Ronin Story Great War 2

The Ronin’s presence ushers peace, their steps a symbol of sanctity. With the might of the magical blades in their hand, and a strange power at their call, none dare to upend the tranquility. They hold a power unto themselves, and even the Great Kingdoms fear to upset their entrusted advisors.

United, the Great Kingdoms also stand as a symbol—a glorified bastion of hope, sprawling over the lands, ushering peace and prosperity. Each kingdom embodies one of the ancient elements: Wind, for the mighty kingdom of Morrow, in the windy high cliffs of Ren Nar that oversee the world; Water for the kingdom of Seria within the glorious falls, often called the City of Tranquility; Tree for the Kingdom of Eldas, a magical and enchanted woods with the glowing city suspended in the vast trees; Stone for the impenetrable bastion of Lander, their walls purported to be thicker than small cities, fortified within the rocky Crags; Moon for the city of Narim, coveted in the dark hills—half above, and half beneath the land’s crust, a vast, subterranean gem; Rising Sun for the shining keeps of Vaster, like alabaster jewels, always in the dawn’s light; Metal for the city of Darmin, back against the Deep Mines, a land of billowing steam and gleaming steel, forged by the million strong that man the forges, including the Grand Forge within the Golden Hall; Fire for the dark Citadel whose incantations ignite the night sky—a Reaver’s blood burns with fire; and at last, the kingdom of Flesh, a city of men and women, and beast, who labor tirelessly day and night and spread the tenements of the Mortal Being, the largest spiritual sect of all the lands. The Great Kingdoms each called the Shining Jewels, all glowing in the dawning sun of civilization.

Yet all was not meant to last, and those that rise the highest, have the farthest to fall. In this time of glory, a strange shift occurs. In the dark night, one of the nine magical blades is stolen. The theft creates panic and dread among all people and cities—fearing the stories of the chaos that had erupted before. The Ronin, the guardians of the blades, are blamed for the theft in an attempt to quell the rising fear, and they are banished from the lands. Peace lasts for a short while, until a strange malevolence spreads its way through the minds of many, and soon cities turn upon one another in their fear.

The Great Kingdoms are helpless, and soon, even they turn on one another.

The Ronin, still outcast, have no part, as the once Shining Jewels split, then clash in war with all their great and terrible might. Two alliances are forged—one called the Alliance of the Righteous, and the other, called simply Sanctity, dividing the nine kingdoms. Wars and battles rage fiercely for nearly two hundreds years as the great commanders and legions shed blood on the once-green lands.

Then, in the midst of chaos and destruction, a strange and terrible strain of darkness grows. Beasts appear from the east, from a blighted land most had forgotten, massive creatures heard only in stories, and tall frightening nightmares. They side with the Alliance of Righteous. Swiftly, with the creatures at their side, the tide is turned, and the once human legion of the Alliance is turned to a tide of black. Over the course of more bloody battles, strange nightmares appear, beings seemingly made from mist that no mortal can slay. Shortly after, striding out of the darkness and death, emerge nine men. They lead the dark armies, taking the place of the commanders; they are more like nightmares than men, with their faces cloaked and wreathed in black.

They become known by one ill, feared name—the Kage. Their strange powers seem to match the Ronin’s and with the dark armies at their back, all seems lost once again.

At this time, a last gathering is called.

The Ronin, the once-outcasts are beckoned, begged to attend the gathering held in the Grand Temple, the great hall within the Kingdom of Wind. By now, it is well known the armies of Sanctity dwindle quickly and all seems lost. The great commanders plead the aid of the Ronin, for all know the forces of the Alliance are too awful and great with the aid of the beasts.

The once-sung heroes, knowing this, join the side of Sanctity.

In an all out effort to stave off the Alliance and their nightmarish horde that know no limit of cruelty, Sanctity unites the last of their forces under one banner with the Ronin at their head, and upon the rolling Green Hills, they make their last stand against the endless sea of the dark army. However, in this moment, the leader of the Ronin, Kail turns mad, according to all accounts and leaves the Ronin, his brothers. Some say he disappeared into the Lost Woods, others, to beyond the Gates for safety, turned by the loss of a beloved or by the sight of too much blood. Either way, he becomes known as the Traitor.

The battle ensues and the dark army with the Kage at their front, clash with the remaining forces of good… yet a trick was done, and the armies of good vanish as if they were never there, and in their place, stand only the eight Ronin, fighting the unstoppable tide of darkness.

The last armies of Sanctity, with the precious time the Ronin afforded them, flee the field of battle and head for Death’s Gates. There, they close the Gates behind them, and hold off the dark legion’s advance. Two hundred years the battle at the Gates rages, turning the Gate’s White Plains red with scarlet blood; the gates become known as Death’s Gates. Yet the dark forces are halted at the Gates, as they cannot enter Farhaven without the key. The darkness known as the Kage and their horde, sift away, fading into the winds and into the land.

Yet there is little cheer—while Farhaven remains, Daerval is destroyed, now a crumbling remains of a once-glorious land. Slowly, the few survivors rise from the ruins to rebuild the land, yet fearing the chaos still. For the darkness waits for another age, to finish what they began, what bards and prophets deem The Return…