The Shen, or First Ones as they are sometimes referred to, ruled over a kingdom that spanned most every habitable area of Ardea since before written memory. Despite gradually losing influence and territory over the course of millennia they believe they still do.

And credit where it's due, the rigid, unyielding First Ones survived such terrible times as The Taint or The Dragon Hunts, and weakened as they were, stood against and eventually outlived both the Elven kingdoms and the old Imperium. The Eternal Kingdom is still a power rightfully feared all over the continent and may very well persist for thousands of years to come.

It is the Shakariun and the numerous outposts, towers, and fortresses it maintains around the world which guarantee that fear. Try as they might however, the image of the immortal, omniscient Shen demigods of old will never return to the minds of the so called "lesser races". Even the invincibility of the almighty Guardians, those only spoken of with dread even among the First Ones is challenged.

Yet the old ways are still kept even on the very fringes of the Kingdom. The fortress city of Uldaria included. Here the Order of Guardians rules from their chapterhouse within the city's highest tower. The hermit-like agents of the Shakariun rarely show themselves in public and often leave the city's day to day matters to fall to the caste of Sorcerors, and even the Knights beneath them. It goes so far that the Guardians can now hardly be bothered to act unless a dire threat to the city were to emerge.

This is the sorry state of affairs Eirica found herself in. As Vigilant, a higher ranking sorceress, she serves as advisor to Knight-Commander Rahen'Tot and a contact between the Guardian Chapter and their subjects. A highly ungrateful position.

She is relatively young to hold such an office and had elders above her station who traditionally would have served the role better. This is something which keeps puzzling Eirica. Confident in her abilities she may be, it's so unlike the Chapter to go against the old ways. Eirica often finds herself searching for hidden conspiracies and outright spying on her superiors. An act they would highly disapprove of, were they to find out.

Still, the Vigilant tries to keep her doubts in check and serves in her position to the best of her abilities. Her term so far has been free of major situations. Peace is kept and the borders held secure.

If only barely.