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Message: <blockquote data-quote="hafrogman" data-source="post: 4456909" data-attributes="member: 8858">[sblock=Dardessis, History]In the golden age, before the Dreamer, Dardessis was a shining jewel on the Dyne.  The Royal seat of the Kingdom, which stretched along the length of the river, into the north and the headwaters of the river; and far to the south, past Narovan, and into the frontier lands.The city itself managed to pass through the dark times with remarkable ease, spared the worst of the nightmares, and protected by a strong army, and the power individuals that lived within its walls.  The city turned itself inward and sheltered the storm, but the rest of the Kingdom fell into darkness, and the individual communties learned to make their own ways.  The Kingdom was sundered, but Dardessis endured.However, the Dreamer's dreams did change one thing forever for the city.  In a single night, the King, and all his family were claimed from their beds.  No bodies or blood was ever found, they were simply lost into the darkness.  The next day, the nameless hero of the land found the Dreamer's lair and ended the world's universal nightmare.In the aftermath and recovery, the Chancellor tried to maintain order as best he could.  He organized the army to search the recovering land for any sign of their leige's fate.  For a while, the search efforts kept the people united and focused, but eventually hope faded.  The King was gone.  The Chancellor was murdered one night, and a brief, bloody struggle ensued.  The noble who emerged victorious named himself king, and began making the most of his rule.  Rapacious and cruel, he cared little for power, and much for the pleasures that power could bring.  He lived in luxury, and the city suffered his whims.  But the people did nothing.One bright summer morning, the people of Dardessis arose to find the body of their would-be king strung up in the marketplace.  A single swordsman stood beneath the body.  The speech he gave that day entered history, and became custom as it is repeated by each new ruler."By the right of challenge by arms, I claim this city as my own.  My word shall be law.  If any among you question my right, then return to this place in one year's time.  You will find me prepared to face your challenge."And thus the new ruler of Dardessis selected.  He proved to care little about government, and left the decisions to wiser heads.  And true to his word, he stood each year to face his challengers.  He ruled the city for five years, before laying down his blade.  Each new ruler after him followed the same pattern.  Over years the contest evolved.  Single combat became group contests.  The tournament arose to cope with the sheer number of challengers that arose each year.Each year, the tournament is called, and all those who wish to participate gather in the marketplace, and stand before a statue of the first gladiator-ruler.[/sblock]</blockquote>

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