Phoenix King

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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 selected by the High Elf princes from among their numbers.

Overview

The election of a new Phoenix King is for obvious reasons 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 in The Empire.

Upon the death a king the High Elf princes gather at the Shrine of Asuryan, located on the Island of the Flame, to select his successor[1a][2a][3]. 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.

Afterwards the new king-to-be must pass through the Sacred Flame at the Shrine, figuratively a final test by Asuryan.

During his reign the Phoenix King will hold a ritual year-long marriage to the Everqueen in order to conceive a daughter, the Everchild. Afterwards both rulers may have other consorts and children of these consorts, but only their daughter may become the new Everqueen. [1b][2b][3].

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.

Titles

There are twenty-one forms of address for the Phoenix King although sire will usually suffice. [5a]

  • Blessed of Asuryan: Used on formal occassions, but Chosen One or Chosen can be used in haste. [5a]
  • Fireborn: Used on high holy days, with the term Vessel of the Sacred Fire used as the last sentence of any address. [5a]

Known Phoenix Kings

There have been eleven Phoenix Kings to date and most, but not all, have been able rulers. All of them eventually earned a title which reflects their goals, politics, achievements and failures.

Name Reign Notes Sources
Aenarion the Defender - 4500 IC to - 4420 IC Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 15
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 15
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition), pg. 50
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 16
Bel Shanaar the Explorer - 4419 IC to - 2750 IC Prince of Tiranoc. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 19
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 18
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition), pg. 51
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 19
Caledor the Conqueror - 2749 IC to - 2199 IC Prince of Caledor, born Imrik, took his regal name in honour of his grandfather Caledor Dragontamer, drowned himself to avoid capture by the Dark Elves. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 20
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 21
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition), pg. 52
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 20
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. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 22
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 23
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition), pg. 56
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 24
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. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 23
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 24
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 25
Tethlis the Slayer - 996 IC to - 692 IC Prince of Caledor, crushed the Dark Elves, died under unclear circumstances. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 24
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 24
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 26
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. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 25
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 25
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 27
Aethis the Poet 499 to 1120 Prince of Saphery, was slain by a Dark Elf spy. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 25
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 26
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 27
Morvael the Impetuous 1121 to 1502 Prince of Yvresse, committed ritual suicide. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 26
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 26
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 28
Bel-Hathor the Sage 1503 to 2162 Prince of Saphery, established alliances with the human realms of the Old World. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 26
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 27
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 29
Finubar the Seafarer 2163 to 2522 Prince of Eataine, assassinated by Malekith. Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition), pg. 27
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition), pg. 28
Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition), pg. 30
Malekith 2525 to 2526 Son of Aenarion, formerly the Witch King of Naggaroth, later becomes the Eternity King of Athel Loren. Warhammer: Khaine, Needs Citation

See also

Notes

For unknown reasons some sources state that Aenarion's reign ended in - 4920 IC[1c][2c], which is a simple and quite obvious mistake. Aenarion's reign began in - 4500 IC and he ruled for 79 years. It took a whole year to choose and crown a new Phoenix King; this year-in-between is traditionally added to the reign of the former king (therefore, 4500 - 80 = 4420).

The latest army book avoided this mistake and provided the correct date.Needs Citation

Sources

High Elves
Units Anointed of Asuryan - Dragon Mage - Dragon Prince - Eagle's Claw Repeater Bolt Thrower - Ellyrian Reaver - Flamespyre Phoenix - Frostheart Phoenix - Great Eagle - Handmaiden of the Everqueen - High Elf Archer - High Elf Archmage - High Elf Commander - High Elf Mage - High Elf Noble - High Elf Prince - High Elf Spearman - High Elf Warrior - Lion Chariot - Loremaster - Lothern Sea Guard - Lothern Sea Helm - Lothern Skycutter - Maiden Guard - Merwyrm - Phoenix Guard - Sea Elf Wardancer - Seeker - Shadow Warrior - Ships Company - Shore Rider - Silver Helm - Sister of Avelorn - Swordmaster - Tiranoc Chariot - Warwain - White Lion
Characters Aenur - Aenarion - Aethis - Aislinn - Alatar - Aliathra - Alarielle - Alith Anar - Allisara‎‎ - Allurian - Althran Stormrider - Amanar - Amris Emberfell - Anaryll - Angranir - Anurell - Araugnir - Argaer - Argalen - Arhalien - Alarnil - Asarnil the Dragonlord - Ashtari - Astarielle - Bel-Hathor - Bel-Korhadris - Bel Shanaar - Belannaer - Belthania - Beltharius - Caelith Fireheart - Calaidan - Caledor Dragontamer - Caledor I - Caledor II - Caluandr - Caradryan -Caradryel - Criseinur - Daefvid Maicross - Daendra Stillwater - Darlorhan - Deathfang - Dorien - Dramalliel - Draukhain - Eldril - Eldroth - Eldyra - Elontir - Elrion - Eltharik - Eltharion - Enador Thaintor - Eoloran Anar - Ethil Feyfarer - Farforian Whiteshore - Ferghal - Finrian Stardrake - Finubar - Galifreius - Glarondril - Hallar - Hotek - Imladrik - Imrallion - Imrallion the Steadfast - Imrik - Indraugnir - Kaldor - Kalhordis Whitemane - Kaldain - Kelendar - Khaltar - Kiarell - Korhien Ironglaive - Korhil - Lauraen - Liandra - Liandra Athinol - Liselle Emeraldsea - Loranrol Glorenmar - Maedrethnir - Malene Emeraldsea‎‎ - Melenar - Maruviel - Maurenghir - Menieth - Mentheus - Minaithnir - Moranion - Morelian - Morelion - Morvael - Oakheart - Palanaith - Rilgaur - Riolta Snow - Salendor - Savan - Silver Wind - Sirion - Sullandiel Fartrader - Sumieren Imlordil - Symiel - Syndillian - Teclis - Tethlis - Thyrinor - Tyrion - Unthwe Windrider - Urdithriel Imraholen - Urathion - Valaun - Valoriel - Vranesh - Yrellian - Yvraine
Kingdoms Avelorn - Caledor - Chrace - Cothique - Eataine - Ellyrion - Saphery - Shadowlands - Tiranoc - Yvresse
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