Subject: [FFML] [multixover] Sakusen - Prologue
From: "Ramza Beoulve" <EternalLostLurker@WorldNet.Att.Net>
Date: 3/8/1998, 12:11 AM
To:

	*Prologue*

	It was in a time long lost in the mists of myth that the land of
Sakusen flourished under the protection of the four sacred gods which
created it.
	Sakusen was a vast land divided into four provinces, each named for
one of the sacred gods: the northwest province, Yuuki, named for the
God of Courage; the northeast province, Someisa, named for the God of
Wisdom; the southeast province, Meiyo, named for the God of Honor;
and the southwest province, Tsuyosa, named for the God of Strength.
In the center of the land, on the point at which the four borders
meet, lay the First Shrine, an eternal monument to the gods which
gave creation to the land of Sakusen. Historically, nine Holy Maidens
were appointed to watch over the land, the Shrine, and the people.
Each Maiden lived in a shrine of her own. There were two shrines in
each province, with the last shrine resting atop the First Shrine at
the center of the land. For many years, the other eight shrines had
remained empty, save for the power stones which would be passed on to
the next appointed Holy Maidens. The Maiden Pluto, who lived in the
shrine above the Sacred Gods, remained to stand watch over the lands.

	It would not be for the historians to say that all in Sakusen was
peaceful. Tsuyosa was ruled by a tyrannical despot, who sought to
invade his neighbors and take control of all of Sakusen. However, his
efforts were kept in check by the rightful Emperor of the land,
Hotohori. The young Emperor ruled from his palace, Konan, in the
heart of Yuuki province. 
	In the year of Sakusen's greatest prosperity, Hotohori was
assassinated. The court accused the Emperor's bodyguard and most
trusted general, the Imperial Knight Endymion, of the heinous crime.
Because of the lack of a dungeon at Konan, and the time required to
undertake the funeral arrangements for the Emperor, the guardians of
the court agreed that until such time as he was to be tried and
executed for his crimes, Endymion would be banished to Tsuyosa. This
decision unsettled the populace, not because the supposed criminal
would have a chance to escape, but because sending him to Tsuyosa was
as good as signing his death certificate. 
	Which was what Endymion believed the court wanted. The Knight had
been framed, but was unable to prove his innocence. He suspected that
the other generals of Yuuki had conspired to remove the Emperor, and
take over the throne of Sakusen for their own purposes. Disgraced,
and unable to do anything about it, Endymion left for the border of
Tsuyosa. 
	The death of Emperor Hotohori had left the land without a ruler.
Hotohori had not borne a male heir; rather, his only heir was his
adopted daughter, and women were forbidden from claiming the throne.
The rulers of the other provinces were each making their own bid to
claim the imperial throne.
	In Tsuyosa, the tyrannical King Vejiita began massing his troops at
the borders of Yuuki and Meiyo. Yuuki's forces were able to hold back
the invasion, and to keep anyone from entering or exiting the
province. Meiyo's border forces were strained, but held against the
strong army. However, it was feared that Tsuyosa would break through
and overrun the province at any moment.
	Meanwhile, Duke Mizuhara of Someisa consulted with his prime
minister, Schtalubaugh, on possible ways to claim the throne of
Sakusen without escalating an all-out civil war. One option
considered was to offer a pact to Prince Toma of Meiyo, to offer aid
in repelling Tsuyosa in exchange for fealty. For his part, Prince
Toma wished to settle the issue of succession by dueling honorably
with the other rulers. 
	As the three rulers campaign for the imperial throne of Sakusen,
Endymion aimlessly wanders the slums of Tsuyosa, his heart full of
despair. Soon, however, his thoughts are interrupted as he happens
upon a young woman being threatened by a group of Tsuyosa soldiers.
As he prepares to do battle, other would-be saviors arrive on the
scene, and Endymion soon finds himself engaged in a very unusual
street brawl...