In the dark dungeons of the Radamis Empire, High Priestess Kronicha of Samokov endured unimaginable pain. Her captors, masters of cruelty, sought to break her spirit and extract secrets about the United Territories of Samokov. Yet, day after day, she resisted, her fortitude becoming a legend among the torturers themselves. Her resilience piqued the curiosity of Emperor Radamik, who decided to meet this extraordinary prisoner.


The Emperor's Curiosity
Emperor Radamik entered the dimly lit cell, expecting to see a broken woman. Instead, he found Kronicha, defiant and composed. Her eyes held a depth that spoke of lifetimes. Intrigued, the emperor began to converse with her, seeking to understand the source of her unyielding strength.


Through their conversations, Kronicha revealed her astonishing secret. She was not merely a high priestess of Samokov, but the old country's ancient queen, deposed and thought long dead. Her tale began over 10,000 years ago, in the 11th era, when she ruled a prosperous kingdom with her family. Betrayed by those closest to her, she watched as her husband and children were slaughtered before her eyes. Exiled to the fiery depths of the Nexus, she endured 6,000 years of torment, her body and spirit twisted by the embers' relentless assault.


Escape from the Nexus
Kronicha's escape from the Nexus was a miraculous fluke. Emerging into a world unrecognizable to her, she embarked on the Kessler Pilgrimage, a perilous journey across Anarkand. Her trek culminated at the summit of the Baraniendemor mountains, where she sought answers from Qorona, the ancient oracle.


The Answer of Qorona
Qorona revealed the secret to restoring her body: consuming the essence stored in the blood of others. The tainted essence of the Nexus coursed through her veins, giving her the ability to regenerate by draining the life force of others. Unaware of the rules governing Qorona, Kronicha became ensnared in the realm between the Drah'min of creation, where she was trapped for another 4,000 years, waiting for a successor to complete the pilgrimage and set her free.


The Return and the Long Con
Finally freed, Kronicha emerged with a thirst for vengeance and a clear plan. Consuming the essence of those who opposed her or stood in her way as she proceeded to regain her strength and vitality. She made her way back to the United Territories of Samokov, marrying Borellean, the king's son, through cunning manipulation over a number of years. Her true ambition was to destroy the country from within and reclaim her position as the supreme ruler.


Orchestrating Her Capture
Knowing she needed more power and influence, Kronicha orchestrated her own capture by the Radamis Empire. Her suffering and resilience during torture were part of her long con, designed to gain the emperor’s interest. Over time, she and Emperor Radamik forged a secret pact. If he helped her ascend to the throne of Samokov, she would ensure the allegiance of Samokov and its allies to the Radamis Empire, promising to dismantle the 12e Alliance, the greatest threat to the empire.


The Pact with the Emperor
Kronicha's plan was audacious. She swore loyalty to the emperor and promised to deliver Samokov's vast army into his hands. The emperor, impressed by her resolve and strategic mind, agreed. With his support, she returned to Samokov, her path to power now clear.