The story takes place in the Kingdom of Arstonaroth, created through the unification of three kingdoms – Archor, Ottor and Stonaria. It has been ruled for five centuries by the members of the Ottarch family from the kingdom's capital, Stonariath. Arstonaroth is cut off from the outside world. Every inhabitant can leave if they wish but no one can cross the border from the outside. The Code is the law of the land, established during the kingdom's creation and enforced by a five-member Council.
The Kingdom of Arstonaroth
CHARACTERS
Violemi
The daughter of Ignecor, the ruler of Arstonaroth, and the twin sister of Corren; quiet and shy, usually treats things seriously and personally, the complete opposite of her brother. She never got over her mother's death – she was very close to her, that is why she always thereafter tried to adhere to what she taught her. She assumed the throne following her father's death, despite the fact that Corren was groomed to be the heir while she was kept out of the kingdom's affairs. But the young 22-year-old queen quickly adapted to her new role and, to the surprise of everyone, made significant and consistent decisions.
Corren
The son of Igencor and the twin brother of Violemi; rash, unruly and rebellious, especially against the kingdom's traditions. The rightful heir to the throne of Arstonaroth. He would always quarrel with the Council and his father, while his defiant attitude toward them and all other members of the court made them worry about the moment he would finally succeed Ignecor. However, this never came to pass – having been accused of the murder of his own father, he was exiled from the kingdom.
Arphato
The loyal servant of the Ottarchs, he spent his whole life at the court of Stonariath, becoming a servant at the age of 14, a day before the death of Cornes, the ruler at the time. He served Bamrot who soon assumed the throne, quickly becoming his friend. The next Ottarch, Ignecor, treated Arphato more like a father figure and a trusted friend rather than a servant. Arphato's position in the court was prominent; he was also widely respected for his integrity and dedication to the royal family. He never created a family of his own, directing his affection toward the Ottarchs – especially Violemi who, as she grew up, was becoming increasingly more like her grandmother, Ellvinola, wife to Bamrot, a woman Arphato loved to no end but, for obvious reasons, that love could never be reciprocated and so forever remained his secret.
Ignecor
The ruler of Arstonaroth, husband to Voliana, and the father of the twins Violemi and Corren; wise and brave, he earned the respect of his people. He assumed the throne at the age of 13, following the death of his father, Bamrot, showing maturity beyond his young age. From that moment on he boldly ruled the kingdom, realizing goals outlined by the Ottarchs for centuries. It was a long time before he would come to terms with the tragic death of his wife, concentrating on his responsibility to educate Corren, though his son's behavior would cause him to often lose his patience and fear for the future of Arstonaroth.
Voliana
The wife of Ingecor and the mother of Violemi and Corren. She died young, her body was found in the lake after her horse had carried her away. Her unexpected death was a shock to everyone and had a huge influence on the then 7-year-old twins – Violemi, who was very close to her, and Corren, who from that moment on became unruly and difficult to raise.
Glesorn
Corren's only friend, the son of the court physician. He always believed in his friend's innocence and that is why he helped him escape. He planned to leave Arstonaroth with him but he was terrified of the irreversibility of such a course of action. And so he stayed in the kingdom but, unable to find a place for himself at the court, ultimately joined the ranks of the Legnacherians.
Legnacherians
The guardians of Arstonaroth who protect its borders in the Forests of Mist. As the situation in the kingdom stabilized, their role changed, undergoing its biggest reform during the reign of Baturg, when the kingdom's defense system was complete. The task of the Legnacherians is to spread a specially prepared toxin which creates a light mist that induces hallucinations and does not allow entry into the kingdom from the outside. The creation of the toxin is the most guarded secret in Arstonaroth, recorded in the Code. In addition, the Legnacherians serve as watchmen in the Chiavers, warning of imminent danger.
Stonarians
The personal guard of the Ottarchs serving in Stonariath. The main task of the first Stonarians was to guard the ruler and his residence, as well as to repel any attacks from outside – both in direct and in indirect combat. Ever since Baturg's rule, the number of Stonarians has been reduced to one squad which serves as a representative and auxilary force at the court, since all outside threats are stopped by the Legnacherians in the Forests of Mist and ever since the Ottarchs have assumed the throne there have never been any internal threats directed at the royal family.
The Council
The five-member Council that watches over the Code along with the king and enforces the laws written within it. Membership in the Council is for life. The inhabitants of the kingdom choose a successor should any member die. All Council members are equal, while the fact that their number is odd ensures a resolution to every problem that is not specifically answered by the Code. In the case of precise wording, however, the Council cannot choose to provide an interpretation of its own.
The Kin of Ottarch
PLACES
Stonariath
The capital of the kingdom, rebuilt from the ground up after a great fire which consumed the original city during the reign of Corestes. It was designed on the basis of a circle with roads running outward from the main square in the center. Stonariath Palace – the seat of the Ottarchs – is located to the west of it; facing east, the large building towers over the city, visible from far away. The western part of the city is inhabited by those serving at the court, while the eastern part by regular citizens. Also on the western side, right next to the Palace buildings and its lands, is Lake Nelos through which the Moranda River flows.
The Stonariath Gardens
They stretch from the north to the south from the palace, and to the west between it and the lake. Its southern part contains a specific area designed and sketched by Voliana, the wife of Ignecor. A pavilion in the middle is surrounded by a hedge labirynth made up of various alleys and paths as well as clearings of flowers and herbs. There is only one entrance into the labirynth but it then splits into several paths so that the pavilion can be reached in numerous ways. The labirynth is the favorite place of the Ottarchs, a place to rest and enjoy the silence. On the other side, in the northern part of the gardens, there is a hill called the Hill of Loss.
The Hill of Loss
Located in the gardens north of the palace. Its name comes from a past custom, from the early days of Arstonaroth, when the bodies of those fallen in defense of the kingdom's borders – Stonarians and Legnacherians – were taken after the battle to the hill and burned, with proper respect being paid. Later, when it became possible to defend the kingdom without loss of life, the hill lost its purpose, but it is nevertheless still considered a sacred place.
The Forests of Mist
Vast forests surrounding Arstonaroth to the west and north. They serve a very important function in the defense of the kingdom – one of the priorities of the first inhabitants was to fill the gaps between the forest and the mountains as well as to reinforce the wall of trees so that it would create a continuous ring around the kingdom, making the borders easier to defend. The Forests of Mist contain Legnacherian outposts and paths as well as their garrison – Legnariath. Aside from the Legnacherians, no one has the right or possibility to enter them, neither from outside or inside the kingdom.
Legnariath
The garrison of the Legnacherians – the place where they train, make the hallucinogenic toxin, and manfacture weapons as well as other equipment.
Chiavers
Twelve watchtowers, located in places which allow one to see areas outside the kingdom's borders and react to any approaching threat. The first two chiavers were built before Arstonaroth was founded, the next three not long after. They were hastily built, in turbulent times, with the aim to protect the most threatened area located immediately past the Onidros Canyon. Other chiavers were built on hills and tops of the North High and Low Mountains, utilizing various construction methods.
