Chapter 2: Kingdom of Sanctora
Every story has a beginning, and a beginning has always a place to start, and that place is a kingdom of the human race, located in the east edge of Thalvoria.
Welcome to the Kingdom of Sanctora, it's origins back nearly five hundred years to the time of one of the Ten Saints. The Kingdom of Sanctora was governed not by a king, but a council of five esteemed individuals who collectively made the decisions for the realm.
It consist of one Grand Priest named Agapios Lindqvist: whose wisdom and devotion to peace were as legendary as his tendency to suggest prayer circles as solutions to military threats—much to the occasional exasperation of his fellow council members, and four elders; Cedric Valois, the soft-spoken diplomat with an uncanny ability to defuse tensions (unless someone insulted his prized rose garden); Alaric Aguilar, the practical one who often reminded everyone that "praying doesn't fix leaky roofs"; Gawain Hohenheim, the eternal optimist who believed every orc could be reasoned with over tea, she also known as someone who has big concern for the importance of education for the children in the kingdom; and Lucien Pendragon, the most level-headed of the group, though even she sometimes wondered how they managed to survive in a world full of monsters.
Together, they formed a leadership that was deeply humble, close to the people, and unwavering in their commitment to justice—but also painfully naïve when it came to matters requiring force or strategy.
Despite their quirks—or perhaps because of them—the council was beloved by the people of Sanctora. They ruled with fairness, compassion, and almost obsessive dedication to upholding laws, ensuring that no one went hungry or unheard.
It was a crisp morning in Sanctora, and the gentle hum of chatter filled the air as Elder Gawain Hohenheim stepped into the modest schoolhouse nestled near the edge of the village.
The children, ranging from curious toddlers to earnest teenagers, sat cross-legged on woven mats, their eyes wide with anticipation. Today was storytelling day—a rare treat when one of the council members visited to share tales of the kingdom's history.
Gawain, ever the optimist with a twinkle in her eyes, a warm smile and a voice as soothing as lullaby, adjusted her shawl and greeted the eager faces before her.
"good morning, young scholars!" she began, her tone light and inviting.