In the golden age of Calmyra, King Gerald Alfareth ruled with wisdom and a steady hand. At his side stood his first queen, Lorenya — fierce, brilliant, and beloved — who bore him a son, Petric. Though their marriage ended, Gerald never stripped her of her crown. Lorenya remained queen in title and kept the central royal keep—Castle Calmyra—in the heart of the High Plain Expanse.
Gerald left the center of the realm and settled in the Everveil Wood to the southwest. There, in Castel Everveil, he remarried. His second queen was Virella: a sorceress of striking beauty whose serpent’s voice bent courtiers and captains alike. Her command of forbidden magic made her both feared and followed.
For a time, the uneasy arrangement held. One king. Two queens. And a single heir whose birthright none dared contest.
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When Gerald died in Castel Everveil, the kingdom cracked.
Lorenya, seated in Castle Calmyra, remarried and raised a new banner. From the High Plain Expanse she declared herself rightful sovereign, founding House Cavaryn.
Virella, queen in practice, claimed the throne by marriage and led the Everveil Wood as House Alfareth West.
And Petric, son of Gerald’s blood, raised the lion-banner of Alfareth East, swearing to reclaim the legacy he believed was rightfully his.
Across the realm, the lords Gerald had appointed turned their eyes toward the empty throne.
In the northwest Pyrethorne Range, Janric of House Macrelith called forth the phoenix, believing the kingdom could only be reforged through flame and steel — in the northeast Frostmarch Peaks, Carden of House Luthgar raised the stag, preaching survival, discipline, and the stewardship of coin and land — and in the southwest, Everveil’s serpent coiled tighter, whispering power to any who would follow.
What had once been one crown became five banners.
What had once been peace became rivalry.
Each house claims the throne.
None will yield.
And Calmyra marches toward war.
