Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader is a role-playing game set in an alternate-history Earth that takes place during the latter part of the 16th Century. Lionheart's history and our own diverge in 1192, during the Third Crusade, when Richard accidentally caused what became known as the Dysjunction while following the advice of a trusted advisor. Not knowing his advisor was trying to restore the Earth to an earlier time when magic and demons reigned supreme, Richard gathered up several holy relics to perform what he thought would be a divine ritual to bless his forces and curse those of his enemy. Once the ritual had begun the fabric of reality began to tear and great numbers of spirits, demons, and other creatures of power poured into our world. It was then that Richard knew himself to be betrayed by one whom he trusted. Richard and Saladin, the leader of the opposing force, then fought together to close the hole in reality and seal it. Richard and Saladin then divided up the relics and swore to protect them that something like this would never happen again.​