Pilot

For centuries the country of Avalon has been teaming with magic. It was everywhere, and molded animals and humans into different beings. It seemed every year new species were appearing, yet some humans and animals stayed untouched by magic. A lot of those humans became fearful, and acted out rashly with those fears as beasts began attacking villages. Witches began burning at the steak in front of family and children at the hands of their own people, offlanders became hunted prey if they were rumored to be magical. Beasts were tracked down and killed, even meer babies.

They took their concerns to King Robin Theobold, voicing their opinions of how the magic-wielders needed to be stopped so they could fear no longer. He rose from his throne and peered out of his window in his throne room. His eyes widened to see terrifying flames a woman was suspended above. As quickly as he blinked her body went up in flames as screams filled the air. He quickly turned to his men standing around him, brow furrowed in anger and pain.

"Find the source of this magic nonsense and seal it off for good. Destroy it. Burn it. Do whatever you can, just by the Gods, stop this sensless killing!" He exclaimed. "I want half of you out there searching for its source, take the dogs with you. Don't return until it's solved. The other half of you are to fan out amongst the cities, let no one spill blood."

He sat on his throne with a sigh. His hands cupped his face as his crown lowered with his head. "Leave me." He said, dismissing the people that filled the room.

It took months of searching, not a word had been heard from any of the guards that left that day. King Robin and his only son, Phillip stood at their balcony that overlooked all of Apollonia. Riots began reaching the castle, beast and human alike began fighting in the streets as they outraged over slaughters that still slipped under the guards noses. Suddenly all the noise and fighting stopped, as if the gust of wind that enveloped them all had drowned them out. Humans and magic-wielders alike became hushed, as those showing magical abilities were suddenly completely normal.

The crowd was filled with silence for what felt like hours, but King Robin broke the silence. "My dear people, our heroic knights have done it! They sealed off the cursed magic that made your loved ones become the ones you feared!" The crowd cheered and applauded. The King raised a chalice to the sky, and beamed down at his people. "This calls for a celebration! Guards, open the gates and tell the maids to begin preparing one hell of a feast!"

All seemed well for a while, the knights had returned and told tales of dragons, manticores, and so many other beasts. They told their tale of how they sealed off a cave in The Frozen Wilds that contained crystals teaming with magic and letting it lose into the air around them. Their stories flooded the cities, and became the new tales for parents to tell their children.

All seemed right again in Avalon, but of course nothing can ever stay perfect for long. The King became ill and rapidly began deteriorating. Within a few days he had passed. With his wife gone, his son was his only heir. The castle knights came to his chambers and knocked. With no answer they let themselves in, and were floored by the sights in there. Markings, writing, incantations were written all over his walls. Herbs and strange bottles scattered his room. Prince Phillip jumped up from his bed, but before he could explain himself he was dragged from the castle. The accusations were that the Prince became an enemy to the crown, he was trying to bring back magic to Avalon. They even managed to blame him for his fathers death. He was hanged outside the castle walls that night.

Once more did fear erupt amongst Avalons people, war broke out as Houses began trying to fight for the title of King of Avalon. A year had passed, and finally one House was announced victorious -- House Morningstar. Not much was known of them, besides that they were from beyond The Frozen Wilds. There were rumors of their style being peculiar, and that there were to be five of them when they arrived in Apollonia. Yet when their ship docked, only three had emerged. Well dressed, yet all in black and with veils over their faces as to not be seen. No one spoke of the new Kings rumored wife however, yet a ring was very well present on his finger.

They settled in, their loyal subjects following them into the castle. With many Houses perished, the new King was to elect Houses he chose to run the other cities. More rumors emerged that he'd be choosing them at his public coronation. As the day arrived, Apollonia became flooded with people from all of Avalon to eagerly meet the new King and his family. Everyone crowded the gates to the garden waiting to be let in and seated to watch the new King and his family come to their throne.