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Following the disappearance of King Darian a multitude of events rocked Misthalin. Crops died inexplicably, healthy one day and withered the next. Soon after that came the disease.

It started in the slums of the cities, people beset with terrible boils that spread all across their bodies. Weak with hunger and fever, these poor and diseased did not last long. When no immediate cure was found, the effected areas were quarantined and healers across the Kingdom were put to work following any and every possible trail leading to a solution.

The nobility was spared for a time, but even they could not escape disease forever. People began to turn to any answer they could find and among the rumors, one outcry rose above all others...

Witches.


Rhoslyn stepped up to the edge of the platform constructed just outside the castle walls. Behind her, a noose hung low, swaying in the breeze to taunt the onlookers gathering around as the Lady Chancellor took her place. She looked down on them, all wide eyed with fear and curiosity. Many of them wore masks over their faces. Others wore hoods to hide the boils slowly spreading across their flesh. A few brave souls wore no protective coverings - a much whispered about statement that they were strong enough to withstand all the hardships.

Rhoslyn began.

she paused. The people knew well the practices of the Lansings and many faces were not smiling in approval.

The gasps, murmurs and outright cries of fear and shock echoed through Varrock Square.

She followed this up with a ceremonial removal of the Lansing symbol, a large snakeskin that wrapped around her shoulders, from her dress. A nearby guard was called up with torch in hand, and she burned the skin in its flames.

Some, as was expected, did not believe her. Their new Queen was a witch and always would be. They could not be convinced otherwise. But many had seen Rhoslyn in the streets handing out food to the starving. They had watched her dress an orphan child covered in boils in her own son's hand-me-down garments. She was a good Queen, they said. She was to be believed. Though rumors still tickled ears, speaking distrust toward this announcement, they were drowned out by the overpowering roar of approval as Rhoslyn turned from the burning snakeskin and descended the steps from the gallows.