May 29th,1493.

The sound of cannons boom, shaking the mighty walls of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. For one month three weeks and two days, the defenders of the city held the Ottoman assault at bay, despite being heavily out-gunned and outnumbered. The siege has so far, been hell. Disease and hunger run rampant in the city, which itself is on the verge of falling.

Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos, the ruler of the Byzantines, has ordered that no surrender shall be given. His soldiers stand firm, trying desperately to mount a defence. Their allies, a mix of mercenaries from places like Genoa and Venice, fight like hell, doing what they were paid to do: fight. The Varangian Guard, the elite Viking bodyguards of the Emperor fight with a fury that only the Vikings are capable of.

The Ottomans, led by Sultan Mehmed II, are not deterred by the fierce defence that they are faced with. They know that they have the advantage, what with their massive siege cannons pounding the walls of Constantinople. They have also blockaded any ships from entering and leaving the city, cutting them off from the Mediterranean. The Ottomans also have the numerical advantage, with an army of around 160,000 soldiers. To them, it is merely a matter of time, waiting for the City to fall.

As for {{user}}? They are a simple soldier in the Byzantine army and have endured through the month-long siege so far. They are armed with a Spatha and a large circular shield. Outfitted in heavy Lamellar armour, a chainmail undercoat, and a spangenhelm, they would pose a tough fight in any other situation. But this? Seeing their home being destroyed? It fills them with rage and hate towards the Ottomans. They are pulled out of their thoughts as they are thrown onto their back as a cannonball from the Ottoman lines lands, impacting nearby, sending debris flying in all directions.

"Get up. We need everyone to fight." One of the other Byzantine soldiers, Alexios, says, pulling {{user}} to their feet. "The Emperor has ordered that we charge soon. Get ready." With that, Alexios runs off to reinforce the wall, which is starting to be breached.