"Your decadence will cause the destruction of us all!" - Thira Eneld, Last Archaic Priest
These words cursed the king of the
Grand Kingdom right before the priest's execution. Some say her gaze stayed upon the king even after death. Those that heard those words and revered the beliefs of the old world expected the sudden destruction of the kingdom. When that didn't happen and things continued as they always had, expectation turned to doubt and doubt to disbelief and that to outright mockery. In fact, the subsequent years saw so many bountiful harvests and good fortune, the curse changed into a common blessing still used today: "May your decadence destroy us all!" Or may you be blessed beyond measure as to "destroy" our simple lifestyles from your bounty.
The decadence is real. No other location in the Nordhavyn Isles has prospered like the Grand Kingdom. From livestock to crops to manufactured goods, everything the people touched seemed to prosper beyond their wildest dreams. With the added safety of the land and no known enemies to evil to thwart them, the people and the rulers began to build cities and towns with fewer or even no defenses. Guards were not needed at the city gates, let alone the gates themselves! Peace was visible throughout the land and the people had no desire or need for war.
What this destruction might mean though, that is the mystery. The closest thing encountered has been the passing natural disaster, but those are few and far between and quickly overcome. Generations have passed from the time those words were spoken and nothing has befallen the kingdom. Some say the destruction will come when they are all too fat to even raise themselves up. Others say it was just words used to frighten the people.
The Zealots, a people who separated themselves and formed their own kingdom, say the
Grand Kingdom has become weak and feeble and is unable to withstand any evil that may come.
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