Duda

Crimson Sword

Overview

Once a moderately famous adventurer, she eventually established the Sanctgard Empire, which unified the entire Ciaran continent.

Chapter One

Turra Davie (7455–7485, Era of Frost Veil) was born in a small town in the Steron territory. Turra spent her early years without a name, surviving in the slums on scraps of food given to her by others. Her small, underfed frame didn't help her, but it was perfect for her role as a nimble thief. She became skilled in climbing and squeezing into tight spaces, and was also entrusted to steal things in exchange for a bite of food. Everyone called her "Darke," which means black bird. Without any other options, she was destined to remain a thief for life. But her life changed when she was caught stealing by the butcher, Simone Davie. Simone caught the girl who stole her coins, but did not hand her to the guards—In this age, guards were bandits. She knew well the frail girl would meet a grim and untimely end if she handed her to them. The girl huddled in the corner, her dark eyes fixed on Simone, as if bracing for a brutal beating. "Would you work in my shop?" "A proper job, no need to steal or rob. You'll survive." The girl was stunned, struck dumb by this unexpected offer. And so, the girl stayed, leaving her life of theft behind. Stocking goods, slaughtering cattle, dealing with customers, and cooking... The butcher's trade was full of lessons. As the days passed, the girl grew tall, her once thin frame filling out quickly. She was clever, quick, and the customers liked her. "Mr. Turra, two pounds of steak today?" "Yes, two pounds." "Ms. Mary, your minced meat!" "Thank you, Darke." But not all exchanges were warm. "Ah... Hello, Sir... Why do we meet so soon again?" "Your taxes, now." "We paid six months already, didn't we?" "Taxes have risen. Didn't you hear?" "..."The taxman's visits grew more frequent, as the powers above grew greedier. Life became harder even in the good years. More and more youths left home, seeking a life as adventurers. Finally, the girl decided to leave. Simone didn't stop her, giving her coins for the road, telling her to go wherever her heart led. With new hope, the girl sought out adventurers to take her along. "Very well, little one. What name do you go by?" "I..."She hesitated, unwilling to speak her past name. "Darke" seemed too small, too filthy. She thought of Mr. Turra and Mrs. Simone. The two names flashed in her mind. "Turra! Turra Davie," said the girl. "Davie? Why does that sound familiar?"She dreamed of earning enough to open a shop, where she could both be a fighter and a owner. Perhaps even own a manor... Turra set off with that hope. She was unaware that the name she now bore would echo across Ciaran.

Chapter Two

Five years later, 20-year-old Turra became a highly skilled adventurer. After the previous captain perished on an expedition, Turra—cheerful, strong, and sharp—was chosen to lead the squad. They completed commissions with finesse, earning a solid reputation in the adventurer world. Under Simone Davies' influence, Turra clung to certain values, often taking on low-paying but meaningful commissions. If her teammates dismissed them, she tackled them alone. Eventually, they occasionally joined her in these "foolish good deeds." As adventurers, their impact was limited to a series of small tasks that barely made a dent in the grand scheme. By the time they returned, the situation only worsened. Nobles ruled while the people remained oppressed; this was the unchanging reality for most kingdoms on Ciaran. Faced with constant tragedy, someone finally asked, "Must those who lead the people always be them?" No one dared answer, but the spark had already ignited the haystack. In 7468 of the Era of Frost Veil, the flames of war erupted in the Lesters' estate, swiftly consuming many nations. In a tavern, Turra and her squad joined the ranks of the rebels, ready to fight for change. Amid the chaos of war, Turra's sharp leadership and strategy quickly gained prominence, and her surname caught the fading Davies' attention. After investigating Turra's background, the Davies approached her, clarifying that they did not oppose her use of their name and were willing to offer assistance. With the Davies' backing, Turra was rebranded as their lost child, a general devoted to civilians. Her grounded leadership earned the respect of both commoners and nobles, securing support from both sides. In a few years, Turra became a celebrated general and later marshal, with the title "Crimson Sword" becoming legendary in Ciaran. At the time, no one expected the war to last long, but Turra had her own vision and goals. Amid the flames of conflict, borders crumbled, people shifted, and rulers were overthrown—only to rise again in defiance of the angry masses. Turra was patient, and with each passing day, the lands under her and her comrades' control grew larger. More than just the Davies came to trust her. Some of the noble families in the shadows decided to support Turra for their own reasons. The first to join her cause was the Murphys, and it was then that Turra learned her comrade Sofia was their daughter. With the Murphys and Davies' support, Turra joined Scarla's military, conquering the Kingdom of Monsters and securing successive victories over Gilliat. During a ceasefire, Turra targeted Scarla's crumbling regime and orchestrated an armed coup. The coup unfolded with surprising ease, as the government fell to Turra's elite forces just a day later. The Davies and Murphys took control of Scarla, while Turra continued her campaign against Gilliat. Turra's ideal vision began to take shape. The Kingdoms of Scarla and Gilliat merged, unifying humanity. Turra and her allies initially proposed a council to lead the new united kingdom, a plan unanimously backed by her supporters. However, many factions opposed it. The nobles refused to relinquish their titles and could not accept the emperor's disappearance, which ultimately led to fragmentation and decay. They demanded the appointment of an emperor to preserve the feudal structure. This, it seemed, was the only line they would not cross. After behind-the-scenes maneuvering, Turra Davies, the most charismatic but least powerful candidate, was crowned Scarla's first king. Turra was aware of the nobles' motives. Before the coronation, she told her comrades that they would one day topple these entrenched powers and usher in a new age. Turra kept her loyal squad when crowned, placing them in key positions to enact sweeping reforms. She redistributed unclaimed land, abolished excessive taxes, and shifted the nation's focus to confront emerging foreign factions. Under her governance, the Kingdom of Scarla flourished with vitality like never before. But the domestic nobility was not without its grievances. With Turra's dominance over the military and politics, the nobles could only suppress their grievances. In an effort to quell internal discord, she made several compromises. She allowed many nobles to participate in the political process, conceding certain privileges to quell doubts about her leadership. Her comrades largely followed her lead, but not without some tension. Some allies grew uncertain, while others accused Turra of indecisiveness and leniency in her fight against the nobility. Despite the shifting dynamics in her inner circle, the Kingdom of Scarla continued its steady march toward a brighter future. Besides the dwarves, many other nations either fell or willingly pledged allegiance to Turra. In 7480 of the Era of Frost Veil, the Sanctgard Empire was founded, uniting Ciaran. Turra Davies was crowned its first emperor, Emperor Turra I.

Chapter Three

After ascending to the throne, Turra faced an avalanche of challenges. Integrating foreign races proved harder than expected. After several failures, Turra allowed some tribes to remain as duchies. The empire flourished. After quelling several minor uprisings, Turra ended her military career. Her fellowship had become astute over the years, creating a tangled web of power. Communication was now filled with veiled hints and subtle tests. Turra was troubled by this, yet she understood it was a necessary sacrifice for the unity she sought. She felt the weight of the crown—but she knew things would spiral even worse than her darkest fears. In the second year of the empire's foundation, Turra finally resolved to take action against the nobles. Turra revoked privileges from the Kingdom of Scarla era, limiting noble power by curbing land consolidation, banning slavery and private armies, stripping feudal rights, and empowering local governments. This reform—this revolution—met overwhelming resistance, and even in her own inner circle, few dared to voice their support. Most of her remaining allies fell silent, while others offered more subtle objections. Cracks began to spread within the ranks. On the day the new decree was issued, Turra was attacked in her palace. Several former allies opposed her, led by Sofia Murphy, the one she had trusted most. When this former comrade, once a bloodied warrior at her side, drew her sword against Turra, the emperor's blade was gone. No one knew exactly what had happened in the palace that fateful day. All that was known was that the emperor left behind a palace littered with corpses. The streets were soaked in blood, littered with bodies, yet she pressed on. That night, Turra reached the camp outside the city and executed the noble officers who had plotted against her. Later, she led her forces in a bloody purge through the imperial capital, Dorn. The slaughter continued into morning as Turra, before the gods, declared the nobles traitors. The blood stained the emperor's red carpet, and the people fell into stunned silence. That day became known in history as the "Day of the Decree." In the years that followed, she was called the "Ruler of Heaven's Decree." For Turra, this title symbolized the bloodshed of all that was familiar, but she never forbade the people from using it. She believed it was the blood she must carry, the burden she must bear. She adopted Sofia Murphy's daughter, Lavinia, renamed her Davie, and made her the Sanctgard Empire's heir. The nobles, broken by blood and slaughter, bowed to her will. They accepted Turra's decree and retreated into a long period of silence. But there was one truth Turra could not change: The nobles lay dormant, the army rose, and the empire endured because of her. She wondered: if she renounced the emperor's power, would anything survive after her? She finally understood why the Davies and Murphys had fiercely defended imperial rule. She stood at the edge of old age, realizing no one could rewrite an era, and there was no time to build an empire for the people. And in that moment, she longed for the adventurer she once was. Turra built statues and a cemetery for her fallen comrades, leaving a will to be buried with them. She longed to escape the emperor's identity, but its grip was too strong. She had no time for such thoughts—too much had to be done to pave the way for Lavinia. The burdens she could not carry had to be passed on to the next ruler. Turra still dreamed of her free adventurer's life, but her reign had long eclipsed it. Saint Carta's emperor, Turra Davie, had forever left behind the adventurer she once was. In 7485, Turra Davie died on an inspection trip at the border of Steron Territory. Lavinia did not follow Turra's will. She honored the people's wishes by building a grand tomb for Turra, bearing their reverence.

Historical Notes

Once a member of the fallen Davies, Simone was stranded in Steron. With her old ally, Knight Turra, she ran a butcher shop. When the Davies accepted Turra, Simone returned home and peacefully passed away during the Great Expedition. Lavinia Davie: Daughter of the traitor Sofia Murphy and adopted by Turra, Lavinia was the second emperor of the Sanctgard Empire. Calm and diplomatic, she lacked the drive and decisiveness needed for leadership. Her reign stabilized the empire, but her inaction paved the way for future conflicts. Sofia Murphy: A comrade of Turra and daughter of the powerful Murphys. Her battlefield achievements earned her the headship of the family after the empire's founding. But, swayed by her family's influence, she betrayed the revolution and was involved in an assassination plot. She met her end at Turra's hands, executed on the spot in the palace. Geography: The "Prophecy City," Eon, is the capital of Saint Carta. Founded in 24269 of the Era of Rebirth by Emperor Princeton of the Hilbeyan dynasty, Eon lies in the subtropical Nibisi Plains to the west. As the capital of countless dynasties, Eon has grown into a magnificent city over millennia, far surpassing even the sacred city of Midgard. Eon's landmarks include the majestic Wheel of Time and the Eon Library. The Wheel of Time was erected in honor of the Angel Messiah. The Eon Library, built by Emperor Princeton to treat the Prophet, was later moved to Midgard during the Era of Eternal Flame. Political Culture: Turra Davie's humble origins forced her to seek the backing of noble families to solidify her rule. This reliance led to a weakened central authority, leaving the Saint Carta unable to unify its faith. The empire's major families followed different gods:The royal Davies worshiped Epria, the Deity of Wisdom (one of the Sacred Seven Asters).The Steron family, in the west, followed Delfin, the Deity of Mountains.The Lester family, in the north, revered Gabriel, the God of Fertility.The Murphys, in the south, worshiped Phoebe, the Goddess of the Moon.These noble families controlled vast territories, sparking a centuries-long power struggle that fueled the empire's growth. Now, their gaze was fixed on the Celestial Sea. Architectural Style: The rivalry between central and local powers birthed grandiose architecture, as the Sanctgard Empire's rulers sought to display their might. With help from the Northwestern Sugeth and Ezagel dwarves, many of the empire's monumental structures were powered by runes, infusing them with mystical energy. As classical architecture rose and nobles dominated the Imperial Magic Academy, an academic faction emerged, championing classical designs with stone exteriors and intricately crafted wooden interiors. Economic Structure: Mirren's economy was held back by its lack of maritime trade and geographic isolation from regions like Yarve. The Sanctgard Empire's feudal, manor-based economy centered on large cities that acted as hubs, influencing regional economies. In the later years of the Golden Age, this system saw gradual improvement.