May 4th 2005
Short Introduction to The Four Territories
Since I wrote the first version of this introduction in November 2003 many things have changed. What was then called Dreams of the North became The Four Territories, a story I worked on incessantly, with only a short hiatus now and then when I needed some time to consider the plot more. Nothing much has changed since then. It's still one of my favourite stories to work on.
With some pain in my heart (well, not really) I said farewell to the original part of the story; the substory the entire original narrative was based around. I have made some other choices I was uncertain about when I made them, but now the plot has developed in such a way as that I feel extremely comfortable and happy with where I am. The larger line of the plot is pretty much there, on paper, and the largest problem currently is for me to fill in the gaps and work out the details.
Slowly but surely I am beginning to create the set of rules and customs I believed I needed to write, and the setting of the story is beginning to take on real form; the cities and lands are becoming more and more real by the day.
In short:
The story is set in the Four Territories, simply referred to as the Southern, Western, Eastern and Northern Territories. In the centre of these territories, in a kind of no-man's-land, lies the First City, where once the High King ruling all the Territories lived. After his murder many centuries ago, it was predicted that one day someone would replace him, and rule all the Territories in peace again. This day has not yet come.
Most of the action takes place in the Southern Territory, ambitious and war-struck as the kings there are. Most of the warfare in the story takes place between the Southern Territory and the Northern Territory; the two battle continuously for possession of the First City. Meanwhile, the Eastern Territory has retreated into itself, deteriorating slowly, of the seven Houses that make up the aristocracy in each of the Territories the East has very few left. Of the Western Territory not much is known; their borders have been shut to outsiders since the First City fell for the first time, their Oracles and Wisdom becoming nothing more than a myth.
But all these things are about to change. Rumour is abroad that soon the First City shall be ruled again, and peace shall follow for all. Carefully the Westerners must venture out of their hiding places and renew their ancient bonds of friendship with the Southern Territory, and the south must discover whether it is their young king who shall soon rule the First City as High King, or whether another shall rise to fulfill what has been prophesied.
Another main character is warlord Arandīr Įranil, leader of the exiled Fortholian, who much against his intentions becomes the most trusted councillor of the young king. But as time progresses, and Albwin learns what it is to be king, it becomes clear there are many dark secrets abound in the Territories.
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