Post by Flamebanner on Jun 30, 2012 15:11:40 GMT -5
Flamebanner
Release the Cats!
Early History
The first records of Flamebanner date back at least two thousand years, to when Flamebanner was nothing more then a town deep within the vast country of Four Trees. Under the leadership of the town's ruler, Zieg the townspeople grew large quantities of food for the King's vast armies. With most of their harvest going to the capital they relied more on game and fish to survive.
As time passed though and Four Trees grew cracks began to develop and widen as commanders and governors plotted. Things finally blew up one summer while the King was away with the army. Poisoned by his chief advisor the King fell in the middle of battle, followed quickly by his bodyguard as they tried to rescue their lord. With the King dead the army retreated, unable to continue the fight without their leader.
Succession was not to go smoothly however. Civil War soon broke out, leaving the country's borders wide open as soldiers rallied behind various banners. Wide swathes of farmland and forest were destroyed and entire villages slaughtered as the fighting continued.
Flamebanner found itself at the mercy of a band of deserters, eager to make a living off tormenting the citizenry. The town's food supplies dwindled quickly from the constant feasting and a number of people were slain when they protested.
Four Trees enemies took advantage of the empire's troubles and launched their own invasions, adding to the confusion. Flamebanner was among the first casualties of these invasions, the town sacked and razed to the ground by a raiding party. Zieg and the surviving townspeople fled, hiding within the woods until the soldiers left and then salvaging what little they could, turned away from their former home, following Zieg as he led them back into the forest even as soldiers came for them.
Flight
As they fled, Zieg realized that his people would never be safe in Four Trees, the wars would likely rage for years as the country died. With this in mind Zieg led his people through the forest and along the coast until they reached one of the port towns.
It had been hit as hard as any other but supply ships and other vessels still sailed out and it was with one of these that Zieg would save his people. A handful of brave volunteers agreed to distract the guards while the rest of the runaways got aboard a ship and set sail. Though the volunteers gave up their lives they died knowing they had helped their friends and families to escape onto the ocean.
Zieg watched the war torn land of Four Trees recede into the distance while the ship's skeleton crew worked the sails.
A New Home
The ship sailed fast, those with nautical experience helping the sailors keep the ship moving as they put more distance between themselves and Four Trees.
Finally, after several weeks of travel and the avoidance of many populated landmasses the lookout spotted an island that seemed untouched and at Zieg's command the weary crew made for it, beaching the ship and dropping anchor to secure it from the tide.
Leading a small party of hunters and woodsmen Zieg left the ship to scout the nearby area and search for any sign of other inhabitants. Several days passed and those left on the ship had begun to fear the worst when the scouting party returned, the hunters carrying several deer which were quickly turned into a feast as the explorers told of their expedition.
No signs of other human life had been found in the area and with food and other resources plentiful Zieg declared that the island would be the new home for the refugees. Orders were immediately given to set up a camp on the beach until a location for a proper settlement could be found.