viper. Mostly she uses it to guide her sightless gaze, her footsteps following the gentle echo of her wooden staff against the earth. In the short time I knew my mother, she was the most beautiful and the kindest person I have ever known. My sister reminds me so much so of her because she is just as strong. And then there’s my father. Altair of the House Amador. A strong, sturdy man, with a military jaw and with rough, auburn hair. His eyes are a green colour like the trees that scatter our cliffside. He was a hearty, noble man, born to rule Kyverndale. And then there’s me. I have my father’s fiery hair and my mother’s deep blue eyes. Most people say I also have my mother’s wit and determination along with her humorous personality. Being the eldest I am also heir to the throne, soon to be queen of this city, Kyverndale. The Traders’ city, built into the cliffs that tower above us and protect us from land invaders. The salty smell of the sea reaches even the highest towers in the castle, and the coastline has the largest port with the finest ships you will ever see. To leave and enter the city, one must either sail across the Charred sea to the north or to the south, or one must climb the path that goes up the cliff, and pass through the Great Gate. The path is three men in breadth and not preferred, as it is quite treacherous. Across the cliffs, on the west side of Kranos is Valreath home to House Amador and my uncles, my father’s elder brother, Alexander and my father’s younger brother, Matthias. My father was one of the finest and strongest kings to have ever ruled, wielding a great sword smithed from Stryker steel to smite down his foes. Alexander was the King of Amador. As he is the eldest he was the natural heir. My father married my mother, joined the Houses of Kyron and Amador together thus becoming King of Kyverndale. Matthias however, never received a place to rule, remaining jealous of his two older brothers; he quietly advises them and has accepted his place as right hand advisor to the King.
That was until he disappeared. The Free Riders, men who belong to no houses and ride across the land, attacked our sister kingdom, Valreath. The Free Riders are a formidable force, with over 10,000 strong and a diverse range of weapons. They stayed relatively peaceful until recently. My father went to aid followed by Kyron’s army, to help defend them. They won the battle, but my father never returned. Most believe he died in battle, but his body was never found. Some believe he fled the battle out of cowardice, but my father would never do that. I believe he is still out there somewhere. In the meantime, I had to take his place as ruler being the eldest and heir to the throne. I was only fourteen and my sister was twelve. She blamed herself, she said her foreign blood shunned our father away out of shame but that could not be true. It could never be true. My uncle, Alexander, helped me rule until I became of age at eighteen. I had to grow up for Elia, so I trained and became strong like my father. I became proficient in the bow, and I also wield learned how to wield two daggers. I prefer to strike from afar, but I can handle myself in close combat. As much as I trained and studied to be as good a queen as possible, I always had time for my little sister. Her poisons have managed to save me time and time again in a battle, as well as her medicines. Kyron’s army seemed disheartened after losing their king, and most mocked me for attempting to learn archery, attempting to fight for my place. I would never be able to rule or fight quite like my father. His shadow would only keep on growing, but Elia supported me. That was until, a few weeks before my 21st name day I earned my title and my name.
It was a stormy night, and Free Riders attempted to breech the Phoenix Gate. The same Free Riders that attacked Valreath and are responsible for my father’s disappearance. And they were knocking on our Phoenix Gate. Our men were sent to hold them off, but only three men could stand at a time. Their horses gave them the advantage, breaking through spears, and almost bringing down the gate and slaughtering our men. I climbed onto the Great Gate and it was like shooting fish in a barrel. Without room to maneuvre, the Free Riders were being eliminated one by one. But their numbers where overwhelming, it was a full on raid and the gate was close to being breeched. I could feel it creek under my feet as I stood on the watchtower. My sister had an experiment. A concoction of her own making she calls Dragonspit. I coated my arrows with the concoction and shot small vials of it onto the ground in front of the Free Riders. A roaring blue fire was conjured on impact, and not even the storm could quench the fires. The Free Riders were chased away, and I was finally recognised, along with my sister, by my people for saving them. My sister was now infamous for her ability to “conjure Wildfyre, a fire that refuses the rain”. We managed to calm the fire using sand brought from the coast, and then we celebrated. We achieved a great victory. I achieved a great victory. The “Hawk of the West” they call me. Derived from my house sigil, a silver hawk on a field of cobalt. I’d finally earned my own title and name. They says I finally deserved the crown on my head. Was that what it felt like to be a queen? To have soldiers revel at your title when it is called? To let your name echo in the tales and legends and halls that surrounds you and houses your crown, while the ashes of the dead seep into the cliffs around the city? I am not so sure. But that was all weeks ago. When the winds sing for new life and new kings are on the horizon peace evades our dying grasp. Now we have a new threat to face.
