<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span class="bbc_u">Tainted Blades</span></strong></span></div><br/><div align="center">The small Kingdom of Edenia, is the cornerstone of the western trade routes. Selling spices, food and wine the world over they are a valuable hub for the rest of the known world. However rumors arise of a ravaging horde of bandits whom have taken it upon themselves to ransack the farms and hamlets that make up much of the kingdoms valued resources stealing everything in their wake, leaving all whom are unfortunate enough to cross their path slain. They come from the western woods of Summershore and the towering heights of Daroth Craig bringing swift ruin upon Edenia.<br/><br/>At first the outer kingdoms such as the river-faring city state of Evermeet, did not think much of it and looked forward to a new shipment. However during these last few months the shipments ceased coming altogether. Evermeet being a self sustaining battery has suffered the least of these events other than a spike in the costs of wine and spices. But mere costal hamlets that are near Edenia such as the elven settlements along the Throat, owned by the Widowed Duchess have. Many of them have been succumbing to starvation or malnutrition due to the fruit shipments stopping and the trade routes of fresh food being cut off.<br/><br/>It was at this point a call to action took place within Edenia summons its most powerful heroes of the time to repel these bandits from the edges of their kingdom, liberate the villages and towns being assailed and save their kingdom. For weeks they received no word until upon one night, their horses returned spurred on by leather prongs. Unfortunately their bodies were being dragged behind them. Stripped of possessions and with their heads missing and bodies tampered with to make it so they cannot be resurrected. <br/><br/>The news spread rapidly as the black death. The champions of Edenia and the surrounding kingdoms have fallen in battle. This comes at the cusp of the ill news that Fort Darkoth is under attack by the raiders now emboldened by their success. With all hope falling within Edenia, the time has come. The forces of darkness are on the rise and good men and women fall prey to the strong. In the wake of these series of events new heroes shall answer the call of adventure.</div><br/><hr/><br/>A mere two months have passed since the food and resources commonly traded from Edenia have ceased, their caravans coming and going were destroyed down to the last. Even within the Dutchy of the Throat, the elves are having a hard time of it with a risk of malnutrition starting to sink in. The Widowed Dutchess has dispatched her Holy Knights of Bahamut to investigate the situation and police the realm to make sure order is kept.<br/><br/>One such fledgling paladin has begun her travels towards the borders taking a short cut through the Wispoak Woods. Nations continue to make ends meet with some variance of success during this crisis that sweeps over the region but few are hardest hit than those remote hamlets near the borders of Edenia. No more so than the village of Autumnvale, a remote village of elves trying to avoid desperation from settling in when faced with the brink of starvation.<br/><br/>The lack of caravans has made it difficult for them to trade for other resources they need. Fine horses for fruit and sweet meats. Now their very resource of horses may very well make the ultimate sacrifice to feed the starving elves bellies. Or worse they may have to hunt the wildlife within the woods and damage to economy further. A young wizard seeks answers from the wilds seeking the keeper of the woods, a young druid in her own right, to help the villagers in their time of need. And as the village awaits the news of their folk heroine's success, a young sorceress searches for her father as the traveling carnival she calls home sets up shop at the outskirts of the village in hopes of doing some measure of business.<br/><br/>Four different stars, four different fates and four different stories converge to tell their own tales. Whether for the greater good, for the natural order, for their homestead, or for their family as the champions of the realm fall stars converge to tell a new legend...