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Prologue:

Europe, Anno-Domini 524

It has been nearly 50 years since the conqueror Odoacer marched his Gothic armies into the very streets of Rome itself, overthrowing the last Western Emperor. Since that year, till the present day, there has been very little in the way of true peace and lasting security in the West. However, for the past few years an uneasy peace has arisen across Europe. But even now, at the height of a new status quo, thunderclouds begin to gather at the horizon as a new wave of invaders begins to push its way south…

It is without a question that the most powerful nation in Europe is still the Roman Empire- the Eastern half, based out of Constantinople, is as vibrant as it ever was. Its territories are vast, its economy vibrant, its armies immensely powerful. Yet, the Emperor Justin seems to have little desire to directly rule the ancestral lands of Rome. He is distracted by building tensions in the East, where an enemy worthy of the might of Rome strengthens itself. He prefers to let the barbarian Kings of the West do their own ruling, giving them Roman titles and watching them with an ever-present intelligence force.

The Western Kings know not to push the buttons of Rome too hard, but they themselves are terrified of a greater threat- the Ostrogoth King of Italy, Theodoric. Theodoric has the title of Consul from the Romans, and from his court of Ravenna he watches the developments of the Western European world with interest. His own grandson, Amalaric, sits on the throne of Spain. He is as cunning as he is ambitious, surrounded by advisors both Roman and Goth- most notably the scholar Boethius. But Theodoric grows old- his successor, another grandson, Athalaric, is young and easily influenced. Even now, intrigue plays out, closely watched by all major powers around the Mediterranean.

Amalaric, King of the Visigoths, rules over Hispania and parts of Southern Gaul. Only parts- for the Franks, under their great king, Clovis, exploded from Northern Gaul and dealt devastating defeats to the Goths in Aquitaine. But Clovis has been dead now these 13 years, his Kingdom divided amongst his sons (as is the Frankish way), and the immediate threat has been lifted. To cement the peace with the successors of Clovis, Amalaric has married a daughter of that conqueror- but her steadfast refusal to adopt Amalaric’s Arian Christianity may sow the seeds for future conflict...

In Northern Africa, from his halls in Carthage, Hilderic, King of the Vandals, looks steadfastly towards Rome. His predecessor, married to the sister of Theodoric, Amalafrida, was little more than an Ostrogothic puppet. In communication with the influential Byzantine nobleman (and Imperial heir) Justinian, Hilderic cultivates a future for his people. Hilderic has reversed the ban on Catholicism, which his devoutly Arian predecessors enacted. This act, while strengthening Roman ties, caused an uprising, led by Amalafrida. That revolt has finally been rooted out and defeated- but Hilderic knows that Theodoric is watching, concerned for his sisters welfare (as well as for future Ostrogothic domination of the Vandals).

And to the North, the hordes of the Franks grow restless. Staved off by the death of Clovis, as well as Theodoric’s campaigns against them in Burgundy, the Franks still have grand ambitions. They are a people who feel guided by Divine Providence- but Divine Providence may not be enough by itself. If Frankish ambitions are to be realized, they must be realized by the sword…

And beyond the reaches of the former realms of Rome, other forces stir. Germania is in ferment, as various new tribes begin to form powerful coalitions. The Thuringian consolidate their control of Central Germania, providing an Eastern counterbalance to their rivals, the hated Franks. The Lombards grow in influence and power, slowly expanding their territory and coalitions. And even beyond Germania, new forces are marshaling which will, one day soon, burst over Christendom in fire and iron.

War and chaos is about to break over Europe once again as the ambitions of Kings and Emperors clash. The stage is set for a new chapter of history to begin- one that will change the course of not only Europe, but the entire world…

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So this is going to be my first timeline here on the site, looking at the history of an alternate "Dark Ages". Please, let me know what you think as things progress, so that I may know how to best improve! Thank you for reading!
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