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During my extensive travels throughout the layers of hell, the celestial heavens, and the various mortal planes I have seen few civilizations more fascinating than the Empire of Rienbect, the militaristic empire dominated on battlefields across the planet of Kaylist for several centuries. Moreover, Rienbect provided its subjects with social programs unparalleled by any other civilization. Yet the empire collapsed all the same. Despite the efforts of my fellow historians, to date no one truly understands why the great empire fell into civil war and eventually into ruin.


Welcome to History 274: The Fall of Rienbect. In this course I will unveil the catalyst that propelled the Rien Empire into civil war and imperial extinction. We shall evaluate missives preserved from the era, such as clippings from various periodicals, journal entries, and Imperial documents from the vast bureaucracy that made up the Empire. In addition to printed missives from the era, this textbook contains transcripts from interviews with people who were alive during the fall of the Empire. During the course of my research I found it necessary to interview summoned demons. These demon interviews offer my students extensive knowledge on topics that would otherwise be impossible to ascertain. Rather than simply state my theory or present you with a narrative, I have chosen this singular format so that you may draw your own conclusions from the events that transpired. History oft proves to be a political science rather than a factual analysis of the past. It is my hope, however unpopular, that actual evidence will offer that ever-elusive entity—the truth.


The syllabus for the course is listed in the Appendix of the text. It is expected that you read the syllabus in its entirety and be prepared for class. During the course of this text you will see the Appendix referenced. It is not necessary that you stop immediately and flip to the back. As students of the Arcane Academy I expect your knowledge to be vast, yet during the course of the last century and a half many things have changed. It may be that you will want to read about what demon summoning was like a century ago. Moreover, you may find that it has been a while since you last studied the history of Oceansend. The Appendix exists as a tool to help you progress through the text. Take from it what you will and leave the rest. I look forward to challenging your capacity to learn. This is not an easy class, but it is most certainly singular.

Keegan Volx

Archmage, Dean of Students, Protector of the Kilborn Library, Former Uberous of Rienbect, Prince Consort of Celestia Roul, Master Plane Walker