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Description
Before: Arthrinian History
   There was a time when light touched everything in Arthrinia. No fear of the dark inside our peoples' hearts. Life was prosperous and free, no worries of the evil, dark magic. When the sun set and the moon rose, there was still light stretching across the land. Never was there darkness.
   Arthrinia was a great kingdom. It wished to stay an agricultural kingdom, simple and without conflict. Peace has lasted throughout the Four Kingdoms for almost a thousand years.  Yes, there were internal and domestic affairs, but no kingdom has attacked another since the War of Brothers.
   Our people do not wish to linger on the past. None have spoken of the War of Brothers since it ended.
   Rolling with hills, Arthrinia is rather diverse in land. In the middle of the country is the WhiteStone Castle with its tall, elegant white marble towers and spires. Rather than a moat surrounding the castle, a town does. It doesn't have a name. It is usually called Castletown. The royal family was, and still is, nice and kind to their people. Never did they force things upon them; never were they rude or selfish. It's not in their nature.
   Starting a few feet from the wall encircling the castle and town is the Thelve Woods. These woods are older than the kingdom itself, reaching up to the heavens for eternity. They are not terrifying and eerie. No beats are allowed to roam in the Thelve Woods. Only those creatures of gentle nature are allowed beyond the magical barrier.
   Speaking of magic, every few hundred years, the Magic Guardians appear and make sure the world they created was empty of chaos and full of life. No one knows where or when they come.
   Magic is given to the chosen ones at birth. Every few people have magic, and those are very responsible and righteous people.
   Most of the time.
   Rarely is magic given to the royals of the Four Kingdoms for obvious reasons. However, some are born with specific talents. These talents aren't limited to royals. Any person can receive them, but the royals tend to be born with them. The talents vary greatly; one could have a swimming talent, another an archery talent, and one more with a sewing talent or even an animal-speaking talent.
   The royal bloodline goes as far back as the Magic Guardians themselves. Legends say that the Arthrinian royals are descendants of the guardians. Of course, no one knows for sure. But that didn't stop a few tyrannical rulers from taking advantage of the belief.
   Legends also talk of how, beyond the woods, enchantments occur on the Salzar Mountain peaks. The mountains shoot up from the end of the woods, snowy caps resting on top. Many believe that the sacred Scepter of Eternal Light is hidden in a cave of the mountains. Adventurous travelers and thrill seekers a many went in search of it. None have returned. Some nights, there is a faint glow coming from the Salzar Mountains that can be seen throughout the kingdom. It's the flame that keeps Arthrinian hope alive.
   The Golden Maiden also keeps the hope aglow. Who is this maiden? For certain, no one knows. Is her skin cast in shining gold? Is she alive? A statue? Some believe that she is alive, always reincarnated in some beautiful girl. Others say the maiden died as a sacrifice millions of years ago to become the Morning Star. Only the royals know the secret identity of this maiden. She lives in the castle as a-
   Ah, I cannot reveal her identity. Soon enough, you shall know.
   To get back to reality, we shall continue on to the powerful Lavender Sea. It is called so because on certain days, when the waves are calm, a scent of lavender can be smelled. It also separates our small Arthrinian kingdom from the larger island kingdom of Bolerian. For years they have been eyeing the smallest of the Four Kingdoms. The other two, Charth and Deering, are of medium size and do not wish to get any bigger. Charth neighbors Arthrinia to the North, behind the Salzar Mountains. Deering is to Arthrinia's South, a swallow river separating them. None are hostile toward the other.
   Each kingdom always has a king, queen, and at least one heir. Never have the royal families intermarried. It wasn't normal, and still isn't. Charth tried to see if their princess and Bolerian's prince would marry, but it ended terribly. The princess never returned from her Bolerian visit. War almost broke out, but Bolerian claimed that the prince was missing. Both were gone. The two countries decided to no try that again, as did the last two. Instead, they let the heirs choose their husband or wife. Before the marriage, though, the heir's parents must approve of the choice.
   People vary wherever you go. Arthrinia is famous for their lighter-skinned and fair-haired folk. Their eye colors, however, are as countless as the stars. Bolerian is known for their tan, almost chocolate, skin and red eyes. Charth is full of dark-haired and eyed people while Deering is a mix of all three.
   Arthrinians are gentle, simple folk. Magic is rarely found in their blood, but talents are abundant. They do have an army, but it's small and pretty much useless. Battle is not a major issue, though. In the small kingdom, there are four sections surrounding the castle: the marketplace where much trading and selling takes place, housing where the citizens thrive, a barracks used for training the small army, and a large plot of land for farming. Arthrinia is very famous for their potatoes and beans. No other Arthrinian towns, except Castletown, exist. The first king wanted only a small kingdom, and the tradition has continued. Three rivers flow into the walled citadel: Salzar Spring from the North, Kessel River from the West, and the Lily Creek from the South that flows from Balton Stream that separates Deering from Arthrinia. There is a lake somewhere to the Northwest, but no one has bothered to venture up there with the Lavender Sea to the East.
   Across the sea, the Bolerians are magic-wielding people. They have rather bad tempers, and none of the other countries think highly of them. Bolerian is the only kingdom that ever declared war, starting the only war the Four Kingdoms have face. War of Brothers. Bolerian always seems to be in the middle of a civil war.  They are advanced in weaponry, only weaponry, and are full of blood lust. The terrain reflects the Bolerians' temper. Volcanoes sprout up everywhere, most dormant, but dangerous all the same. Rumors are heard that Bolerian's castle itself is a volcano. Only princes are born to the Bolerian royal couple. Every decade or so, a daughter is born to keep the queen alive. The princes are always fighters, and usually become generals of their own platoon of soldiers. They are known, strangely, to be very handsome, as well.
   Charth is a very industrialized country. They have the latest in all technology, and they have the smartest people in all the kingdoms. Everyone works, even the children. The children start working at a very young age to ensure their high intelligence. They are pacifists and want nothing to do with violence. Charth's population consists mostly of elves, which explains the high intelligence rate and new technology. Even the queen is an elf. Their ears are only slightly pointed than normal. Instead of prejudice, the other people adore the Charthian elves. Many wish to know their secrets of immortality, but of course the elves will never tell. Charth is a flat land with few trees, but full of wildlife and natural resources. Charth is a very rich land.
   Now we tread across Balton Stream to the country and kingdom of Deering. They are forest people since Deering consists only of the large Thelve Woods. Their houses are made up and into the trees, basically like tree houses. Wooden and rope bridges connect each house to another, making a labyrinth of walkways throughout the Southern woods. Deering, as mentioned before, is full of different people. One consistent attribute though is two different colored eyes. No Deeringer has the same eye color in both eyes. Magic and talents rarely appear in Deering, but they make up lack of talent in their kindness and humility.
   All kingdoms speak the same language. The guardians thought it would be easier for communication. But that didn't stop the different cultures from emerging. Each have a distinct culture that includes music, books, food, building, customs, everything. There are a few groups that broke away and fled into a deserted section of Thelve Woods. They are called the Ithicians, or "broken away" in the ancient guardian language. No one knows what they do, but many believe them to be cannibals. More than once, people have crossed their paths and never return. They believe the Ithicians are cannibals because they leave a message in blood along with the rotting corpse of the victim.
   Peace has lasted for a long time, but peace cannot last forever. Murmurs of the Golden Maiden are becoming louder, causing more fear and uproar. Word of attack has been heard for years. Many believe the Golden Maiden will step forward and bring the Light back to the shadows starting to fall on Arthrinia.
   Arthrinia's princess, first princess in centuries, was born and the shadows receded for a time. The Light is fading fast now, though. The Golden Maiden will be reincarnated and save the Four Kingdoms from war and darkness.
*~*

Description
Before: Arthrinian History
   There was a time when light touched everything in Arthrinia. No fear of the dark inside our peoples' hearts. Life was prosperous and free, no worries of the evil, dark magic. When the sun set and the moon rose, there was still light stretching across the land. Never was there darkness.
   Arthrinia was a great kingdom. It wished to stay an agricultural kingdom, simple and without conflict. Peace has lasted throughout the Four Kingdoms for almost a thousand years.  Yes, there were internal and domestic affairs, but no kingdom has attacked another since the War of Brothers.
   Our people do not wish to linger on the past. None have spoken of the War of Brothers since it ended.
   Rolling with hills, Arthrinia is rather diverse in land. In the middle of the country is the WhiteStone Castle with its tall, elegant white marble towers and spires. Rather than a moat surrounding the castle, a town does. It doesn't have a name. It is usually called Castletown. The royal family was, and still is, nice and kind to their people. Never did they force things upon them; never were they rude or selfish. It's not in their nature.
   Starting a few feet from the wall encircling the castle and town is the Thelve Woods. These woods are older than the kingdom itself, reaching up to the heavens for eternity. They are not terrifying and eerie. No beats are allowed to roam in the Thelve Woods. Only those creatures of gentle nature are allowed beyond the magical barrier.
   Speaking of magic, every few hundred years, the Magic Guardians appear and make sure the world they created was empty of chaos and full of life. No one knows where or when they come.
   Magic is given to the chosen ones at birth. Every few people have magic, and those are very responsible and righteous people.
   Most of the time.
   Rarely is magic given to the royals of the Four Kingdoms for obvious reasons. However, some are born with specific talents. These talents aren't limited to royals. Any person can receive them, but the royals tend to be born with them. The talents vary greatly; one could have a swimming talent, another an archery talent, and one more with a sewing talent or even an animal-speaking talent.
   The royal bloodline goes as far back as the Magic Guardians themselves. Legends say that the Arthrinian royals are descendants of the guardians. Of course, no one knows for sure. But that didn't stop a few tyrannical rulers from taking advantage of the belief.
   Legends also talk of how, beyond the woods, enchantments occur on the Salzar Mountain peaks. The mountains shoot up from the end of the woods, snowy caps resting on top. Many believe that the sacred Scepter of Eternal Light is hidden in a cave of the mountains. Adventurous travelers and thrill seekers a many went in search of it. None have returned. Some nights, there is a faint glow coming from the Salzar Mountains that can be seen throughout the kingdom. It's the flame that keeps Arthrinian hope alive.
   The Golden Maiden also keeps the hope aglow. Who is this maiden? For certain, no one knows. Is her skin cast in shining gold? Is she alive? A statue? Some believe that she is alive, always reincarnated in some beautiful girl. Others say the maiden died as a sacrifice millions of years ago to become the Morning Star. Only the royals know the secret identity of this maiden. She lives in the castle as a-
   Ah, I cannot reveal her identity. Soon enough, you shall know.
   To get back to reality, we shall continue on to the powerful Lavender Sea. It is called so because on certain days, when the waves are calm, a scent of lavender can be smelled. It also separates our small Arthrinian kingdom from the larger island kingdom of Bolerian. For years they have been eyeing the smallest of the Four Kingdoms. The other two, Charth and Deering, are of medium size and do not wish to get any bigger. Charth neighbors Arthrinia to the North, behind the Salzar Mountains. Deering is to Arthrinia's South, a swallow river separating them. None are hostile toward the other.
   Each kingdom always has a king, queen, and at least one heir. Never have the royal families intermarried. It wasn't normal, and still isn't. Charth tried to see if their princess and Bolerian's prince would marry, but it ended terribly. The princess never returned from her Bolerian visit. War almost broke out, but Bolerian claimed that the prince was missing. Both were gone. The two countries decided to no try that again, as did the last two. Instead, they let the heirs choose their husband or wife. Before the marriage, though, the heir's parents must approve of the choice.
   People vary wherever you go. Arthrinia is famous for their lighter-skinned and fair-haired folk. Their eye colors, however, are as countless as the stars. Bolerian is known for their tan, almost chocolate, skin and red eyes. Charth is full of dark-haired and eyed people while Deering is a mix of all three.
   Arthrinians are gentle, simple folk. Magic is rarely found in their blood, but talents are abundant. They do have an army, but it's small and pretty much useless. Battle is not a major issue, though. In the small kingdom, there are four sections surrounding the castle: the marketplace where much trading and selling takes place, housing where the citizens thrive, a barracks used for training the small army, and a large plot of land for farming. Arthrinia is very famous for their potatoes and beans. No other Arthrinian towns, except Castletown, exist. The first king wanted only a small kingdom, and the tradition has continued. Three rivers flow into the walled citadel: Salzar Spring from the North, Kessel River from the West, and the Lily Creek from the South that flows from Balton Stream that separates Deering from Arthrinia. There is a lake somewhere to the Northwest, but no one has bothered to venture up there with the Lavender Sea to the East.
   Across the sea, the Bolerians are magic-wielding people. They have rather bad tempers, and none of the other countries think highly of them. Bolerian is the only kingdom that ever declared war, starting the only war the Four Kingdoms have face. War of Brothers. Bolerian always seems to be in the middle of a civil war.  They are advanced in weaponry, only weaponry, and are full of blood lust. The terrain reflects the Bolerians' temper. Volcanoes sprout up everywhere, most dormant, but dangerous all the same. Rumors are heard that Bolerian's castle itself is a volcano. Only princes are born to the Bolerian royal couple. Every decade or so, a daughter is born to keep the queen alive. The princes are always fighters, and usually become generals of their own platoon of soldiers. They are known, strangely, to be very handsome, as well.
   Charth is a very industrialized country. They have the latest in all technology, and they have the smartest people in all the kingdoms. Everyone works, even the children. The children start working at a very young age to ensure their high intelligence. They are pacifists and want nothing to do with violence. Charth's population consists mostly of elves, which explains the high intelligence rate and new technology. Even the queen is an elf. Their ears are only slightly pointed than normal. Instead of prejudice, the other people adore the Charthian elves. Many wish to know their secrets of immortality, but of course the elves will never tell. Charth is a flat land with few trees, but full of wildlife and natural resources. Charth is a very rich land.
   Now we tread across Balton Stream to the country and kingdom of Deering. They are forest people since Deering consists only of the large Thelve Woods. Their houses are made up and into the trees, basically like tree houses. Wooden and rope bridges connect each house to another, making a labyrinth of walkways throughout the Southern woods. Deering, as mentioned before, is full of different people. One consistent attribute though is two different colored eyes. No Deeringer has the same eye color in both eyes. Magic and talents rarely appear in Deering, but they make up lack of talent in their kindness and humility.
   All kingdoms speak the same language. The guardians thought it would be easier for communication. But that didn't stop the different cultures from emerging. Each have a distinct culture that includes music, books, food, building, customs, everything. There are a few groups that broke away and fled into a deserted section of Thelve Woods. They are called the Ithicians, or "broken away" in the ancient guardian language. No one knows what they do, but many believe them to be cannibals. More than once, people have crossed their paths and never return. They believe the Ithicians are cannibals because they leave a message in blood along with the rotting corpse of the victim.
   Peace has lasted for a long time, but peace cannot last forever. Murmurs of the Golden Maiden are becoming louder, causing more fear and uproar. Word of attack has been heard for years. Many believe the Golden Maiden will step forward and bring the Light back to the shadows starting to fall on Arthrinia.
   Arthrinia's princess, first princess in centuries, was born and the shadows receded for a time. The Light is fading fast now, though. The Golden Maiden will be reincarnated and save the Four Kingdoms from war and darkness.
*~*