This Story is told using the Language of the Farmers of the central Hialdese Lowlands (the second most common Language in Hialde) and English. It was written in the agricultural Language--as opposed to the more commonly spoken Language of the Alliance--because tales of Labor Revolts are more popular among Workers than the Alliance. The Language of the Queendom of Deouuae is unlike any other Language in the Alliance and not many know it outside of the Queendoms of the northern Mountains.

Locations where Chapter One takes place have been marked on the Map. Other Cities and Towns exist but aren't marked because they don't relate to the Story. Travel to or from Deouuae is challenging. The Barrier Mountains to the East cut too deep into the Sky that neither Person, Animal, nor Plant can survive their Heights. The Cliffs along the Walled Sea to the South are too high for Towns to build Harbors on the Waters so far below. The Stone Sea to the West is a frothy Gauntlet of turbulent Waters, spires of Stone, submerged Knife-like Rocks, and mangled Shipwrecks.

Footman is the highest Rank a Man can achieve in a Hialdese Household. The Baroness of Broder had no Daughters or Sisters to succeed her. Rather than see her Family line die, she made an uncommon Decision to name her Footman as her heir.

Every Spring, the Laboring Nobility were expected to visit their Governors as part of the Spring Council.

In addition to regular Taxes, the Laboring Nobility were expected to pay Tribute to their Governors.

Naphtali had represented Broder at the Spring Council in previous Years, when the Baroness of Broder was too ill to travel, and made a good Impression. Baron Naphtali championed Policies to lessen economic Pressures on the Laboring Nobility from the High Nobility.

While Baron Naphtali was in the Journeyman Phase of his Life, he labored for House Dabovëe. Baron Naphtali and Lady Lorelei became friends. Although Baron Naphtali was not accepted into House Dabovëe, he and Lady Lorelei maintained Correspondence.

Once a year, a Member of the High Nobility died from the mysterious, supernatural Curse of the Icewind Night. The Curse of the Icewind Night seemed to allow a lower Member of the High Nobility to be promoted to the Position of the One who died; alternately, it might kill a political Troublemaker. The Duchy of Buchikiesht consists of the Western Coastline.

While other, higher-ranking Nobility might have replaced the Duchess' Position, Viscountess Edown leveraged Echipalot being positioned on a Mountain Pass to impact Trade. Echipalot controlled the easiest and most direct Passage into the northern Duchy. The North, not having many Resources, greatly relied on Trade to survive and did not want Echipalot blocking their dominant trade Route. To ensure their Survival, the Duchess of the North pushed to elect Viscountess Edown as the Duchess' Replacement in exchange for increased Trade with the North.

Since the Curse of the Icewind Night killed High Nobility and Baron Naphtali was informed that he was High Nobility, Cheryles suggested that Baron Naphtali have his Fortune told. Astronomers, Clergy, and Philosophers tested Naphtali’s chances of Survival using their Fields of Expertise and all Signs pointed to his Demise in the coming Winter.

Under the Guidance of Wynøna, Syklain and Shuelaynde recovered the holy Crown, Mace, and Spurs of Deouuae and discovered that a Snow Demon was disguised as the Queen of Deouuae. Wynøna extended the Night to last all Winter to give her Heroes more Time to defeat the Snow Demon Queen. It is said that Syklain and Shuelaynde were bound to each other and they are often depicted in Art as being conjoined at the Arm.

Baron Naphtali and Lady Lorelei were both Laboring Nobility and likely were not traveling by themselves. They would have been travling with Assistants to carry Supplies and navigate.

Ostaeheimger has always been the Capital City for the Queendom of Deouuae and is one of the oldest Cities in Deouuae.

While an unwed Daughter giving birth is looked down upon in Hialdese culture, it is not a Scandal to keep Secret. The Reason why this is a significant Problem that needs to be kept Secret is because Cheryles is High Nobility. It is forbidden for High Nobility to have Affairs or Relationships with anyone below their Caste. Punishments for breaking this Law are severe for all involved.

Baron Naphtali filled his Journal with the ancient Discoveries he and Lady Lorelei discovered together.

© 2003 - 2021 Craig Shira