Everstel v2

Vetus, a continent in constant strife. A mystic, ancient place, littered with monsters of all shapes and sizes. And yet, civilization thrives in this land, despite nature's will to remove it from play. Trade routes continuously trade ownerships, and constantly shift between every war, and every threat that wanders the lands. But once place has remained a constant, an oasis among the treacherous kingdoms, a place known now as Everstel. The name of the area was never consistent, each Kingdom that held their fingers along its throat controlled the wealth of the entire continent, and as such, a brooding simmer was always present, a simple mistake would spark another war. And yet, these lands once thought to be own by each of the Four Nations was suddenly usurped, a force that seemed to come from nowhere, carrying power far beyond anything imaginable. The Kingdom of Myrr lost that area that day, to the hands of Everstel's first Baron, Arthur LeFrançais. He held allegiance to no banner but his own, and for some time, each Nation attempted to up heave the groundwork created by the LeFrançais family. And each time, they were defeated. They say the LeFrançais Lineage carries a strange bloodline, one never seen in any of the Four lands, saying to harness the power of the many Great Beasts that roam Vetus. As soon as forces were exhausted, the Four Barons were summoned to a diplomatic meeting, headed by Arthur himself. The message was simple, the LeFrançais Family will declare Everstel its own Kingdom, and never will the Four claim their banners among the newly built walls, protected by the Silver-Clad Knights that swore allegiance to the Red Banner. They had little to argue against, Everstel held control of the major trade routes, and no army would want to move through the treacherous lands along the borders of the Kingdoms. It was the beginning of a new Era, of free trade, and Everstel would benefit from the prosperity. Of course, all but the Baron of Myrr at the time agreed. Forever he would place a curse upon the LeFrançais family, who felt his honor was stripped, and their righteous call to arms was now forever thwarted, but Arthur assured him, his bloodline would sit on the throne of Everstel for generations.

The coming years saw prosperity to the Kingdom indeed, as well as many of the other Nations. The Kingdom of Myrr's heavy tax levy on moving products through Everstel was abolished and lowered to promote what Arthur dreamt. And as Everstel's treasury grew, so did its population. The City itself became a hotbed of activity, many citizens from across the lands came to set up residence under the LeFrançais Banner. They became more than the Trading center of Vetus. Everstel became a place of diplomatic discussion, an aid to strife among the other kingdoms, a cultural melting pot, for ideas and merchandise to be shared. And the populace, among hushed whispers, was content in what some may of called, a loosely-gripped iron fist. Very rarely did the LeFrançais leave their manor overlooking the growing city, but their presence was always felt. And seldom did they leave the walls, unless for a coming of age trial for new Barons-to-be, known only as the Great Hunt. This would ensure the power of the Baron of Everstel forever remained strong. But there was something every Kingdom noticed. Very rarely was the wife of the Baron seen, and every generation of leaders that carried the torch would be male. Not an unheard practice in that age, but it was almost as if the wives were invisible. They were never present in meetings, and often, rumors that some walked among the people, hidden in plain sight by commoner's garb. Their purpose was hidden, and it was only known by a very small group outside the castle walls for that reason.

The Baron of Myrr that lost Everstel to the LeFrançais so long ago had placed a curse upon them, brushed off at first, but it was soon to be understood why. The wives of the LeFrançais found themselves baring daughters more often that sons. Now one might not find a problem in this regard, but the curse placed upon the family found them to be a barren land for heirs. As a result, the wives were often hidden away, awaiting the day they might bare a son to take over the throne. It is said many daughters of the LeFrançais Family existed, but very few lived in the luxury of the Castle's walls. Of course, it was never shown, and any daughters cast away were stripped of their name and title, while the Sons were praised and cared for with the highest of education and training. It was an hourglass set upon the LeFrançais Family, a hex that no Eastern, nor Southern Magic could dispel, and the knowledge would be forever buried, if only to maintain peace among the Kingdoms. But each Baron grew more and more mad with this knowledge, a feverish search for the next heir, all while maintain the guise of peacekeeper and trading capital of Vetus.

But we come to present day. the current Baron of Everstel, Jacob LeFrançais, has become the one to face the curse's worse blow. As to be expected, the Wife of Jacob would lay bare to two daughters, but before they could come to bear the next, she was struck ill by sickness, the overwhelming stress the Baron himself was putting upon the poor girl, and as a result, he found himself a widower, with two daughters that would never bear an heir. Desperate, he began the girls on a rigorous training regiment, torturous hours that would beat the responsibilities of Baronship within them, while searched endlessly to ensure the next heir would be a male. But, his madness became worse, and before his horrendous acts might fall towards his daughters, the eldest stepped before the youngest. Amelie, stood as tall as a little girl could towards the giant Baron, protecting her tortured sister. An exchange was given. To cast out her sister, and let her live, and she would take all the brunt of what he had in store to save her. The first true act of a strong leader. And the deal was struck. Amelie never saw her sister again, but ensured that as part of her deal, she would live, and remain untouched by the Baron's evil grasp. As for Jacob, his daughter only became part of his search, more strain put upon her body and mind. She became cold, and heartless, but she grew into a strong warrior, even participating in a Great Hunt, something a LeFrançais daughter had never commenced in. She was respected and feared. And tragedy would soon befall the Kingdom of Everstel.

The Baron of Myrr called for a meeting to Baron Jacob, wishing to talk of improved routes, and brushing over shaky relations. The Baron, however, would send his son as his Envoy, perhaps as a means to rub in the curse, or for other reasons, Jacob would not know, but he agreed. His frightened mind hoping that perhaps they might soon be able to lift the curse, if the Barons could come to agreements that might better meet the needs of the warrior Kingdom of the Icy North. And in a way, the curse was lifted for Jacob. In a twist of fate, the Baron of Everstel was assassinated during the meeting by the Son of Myrr's Baron, his guard was down, and Jacob's head bounced to the floor. The Son fought with a force that would rival, and even overcome the Silver-Clad guards, making his escape back to the North, and leaving the throne empty. But, it was not for long, as Amelie still lived. Everstel's first Baroness, and in reality, their last. However, this knowledge was not commonplace, and rather than having the Kingdom erupt into chaos, Amelie took her role as Baron, and vowed vengeance to the Baron of Myrr. And now the Great Wolf of Everstel sends out a call to arms, looking to bolster her numbers with those willing to line their pockets with wealth, raise their name with glory, or those are looking to bring death to the North. For the first time since Everstel was conceived, it was their time to wage war. And Amelie would ensure peace by any means necessary.