The First Steps Towards Change

The following weeks marked a turning point for Eldoria. A convened assembly of nobles, commoners, and the king’s advisors gathered in a grand hall, reflecting the significance of this historic event. Rowan, standing alongside Lady Isolde, represented the voice of the people, while King Alaric IV embraced the role of a ruler willing to reconsider his kingdom’s direction.

As the days turned into weeks, discussions unfolded, filled with intense debates and passionate pleas. Both sides presented their grievances and aspirations, striving for common ground. The atmosphere in the great hall grew tense, and emotions ran high. Rowan, embodying the hopes of his people, spoke fervently about the struggles faced by the common folk.

“We ask not for the world,” Rowan implored, his voice resonating through the chamber. “We seek only fairness—a fair share of the land we toil, taxation that reflects our reality, and representation that honors our contributions to the kingdom. We desire a kingdom where everyone has a stake in our future.”

On the opposite side, King Alaric IV, once a resolute monarch detached from the plight of his subjects, listened intently. Though he had always believed in the divine right of kings, he now recognized an undeniable truth: a ruler could either lead a kingdom with the support of the people or risk it crumbling under rebellion.

After long nights and heated discussions, a compromise began to take shape. The nobles, with Lady Isolde as their spokesperson, proposed a council that included representatives from the common classes, granting them a seat at the table of governance. In return, the tax burden would be reduced, adjusted based on land and yield rather than imposed equally on the already struggling populace.