Rise to Power

“Damn him to hell!” You shout as you toss your goblet in anger at the short and meek royal messenger. He quickly scurries out of your chambers as you throw your desk over on its side.

Surely it wasn’t his fault, but the last few weeks has been full of disappointment and sorrow. It all began when your father, King Skall, died in combat fighting against one of the neighboring kingdoms. You remember it like it was yesterday, a fateful charge by his bodyguard in an attempt to break the center of their line ended with him unhorsed and surrounded by dozens of enemy pikemen. You saw his loyal and fearsome housecarls cut down, defending him with their lives as you rallied your personal guard to save him. But no matter how many enemies you slew to get to him, you couldn't reach him in time to save his life.

Captured by the enemy Pikemen, you saw the enemy warlord Vlad, approach your father with an axe and end his life with an evil grin, his eyes locking onto yours before riding off in victory.

Your anger and grief over your fathers threw you into a rage, which turned the tide of battle in your favor. With the battle won and your loyal Soldiers bowing before you as the rightful heir, it seemed your kingdom's destiny was in your hands.

Yet as your enemies abroad retreated in bitter defeat, it appeared your greatest enemy was back home in your own court. In your absence your father's brother, Lord Frederick, an evil and ambitious little twat, saw an opportunity. He conspired with your wicked and cruel mother, Queen Freya to seize the throne for themselves. A quick marriage between them and the lack of a written will from your father gave them legitimacy among many of the other nobles, who were promised greater land and riches to support his claim. Instead of a hero's welcome, you were quickly arrested along with your siblings and locked away in one of the towers to await your fates.

You try to remain calm but the change in lifestyle has really gotten to your head. Before your father’s you commanded a powerful Army of two thousand men, building a fearsome reputation for yourself as you laid waste to your enemies. Now you have received notice that your army has been turned over to Silva, your idiot of a cousin and you are to live out your days "managing" the castle. Considering the fates of the previous men here you know it means your eventual .

A few days ago it seemed obvious that you would take your father’s place considering your achievements in battle. But our succession laws are state that in order for one to become king or queen you must be either the eldest male heir (which is you) OR whomever is married to the "eldest person in succession". Since he married your mother, your uncle is arguing that gives him the right to the throne. But as the scholars in court argue over who should rightfully take the throne, your uncle is gaining support as you remain locked away.

Yet despite the loss of your army and your crown, perhaps it is the women that you will miss the most from being on campaign. Standing at six feet and packing 190 lbs of pure muscle, you have stayed in great shape through various tournaments and campaigns. With your looks there has been no shortage of marriage requests and peasant girls and noblewomen alike who beg you to liberate them from their old and fat husbands. Cracking a small grin as you sat in the chair, you wonder how many bastards you may have fathered during your campaigns despite being only 26 years old. Too bad your Uncle has ordered the guards to prevent you from seeing anyone besides your chambermaid Alice. You are tempted to explore Alice a bit more as you always have taken an interest in her...

But now is no time for such thoughts, you have to look to the present and figure out how you are going to regain your former glory and seize the throne from your Uncle. You have no intention of fading into obscurity but you must plan your move carefully... lest you find your head resting atop a pike.

As you sit in the chair pondering your next move, you hear a noise at the doorway