THE VOLDARIAN RULING COUNCIL |
Important
advisory institution in ancient times at
the Erpheronian
Kingdom. The Ten Houses of Voldar consisted
of the most ancient and noblest families in the Erpheronian
tribe. In effect, they formed the Ruling Council of Voldar and the current head
of each family represented a seat on the council. They generally acted in
advisory roles to the Erpheronian Rulers although in times of dire need, they could
take an active stance in political matters if all ten houses were in accord and
with just cause.
In 1650 b.S., when Caein was killed by Ol'dem'brey after murdering his father,
the Erpheronian throne was left empty for a time while petty lordlings and
noblemen nearly came to an open rebellion on the streets of Voldar in a bid for
the title of Sovereign. The Ten Houses assessed the situation and came to a
decision to allow Maengolth's daughter and sister of Caein, the Lady
Jenefra,
to become the next ruler, even though to appoint a female Sovereign was almost
unheard of. It must be told that at least 4 Houses, headed by Nikos from the House
of Lothari and Aerlicht of Hruth, were initially opposed to Jenefra's ascension,
using the excuse of Caein's actions and betrayal as unsuitability. The real
reason for their opposition being that each of the two Lords harbored the
ambition to take the throne for himself.
However, it was Lady Jenefra's staunchest allies, Amalthea of the House
of Eithar, Kel of the House
of Branoc and Trioan of House
Sellus who overcame the
other 4 opposing factions and convinced the remaining neutral 3 seats to support
Jenefra's claim to the throne.
Even the transformation of the Erpheronian kingdom into the Tharanian and
finally the Santharian realm didn't change
the influence of the Council in political matters of the recent province of Vardưnn of which
Voldar still is the capital. Each seat of the Council is
traditionally passed down to the eldest born of the current Lord or Lady, making
it a hereditary position. If a current Head has passed away without leaving any
heirs to take over his/her seat, the closest kin found will be assessed and
tested by the other nine Houses for suitability and ability before allowing the
kin to join the Ruling Council.
During Jenefra's reign, at the time of the Vardưnnian
Atonement, the Ten Ruling
Houses were as follows:
Lord/Lady | House | Family Crest |
Amalthea | Eithar | A glorious phoenix surrounded by flames |
Nikos | Lothari | A white wolf enclosed in a triangle |
Aerlicht | Hruth | A fearsome rearing horse, silhouetted against a burning tree |
Kel | Branoc | A bear within a broken cage |
Trioan | Sellus | A sea serpent coiled around a spear |
Preya | Arkaisa | A graceful swan in the middle of a golden circle |
Quikos | Essus | A small weasel, baring its fangs against an unseen, bigger foe |
Rianon | Sigil | A hound baying at the flaming sun |
Strider | Machlar | A gargoyle looming ominously |
Terylyn | Cloriae | An owl against a moonlit sky |
Information provided by
Dalá'Valannía
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