It is the Year of Our Lord 1628. You are Poldi Breschfeld, a simple peasant, about 20 years of age. You do not have any family nearby, although a cousin lives in the distant town of Merkhalle. You live by yourself on your small farm which you inherited from your parents. Nearby is the cathedral city of Bergstein, where reigns his grace, the Prince-bishop of Bergstein, Count Clement Augustus von und zu Hohensitz.