Methven Nian came to the throne of Viriconium to find the supply of metals and Old Machines declining. He saw that a Dark Age approached; he wished to ruk something more than a scavenger's empire. He drew to him young men who also saw this, and who respected the threat from the North. For him, they struck and struck again at the lands beyond Duirinish, and became known as the Northkillers, the Order of Methven, or, simply, the Met hven.

There were many of them, and many died. They fought with ruthlessness and a cold competence. They were chosen each for a special skill: thus, Norvin Trinor for his strategies, Tomb the Dwarf for his skill with mechanics and energyweapons, Labart Tane for his knowledge of Northern folk-ways, Benedict Paucemanly for his aeronautics, tegeusCromis because he was the finest swordsman in the land.

For his span, Methven Nian halted the decay: he taught the Northmen to fear him; he instituted the beginnings of a science independent of the Old Technologies; he conserved what rernained of that technology. He made one mistake, but that one was grievous.

In an attempt to cement a passing alliance with some of the Northern Tribes, he persuaded his brother Methvel, whom he loved, to marry their Queen, Balquhider. On the failure of the treaty two years later, this wolf-woman left Methvel in their chambers, drowning in his own blood, his eyes plucked out with a costume-pin, and, taking their daughter, Canna Moidart; fled. She schooled the child to see its future as the crown of a combined empire; to make pretense on Methven's death to the throne of Viriconiuin, Nurtured on the grievances of the North, the Moidart aged before her tune, and fanned in secret sparks of discontent in both North and South.