Order of Architects

I used to be the greatest Earth Mage in my world. The head of the entire Order of Architects. But the older you get, the more you come to realize that at some point, you need to retire, so that you can have the chance to enjoy a peaceful life and to cede your place to the young, some of whom have already turned two thousand years old . . . So that's what I did. I had everything I could ever want, and even more besides. But I failed to account for one thing: during the course of my long life, I'd accumulated too many enemies, and they had decided to spoil my retirement. So they died along with me. And I hope their deaths were final. But mine was not! I've been reborn in a strange new world, and I now need to start over. I still have all my experience and memories, but what about my power? I've managed to climb to the top once already; I can do it again! And it's crucial that I do so before this world is consumed by the beasts from the Shadow Plane . . .

An heir without an inheritance. A weak Mage with huge potential and a wealth of experience. A young man living a second life. That's me, Theodore the Babylonian. I am getting to grips with life in Liechtenstein, little by little. But the time has come to get back what is rightfully mine. Most importantly, however, I must show everyone that what's mine is sacred. And anyone who has their eye on it . . . Let's just say, I wouldn't want to be in their shoes.

It seems that my former power is gradually returning to me in my new body. I still have all my past experience, however, and everything is proceeding just as it should. How quickly can I earn money and build my reputation? No, I'm not going to resort to killing and looting. I'm an Architect, after all! I'm going to craft and build things! That's how Architects work! The time has come to rebuild my empire. So . . . I might end up having to do some killing and looting, after all. I'm not short of enemies . . .

The hardest part is behind me, it seems. I'm no longer a kindergartner. I've got money, allies, and, most importantly, a reputation. Yet the further you rise, the more challenges the Universe throws your way, and the more powerful your foes become as they emerge over the horizon. That just makes life more interesting, however. I've got a plan. And I'm going to follow it to the letter . . .

The people of the principality of Liechtenstein have long wished for independence, but the Empire has always had its own plans for the country. The neighboring states, meanwhile, have kept a constant eye on the principality, as if it were their own property. What's more, the internal conflicts between the country's aristocrats have shown no sign of abating. Was it really a good idea to stir up this hornets' nest? Well . . . they only have themselves to blame!

Is there going to be a war? War is surely upon us! Or maybe it isn't? There are strange events unfolding around the small principality of Liechtenstein. It seems to have its fair share of enemies, and there has been an invasion, but war hasn't been declared . . . That's politics for you, however. It has its own laws. But for Theodore the Babylonian, this can mean only one thing. It's time to speed up my own development, mobilize all my forces, and show my enemies that they shouldn't have attacked the country that I've come to call home. My new home . . .

Prince Boschild of Liechtenstein. A man chosen by the emperor himself to maintain order in this small principality. However, the Empire's glorious ruler clearly underestimated Boschild's greed and ambition. Before I, Theodore the Babylonian, arrived in Liechtenstein, things had been plain sailing for the prince. He'd just carried on taking care of state matters, not forgetting to take care of himself in the process. What's more, he'd been bringing our enemies' long-term plans to fruition as he did so, which would have ended . . . very badly indeed. Both for the principality and for the Empire. But Liechtenstein's citizens now have me to protect them, and I won't let anyone harm them.

Dark clouds continue to gather over the small principality of Liechtenstein. Or, more precisely, over its citizens, the common people. The aristocrats and authorities have been weaving their little schemes, and the rebels are still pursuing their own ends. All of them hide behind eloquent slogans, but in reality, they are totally uninterested in the people's welfare. Fortunately, however, the citizens of Liechtenstein have a protector-me, Theodore the Babylonian, along with my friends and my guard regiment.

Well . . . it's still not as unassailable as my old castle, which was an impregnable fortress, but the Principality of Liechtenstein is no longer quite so easy to capture, whether by the Emperor or by the Cursed Shadows. It's my home, and I've come to care about it and about the people who live here. My foes had better not cross me now!