The game begins with a scene showing Zemeckis, commander of the army of the Kingdom of Almekia, receiving a visit from a Rune Knight called Cador, who wields the title of "Death Knight". Zemeckis is convinced that he is being falsely accused of treason, and decides to rebel against the King of Almekia, Henguist. Zemeckis' rebellion is joined by other Rune Knights, and they successfully take over the nation of Almekia, renaming it the Esgares Empire. King Henguist dies at the hands of Cador, and the son of the King, Prince Lance, flees to the nearby Kingdom of Padstow with the Rune Knights who stayed loyal to the deceased king. These events are the trigger for the war between the nations of Forsena.