Preface to "A Bard Song"

Preface to "A Bard Song"

The 5th century, the Age of Nations:
The world of Tandara is inhabited by eleven separate nations. There has been a state of unrest since the appearance of a magical relic known as the Bracer of Shadows, a weapon that granted the bearer immense physical power. The bracer feeds off of the rage and anger of its host, which can then activate a state called the 'shadow phase' which can border upon invincibility. Unfortunately, this state quickly saps the bearer's willpower gradually causing him to lose his mind and become a slave to the magic of the Bracer. Essentially this weapon was created to wreak mass havoc upon the world of men by praying upon their natural pride and lust for power. With this great evil loose in the world, it was not long before all of Tandara was swept up in a massive war. A war that became known as the War for Raelia, for it was the nation of Raelia that currently possessed the Bracer. This nation's ruler, Lord Arion would lead his forces along with those of his allies, Galdaria, and the Tribe of the Yellow Ax, into battle against all eight of the other nations, led by Lord Varcos of Krondar. Each of these nations entered the war with their own motives, but ultimately they all desired that the Bracer be removed from Raelian hands.

Thanks to the efforts of his father, the previous lord, who journeyed to the Far Side of the world to gain answers concerning the Bracer, Arion bears it into battle knowing full well how to destroy it. The Bracer can only be unmade by the blade of the one who wears it, but in doing this, he will perish. So Arion now struggles with his own desires for what he believes to be the power to protect his people. Varcos also wrestles with his own thoughts as to whether or not he is right to destroy Raelia in his quest for justice and peace, for his mind has been heavily swayed by the deceptions of Father Sartanus of the Clan, who is in league with the mystical creators of the Bracer and therefore is also bent on the destruction of humankind.

As it stands, the forces of the Krondar-led Alliance stand ready to lay siege to the Raelian capital city of Daltarus, wherein Arion and his general, Argo, prepare both his Raelians and the Tribesmen who, being heavily outnumbered, can only hope to hold out long enough for the reinforcements of the Galdarian navy to arrive.