The history

“Then he will surely die by dragon or Helm on this day!”

An age ago, there were two kingdoms. The kingdom of Sand, and the kingdom of Helm. For generations, these two kingdoms had a bitter hatred of each other. War had waged for so long that the stories telling how it came to be had faded away. Although the lands were bountiful and had enough resources for everyone to live in peace, the Kings of the two realms wouldn’t allow it. Each kingdom tempted champions with wealth and prestige if they would dedicate themselves to the destruction of the opposite kingdom. And so it endured, year after year.

One legend told by many, describes the childhood meeting between a boy and girl at dawn on Estaria, the first day of spring. The warm sun dappled the mighty trees and cast shadows across the sparkling lake that divided the two kingdoms. Alexi and Ilex spent time at the lake to escape the doldrums of their unpleasant castle lives, which thanks to the consistent bad mood of their parents, had become almost unbearable.

They enjoyed each other’s company for years, spending hours on hide and seek and all manner of imaginary adventures. They shared their hopes and dreams for the future, without the disapproving glances from their parents. In fact, their parents were so busy with their own troublesome lives, they hardly noticed an occasional story about their child’s forest friend.  

After many years together, they could no longer remain blind to the terrible reality that bound them; they were from different castles, the prince of Sand and the Princess of Helm. With the weight of the truth on them, they fled their woodland playground and returned home, knowing that if their friendship were discovered, they could be put to death.

Years passed and the children became adults. Neither realizing how much their childhood had influenced their convictions. Unbeknownst to each other, they were attempting to repair the fractured relationship between their kingdoms. Their pleas went largely unheard, overshadowed by rancor and hate. 

The legend says that one year at dawn on the first day of Spring, Prince Alexi and Princess Ilex decided to visit the lake without the other’s knowledge, one last time. They each hoped to find the peace they once knew as children. Standing on the bank, they were quite shocked to see the other standing in the distance. Their first thought was to run, but this time it was not to flee. They ran to each other and embraced, their sense of joy and peace restored.

They secretly visited each other often, speaking at length about their desire to unite their kingdoms, and it didn’t take long for their love to blossom in the warmth of the sun. They vowed to each other and to the Old Gods, that their love was more important than any of their kingdom’s irrational and hateful laws.

It came to pass not long after, that a great tragedy befell both lands. The Great Red Dragon came from the West to claim the bounty and treasures of both kingdoms. The dragon cared not about political strife or the hatred of men, her only care was the destruction of the kingdoms and the wealth that she would amass. 

Over many months, the Great Dragon ravaged the two kingdoms with unbridled hatred, unleashing great fireballs upon the land that destroyed crops, towns and the citizens of both realms. But rather than band together, the two kingdoms refused to unite against their enemy. Their inability to reconcile made the dragon’s destruction more swift and terrible. Despite their advisors and their children pleading with them to join forces, the prideful families refused to yield. 

The dragon's destruction was almost complete, the Royal Sand family watched from their Castle as the Dragon began her final siege on the Castle Helm. Prince Alexi pleaded with his father to attack the Dragon, but King Roderick Sand would not yield.

 “You would kill us all for your pride. I am leaving, because there will never be a day when my love is not more important than your pride!”  Alexi stared into his father’s eyes, holding his stare before turning and leaving the chambers. 

His words confused the King and Queen, but their lack of understanding was quickly replaced with horror when they realized the prince was riding directly to Castle Helm!  The Queen pleaded with her husband to send the army to save their son from certain death, but he refused. 

“Then he will surely die by dragon or Helm on this day!” She fled the room in tears, while King Roderick looked on, unmoved and unyielding.

When the prince arrived at Castle Helm there was chaos and destruction and he easily passed through the castle gate. Anyone who noticed his Sand colors did not harm him as he proclaimed, “I bring aid.” In fact, most were too beleaguered and injured to care. Defeat was upon them…..

What happens next? Come to Sandhelm and LIVE THE ADVENTURE!