Introductory Story

In a land far from our own, there existed three highly respected houses that maintained a peace among them that rested on a sword’s edge. Generations of allegiances between the houses have kept the peace, but there has been increasing unrest between the houses because the homeland of these houses provided enough resources to maintain their numbers, but did not allow them room to grow and fully prosper. The three houses, that have existed for thousands of years, are at risk of being overrun by upstart houses and competition due to lack of resources, land, and people, which has made the situation supremely dire. 

One day, an elderly traveler arrived in the land. His robe was ragged and threadbare and his face was hidden by a large hood that only exposed a grisly beard extending to his waist. He spoke to no one, so the houses decided to convene a Conclave to investigate the peculiar character. After much questioning the traveler spoke and his booming voice felt like it had split the sky as it filled their hall. He wove a tale of his travels through a remote location bordered by two great rivers, one on the eastern edge and one on the western edge, with many other tributaries feeding them between. The land was lush and full of resources to allow their houses to grow and prosper. His oratoration described how the rivers cut and formed the land into seven distinct kingdoms where the people of each area seemed dedicated to different virtues and lived in peace similar to the land occupied by these houses, but lived without a king to unite and govern them.

The first kingdom was well known for their close knit family structure and their ability to protect their children and community with a zeal unseen by the orator in all of his traveling. They embodied the ancient command of, “Honor thy father and thy mother”.

The second contained people that revered the traditions of their ancestors and the sacredness of all faiths. This kingdom was very diverse with numerous different faiths living in harmony with each other.

The third was a place where the people exuded kindness and generosity to anyone they encountered. The traveler noted that his felt at home with every person he encountered and their helpfulness never felt coerced by his presence.

The fourth kingdom was extremely dedicated to their fellowmen. They held their brotherhood and camaraderie in such high regard that they even defend it above all else until their death.

The fifth comprised a people of such loyalty and devotion that if you were given promise by the people of this kingdom, you knew that they would not falter in maintaining their word. These people possessed a word that was a good as their bond.

The sixth region was unique. The people there had a pureness that prevented them from doing evil deeds and speaking ill of the world. These people knew that their virtuous lives would be the best foundation for them to fully live their lives.  

The seventh and last kingdom was a place so respectful of their military and the sacrifices of their people in forging their land into a place of prosperity despite the difficulties of the terrain. However, these people were more inclined to maintain peace then to be the first group to start a war.

The traveler then produced an aged and worn roll of parchment that contained a map of the described land. The houses were stunned and in awe at the potential of what the traveler had described and by what they saw contained on the map. It was as if their prayers had been answered and the ability to expand and live a better life had been set at their feet on a silver platter. The last words spoken by the traveler told of a legend in the seven kingdoms that a king would arrive from a distant land that would unite them and bring about a level of prosperity never experienced in their lands. After this, the traveler said no more and would not move from this position, so the leaders departed the hall with uncertainty and skepticism regarding the messages the traveler had provided.

The next morning the mysterious traveler had vanished as if into thin air, but his map remained in the spot he had spoken his auspicious message. Unable to interrogate the visitor any further about this distant land, the individual houses retired to their compounds and decided the best move for each house. After much deliberation, the leaders of each house knew that they could not pass on the opportunity to improve the lives of their subjects, and elected to send a small group of their most experienced soldiers along with one of the most senior advisors of the house to investigate this land and claim its kingdoms by demonstrating their values, beliefs, virtues, and worth to the people of each kingdom. The groups were each instructed to gain the individual kingdoms by proving their worth to the people of the land not only on the battlefield, but on the perpetual battlefields of life with their actions off the battlefield.

The groups from each house departed their homeland knowing the fight between their forces and that of the other houses for this treasured land would be fierce and arduous, but each knew they could win the battles with strength, wisdom, and resilience.

Welcome to the Battle of the Seven Candles.