The assassination of the Emperor and part of his family caused chaos in the Empire of Man. Then each time a new emperor was crowned the group in opposition would assassinate him. After their three oldest brothers were assassinated the fourth and fifth sons of the Emperor fled with their households and some of their retainers. Hiring a small fleet of ships the the princes sailed off to found their own domains.

Several hundred miles off the west coast of the main continent lie a string of islands, three large islands with smaller isles between them. Due to wind and currents these islands are about ten days apart when sailing northward. It takes thirty days to reach the northern most isle from the nearest mainland city but less than a week to return. One of the princes made landfall on the southern most large island while the other proceeded farther north. The descendants of the the princes kept in touch with each other and the mainland using the merchant ships that occasionally stop by the their small island kingdoms.

Both kingdoms slowly grew from the few hundred original settlers to populations of approximately 5000 over the next 200 years. Both kingdoms are agriculturally based, being run as large feudal estates belonging to the royal families, with minsters managing the outlaying farms. The kings support their households with the produce of their own lands, rents from the lands and buildings leased to the freeman farmers, craftsmen and merchants. Taxes pay for the infrastructure of the island and the pay for the guardsmen.

Of late the southern most island, Haven, has been having hard times. Income from taxes are down, the king and his two sons have died and the only member of the royal family is in the depths of depression, turning to the bottle for solace.