Part 1: Prologue: What has Gone Before

Prologue Theme


darkness, returning the light of a kingdom.

Long, long ago in a kingdom called Riccar there was a king who was very brave, but not terribly wise or strong of mind. For, within his kingdom, there slept an evil dragon whose influence eventually came to overwhelm the will of the king.


heart of his likeness.

Despite this, the dragon was able to influence the king with visions of wisdom and power that eventually turned his heart to evil. While the king yet believed that he was his own man, the dragon soon had complete control over his actions.


the ancient painting.

When the king removed the sword, darkness swept across the land and into the lives of its people. The once prosperous country was ruined, and its people lived in fear of their lives. They did not, however, live in such a way for long.


the people into trees.

The kingdom had truly become a land of darkness, but all hope was not lost.



The fallen king flew into a rage at the sight of the prince, for he had a birthmark in the shape of a dagger on his left arm. The king believed that this birthmark was an omen that the prince would bring about his downfall, and so one day he took up his sword and raised it high, preparing to bring it down on the infant. One of the king's bravest knights, whose heart had not fallen to the darkness, was horrified and risked his life to save the prince and spirit him away from the palace. That knight was known as Pascal, although he left that name behind when he departed.



Pascal was not the only one who fought against the king's evil. The three great magicians of the land conspired to prevent the king's evil from spreading and worked a powerful magic to conceal the king and his castle deep underground. One of the magicians retrieved the magic sword that had bound the painting, and then the three separated and locked themselves behind three gates.



The magicians waited, knowing that as time passed a hero would arise to defeat the evil king. For fifteen years the magicians waited, while Theo grew to become a young man.



Old Man's Theme

One day the old man that Theo lived with called aside the boy he had raised as a son and spoke to him. As might any young man raised in such circumstances, Theo had found no reason to think it strange that he lived in a forest with no one around but the old man. On that day the man that he considered his father told him of the kingdom's fall into darkness and how the people had been turned into trees.



For fifteen years Theo had lived in ignorance of his royal heritage, until that day when his guardian told him the truth about his origin and charged him to restore the land of Riccard.



The old man told Theo of how the magicians had locked themselves away, but could not tell him which of the magicians might have the sword that he so desperately needed. Knowing of his need, however, the three magicians had each tried to send a key to their lands to Prince Theo.



Unfortunately their choice of messengers was flawed and the pigeons could not reach Prince Theo. The quest for the Sword of Hope had become even more difficult and fraught with peril than it might have been.



The old man was stern in his entreaty that Prince Theo must go in search o fthe Sword of Hope. Nothing less than the life of the kingdom of Riccard was at stake.



Prince Theo would not be without allies in his quest. The old man first directed him toward a wise man who could provide him with advice and some help in his quest.

This is also the source for passwords.



The old man provided Theo with armor and a sword, provisions for his journey, a magic book to study, and gave him his best wishes on his journey.



Prince Theo took one last look at his home for the last fifteen years and set out on his journey.