Phoenix King
From Lexicanum
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The Phoenix King is the political ruler and military leader of the High Elves and thereby ruler of Ulthuan and its colonies. The position is not hereditary; upon the death of a king his successor is elected by the High Elf princes from among their numbers.
The election of a new Phoenix King is obviously a political decision of the highest possible importance. As far as it is known the election seems to be similar to the way the Electors choose the new Emperor of The Empire.
Upon the death of the previous king the High Elf princes gather at the main shrine of Asuryan located on the Island of the Flame, and select a new Phoenix King. Reputation, achievements, the power and influence of the realm of the prince in question are important factors in pair with intrigue, agreements, and compromise. The military situation, in particular the war against the Dark Elves, will also influence if a warlike or a peaceful ruler is chosen.
After being elected the new king-to-be must pass through the Sacred Flame, figuratively a final test of Asuryan.
During his reign the Phoenix King will hold a ritual year-long marriage to the Everqueen in order to conceive a daughter. Afterwards both rulers may have other consorts and children of these consorts, but only their daughter will become the new Everqueen.
Not all Phoenix kings have been warlike rulers or able generals; a king may appoint a general of his choosing in order to fulfil this role. Finubar, the current king, has appointed the hero Tyrion as defender of Ulthuan.
There have been 11 Phoenix Kings to date and most, but by far not all, have been wise rulers. All of them eventually earned a title which reflects their goals, politics, achievements, and failures.
| Phoenix Kings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| name | rulership | notes | sources |
| Aenarion the Defender | - 4500 IC to - 4420 IC | ||
| Bel Shanaar the Explorer | - 4419 IC to - 2750 IC | prince of Tiranoc | |
| Caledor the Conqueror | - 2749 IC to - 2199 IC | prince of Caledor, called Imrik, took his regnal name in honour of his grandfather Caledor Dragontamer, drowned himself to avoid capture by the Dark Elves | |
| Caledor II the Warrior | - 2198 IC to - 1600 IC | prince of Caledor, son of the previous king, a foolish ruler, was slain in the War of the Beard | |
| Caradryel the Peacemaker | - 1599 IC to - 997 IC | prince of Yvresse, abandoned the colonisation of the Old World, was the first king to die of old age | |
| Tethlis the Slayer | - 996 IC to - 692 IC | prince of Caledor, crushed the Dark Elves, died under unclear circumstances | |
| Bel-Korhadris the Scholar King | - 690 IC to 498 IC | prince of Saphery, ordered the construction of the White Tower of Hoeth, established the Sword Masters | |
| Aethis the Poet | 499 IC to 1120 IC | prince of Saphery, was slain by a Dark Elf spy | |
| Morvael the Impetuous | 1121 IC to 1502 IC | prince of Yvresse, committed ritual suicide | |
| Bel-Hathor the Sage | 1503 IC to 2162 IC | prince of Saphery, established alliances with the human realms of the Old World | |
| Finubar the Seafarer | 2163 IC to present | prince of Eataine, current king | |
