***  The Great Division  ***


	Not long ago, the nations of Noryb and Hydra were at war.  This war was known as
"The Great Division" because it set a line between the nations of the world.  On one side
was Noryb, the world's most technologically advanced.  On the other side was Hydra, the
world's widely known magical city.  The war was started when Noryb launched a secret attack
on Hydra using its powerful guns and machines.  Hydra had been the most powerful nation
due to the fact that it was the center of all magic.  All mages knew this place as the
origin of all magical practices and one of the oldest of all civilizations, second only
to Juna.  It is believed Noryb feared the power of the magically inclined, thus it attacked
Hydra in an attempt to gain control of their magical powers.  This suprised everyone, 
because no one had ever seen a gun or a mec until now.  Noryb had always been a quiet town,
most did not even know of its existance.  The introduction of Mecs to the world also gave this
war the title of the "Mec and Mage War"
	Hydra fought back against Noryb and won nearly all of the battles due to Noryb's
lack of funding.  While Hydra's mages fought, the city itself remained unharmed under a 
magical barrier.  Noryb was not so fortunant.  It was sent into poverty due to the heavy
expense of war and the loss of many mecs from battle.  When Noryb thought loss was emminent,
it's King asked Tandar for help for his people.  Tandar was neutral in this war.  Tandar was
an ally of Hydra, but did not act at all due to its closeness to Noryb.  Why, within a few
days Noryb could attack Tandar and cause heavy casualties with its guns capable of shooting
from a distance.  Tandar did not want to become involved in the war at all and refused Noryb's
aid request.
	When it seemed all was lost for Noryb, a man by the name of Byron appeared and
convinced the King of Noryb to sell its less powerful guns to neutral nations who would want
to defend themselves in the event of a raid.  Although this was against his beliefs, the
King finally approved in an attempt to save his people from poverty.  The other countries
bought weapons from Noryb but remained neutral.  The sudden influx of economy brought Noryb
back into the war with fresh mechanical troops.  Because the majority of the army was
mechanical, Noryb didn't have to worry about drafting untrained civilians, which gave
them an advantage in number.  Hydra had the advantage in power and also did not wear down.
With healers in every division, there were very few casualties on the Hydra side.
	Both sides saw no end to this war, for neither was loosing much of anything.  Hydra,
being home of the world's magic guilds was not in any danger of going bankrupt and it did
not cost much money anyway to fund wizards and priests when there was no amunition or armor
needed.  Noryb was getting constant revenue with the gun situation and could afford
to waste mecs, since there were no human lives involved.  The war ended with a draw, much
to everyone's suprise.  Noryb became a major city, having the revenue from the gun sales going
to the people instead of war.  Hydra, not wanting to be attacked again, gathered its mages
and ascended to the sky as the floating magical capitol.  There is no means of transporting
oneself to Hydra that civilians know of.  You must be invited there now.
	As a result of the war, Noryb gained power and the world gained guns.  Hydra has
ascended to the skies and cut off most interraction, with the exception of its magical
findings and general imports and exports.  It is believed the Noryb holds a grudge against
both Hydra and Tandar, though there are no signs of any upcomming attacks.