“It is said once upon a time, the Gods roamed across the continent of Laurentcia. As time went by, the Gods had children – each child different from the other.

The Dragons were the oldest and most well endowed: not lacking in health, magic or spirituality. However, the Dragons were too conceited and thus, the Gods decided to give each other next children one gift and only one gift. Thus, each child that came thereafter, was less brilliant than the Dragon. The ancient Elves were gifted in the tongue of magic, the short Dwarves gifted in astounding strength, and the Humans in spirituality.

Working together - the Dwarves used their strength to craft summoning circles, the Elves supplied them with magic and spells, and Humans used their spiritual power to summon. Thus, the three races lived in harmony and loved by the Gods.

Jealous of their parent’s love for their new children, the Dragon’s created monstrous races to trouble their siblings. However, the venerable God’s foiled the attempts of the trouble making Dragons. As a lesson to all their children, the Gods banished Dragons to another plane.

The existence of Gods blessed the lands and seas with bountiful harvest. The Gods preached humanistic values and enforced their peaceful will upon all races. Beyond the reach of any creature, the Gods stood tall above all other races. Hunger, poverty, sickness, and conflict were unheard of words. It was paradise for all races.

Unfortunately, nothing is truly eternal. A thousand years or so, the Gods began to disappear from the world one by one. At first it went by unnoticed, after all no one really knew what the Gods were up to all the time. However, as time went food became scarce and people succumbed to hunger. Famines became increasingly common and street brawls were a common sight. This would be later known as the onset of the Dark Age.

Ten years later, the last of the Gods would disappear and with this the path for war was paved. The last reason holding back conflict was gone. With no Gods to govern the world, each race took upon itself to govern the rest. The world descended into chaos.

At first it seemed that the elves had the upper hand with their ability to wield magic to their will. However, they could not replenish their numbers as quickly as other races. In time their strength waivered and they were forced to retreat.

The next race to rise were the Orcs (creation of the Dragons), pushing ahead with sheer strength and numbers. The Orcs became a force to reckon with. The onslaught of the Orcs wiped out many races or brought many of them to the verge of extinction. The existential threat brought about an alliance amongst all remaining races and the Orcs were finally defeated. The rampage of the Orcs was known as the First Great War and went on for nearly a hundred years.

The world entered into a relatively strange calm for a few years. Just when everyone was getting used to the peace, a new calamity broke out: Mana Surge. Many historical records were lost during this calamity and the exact cause could never be determined. Hordes of monstrous beasts descended upon the cities and towns, indiscriminately attacking creatures of all races. The war had already taken a toll on those who remained and the sustained horde attacks broke everyone’s spirit. It was then that a Prophet of New True God, the Wise Sage, descended from the heavens. Under his guidance, did humanity survive.

The Dark Ages had come to an end.

Too exhausted to fight or defend, many magical races hid themselves away – the lucky ones found homes on different planes. Humanity came to the forefront of ruling the continent and with the aid of the Wise Sage, humans brought upon an era of peace and prosperity for themselves. The Wise Sage opened churches, orphanages, and charities all across the continent to alleviate the suffering of those ravaged by the war. In time, the glorious name of the Wise Sage spread far and wide and his deeds became known to all. His followers worshipped him and others sang his praises…

Unfortunately, as written before - nothing is truly eternal. A hundred years later, the Wise Sage was assassinated by a lich. While the world grieved at the loss of a messiah, the Wise Sage’s first disciple ascended to the head of the holy church. He led a crusade against the lich and uncovered a dastardly secret – the Lich had raised an army of the undead. The world was quick to assemble at the behest of the Wise Sage and thus, the Second Great War was fought. It was a bitter battle and ended with the defeat of Satan, the Unholy Lich.

However, this was not the end of Satan. Over the course of the next few centuries, the Holy Church and the armies of the undead would clash several more times. The Third and Fourth Wars not only decimated the forces of the Holy Church but also resulted in the rapid loss of successors: all the disciples of the Wise Sage were killed. Nonetheless, humanity’s continued hope in the One True God helped them persist.

At the end of the Fifth Great War, the Lich gained a foothold on the continent: the heretic Dark Empire was born. Unable to ignore the Holy Church’s plea for help and growing evil plague, the One True God summoned great Champions.”

Okay I get it – the background story is unusually detailed and long but the gist is the same as any other story: save the world from an evil overlord. But seriously, what’s with Christian reference to Satan? Developers had a sudden lack of creativity?

“Any luck?” I asked Tinkerbell as I saw her approach with the Paladin.

Tinkerbell shook her head sideways. “No. You last summoned her for a mission with MorningWood. I think MorningWood have details about that mission. I am sorry – I thought by summoning your strongest summon, we would have uncovered what happened.”

Tinkerbell’s shoulders drooped as she hung her head. I do feel bad for lying to her – Ah, well such is life kid.

I pat her head as I attempt to console her. “Next time, tell me what you are planning. Two heads are better than one, you know?”

“Not to be the third wheel in your love story but if there is nothing else you need of me, it would be great if you could dispel me….” The Paladin muttered.

“Eeeeek!!! No!!!” Tinkerbell screamed as she pushed my hand away and walked ten steps backwards away from me. She held her hands up in an ‘X’ and kept saying ‘not happening’. Her face was flushed red – Don’t tell me she likes Audicious-Lee!!

I feel like face palming myself – I should have noticed.

“Ou…” The eyes of the Paladin twinkled with a hint of mischievousness as she watched Tinkerbell react in embarrassment. “Do you lo…HEY!”

“Dispel.” I whispered. Seriously, one problematic person is more than enough!