A Shadow Underfoot
Prelude
The Confederation of Kingdoms is a yearly summit amongst the nation's of The Hundred Kingdoms. All Kingdoms are invited and only officially recognized Kingdoms may attend. The summit is held at a different Kingdom each year until all Kingdoms have played host. While the main purpose is to improve diplomatic relations amongst nations and strategize for the best of The Region as a whole, it is also accompanied by an Olympic style games competition and festival of culture.
In reality the top 20 most influential Kingdoms attend every year, and another 1-3 dozen more regional Kingdoms make an appearance, resulting in approximately one-third to half the Kingdoms being represented at a given summit. The more influential the host nation, generally the better the turnout.
This year the Kingdom of Nechara is hosting for the first time in one hundred years...
Everyone in The Hundred Kingdoms knows of Nechara, The Battle and Treaty which carry it's name are the single most important moment in history and document of The Hundred Kingdoms. Yet, Nechara has waned from influence in the four centuries since it became the historic landmark of The Hundred Kingdoms. When Nechara became the turning point in The Great Invasion of The Arczeckhi Horde it's peasants fled west for safety and it's soldiers died on the battlefield. Even in the wake of victory, most did not return. Nechara is a place where people come to remember the past, but it's future rarely comes to mind. It is a relic and a memorial, except for those who remain behind it's walls, ever vigilant guardians who remember not only the events but the reasons Nechara is a historic place.
We begin with the arrival of The Kingdoms and our heroes to Nechara at the start of The Confederation of Kingdoms...