Chapter Text
The land of Albion was full of magic and wonders very few mortals could understand. However, when the Archon vanished, Albion descended into chaos. Three-quarters of the population were either slain in the wars or died of disease and/or starvation. Meanwhile, the Archon's many descendants vied for power. These new rulers were not as kind or wise as the first. A bandit named Nostro, following an old wise man’s counsel, set about returning security and prosperity to Albion which, after the collapse of the Old Kingdom, had the remaining population of Albion fall into isolation. The distances bred suspicion among the people, which lead to bloodshed as villagers were doing unspeakable things for fresh water, food or even women of child-bearing age. First, he gathered men and women throughout Albion and constituted the Guild, where they could train to become real Heroes. Meanwhile, Scythe, the wise man, tutored Nostro in the ways of Will. Using his newfound power, along with Scythe's sage counsel, Nostro forced peace on the warring people of Albion. Thus, the Guild of Heroes was born. For a time, it seemed that Albion might return to its former greatness, but those hopes were in vain because where heroes dwelt so did the evil that hides in the darkness and the corruption in mortal hearts.
The Shadow Court, a lesser evil compared to the monsters that came before them. They thrived on the suffering of mortals, blinding them from good and making them into hollow creatures with their deals and promises. They even corrupted a hero once.
Left for dead after bandits attacked her as she returned home from a quest. She was once a mother, a wife. And now she is nothing, they came for her when no else did, they saved her when no one else would. They corrupted her, changed her very being into a twisted form of death and hatred, she was their hand, they spoke through her. They called her their shadow dealer. It was her duty to serve the court. After the rebuilding of Oakvale, a young man from the village made a deal with the Shadow Judges through their new servant. This man gained eternal life but lost all his friends and his lover as the people of Oakvale were killed.
Five hundred years have passed since her resurrection and two hundred and fifty years have passed since she had become bound to the Shadow Courts new favourite toy.