Few years before the events of Tenebras Mundi...

The Uprising

There are many versions of The Uprising, some dates back to a decade ago, while most agrees at few years ago, between 3-5 years past. It was a tragedy that befall the Kingdom of L'espoir de la Montagne, forever changed its face. From a peaceful, safe city ruled under the lawful royalty into a den of scum and villainy, where the strong reigns over the weak.

The Uprising is a complication of events that happened at the same week. There might be more events not recorded anywhere, but I will tell the major events that we have known so far. The first is the coup d'etat by the Knights of L'espoir.

No one would have thought the loyal protectors of the kingdom and its nobles to start a coup. One of them was Leone LeBlanc, a half-elf woman who joined the knighthood at young age and showed excellent swordsmanship. Clashes happened as there were soldiers against the coup. While the castle is in chaos, another major event was brewing around the city.

The city of L'espoir is protected by thick walls around, with its back lain on the mountains of Frozen North. Every entrance is guarded and the emergency exits are kept secure. Yet that night, countless Horrors appear in the city. No one knows how or where they entered. We suspect that there was another secret entrance to the city, from which evil could penetrate. Alas, the city was quickly transformed into living hell. Horrors rampaged through the roads killing everyone in sight, or worse, turning them into Horrors. Panic spread quickly and it wasn't long before the Horrors reached the castle.

At this point, the survivors were at the outer parts of the city, running outside the gates hoping there were no Horrors outside while the brave guards held the lines. Instead, unexpected groups were waiting for them outside: The Castillan Gangsters.

Castilles were not native to the land of L'espoir. The first few were adventurers and merchants, but they never stayed for long. When the rumours about wealthy trade city spread, outlaws from Storm Coast began raiding villages and trade routes. It was not long before they made groups and grew stronger by numbers, sometimes recruiting locals as well.

At that night of Uprising, the bandits came at the worst timing for the guards. They robbed the helpless cityfolk who had just left the gates. Seeing the weakened guards, they seized the opportunity and advanced through the open entrances. Although not powerful individually, they made up with numbers. Dozens of brigands finished off the lesser Horrors and captured the wounded guards.

It was a very long night. Eventually, they defeated the Horrors and reached the castle. The royal family were found dead along with the knights that started the coup. Remnants of Horror can be felt all around them. The details are unclear, but it was certain that the kingdom had fallen, with no heir to lead.

In the following months, the gangsters took over most of the cities. Many citizens sided with them, believing that the Castillan were their revolutionary savior when the kingdom fell. Many others disagreed and created a faction protected by what's left of kingdom's guards and soldiers. Conflicts of interests sparked everywhere for months, with uncountable victims from both sides until one day, they decided to have a truce. The soldiers would keep the authority, guarding the walls from horrors while the gangsters controlled the trades in the city, keeping their own authorities as well. It was not the best solution but it has been keeping the city intact. Around that time, they also renamed the city into Fortissimo.