The year is 1788. Like Europe, the continent of Aethel is a complicated mix of nations, each with its long history and growing ambitions. A fragile peace has lasted for a while, but beneath the surface, old rivalries and the constant desire for power threaten to erupt. It's not a sudden disaster but a slow decline like a great oak gradually weakening from the inside.
Aethel is shaped like a large, irregular diamond, with a vast central plain connecting its western and eastern halves. This plain, known as the Great Aethelian Plain, is a crucial route for trade, crisscrossed by rivers that serve as highways and battlegrounds. The scent of fertile soil, the sound of rushing rivers, and the sight of majestic mountains form natural borders and strategic chokepoints to the north and south. The climate varies considerably; the west has a mild coastal climate, while vast, dry steppes and deserts characterise the east. This climatic diversity has dramatically influenced the development of the nations that call Aethel home.
To the west lies the Kingdom of Veridia, similar to Great Britain. Its green and fertile lands are increasingly dotted with industrial cities driven by innovation and a powerful merchant class. Veridia is a land of pragmatism and enterprise, where its people are known for their industriousness, inventive spirit, and relentless pursuit of progress. Their society is increasingly shaped by industrialisation, with factories transforming the landscape and creating immense wealth and social upheaval.
Veridia is ruled by King Alaric, a figure much like a British monarch of the era. He is ambitious and determined, focusing on expanding Veridia's power and influence. Since ascending to the throne in 1765, he has focused on expanding Veridia's power. Under his rule, Veridia has experienced rapid technological advancement, with the construction of new factories, the development of powerful machines, and the expansion of trade routes that now reach across the globe. This success, however, has fuelled a desire for further expansion. Veridia seeks more land, resources, and markets, viewing itself as a rising empire destined for global dominance.
To the east, across the Azure Sea, similar to the Mediterranean, lies the Empire of Solara, echoing the Ottoman Empire's long history and diverse cultures. Solara is a land of ancient traditions, with a heritage stretching back millennia. Its landscape is dominated by hot, dry plains and magnificent cities, and its people take fierce pride in their history and traditions. Solarans see themselves as the inheritors of a glorious past, a civilisation that once held sway over vast territories, and they are determined to restore their former grandeur.
The Solaran Empire is ruled by Empress Lyra, a ruler who, like the Ottoman Sultans, commands great respect and a degree of fear. She ascended to the throne in 1770 and is seen as a strong and resolute leader dedicated to reviving Solara's power. Her rule is absolute, yet she faces internal challenges from various factions and regional leaders. Solara is a sprawling empire encompassing diverse peoples and cultures, and maintaining control over this vast domain requires strength and cunning.
Veridia and Solara have avoided open war for centuries, maintaining a delicate balance of power through treaties and trade. Yet, beneath the veneer of diplomacy, a deep-seated rivalry persists. Clashes over territory and trade routes are frequent, and both nations harbour long-held suspicions of the other's intentions. While not initially involved in the central conflict, various countries, such as the Kingdom of Aeridor and the Republic of Valdoria, closely monitor these developments with increasing concern, aware that the escalating tensions could easily draw them into a wider conflagration.
The discovery in 1780 of aetherium, a substance of immense energy potential, shatters this fragile peace. Aetherium promises to revolutionise industry and warfare, leading to the development of powerful new technologies. Both Veridia and Solara are desperate to control this resource, and the most significant deposits lie in the disputed region between them, a land known as the Verdant March.
The Verdant March, a region of rolling hills and fertile river valleys, becomes the flashpoint for conflict. Once a zone of peaceful exchange, it is now coveted by both nations.
Tensions escalated in the spring of 1792. Solaran forces attacked Veridian traders as they ventured into the Verdant March. The details of the incident remain contested, with each side accusing the other of provocation. Regardless of the truth, the bloodshed marked a turning point, pushing the two nations closer to war.
King Alaric, driven by ambition and the counsel of his hawkish advisors, demands reparations and an apology from Solara. Empress Lyra, viewing Veridia as an aggressor encroaching on Solaran territory, refuses. Diplomatic efforts collapse, and Veridia and Solara are locked in a confrontation.
However, the conflict remains initially contained. Neighbouring nations, while alarmed, are hesitant to commit their forces. The Kingdom of Aeridor, traditionally an ally of Veridia, declares its neutrality, while the Republic of Valdoria, a significant trading power, attempts to mediate a peaceful resolution. War drums beat louder despite these efforts, and it becomes increasingly clear that other powers may soon be drawn into the fray.
In this escalating tension and fragile neutrality climate, young men across Veridia and Solara are swept up in the fervour of war. They are told tales of national glory and righteous causes, eager to prove their courage and win honour on the battlefield.
One of the young men caught in this fervour is Elias Thorne, a character whose journey we will follow closely.
Elias grew up in the Veridian village of Oakhaven, a peaceful community nestled in a verdant valley. His life revolved around the rhythm of the seasons as he worked on his family's farm and explored the surrounding countryside with his childhood friend, Elara. He was a quiet and thoughtful young man with a talent for capturing the natural world around him through his sketches.
Elias was content with his life, yet he yearned for something more. At the age of nineteen, war broke out in 1792. Influenced by a sense of duty and the patriotic fervour sweeping the nation, he enlisted in the Veridian army.
It is not an easy decision. Elias knows the horrors of war but feels compelled to defend his country. He leaves Oakhaven with a heavy heart, bidding farewell to Elara, who pleads with him to stay. He becomes a soldier, a small part of a massive war machine, heading towards the inevitable carnage of the "Garden of Steel." Once peaceful and predictable, the looming conflict irrevocably changes his life.