Royal Remnants

The formerly great kingdom of Imperial Russia is crumbling. Its southern neighbors, the Ottomans and the Mongols, sense its weakness and prowl its borders, salivating at the chance to claim its land and people for themselves. Most of Western Europe is ambivalent and unwilling to involve themselves in the trouble that’s brewing in the east, choosing instead to devote their resources to conquering the New World.

Following a coup d’etat by a group of power-hungry bureaucrats, the throne is now held by Czaritsa Elizaveta Viktorova, the ruthless mastermind behind the coup. By poisoning the last Czar and manipulating the public into thinking that their country had displeased their deity through creating “natural” accidents, Elizaveta was able to convince her peers that the royal blood was corrupted. The only solution was to “cleanse” the tainted bloodline and forge a new divine contract with Xors Myesyats, their country’s divine sponsor. This had almost never been successfully done before, as most deities outright erase those they deem unworthy from existence for daring to intrude upon their divine realm.

But she had succeeded, or so she claimed. Little did the public know that it was all a sham. Rather than risk her own life, Elizaveta had sacrificed anyone with an ounce of potential in a vain attempt to strike it lucky. Since divine magic was no longer supplied to their country’s clerics and paladins, they relied upon a sizable cache of potions and magical items in order to maintain the facade that everything was well. However, as both these and the treasury run low, the people are beginning to suspect that something is up. Luckily for Elizaveta, she caught wind of rumors that survivors of the royal bloodline were still out there. And with the confirmation that there indeed were five bastard offspring remaining, Elizaveta set her new plan into action.

And that’s where you come in. While your own origins are a mystery, the numerous assassins and mercenaries pursuing you aren’t. For some strange reason, they seemed to be more focused on capturing you rather than killing you. However, this gives you little comfort as you find yourself unable to rest or stay in one place for long in fear of another attack. It’s only a matter of time before they catch you unawares, and, considering how little you’ve slept, that time would most likely come sooner rather than later. Lucky for you, two strangers come to your aid when you most needed it: a grizzled older man and a dark-haired swordsman. After all of your assailants are dispatched, your surprise grows when both of them get on one knee in show of unexpected reverence.

It’s then that they introduce themselves as former Commander General Viktor Aerev, of Russia’s Imperial Army, and Leith du’Lac, a very expensive but very efficient mercenary. Vikrtor then reveals to you the truth of your parentage: you and the four others accompanying you are the last surviving heirs of the royal Russian bloodline. The false Czaritsa Elizaveta Viktorova was the one responsible for sending your assailants after you. He then kneels down and, in a quiet voice, makes a simple request.

“Please, save our people and reclaim your heritage, before it’s too late.”