An old man sits in the corner of tavern sipping his drink listening to a bard tell the tale of "The Raise of Shadowmage". The old man gives a laugh as the bard finishes. One of the patrons looks at the old man and says, "What is so funny, old man? That is the tale of how our land came to greatness. Shadowmage was the greatest leader we ever had." The old man takes another sip from his mug and replies "Yes, Shadowmage was the greatest leader we ever had, but that tale you just heard is like all other tales, they grow with each telling. No, Shadowmage did not fight alone. No, Shadowmage did single handed build our great city that we live in today and no, Shadowmage didn't take on the world alone. He used the people of our fair kingdom like pawns to do his bidding. He also had allies that he also moved like pawns, and just like us his allies, never knew they were being used. How do I know this you ask? I was there. For another drink I might be persuaded to tell you the true story of how we came to power." The bard goes to the bar and grabs a tankard of ale and bring it to the old man and says "OK old man, let's hear your story. Tell me the truth so that I may spread it for all to hear." The old man takes a sip of the ale and begins "It all started many, many years ago in the Throne Room......"

It was time of the Blowing Sands in the year of the Scorpion. King Vul Dragna sat in his throne looking down upon the map set before him as the last of his advisors left him. "Why did I get picked for this.� GODS I NEVER WANTED IT! I always just wanted to be a raiser of horses." He drops his face into his hands. His head shakes as if sobbing.

Just then from the shadow of the throne steps a figure. The figure is a tall thin form wearing a robe the color of shadows with the same shifting affect, that scrapes the floor making no sound as he moves, The robe has hood and long arms that leaves his face and hands clouded in darkness. The cowl slowly turns to the king and one-word drifts softly across the room. "Pitiful." The king gives no notice to the sound, he continues to shake his head. The Figure moves to the side of the throne. Now that the figure has moved in to the light it can be seen that the figure cast no shadow.� As figure reaches up to the throat of the robe, the sleeves of the robe drop down just a bit to show that gloves of the same color cover long slender hands. The gloved hands draw open the robe revealing darkness, darker then the darkest moonless night. The figure pulls the robe open wide. The King takes notice of the robed figure for the first time. The King "Who.... What are?!"� A look of sheer terror passes over the king's face as he looks upon something only he can see. Then a pair of dark claws reaches from inside the robe reach out and grabs the king by his head. He is the dragged into the robe. The robed figure slowly closes the robe and moves over to the throne and sits. The figure then reaches into its robe and pulls out an amulet of gold with a ruby set in the center. Looking upon the amulet.� "So Chaos, the amulet will have it's uses after all. Know Chaos, where ever you are, I do not forget the debt I owe you." The figure slides the amulet over the hood and as it settles on its chest the figure begins to change. After a few seconds King Vul Dragna again sits on the throne. The figure stretches testing it's new body and in the kings voices says, "This will be passable. It will do for what I need to do."
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The King looks down upon the map. " This will not do." 'He' waves a hand and the Globe of Darkness appears floating in front of 'him'.� He gazes deep into the globe for a few minutes. A look of hatred crosses his face as 'he' waves his arms and the globe disappears. "Curse that fool! Advisors, advisors get in here now we have a lot of work to do!" The advisors slowly enter with a look of shock on their faces; they have never seen the King act like this. The 'King' says "We have much work to do to whip this kingdom in to shape, attend me." Shock crosses the faces of the advisors. This is something new.

Deep in the desert, the city of Moustar, sits in an oasis. Moustar's inhabitants' sit around enjoying the freedom their king has given them. A few notices the sudden influx of messengers, then about an hour late those same messengers leaving on the fastest horse to be found. Shortly there after a town crier was heard around the city declaring a speech to be given by the King. The people lay around not worrying about the meeting it will be like all the others so no one bothers to go. Shortly before the speech, soldiers come from the castle and begin to gather every one up and herd them to the courtyard of the castle. The people mill around angrily. The King walks slowly out onto a balcony. The crowd gives a halfhearted cheer, with a little help from the soldiers. The king looks out over his people. " Good people of Moustar I know I have not been the King you wanted me to be, I have let the kingdom fall into ruins. But that will change and it will change now!"� The crowd gives a halfhearted cheer, not really believing him. " We have a lot of work to do. A lot of land to take under our rule, many a people to bring to the light of our god." A stronger cheer is heard from the crowd, This is something they have never heard before could it be true? "Together we shall rule the world!" The people start to cheer madly as the King turns around and enter the castle and can be heard for minutes afterwards. As the 'King' enters he says "Fools." The 'King' turns to his advisors and says, "Have the orders sent to the people out side. Get them working while the speech is still fresh in their minds."

Elsewhere, deep in the caverns of Dom, the militia of sand people sits lazing around watching as the dark elf people slowly slide from shadow to shadow avoiding the militia.� A militiaman looks to another "Ain't this great? Just sit around here and take what we want from these people no marching, no hot sun just sitting here watching these people and it's been months sense the last tax collector was here so we get to keep the gold too."� Just then the Captain walks out of the guard post they have built and yells. "Form up, you desert dogs! It seems that the King just got a little backbone and we are on the move again. He's decided he wants the whole world and we gotta get it for him." After a few minutes of preparation the army slowly moves down the tunnels to their next conquest.� The same thing is seen and heard in other shires as the governors start to crank up the Sand People war machine for the coming battles.

Deep in the bowels of Moustar The 'King " sits upon his throne a globe of darkness floats in front of him. "And so it begins. The plans are laid the allies made the first moves are made. The bones are cast now it time to sit back and wait to see what the cast will be." The 'King' sits back and tents his hands in front of him. " Now if my luck flows my way I will be prepared to set my true plan in motion. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
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It was the time of the Awakening in the year of the Scorpion. Life was busy for the citizens of the new Empire of the Shadow as King Vul Dragna called it. Everyone was happy, they had plenty of food and lots of work to keep them busy and put money in their pockets. So much gold flowing had taxes down, and everyone was happy with that too.� Even the outlying shires were having it good. The construction of the town was going great. Buildings were flying up everywhere as if by magic. The library was completed finally and the granary and tavern fairly flew up. Next the blacksmith was started.� The army ranks swelled as young men clamored for the glory and plunder promised. Shortly after the library was completed, a rumpled young man came and took up the job of librarian and started to catalog all the books that were donated.

Deep in the castle 'King Vul Dragna' sat upon the throne staring deeply into a globe of darkest night. Scanning the shires, planning routes, watching armies, watching people work. The 'King' says "Ah the caravan has arrived. What is this? Something pulling me to look over on the other side of the world?" A frown crosses the 'Kings' face. A wave of the hand and the globes shows a new image appears. A dark skinned warrior can be seen stalking a jungle cat. The 'King' remarks, " Wait, this is not right!" A wave of the hand and again the view in the sphere changes again this time the streams of time are shown. The 'King' says, "Ah! Yes! That is the one I want!" Leaning closer to the sphere, the 'King' yells "Fate come to me my friend I have need of that favor you owe me. "�� A figure fades slow into view besides the throne. * The figure is definitely male. Wearing a gray robe that leaves the form inside in shadow. * As the form moves forward towards the throne the robe shifts not an inch about the form. Fate speaks with a soft voice that carries to all corners room like an ocean wave. "You called. You wish help with changing the time line? You know the cost this will have. You know what needs to be done." The 'King' replays, "Yes I d... I hate when you do that. O.K. I need to get out of this form for a while anyway." The 'King' reaches up and takes the amulet and pulls it off. Slowly the shadows pull from the surroundings and gather around the 'King' as the shadows slowly fade the 'King ' has be replaced by the black robed figure.

Fate says, "Let's begin."� The two figures begin to chant and gesture. A feeling of power is quickly felt in the room and the feeling quickly continues to grow. A distortion forms about the pair and slowly moves outward from them gaining speed as it goes, quickly disappearing into the walls.

Life was busy for the citizens of the new Empire of the Shadow as King Vul Dragna called it. Everyone was happy, they had plenty of food and lots of work to keep them busy and put money in their pockets. So much gold flowing had taxes down, and everyone was happy with that to.� Even the outlying shires were having it good. The construction of the town was going great buildings were flying up everywhere as if by magic. The library was completed finally and the granary and tavern fairly flew up. Next the Sages Guild was started.� The army ranks swelled as young men clamored for the glory and plunder promised. Shortly after the library was completed rumpled young man cam and took up the job of librarian and started to catalog all the books that were donated. Shortly there after he found some book that showed the art of magic. He took them to the king.� The King took the books and had them set aside to study and to use as a training tool for his next plan.
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Deep in the castle, a black robed figure sits upon the throne staring deeply into a globe of darkest night. Scanning the shires, planning routes, watching armies, watching people work. The figure senses a presence and looks up. A figure fades slow into view and moves to the side of the throne. The figure is definitely male. Wearing a gray robe that leaves the form inside in shadow. As the form moves forward towards the throne the robe shifts not an inch about the form. The figure says, " What are you doing here Fate? How did I get back to my true form?" Fate says, "You do not remember? You asked me to help you change the time line to one more of your liking. There have been complications caused by the change. Monsters have been unleashed and other things will happen that you will find out about later." Fate says, "I must go." And slowly fades away, as the door opens.