Bakgrund: Châteauneuf-du-Pape's Damned Allegiance

And so it was that in the year of 2511 a decree went out from the King, Louen Leoncoeur;
That all able noble were urged to pay 10 000 Gold Crowns to the King for every fortified position lying on ground bordering to church land.

The Baron Châteauneuf-du-Pape was not pleased with the kings declaration. Not only was his own treasury less than solid, but also was his
land integrated with church land within the set distance to every fortification he had, including his main château.

The Church-land-tax-act, would set Châteauneuf-du-Pape back a staggering 230 000 GC. The baron could not pay.
After a short conference with his advisors Châteauneuf-du-Pape sent a courier to Couronne with a plea for tax release.

Louen, The King had anticipated these actions from the nobles, and they were part of a greater scheme. Those who claimed not to be able to pay the tax
had two options. One - divide your land and forfeit parts to the church. Two - Send your armies south, into the lands of Araby, and turn the
heathen scum of the sand from their wretched ways!

The Choice was easy to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. He was compelled to raise his army to go south.

Many months into his campaign he had finally gotten deep into old Nehekaran lands. For what began as a Crusade forced upon him, had through rumours of great treasure,
turned into a regular treasure hunt. Even though Châteauneuf-du-Pape did not think of himself so, he was now a fullblown Tomb Raider.

The ancient pyramid shaped tombs of Nehekara contained hidden treasure beyond imagination. If you came upon a grave not yet raided, that was. But even earlier raided
tombs contained scraps that was still worth the search.

One bright Hexenstag, three days since leaving the beduin camp of Hsmeeti, the grandeur of a huge pyramid rose on the horizon like a mirage.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape did not take heed to the signs put up around the giant structures, starting many miles from the pyramid itself. The signs were many and ominous
Take heed. Beware. Death comes to those who march on. Turn now and live. The wrath of.... His vengence upon you... The content of the signs became more and more graphic
the closer they got. But half a mile from the pyramid the signs stopped.

The pyramid was the largest so far, and semed to be untouched. Diamonds and gold filled the mind of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Not only was he paying his dues to the King,
he was becoming a very wealthy man doing it. Blinded by his greed the baron threw all consideration out the window. The treasure was his. Damn all who might stand in his way.

On the sixth day of the dig, local carriers discovered an inscription fifteen feet under the sand on the western far side of the tomb. "Ye who enters, prepare to live in eternal damnation".
A doorway, was all Châteauneuf-du-Pape could think of, and pushed the diggers on with harsh words and cracks of whips.
Early on the morning after the work was done. The gate was freed and ready to be opened.

For a few short breaths Châteauneuf-du-Pape stared at the door. Then he opened it. As the ancient door creaked open, the heavens rapidly filled with dark clouds,
and gusts of wind threw sand in the soldiers eyes. Then suddenly all sounds stoopped and great silence lay eerily over the pyramid.

The entire day went as small teams of excavators serched the dark gloomy corridors and chambers of the tomb. When night fell the only thing found was an ancient scroll put on a pedistal
in a chamber belived to be the forechamber to either a tomb or a treasury. Châteauneuf-du-Pape was pleased.

The cold of the desert at night kept Châteauneuf-du-Pape awake, and the more he thought about it, the more a must know right now! He gathered his expert scholar of ancient Nehekara,
grabbed himself a lantern and the two of them went down the antechamber. The Scholar, Guy de Poux, had told Châteauneuf that the inscription on the scroll was probably an incantation
to be read in the room beyond the antechamber. Baron Châteauneuf-du-Pape had also brought with him a large hammer, to knock down the door leading to the believed main chamber.
When the pair came down to the antechamber the door to the tomb was already open.

For a tomb it was. In the center was a large sarcophagus overburdened with ornaments. This is the tomb of someone important, Châteauneuf thought. We've come upon an untouched tomb.
Imagine all the treasure... Hahahaha. Châteauneuf-du-Pape's mind was flickering on the border of insanity. Read the scroll, Guy, read the scroll!! he urged.

As Guy de Poux slowly read the incantation from the scroll, clouds were again filling the sky, the ground started shaking massively and ripples in the sand started to turn to pits as the wind howled through th desert.

And from the pits shapes of men emerged, thin, skeletal shapes. Larger creatures, all made from bone could be seen. The soldiers of Bretonnia could not believe their eyes. Taken by surprise
in the cold dead of the night, no fighting was needed. The undead could have their way with the young men of Bretonnia. But they didn't, they were ... waiting.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape saw nothing of this but the ground still shook in the heart of the pyramid. And with a deafening sound, the lid slided of the casket and cracked as it hit the stone floor.

From the Sarcophagus could be heard a hollow voice as a creature slowly sat up from thousands of years of unholy slumber. It was as magic, though Châteauneuf knew nothing of the languages
of Khemri he could understand each word spoken.

Mooohahahaha. I am Stigopthecus! And I thank you! Thank you, pale one.
The creature should inspire terror in the baron, with its dry bones and eyeless skull, but it didn't. The Mummy continued.
Now, my friend, we are as one. Since you set me free, the incantation join us toghether for the rest of eternity. You and I Are One! My Allegiance is pledged to you. As Yours is to Me!
We shall from here on walk the sands, your army and mine, toghether, forever. Hahahahahahahaha

And from this day forward the armies of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Stig O'Dead walk the earth together in an unbreakable alliance, forged by ancient magic, without true purpose.
All they seek is a chance to cross over to the true afterlife, the only way they belive is possible. Through battle!

Lag Châteauneuf-du-Pape's Damned Allegiance består av Emil och Calle.