On a day like any other, a dark cloud spread over the land, unleashing fearsome beasts upon the citizens. People fled into the forest as giant instruments of destruction laid waste to all. The magnificent castle of Meridell was the first to be crushed...

The beasts broke through the castle gates annihilating all who stood in their way. The once beautiful citadel was reduced to rubble in less than a day, pummeled by the fearsome weapons that rained from a dark fortress above. The evil minions then turned their eyes to the foolish few who dared to stay in the land. The potato hermit fell prey to the beasts after valiantly trying to defend his potatoes from the vicious and hungry monsters. The fate of Ye Olde Petpets is too horrible to mention. The screams of the Turtums and Mortogs were heard long into the night.

At dawn on the third day of the invasion, the remaining brave knights and citizens of Meridell marched from their wood to defend their ravaged home. Some rode gallantly forward upon their trusty steeds, as others charged with pitchforks and any other weapons they could find*. They rushed against the fearsome army of evil; fighting bravely, for they had nothing to lose. Their homeland was already destroyed, and most of their families were gone...

For two days they fought a bloody battle, but in the end, they were overwhelmed. The dark army crushed the last of their resistance. As the sun set behind the mountains, Meridell had seen its last day. The entire land was burned, leaving it a barren wasteland. Nothing was left except its history, which grew quickly into legend.

*Historical side note: See "Invention of the wooden fork as a weapon."