Chivalry's Last Breath [ EDIT ]

Days filled with honorable competition between the Nobelist warriors in the land and the evenings filled with wine, love, and dance it appeared the three Kingdoms were united in a peaceful coexistence and the art of courtly love flourished.

Outside of the castle gates presented a different world from the image the aristocracy experienced. An image that storytellers and minstrels avoided mentioning in the conversations of court as the wealthy and powerful clinked their crystal goblets and devouring wild pig over the burning spit. No, outside of the walls presented a colder dreary life with betrayal and conspiracies brewing at every shadow.
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THE BEGINNING; The Kingdom of Cor Nobilis

The Kingdom of Cor Nobilis

The Kingdom of Cor Nobilis is ruled by twelve great families, each with legendary lineages reaching as far back as centuries before the establishment of the Kingdom. The current throne, held by King Edward and Queen Carolina have provided the kingdom with 8 children. Unfortunately, they are all females. The churches of Heironeous, St. Cuthbert, and Hextor are demanding that the king announce his heir, With the majority of Edward's children reaching adulthood, they are eligible with only an archaic practice denying them the right. The Queen's family, an ancient royal line in its own right, aided in the upbringing and preparing the daughters to break that cycle of weak leaders.
With the debate of whether to enforce traditions based on age old laws or to replace three generations of weak leadership with a strong leader; The great houses are split and the Kingdom stands on a frayed twine to Civil War. External powers are inserting agents on either side stoking the flames of anger.

Behind the scenes King Edward's brother, Duke Chefon is negotiating with members of the court and Church of Hextor to announce one of his two eldest sons. The Supreme Balance (Pope) of St. Cuthbert's church stands on enforcing the ancient law although he doesn't support Duke Chefon's claim. More concerning to the church, is that the Duke's sons are viewed as being weak leaders, soft and spoiled.

The three churches have assigned arbitrators to determine the process, but regardless of which direction is taken, the threat of open war remains. Should the proceed with breaking the ancient traditions? Enforce the traditions which will place the Kingdom at risk because of weak leaders? Or seek a member from within the nobility completely separate from the current blood line?