[i]The Building of the Coarline[/i]
[b]Lord Governor Aedius Starseer Sunwalker of Paledune, the Sultan of Paradise (20-68)[/b]
[quote=Imelius Tallstrider, royal scribe of the court of Paradise, 59]
None know what strange thoughts afflicted the mind of Aedius Starseer in those dark days, but it was evident that his heart, once noble of stature, became hardened, his mind walled off from the sensibilities of others. His intentions were darkened, and he festered an undying hate for the countries around him. So he then strode forth from his throne and declared to his kingdom that Paledune was threatened by the near powers, and that they were the victims of an imperialistic siege, and that in order for the Cradle of Paradise to be safe, a long wall was to be constructed. He named it the Coarline, the supreme defense, the fortress that was to safeguard the line of Sunwalker forevermore. It was to be at least forty feet high all around, and was to span the entire length of the Shimmering Coast and into the Blackstone Mountains in the East, and if need be extend its grasp towards the Thickpalm Forest in the west. For Starseer was both wary of the Greenlords and the House of Eriokles, and of the Tollscythe braves in the Deadman Mountains. It was to be constructed of sandstone and lime, and was to be patrolled regularly by the Lord Governor's soldiers. Such ambition was to cause discord in the court about where to commence the building, but then it was settled that the first portions of the Line were to be built at Paradise, one length extending towards the west and the other towards the north.
 
Such a building proved to be foolish, especially in the eyes of the Governor's most treasured architects and planners. They said that it could not be done, the stones were too sparse and the planned lengths too unforgiving, there were no outside threats, there were not enough builders - but Starseer turned his back on them, saying that he had but one command, and that command was to build. And so they did, if only for a limited time, and with a heavy weight on their hearts that said that the feat was impossible. Then a particularly young and brave architect of the governor, Caulion, resolved in his heart that he would tolerate his lord’s folly no longer, and demanded an audience with Lord-Governor Aedius Starseer. When Starseer befell his countenance, Caulion spoke thus:
 
“My lord, master over Paradise, jewel of the South, counter of the stars, do you not see the madness that you have put us to?”

The Lord Governor replied:
“It is not folly, Caulion builder, for you to be part of the great efforts to defend the line of Sunwalker and the people of Paledune. Need I say more?”

Caulion replied:
“Your court chafes against your will, my lord, for there are too many other structures to be built, and too many men for tilling and too little for building.”

The Lord Governor replied:
“Then cease your building of those structures, and use their prices to pay for the Coar, and requisition the tilling-men to be turned into building-men, men who lift stone instead of harvest, and your difficulties will be no longer.”

Caulion replied: 
“We cannot cease our structure-building, master, for those buildings are exceedingly prime and significant to our cause, and the city of Paradise is borne by our tillers that lift the harvest and deliver it to our milling-fields, for the people to be fed. Cease your folly, lord!”

Then the Lord Governor Starseer emanated a terrible cry, and tore his clothes, and called for his guards, and demanded the head of Caulion to be displayed at the gates of his palace for all to see, for all to bear witness to those that opposed the Lord Governor. And it was done so, and the people were intimidated, and the tilling-men turned into building-men, and the fields were left unharvested and the people starved. 
 
[...]
 
[Such a state of affairs] persisted until Darius Brighteye returned.
[/quote]