The Hollow King of Valderon

Once, in the prosperous kingdom of Valderon, there ruled a cunning and ambitious king named Lorian the Silver-Tongued. Lorian was not born to the rule—he had schemed his way to power with the help of the wealthiest merchants and nobles in the land. They poured gold into his coffers, funded his armies, and spread his propaganda, all so he could crush his rivals and seize the crown.

Once crowned, Lorian did not forget his debts—but neither did he rule with honor. His first act was to purge his opponents. Judges who dared question him were removed. Honest ministers were replaced with sycophants. Critical voices in the court were silenced—some by bribery, others by force.

Then, he turned to his wealthy backers. The merchants who had funded his rise demanded their reward, and Lorian obliged. He twisted the laws of trade, granting them monopolies, slashing taxes for the rich, and crushing smaller competitors. The kingdom’s markets, once bustling with independent traders, now bowed to a handful of tycoons who grew obscenely rich while the common folk struggled.

At first, the people endured, believing Lorian’s promises of prosperity. But as prices soared and freedoms vanished, whispers of betrayal spread. The king did not serve the kingdom—he served only the elite who had put him in power.

Then came the final outrage. When a terrible blight struck the wheat fields, Lorian’s merchant allies hoarded grain, selling it back at exorbitant prices while peasants starved. The king did nothing—for these were the men who owned him.

The Revolt of the People

Enraged, the people rose. Blacksmiths, farmers, and even low-ranking soldiers—those Lorian had ignored and exploited—took up arms. The merchants who had profited from his rule fled or were dragged into the streets. The royal guard, long mistreated and unpaid, turned their swords against the king.

Lorian, in his gilded palace, found that gold could not buy loyalty. His allies abandoned him, his armies dissolved, and the very nobles who had put him on the throne now denounced him to save themselves.

The last thing Lorian saw was the gates of his own dungeon—the same one where he had imprisoned his enemies. The people crowned a new ruler, one chosen by merit, not wealth. And as for the greedy merchants who had backed the tyrant? Their fortunes were seized and returned to the people.

The Lesson

Valderon learned a harsh truth: A king who serves only the rich will never rule for long. Power bought with gold is fleeting, for when the people awaken, no amount of wealth can save a tyrant from justice.

And so, the kingdom remembered: True power lies not in gold, but in the will of the people.

The End.

posted by hammorabi @ 4/10/2025 09:56:00 PM

The Fall of Valmoria:

How Arrogance Destroyed a Great Nation 

Once, there was a prosperous and powerful nation called Valmoria—a land of towering cities, fertile farmlands, and vast wealth. Its people were proud, its armies strong, and its influence stretched across the known world. For generations, Valmoria had been ruled by wise and just leaders who understood that true strength came not from domination, but from wisdom, diplomacy, and unity.

Then came King Aldric the Arrogant.

The Rise of a Tyrant

Aldric was not born to rule, but through cunning and ruthless ambition, he seized the throne. At first, his boldness was mistaken for strength. He boasted, "I alone can make Valmoria greater than ever!" and many believed him. He expanded the military, crushed dissent, and silenced critics with ease. His golden tongue and grand promises won him followers—until his true nature emerged.

The Reign of Folly

Under Aldric, Valmoria's golden age crumbled:

"I Am the State" – He declared himself the "living embodiment of Valmoria," merging his ego with the nation’s identity. Laws were rewritten to serve him, not the people.

The Purge of the Wise – Advisors who dared question him were exiled or executed. In their place, Aldric appointed only those who worshipped him.

Wars of Vanity – He waged unnecessary wars to prove Valmoria’s might, draining its treasury and bleeding its armies dry.

The Great Betrayal – He abandoned long-standing allies, sneering, "We don’t need weak friends." Soon, Valmoria stood alone.

The Economy of Lies – He took credit for past prosperity while his policies ruined trade. When famine struck, he blamed "traitors and foreigners."

The Fall

The people suffered, but Aldric lived in decadence, convinced of his own genius. Then came the Reckoning:

The Allies Turned Enemies – Nations once loyal to Valmoria united against it, seeing Aldric as a madman.

Revolt of the People – Starvation and tyranny sparked rebellion. Cities burned, and the army fractured.

The Last Stand – In his final moments, Aldric stood atop his crumbling palace, screaming at the mobs below: "You will regret this! I made Valmoria great!"

But it was too late.

The Ashes of a Nation into many Nations

Valmoria fell—not to invaders, but to the arrogance of one man. Its wealth was plundered, its cities abandoned, and its name became a cautionary tale.

The Lesson?

No nation is too strong to fall when led by pride instead of wisdom. Greatness is built on humility, not hubris.

Moral:

"A king who confuses himself with the kingdom will rule over ruins."

posted by hammorabi @ 4/09/2025 05:56:00 AM