The Concord

These reunions were, of course, celebrated with great joy. But very soon, difficulties reminded the gathered peoples of the harsh reality: the scarcity of essential resources, the concentration of inhabitants, the harshness of the environment, and the flux of the Tumult... everything seemed to conspire to prevent humanity from building a new civilization. These obstacles exacerbated tensions within the population. They had retained a communal functioning inherited from their tribal past, and this state of affairs threatened at any moment to plunge the society that was just beginning to emerge into chaos.

Dissensions and disputes were daily occurrences, skirmishes numerous and increasingly violent. Civil war was not far off, everyone could see it. Each of the tribes prepared to face the others just to hope to survive. Some organized to seize power by force, others to claim a monopoly on certain resources, thus imposing their will on the others... After only a few years of close proximity, disaster was already at humanity's doorstep. It is in this explosive context that the historical and legendary chronicles of Rune, the hero who would be considered the founder of Asgartha, are anchored.

Rune was a fervent advocate of peace, who desired above all a people finally united under one banner. Certainly, the difficulties were legion, but he firmly believed that humanity could not afford to sacrifice the dream of a new civilization on the altar of adversity. And to embody this ideal, he saw no one but Heshkari, a champion who had distinguished himself many times by defending those in need, regardless of their origins or ideals. In secret, he negotiated with certain leaders of the tribes, bargained with some warlords with more moderate views... In the shadows, he watched the actions of those planning to seize power by force.

Patiently, Rune extended his influence, not in his own name, but around that of Heshkari. He gathered numerous sympathizers from all sides, all those more interested in a common future than in the short-term prospect of power. Caellach, Tamrat, Aksoy, Heeren... individuals from all the tribes federated to prevent bloodshed. Together, they became a strong coalition, ready to act in case of a coup attempt; an alliance aiming to crown Heshkari as the first High King— and erecting themselves as an Open Council so that all the tribes could assert their claims and grievances.

But Heshkari's allies faced solid opposition from those who called themselves the Barons: Balram Kasun of the Tribe of the East, Cilistro Tighe of the West, or Ainara Aldana of the Lower Banks... gang kingpins and charismatic leaders determined to seize power for the survival and supremacy of their people. When Cilistro mobilized his forces, Balram and Ainara did the same, ready to clash and establish their sovereignty once and for all. As they stood on the meadow that would later become the Kuningasplatz, Heshkari's forces encircled them, imposing an ultimatum. The gangs had to lay down their arms, so that a peaceful solution could be implemented.

But the Barons were not inclined to let Heshkari snatch power from them. They saw in him a rival, a warlord motivated —just like them— by ambition. Discussions were on the verge of reaching an impasse... Already, the grip of the belligerents tightened on the hilt of their weapons. Violence was on the brink of erupting again. But this was without counting on a new miracle. From the heights of the Acus, an incandescent silhouette plunged towards the combatants. It whirled above the melee, spreading its flaming wings. In that moment, it seemed to steal the Sun's brilliance to imbue itself. It was the Firebird of their vision, of their portent.

Against all expectations, the Phoenix did not land on any claimant to the throne. It perched on Rune's shoulder, unequivocally signifying to all that their sovereign had been designated through its intervention. A crown of fire encircled Rune's brow, engraving his skin with an indelible mark. Heshkari was the first to bend the knee, followed by Caellach. Subsequently, all did the same before this unmistakable sign of royalty. Thus, Rune became the first Kuningas, the High King of the nascent nation.

One of Rune's first actions was to decree the Concord, an act by which all the tribes agreed to bind themselves into one people. Like rivers, they had converged to this place and now mingled into one stream. As agreed, he convened a Trusted Council around him to advise him and, if necessary, to challenge his decisions. Heshkari, Caellach, Tamrat, Aksoy, Heeren were of course appointed, alongside Tighe, Aldana, and Kasun. Rune did not want to be the leader of only a part of the survivors, but of all. These advisors became those whom legends still call the Runic Knights, even as of today.

At the same time, to serve as a setting for the emerging human civilization, Rune founded the nation of Asgartha. It was the name of their new home, their country: something they had to take care of together, something to defend against the adversity of the world. This founding date was chosen to be the first year of the Asgarthan calendar. The abbreviation AC, for "Anno Concordiae," was chosen to serve as a dating system, in homage to the Concord— this gathering of peoples without which Asgartha could not have come into being.