Alarik (please zoom) From my "Sevaril" story. When the old king in the mighty Kingdom of Korr died three years ago and the crown prince had been missing for seven years, the nobles gathered but the only thing they agreed upon was to create a five man Royal Council with the kings old friend, Lord Woodbridge as chairman. The council was from a start very splitted with different opposite interest and became a very weak government. Shortly after the citizens of Korr first heard about Alarik being appointed as the secretary of The Royal Council. No one knew anything about Alarik, except Lord Woodbridge who chose him. From the beginning Alarik was effective and wisely did everything not to conflict with the rich nobles and powerful merchant houses. The Royal Council seldom met and was often more regarded as a mere waste of time than compared to important own business. So the kind, but weak Lord Woodbridge soon gave Alarik authorisation to govern with his own decrees. No taxes for the nobles and a mild taxation of the lower classes. The kingdom slowly fell apart, first in the outskirts but at the same time Alark thightening his power by creating his own army of "soldier-of-the-law" and diminished the money to the ordinary armies. To protect the kingdom, he said, he secretely employed thousands of "prime-citizens" with direct contact to only him. Then rumors began to tell about critics of his government tend to disappear or die in accidents. Slowly he also displaced the administration and judges with his own people. In only three years time he had put himself comfortable in charge of state affairs. With the exception of the naive Lord Woordbridge, nobody really likes Alarik, but he did not interfered with especially the notabilities affairs or business. The rich became richer and the poorer became even more poorer. Alarik was a riddle to all, spent most time in his working office, reading og writing. Seldom seen eating and in spite having a simple bed nearby, he never seemed to sleep in it. People, who entered his spartan small room, saw a short and big headed seated working man. Not talkative, with big staring eyes, never winking. Calm with a low, never raising voice but he filled the room completely with his sheer presence. No nonsense. So instinctively all tried to please more than anything else. He had no known friends but was served by people either fearing him or those who just wanted money or be a power part of his regime. Whatever Alarik's agenda really was he had no interest in anyone to be seated upon the throne.. One of the crooks in my "Sevaril" story - does he remind you of someone you know? Have a pleasent forthcoming week! :o) JohnnyC aka Rhanagaz