Luria Nova/History of the Monarchs of Luria Nova

History of the Monarchs of Luria Nova

By Donald Augustus Allan

With contributions from His Imperial Majesty Aldrakar Renodin, His Imperial Majesty Seoras Madigan Nifelleisca, His Royal Majesty Cador Andrasta, His Lordship Gian D'Este, The House of Anaris, the House of Haerthorne

List of Lurian Monarchs

Kingdom of Pian en Luries

Name	Portrait	Claim	Dethronement	Other titles
Kaennji Shenron 1st King of Pian en Luries		Founding Monarch	Abdicated	The Founder
Alanna Anaris 2nd Queen of Pian en Luries		Elected	Deposed	The Ice Queen
Regency
Koli Bedwyr 3rd King of Pian en Luries		Elected	Abdicated
Katerina Arundel 4th Queen of Pian en Luries		Elected	Assassinated
Saul Tarvitz 5th King of Pian en Luries		Elected	Deposed Pian en Luries Destroyed

Kingdom of Luria Nova

Name	Portrait	Claim	Dethronement	Other titles
Fulco D'Este 1st King of Luria Nova		Elected	Abdicated	Duke of Giask (Title Obselete)
Amaury Capet 2nd King of Luria Nova		Elected	Overthrown in favour of Rickhart Haerthorne	Duke of Askileon (Title Obselete)
Rickhart Haerthorne 3rd King of Luria Nova		Elected following the rebellion against Amaury Capet	Abdicated
Tybalt Crusader 4th King of Luria Nova		Elected	Overthrown in favour of Fulco D'Este and subsequently Alice Arundel

Hegemony of Luria Nova

Following the deposition of King Tybalt Crusader, Alice Arundel was elected Queen of Luria Nova. She took up the title of Empress, thereby founding the Hegemony of Luria Nova.

Name	Portrait	Claim	Reign	Other Titles
Alice Arundel 1st Suzerain Empress of Luria Nova		Elected Queen of Luria Nova Founded the Hegemony of Luria Nova	Abdicated	*Queen of Luria Nova (Title Obsolete) "The Conqueror"
Alanna Anaris 2nd Suzerain Empress of Luria Nova		Elected	Abdicated	Queen of Moon Hall The Ice Queen
Seoras Madigan Nifelleisca 3rd Suzerain Emperor of Luria Nova		Elected	Abdicated, Founded the Religion of Ecclesial Sanguiastroism	King of Sun Hall Penitent Protector of Ecclesial Sanguiastroism "The Young"
Aldrakar Renodin 4th Suzerain Emperor of Luria Nova '		Elected	Abdicated	King of Sky Hall Light of the Maddening Star "King of Rangers" "The Wise"
Sholan A'Valti 5th Suzerain Emperor of Luria Nova '		Elected	Abdicated	King of Sky Hall
Zajar Essenhorn 6th Suzerain Emperor of Luria Nova Year 40 - Year 44		Elected	Abdicated
Aldrakar Renodin 4th Suzerain Emperor of Luria Nova Second Reign Year 44 - Present		Elected	Incumbent	King of Earth Hall Light of the Maddening Star "King of Rangers" "The Wise"

Pian en Luries

Kaennji Shenron

The first King of Pian en Luries was Kaennji Shenron who landed on Dwilight after he sailed from a land across the sea, a land known only as The Far East. He and his crew landed somewhere near Poryatown where they encountered two tribes of native folk, the Pianis and the Lurians; engaged in bloody conflict. Both the Pianis and the Lurians had a complex and sophisticated culture despite their tribal ways, and as the conflict escalated Kaennji (known as Kenji to the locals) could not bear to see these people destroy each other, and devised a plan to end their conflict. Placing his small army between the two tribal nations his forces ambushed anyone from either group attempting to fight the other, and soon the Pianis and the Lurians found they were unable to wage war. The two tribes were astounded and surprised by Kaennji's actions and soon they decided to put aside their weapons and come to an accord. Through his brilliance Kaennji was able to rally the native people and was named King of the united tribes: Pian en Luries.

The new King began building up his forces from migrants and the native people, giving prominent positions to native noblemen and women. The Kingdom's first Grand Imperatrix was the Lady Alanna Anaris, a woman who would be highly influential to the development of not one, but two Lurian Kingdoms. Under Kaennji's guiding hand the armies of Pian en Luries struck across the landscape, conquering region after region including the great city of Askileon. King Kaennji's reign was short lived however and the constant travel and marching took a toll on his health, and eventually his was struck down with a terrible sickness. Heirless, the young nobility of the Kingdom chose Alanna Anaris as their Queen.

Alanna Anaris

Before coming to the throne Alanna Anaris was already an accomplished war leader and general. She had earned her steel on the South-East continent, a small landmass renowned for ceaseless, violent war. In the early days of Pian en Luries she was highly successful; rogue regions quickly fell to her. Famed for her violent temper and her somewhat autocratic rule, Queen Alanna would be known as The Ice Queen by her political enemies (of which there were many) for her highly formal and cold demeanour. But if provoked, the Ice Queen could prove to be very fiery indeed.

The transfer of power to the newly crowned Queen Alanna was not a smooth affair, with the Queen's own Royal Arbiter Sir Finegus O'Shea challenging her authority and even duelling her before her coronation. This was short lived however, with Sir Finegus losing his position as Royal Arbiter after being captured by Rogue forces. But the events surrounding Sir Finegus serve as a reminder of how easily the Lurian nobility could be divided. At this time the Duchy of Port Nebel broke ranks with Pian en Luries, and declared its independence. The former duchy remodelled itself in to a Dictatorship under Edelstein Greneburie and was dubbed Shadovar, claiming the Tomb Islands as their dominion. Tensions ran high but war did not break out, and Queen Alanna allowed Shadovar to secede from the Kingdom.

First Lurian-Fissoan War

While the events around the Tomb Islands were unfolding the Grand Duchy of Fissoa marched in to the region of Moon Bay and occupied it, this region had been claimed by the Lurian kingdom and Queen Alanna demanded its return. Negotiations quickly broke down and the 1st Lurian-Fissoan War broke out, with Fissoan troops occupying the province of Mellifera. The conflict did not last long and resulted in the independence of Mellifera, as Lurian troops were unable to contain the peasant revolt there. A peace treaty was drawn up and this was considered to be the end of the matter, however new hostilities would soon arise.

Second Lurian-Fissoan War

Fissoan and Lurian armies clash in the Fields of Fissoa

It seemed as though business as normal would be resumed, but the peace was not lasting and war broke out again. There were a few battles along the Eastern coast with neither side gaining any kind of real advantage but Pian en Luries instead chose to focus their attention on the small Kingdom of Myern. Myern was a former colony and ally of Fissoa, and had been founded around the city of Shinnen to the west of Luria and despite it's small size the Kingdom was well known for its resilience. Queen Alanna declared war and the Lurian army crossed the bridge from the north in to Garuck Udor where upon the local Lord surrendered without a fight. Myern and her small army stood ready to fight off the Lurian forces but were suddenly taken unawares by a horde of monster arriving from the south. Shinnen was despoiled and much of Myern's army was in ruins, seeing that the war was hopeless the Kingdom surrendered. Some of the nobility chose to join Pian en Luries, and others returned south to Fissoa from whence they had came. the Kingdom of Myern was no more.

Despite the loss of an ally the war dragged on, with a handful of battles being fought. However a greater threat was brewing in Luria. The Kingdom, its people and nobility seemed ill equipped to deal with a protracted war, and the province of Poryatown revolted against Duke Brom Silverfire. The rebellion itself was short-lived, but once again tensions flared as nobles blamed either the Queen or Duke Brom for Poryatown's devastation and subsequent revolt. Brom Silverfire even lost his position as royal treasurer following a large protest organised by Duke Amaury Capet of Askileon. The Duchy of Giask however blamed the Queen for Luria's troubled and soon a second revolt broke out against Alanna's rule, the Duchy of Giask seceded from the Kingdom and war was declared: the Lurian Civil War had begun.

Lurian Civil War

By the outbreak of the Lurian Civil War the Queen's armies, the loyalist forces, were in tatters and initially the rebels had the upper hand. This all came to a bloody end however when the loyalist forces strck a lightning blow against Giask itself, sacking the city completely. The rebels were broken and Queen Alanna emerged victorious, this seemed to have been the end of the civil war. Fulco D'Este was appointed the new Duke of Giask, and Duke Amaury Capet having finally tested the Queen's patience one too many times was exiled from the realm.

The Fissoan war was still ongoing, with limited action being see across the frontier. Queen Alanna was undaunted by the looming civil war and mustered her armies and mounted an offensive against Fissoa, this event would be recorded in Fissoan chronicles as The Lurian Incursion. The fighting was brutal and bloody, with the Lurian armies claiming many victories. Eventually the Lurians arrived but a few miles from Fissoa itself, having pushed in to the Grand Duchy's heartland, but after a string of setbacks and defeats they were unable to take the city. Queen Alanna's army was eventually defeated in the field and she was forced to retreat, just in time for trouble to begin brewing once more at home.

Fulco D'Este of Giask, Imperial Marshal & Duke of Askileon and the exiled Amaury Capet hatched a plan to rid the Kingdom of Queen Alanna once and for all. Banners of rebellion were raised against the Queen and Giask seceded for a second time to form Luria Nova. In response this act of rebellion, the Queen simply disappeared.

Lurian Realms

Pian en Luries was shattered and without a monarch, the realm continued but several Lurian realms emerged from the ashes during and after the Lurian civil war.

• Luria Nova: Founded by Fulco D'Este who ruled as the first King of Luria Nova. More can read about his reign further down.
• Verus Luria: A short lived realm founded by Kaennji Shenron, the realm was intended for great things but was quickly destroyed by a monster invasion.
• Solaria: Seceded form Pian en Luries during the reign of King Koli.
• Shadovar: A dictatorship built on a former Lurian colony of Port Nebel, eventually this would become the heartland of D'Hara

The regions of Greater Luria. The approximate territories of Lurian realms after the civil war were: Luria Nova: Giask, Outer Giask. Verus Luria: Poryatown, Poryatu, Dantooine, Nid Tek. Solaria: Poryatown.

To follow the chronology of Pian en Luries, see Koli Bedwyr. To follow the chronology of Luria Nova, see Fulco D'Este.

Regency

Pian en Luries fell in to disarray, with monsters encroaching on every border a Regency was formed with Malus Solari as Warden, Koli Bedwyr of Askileon remained General, Carter De La Fere was High Justice and eventually Brom Silverfire would return from Luria Nova to be the realm's banker. The situation was dangerous and desperate, Lupa Lapu and Ciarin Tut were lost to monsters and the army was stretched thin, and with the loss of people and regions the threat of famine loomed.

There were attempts to unite Pian en Luries and Luria Nova, but the new Novan King Amaury Capet would not allow it and the venture failed. Aside from this the regency achieved only small successes and was able to retake Ciarin Tut from monstrous hordes.

Koli Bedwyr

Duke Malus eventually resigned as warden believing it was time for Luria's third monarch, he named Duke Koli as his favoured candidate and a new election began. Not long after announcing his running for the throne, Alanna Anaris reappeared declaring Koli and Malus usurpers she demanded the throne once more. The election was intensified and both sides battled for influence and votes, but in the end Koli won with 60 votes to Alanna's 12. She was infuriated and despite the best efforts of High Justice Carter De La Fere she could not be tamed. Instead she schemed in secret before launching a rebellion against King Koli and assaulting Askileon. However the Ice Queen no longer possessed the power she once did and it only took two battles for her forces to be defeated. Wounded and outcast, she fled Pian en Luries.

The Aegis of Luria

Lurian cavalry come across a group of hellish monsters in Dantooine

King Koli, his position now secure launched a campaign to retake the land lost to monsters and the undead during the Lurian civil war. For this purpose he created a new army: The Aegis of Luria. With the Crusaders of the Path and the Vanguard of Luria Nova they advanced northward and quickly recovered the territories of Garuck Udor, Dantooine and Lupa Lapu. Meanwhile a horde of monsters amassed in Mattan Dews and advanced in to Ciarin Tut destroying all in their path. With the Aegis and the Crusaders preoccupied it was up to the Novans to halt the horde at Ciarun Tut. They did exactly that, but with heavy casualties.

For a time the realm was secure, but as summer turned in to winter and Dwilight was blanketed in snow a fresh wave of monsters poured in from the north. The Aegis was overwhelmed in Dantooine and conducted an orderly retreat to Poryatu, where a counter-attack was readied. In their absence Dantooine was overrun and ruined, the monsters showed no mercy to the defenceless peasants and much of the population was slaughtered or fled. In response to this the Aegis marched in to Dantooine and attacked the abominations. It was the bloodiest battle of the campaign and although many beasts were slaughtered so too did many brave men meet their end. Such was the size of the battle that even to this day farmers regularly pull up rusted swords, arrowheads and scraps of armour with their plows.

With Dantooine now secure for the time being. But the winter brought new troubles that cannot be solved with sword and steel: famine haunted Pian en Luries. To ensure the safety of his Duchy, Duke Malus founded the Hammer of Dawn from his own warrior's and many of the Aegis' commanders and warriors. The move was controversial and the army seemed concerned with protecting only the duchy. The Hammer of Dawn was highly effective, reconquering Mattan Dews and Flying Hongrns for the Kingdom. But all was not well, and realm of King Koli began to fracture from the inside out. Infighting allowed Duke Malus to secede from Pian en Luries and create the new realm of Solaria, King Koli chose to allow this as he wished to preserve Great Luria.

Second Lurian Civil War

Troubled dawned on Pian en Luries. Allowed King Koli may have allowed the secession of Solaria many were far from pleased with this turn of events. Countess Etna of Lupa Lapu seceded from Solaria back to Pian en Luries believing she was allowed to. Believing her a traitor, Duke Malus placed a hefty bounty upon her head and demanded her return to his realm.

Kingdom of Luria Nova

Fulco D'Este

As Duke of Giask Fulco D'Este has frustrated with Queen Alanna's rule, her iron rule had Luria in its grasp and everyone, Fulco included, seemed to be chafing under her grip. His rebellion resulted in the creation of the most enduring Lurian realm. Originally it began as just Giask, but in time Luria Nova ensured its survival through expansion, taking control of many regions that had been snatched from Pian en Luries by roaming monsters. Fulco D'Este had only a short reign, choosing to open his Kingdom to elections. He would remain a powerful force in Lurian politics for many, many years.

Amaury Capet

Following King Fulco's abdication the nobles of the fledgling Kingdom elected Amaury Capet as their new King. This seemed to be a safe choice: Amaury had been a staunch enemy of Queen Alanna and been instrumental in her downfall, his election also dashed any Pianese hope of reunification, Luria Nova would remain independent. Amaury seemed promising at first but his reign deteriorated quickly, his autocratic, arrogant rule was awash with intrigue and the nobility of Luria Nova quickly began to regret their choice. With the King becoming increasingly jaded and erratic former King Fulco D'Este gathered together an army of loyal supporters and launched a surprise attack on the Royal capital, Giask.

The coup caught the King completely by surprise and troops loyal to Fulco D'Este stormed the city, the rebellion was over within a day. King Amaury however, was nowhere to be found. Upon hearing of revolt the King had fled Giask in secret and according to local people, he had made his way to the coastline and cast himself from the cliffs and in to the sea, his body was never recovered. With Amaury presumed dead normality returned to Luria Nova and new elections were held. Of course rumours abound that he did in fact survive his fall from the cliffs, that the King used terrible magic to sustain his broken body and now hides away in secret, plotting his return. These are only rumours, and most educated folk are aware they no real grounding in truth, but it makes for an interesting tale none the less.

Rickhart Haerthorne

When still a young Knight Rickhart left Luria to travel to the Tomb Islands & D'Hara. The group he followed were disgusted and distraught by the bloody nature of Lurian politics, and in time he earned a name for himself during D'Hara's civil war. He quickly earned a name for himself as a charismatic, and physically capable leader. His disconnect with Pian en Luries made him a desirable man, as unlike figures like Amaury Capet he had little association with the troubles of the old Kingdom. It was not to be however, and his reign ended after only a short time. The exact fate of Rickhart Haerthorne is unknown, many claim he was struck down and killed by D'Haran pox in Grodno. Others believe he boarded a ship to a distant land where he still lives waging war against any who are brave or foolish enough to face him.

Tybalt Crusader

Following King Rickhart's swift abdication elections were held once again, and Tybalt Crusader was elected as Luria Nova's new King. Unfortunately, like many of his predecessors he would prove to be a weak King.

The Downfall of Pian en Luries & King Tybalt

To the north of Luria Nova lay the realm of Solaria, commanded by Malus Solari after which the realm was named, found itself in conflict with Pian en Luries over a disputed border. Malus called upon to King Tybalt as his ally to aid him in the war, hoping to put Pian en Luries out its misery once and for all. In war Tybalt proved to be an ineffective ruler and Luria Nova may have lost if it wasn't for the effort of Royal Marshal Lorgan Kameron, an agresive and energetic man whose military brilliance proved to be the undoing of Pian en Luries.

The war was over quickly and so the partition of the first Lurian state began: Solaria received received the majority of Pian en luries, some land was named Luria Vesperi and Luria Nova received only the small province of Santoo. It was at the negotiating table not the battlefield that King Tybalt displayed his true weakness. Angered by the lack of Lurian gain, the people of Giask and handful of nobles revolted against king Tybalt and took the city within a day. Tybalt abandoned his crown and fled to Luria Vesperi where he was offered sanctuary, ending his reign and beginning a rivalry between the Novans and the Vesperi.

Hegemony of Luria Nova

Alice Arundel

In Pian en Luries the Queen Katerina Arundel had been murdered after ruling only 15 days, and so what remained of the Arundel family including its young heiress fled to the Kingdom of Luria Vesperi. Alice took up an estate in the region of Thar Gortauth which was ruled by the influential and enigmatic, Lord Hendrick Madigan. They were close and in time they came to care for one another, and married. So when Hendrick aspired to revolt against Luria Vesperi he followed him willingly, which resulted in her exile to the realm of Solaria. Solaria would in time, come to join with Luria Nova and Alice was granted the western region of Shinnen Purlieus, and only 40 days later the Kingdom of Luria Nova opened itself up to new elections.

It seemed the Kingdom would once again choose Fulco's favourite; Duke Malus, but he fell ill and the realm lacked a candidate. Alice considered herself to be Malus' successor in spirit, if not in blood and put her name forward. crucially she managed to gather the support of Fulco D'Este and thus she was elected Queen of Luria Nova.

The Conquest of Luria Vesperi

While these events had been unfolding war had broken out between Luria Nova and Luria Vesperi, now the young Queen had the weighty task of commanding Luria's armies and invading her former home. She performed excellently, conquering the small Kingdom in less than a month in a war that echoed the conquest of Myern many years ago. With the realms of Luria finally united she decided to end the Kingdom of Luria Nova, and was crowned Suzerain Empress of the Hegemony of Luria Nova.

Aldrakar Renodin

Aldrakar of the House Renodin was already active in Lurian society before his election, having already held the position of High Judge of Luria. Prior to his ascension he had married the Margravine of Giask, Lucini Talratheon and upon her death, he took up rulership of Luria's most prominent city. Even then the young Lord was renowned for his wisdom, kindness and his benevolence; all the characteristics of an excellent Emperor.

The Golden Palace & The King of Rangers

Banner of the Morek Empire: Representing the faith of the Bloodstars as well as the militantcy of the Morek Empire

Aldrakar's first reign is considered to be something of a golden age for Luria, and in the case of Giask's famed Golden Palace this took on a very literal meaning. To say Luria Nova was wealthy would be an understatement, the coffers were overflowing with gold, silver and treasure mortal men could only dream of. And the Emperor had the lion's share of it. The Golden Palace of Giask was made opulant, extravagant, and lavish beyond all reasonable measure. From its mighty walls great tapestry's were hung, scenes of Luria greatness weaved in golden thread, while pillars and columns were crafted from pure white marble and trimmed with silver. Even the Emperor's throne was a masterpiece of gold and ivory, adorned with gleaming gems and precious stones. Such was the wealth and power of Luria's Emperor.

However, it may surprise you dear reader that when a Lurian thinks the name Aldrakar Renodin they rarely think of his hoard of dragon-like wealth, or even the Golden Palace. Rather Emperor Aldrakar is better known as a wise lawgiver, and centralised Lurian authority bringing peace and order to the realm, ending the period of treacherous and backstabbing Kings. For his noble actions in both word and deed, Aldrakar enjoyed a state of great reverence among Luria, and it is said that when he spoke all would hush and listen, and his words would be taken as absolute truth for the Emperor never spoke lies.

This could be seen in the way he handled the issues of common adventurers in Luria Nova. Prior to his reign commoners had enjoyed little freedom, their lives were entirely in the hands on their Lords and Ladies. This resonated particular with adventurers: common men and women who dedicated themselves to ridding the territories of mankind from monsters and the Undead. Lords would pray on these brave folk, seizing their hard won wealth and imprisoning them without charge. Emperor Aldrakar sought to change this and established a guild known as The Royal Rangers, the purpose of the Rangers was twofold: to centralise adventures thereby giving them a means of support and communication, and to protect from them greedy Lords. Any man or woman working under the Royal Rangers is protected by the guild, and cannot be arrested without good reason. For his chivalrous actions Aldrakar earned the moniker King of Rangers, a title which nobody before or since has earned. Today the Rangers are spread across Dwilight, and under operate under the same pretences and rules that Aldrakar set out.

The Old Church

Far to the North, at the very end of Dwilight lies the heartland of the continent's greatest faith: Sanguis Astroism. The faith of the Bloodstars covered much of the continent and at the time of Aldrakar's reign it was controlled by three great theocracies: The Holy State of Corsanctum, the Theocracy of Astrum, and the Morek Empire. These three nations drew upon great religious fanaticism, spreading their faith by the sword and waging war against any who refused their doctrines. The Morek Empire, by far in a way the most powerful of the three, covered much of the North at its greatest extent. Whole realms were split by the religious fanaticism of Sanguis Astroism, their success made them proud and their pride lead to decadence and stagnation. The Church of Sanguis Astroism corrupted itself from the inside out.

In Luria however, things were quite different. The Empire preached pluralism and any individual was free to practice whatever faith pleased them, the most commonly held religious beliefs the churches of Ecclesial Sanguiastroism and Sanguis Astroism. This sepertation of Church and State was not certain however and the Theocracies of Sanguis Astroism and their corrupted Church sought to see it undone. Emperor Aldrakar was one such follower of Astroism and through his peerless wisdom rose to become one of the three Lights of the Church: The Light of the Maddening Star, one of the three Lights of the Church and second only to it's Prophet. But despite his religious afflictions Aldrakar kept to Lurian Pluralism. The Church's Elder Council hoped to convince Aldrakar of their political doctrines and vanquish the Lurian sepertation between Church and State. It was unfortunate for them that the Emperor's faith was not easily broken, he rejected their doctrines and maintained Luria's values. Eventually he would surrender his title as Light of the Maddenin Star and would favour a more private path of faith. Since those days religion in Luria has declined significantly, to the point where some Nobles have no faith at all.

End of an Era

Aldrakar's reign would come an end and in the fashion of a Lurian Monarchs: he would relinquish the crown and allow for a new Emperor to be chosen. His reign is remembered with great fondness and nostalgia, it was truly a golden era for Luria Nova. This would not be the end of Aldrakar Renodin however, he would return as Imperial Marshal during the Southern League War and after the Monster Invasions he would once again sit upon the Imperial Throne.