Mortal Kingdoms

The Age of Mortals

  The age of mortal rule came about out of need for stability, around 1000-2000 ACE the first mortal were being pulled from other realms to aid the gods in acquiring worship. In the beginning the concept was that the strong would lead and protect the weak, but it became apparent that this was not working the way they envisioned it. The life of the hero was one of constant fear, and there were no laws or rules to protect the families and people of the realm. Divine law stated that gods could not aid man in anything that could do on their directly, and this lead to the complete crash of worship in the realm. The ruler gods called upon Athena and Hekate to solve this problem, and so era of Mortal Rule would begin.   With Hekate's help Athena pulled some of the best leaders to have existed within the history of Earth. To their surprise some of the rulers they were looking to acquire did not want to come back from the dead. Alexander, Cyrus, and Leonidas were big examples of famed leaders not wishing to rule once again. They had paid their dues in life, and were enjoying there well earned after life, and did not want to leave this new life behind. In the end the Gods chose rulers that were good at maintain order, but they need not be the nicest of people.

The Divine Rulers chose kings that new how to maintain order, and cared not weather they were good people. These Rulers were Pericles (Athens), Gorgo (Sparta), Minos (Crete), Xerces (Persia), Ada (The Mother of Perseus), and Priam (Troy), and they would forever change the future of Crossroads.- Herodotus

  Each one was offered a contract, a promise, and a wish. Their contract was to gather people and maintain a kingdom in the land of the Crossroads. To ensure that heroes were able to achieve their goals and contracts and protect people from mindless slaughter. If they accomplished this task, they were granted limited Immortality, and by they would never die from disease or old age. They could die being killed, and ailments, but If they ran a worthwhile government, they would live if they chose too.   Most mortal kingdoms were not willing to take to the seas and defend the islands. Minos and Poseidon terrified most the rulers of pushing their reach to the Aegean Sea. This left of a void, that Minos was willing to fill. Minos was not a just ruler, and the people of the Aegean suffered greatly from his rule. High taxes were charged, and mandatory service to the military was required. People became slaves, and were sold off to the highest bidder, to not upset the gods Minos paid them with extravagant tribute. While most of the realm was doing fine under the rule of the other rules, the Aegean was in chaos.

Arrival of the Praetors and Ogygians

  About 4900 ACE, a group of elves made their way to the Crossroads. These elves were religious followers of 3 deities from their realm, and were Athena, Poseidon, and Lupa. How Athena and Poseidon extended their reach to a separate realm was unknown to even them, but nonetheless they were faithful followers of these gods. To see a whole kingdom of people, appear created an uproar amongst the realm. So much so, that the divine kingdoms held a meeting to discuss this issue. The Leader of the race was summoned to Athens, the wise king Destin Arya.   Information about these elves were spreading quickly, they were known as Ogygian High Elves, and were a race of elves from another realm. There culture was like combination of Athenian and Spartan cultures, and they worship Athena, Lupa, and Poseidon. They were formidable at land and sea combat, and since birth have been trained in combat and trades. Their original home was called Ogygia and it appears to mirror the same ogygia that exist in this realm. The Elves came with massive wolves known as Praetors, and that Lupa was their deity, these Praetors average 15-30 ft tall, and were immensely powerful.   With all this information coming forth the divine rulers accused Poseidon and Athena of hiding the Key of Klidi, and working againts the safety of the realm. This is when Lupa spoke and explained how these elves came across the knowledge of Athena and Poseidon. Athena and Poseidon were gods of Earth Realm, and because Lupa was a roman god she was aware of them. Before the Gods left earth realm, Lupa took her children through a lost gate and left. When they arrived in their new realm, they needed a home, and so the Praetors called up Athena for the wisdom to find a great home, and then Poseidon to aid them in getting to this home.   The elves came to their island looking for safety, and Lupa Granted it. They worship wisdom more than any other god of the realm. Both Ogygian and Praetors were cursed by a black flame, and their home was destroyed. Due to the kindness of King Destin, he allowed them to leave, and if they stayed they would be finished. Once again, Lupa found this gate, and came to the Crossroads with everyone that remained.

The Gods allowed them to stay, and Destin and Lupa could join Calypso on their home islands namesake. She agreed of course to house them, and together they lived for the next decade in peace. Calypso taught Destin the History of the realm, and she mentioned the horrible life of the other islands of the Aegean Sea. Destin believes the right to rule was bestowed by the people, and it is the king’s duty to make their lives better. With Lupa’s permission, Destin prepared for war. No other people would suffer the way his people did, and the War of Radiance and Necromancy began.

The War of Radiance and Necromancy

This war was not a long war, but both sides lost lives during this war. Minos’ was well known for his use of necromancy and the fallen ones, and Destin’s people wore golden armor and were well adept with fighting these types of individuals. Mino’s believe his magic and the Fallen One’s were enough to drive back the Ogygian, but island after island started revolting and joining the cause. The Ogygian Elves are a marvel to watch, and trained in the way of Roman War, and as history tells us, this type of fighting eventually conquered Greece.   After 15 years of war, half the Praetors and Ogygian Elves lost their lives trying to liberate the dark hands of Minos from their hold on the islands. Lupa and Destin were at the front for of Mino’s kingdom when he decided he agreed to peace talks. Minos agreed to surrender his hold on the Aegean people, and in return he would be paid handsomely for it. Destin did not want his people to suffer, so gave him the opportunity to try again with funds to rebuild his island.   The people of the Aegean Sea set up a league of tiny nations that agreed to work together to protect their sovereignty. Poseidon agreed to welcoming to allow Athena to visit Destin and his people. It has not been said, but Poseidon was losing power, because Minos secretly gave all his worship to Kronus. With the end of the war going in the favor of Destin, Lupa, Athena, and Poseidon all grew dramatically in power.   The people of the land were talking about the war, and how quickly it was one. The elves were not to trifled with, but behind the scenes, their people dwindle to a mere few hundred, and the Praetors were dwindled down to just 6 remaining. With no male to make their ranks grow.

The Rumor of the True King

  There was a leader that was searched for, and the gods could not find. He was the great warrior king the Greece has ever produced. The Macedonian king Alexander the Great has been missing for centuries, and rumors swelled that he was tending to other gods of his empire. Alexander was never defeated, and his empire only fell due to his natural death. Be-cause of this, he is viewed as the true king of Greece.   The oracle has said that one day the True king will return and retake his throne. He will bring with him the gods of the other part of his kingdom to ensure no diety challenge his rule. When this occurs, the nations must rise to defend the realm, or risk the safety of the crossroads. No gods will be able to aid the fight, and it is said that Alexander forces are the best known to the land.