For much of Mitgardia, the people had been undaunted by rumours and gossip that was widely circulating further South. There was no evidence to suggest present danger in their lands; that was until stories of mages and wizards practicing dark arts in the North. Even scarier was the gossip of large armies gathering around ancient religious sites. Could it be that the evil forces are forging alliances within Mitgardia? If so, who could stop the magic and might of such an enemy? Wise councilmen began speaking of how similar mages in ages past could conjure powerful creatures, and wield destruction with their staff. Tales of heavily armed and battle-ready mercenaries soon spread like wildfire over the frosty tundra of Mitgardia. Labourers worked the more earnestly to construct fortifications, peasants coughed up more tax, and lords sought to better equip and train their soldiers. The thought of defending against sinister foes sent shivers down the spines of all of Mitgardia. Could these bands of evil foes be as strong as the rumours say? After all, nobody has dared to venture into the bleak, snowy landscape to check the ancient shrines and temples. Surely the elite would not terrify the population simply for their own gain?    Or would they?