Final Fantasy: The Steam Wars
The Yastan Kingdom
The early morning sun rose lazily just behind the Castles highest towers. Normally there would be almost no commotion to interrupt the serenity of the scene, but this was no ordinary morning. Today was the first proving of the year and preparations were well underway. It was only one of four days in a year that the fortress opened its doors to the merchants and migrant tribes the kingdoms citizens had formed in the wake of the Magic Wars. It was a hard life living in the wastes but thanks to not being tied down a single settlement taxes were low and the king and queen often sent soldiers out to guard the few permanent settlements the people were able to build.
The only non royalty permitted to live within the fortresses walls were mages in-service to the courts and the royal army. Both position highly coveted by the lowfolk.
Which is why these provings are so important for the country. It's how the soldiers keep their numbers up and how the low folk support their families.
While only a few are actually chosen in the end participation is free and rewards are offered to the to applicants regardless if they are chosen.
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From the high tower of the castle Prince Kierran watched the festival set up and pondered the recent events in the castle. War ministers were coming in and out of his fathers offices day and night bringing news of border skirmishes with The Imperium and the Empire both. In his youth he'd once believed they could all work together to heal the damage they had wrought on the world but time had tempered his naivity,now he had his eyes set on conquest and he'd been told his new fiance had a very special trait. One he could take advantage of and finally bring an end to the fighting.
Reaching behind him Kierran lifted his dark purple cape from the table and fastened it over his left shoulder the girl would be arriving soon and he simply had to be presentable.
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A young man with ash colored Hair raced through the commotion of the laborers setting up for the festival. On his back was a large sword covered in an oiled tarp to protect it from the dessert sands.
Rafe was one of the many nomads who had come to join the Royal army and thanks to his newest find in one of the battlefields on the border he knew he had an edge even if it currently only had three shells. The shells were all he could find that still had power. Fire, Wind, and a barrier. He wasn't even sure how strong they were just what type of power the shells contained.
Rafe came to a halt at a large door leading to a small long house, where all applicant came to wait their turn in the lists.