Story

_{Cog Kleinschmidt works happily as an artisan within the stronghold of the world’s leading empire, Mercia Fortress. He finds his life taking a screeching turn upon the arrival of a diplomat from the enemy Kingdom of Arcadia, who needs something from Cog - whether he agrees or not!}

   

_{"Do Not Falter."}

_{Ruler: Emperor Theodoric Dareaurum Eberhart VIII
Founded: Unknown}

_{The Empire of Mercia is the dominant power of the world. It has a long history of warfare, much of which has resulted in their favor. However, they have been unable to bring Arcadia under the watchful eye of their empire, resulting in a great deal of tension between the two nations.} 

_{Mercia has ruthless methods of dealing with heretics who use magic. Like his forebears before him, Emperor Theodoric has inherited the mission to stamp out every last heretic for the continued safety of not only his Empire, but for the world at large. It has been a long time since the Empire absorbed another nation into the fold, but with Arcadia struggling to deal with their own heretics, Theodoric is running out of patience faster than Arcadia is running out of excuses.}

_{"Whatever it Takes."}

_{Ruler: Queen Adelle de Arcadius VI
Founded: Unknown (oldest known civilization)}

_{Arcadia is the second largest power in the world, ruled by aristocrats and their beloved queen. During its long and bloody history with Mercia, Arcadia was finally able to drive the empire back with the world’s first airship, developed by House Altair. A treaty of peace was formed to avoid further conflict.} 

Arcadian culture places heavy importance on family honor and respecting your forebears, much more than individuality. This belief comes from the fact that Arcadia is essentially run by several long-standing aristocratic families, and are the pillars that support and preserve the kingdom.

_{Many people around the world with an interest in theater, art, and architecture will find themselves gravitating toward Arcadia. However, due to Arcadians valuing blood and birthright above all, the divide between the rich and the poor in Arcadia is a large and unchanging one. As a result, a community of “peasants” has formed beneath the city, banded together and maintained by the mysterious Ringleader.} 

_{As rich as their blood may be, it seems to be filling the streets as Arcadian aristocrats are routinely being found dead. With both a serial killer AND the Empire of Mercia breathing down their necks, Arcadia finds itself at a loss.}