Caer Ruana - The Capitol of Kendaira

      Located in the key position between Ardonai and Filardos, as well as almost perfectly centered in the whole of Kendaira, Caer Ruana was founded upon the declaration of peace at the end of the Second Continental War. The leader of Belthos, Gaim Mecaenin, oversaw much of the construction and ensured that the city spanned the entire mountain pass so that neither Filardos nor Ardonai or Hinsali would be able to engage in war without approval.  

Important Sites and Buildings

Mecaenin Square

      The main square in the center of the city is the site where key events occur for proclamations and festivals. In the center of the square is set a statue depicting the first high king of Kendaira, Gaim Mecaenin, who was famous for negotiating peace during the Second Continental War before a major battle occurred between three armies on this spot.As the first high king, Mecaenin helped usher in the modern era, the Raeden Aeon, named as such for the return of peace and the return to posterity. He also stipulated the rules of the Saenaleum to ensure that there would be no bloodshed and infighting upon his death.       Declared a Scion of Beloerd, Mecaenin is seen as a hero of the Belthites, and many still visit his statue as part of a holy pilgrimage to honor his role in serving their religion and uniting all of Kendaira together.      

Virnanum Sanctum

      The Virnanum Sanctum is considered the holiest of sites in Belthos, outside of the Holy Fortress in Hinsali. Within the main hall is where the fabled sword Ignis Talisa is embedded in the floor, beneath the Dome of the Dawn where the first champion Lilith Teogaera sealed the rift to the Voelgrevold left from her battle with Graelden Oerkaen.        When a new champion is being selected, they are required to come before the sword and grasp its hilt. Supposedly, the Ignis Talisa will determine the worthiness of whomever tries to draw it. Unless the person is determined worthy, the blade will not budge. The only other way for the sword to move is if the seven seals are placed in their spaces around it, unlocking it... and perhaps unleashing the evil it was meant to guard from.       A statue of Lilith is erected in the square outside the Sanctum, though its creation has caused many to wonder whether there is any accuracy or merely an idealization of the champion based on the Writs of Belthos.      

Historically Important Events

Champion's Trial

    Following the revival of the honorary role of champion in 427 R.A., a system was put in place based on the ancient tradition of the Goetterdein to determine who would be the Champion of Kendaira. Each nation would propose one citizen to battle in the arena to the death or to the yield. Once the contender was selected, they would attend the Affirmation Ceremony, where each would place a hand on the hilt of the Ignis Talisa to see if they were worthy to bear it. It is said that if one were to draw the blade, then the contest to the death would be cancelled as unnecessary.   Following the affirmation, the contenders are isolated within separate rooms in the Virnanum Sanctum for the night intended for them to keep a vigil and prepare themselves for the contest ahead. Many use the opportunity to pray, others to write their last thoughts, though it is rumored that sometimes courtesans are smuggled into the Sanctum to provide a final night's entertainment.   At dawn on the next day, the contenders are brought to the Champion's Arena, where they all participate in a mass Goetterdein. Only one contestant is allowed to be named victorious; all others must be slain or have yielded. This lone survivor is named the Champion of Kendaira, and inherits all of the rights and privileges therein. The others are honored in death, their likenesses captured in statues in the Chamber of the Fallen.   There have been a total of thirty-four Champions of Kendaira after Lilith, some of whom have only held the position a minimal amount of time due to untimely deaths:  

Saenaleum - Electing a High King

A high king is selected from the Meinhidon Council in an election, per the will of Mecaenin as his health began to fade. In order to maintain a fair environment, he refused to decide who his successor would be and instead left it to the council to choose, with several rules in place:

• To be nominated, a council-member must be nominated by another member of the council. 
• After accepting, another member must second the nomination. 
• Council members who accept their nomination must refrain from voting in the final decision. 
• To be eligible for nomination, the member of the Meinhidon must have an heir who of an age to take their family holdings and possessions.

 

Current Government of Kendaira

The Ruling Body

High King Jorath Gaersea of House Antelmo

  Before being elected high king in the Saenaleum, Jorath Gaersea represented Mornali on the Meinhidon Council as the Financier. His experience as a leading member of the Commerce Guild there helped him amass a considerable fortune, which he used to secure his position on the Meinhidon Council. There are some whispers from his detractors that he perhaps used these funds unfairly to win the Saenaleum, as he was not particularly well liked; however, a majority of the council denied any wrongdoing, and his election to become "His Grand Majesty the High King Jorath Gaersea of House Antelmo in Mornali" proceeded without issue.  

Judiker - Marcus Amador

  As an instructor who had taught Jorath Gaersea when he was a child in Mornali, Marcus Amador introduced the not-yet High King in the ways of manipulation and stratagems. His own advice on how to manage the Commerce Guild and the other guilds to raise Jorath to the rank of Financier. He may have expected that to be the end, but several years later when Jorath became the high king he requested that Marcus continue his service as the chancellor to the king, a post that Marcus accepted as his duty.   As the highest adviser to the high king, Marcus has unfettered access and the ability to allow or block anyone from having an audience with the Grand Majesty. He also directs the Meinhidon Council and ensures that the high king's will is executed.  

The Meinhidon Council

Each of the seven countries proposes one minister to the high king that will serve on the Meinhidon Council. However, while they are selected by their own nation, the high king may appoint them to any position that he wishes. However, the selection of the counselor is a key decision and an honor regardless, as they are the only people eligible to become the high king when the next election occurs.    

Constable - Seraveina Ulrich

Seraveina Ulrich of Leordimul is a Strathi warrior woman generally larger than most men. Her hair is shorn on one side and long on the other in the traditional Strathi way, and she is missing an eye on the side where her hair is long. She speaks accented Traidus, but is fluent in Aeldrus - in general, however, she says little.   As Constable, Seraveina is the master of war. She coordinates the army and ensures that the city is defended. She also distributes levies from each of the countries to be shared about the city to prevent a dominating force of one nationality.    

Financier - Bruce Conrad III of House Sieger

Bruce Conrad III of House Sieger, a prominent family in Filardos, was selected for his service during a war against another Filardan house. In the battle, he lost the use of his eye, but was praised as a brilliant warlord. From this experience, he hoped to be selected as the Constable for the high king. However, when this did not happen he began to plot to siphon money for his family, including Bruce Conrad IV and his daughter Beatris whom he brought to Caer Ruana with him.   As the Financier, Bruce Conrad manages the coins used by the high king and council and ensures that their debt does not increase exponentially.   Justicer - Maebyn Kirabo Maebyn Kirabo of Ardonai faces several conflicts to her policies, as she tries to blend a hint of Otari culture into her interpretations of laws of Laendeista justice. Half Otari, half Kendai, she faces rampant discrimination from her peers, but they do offer grudging praise of her knowledge.   As Justicer, Maebyn is the adviser most engrossed with understanding and interpreting laws for the high king. She also operates as an unofficial historian.    

Aer Guider - Ogden Paerslan 

As the leader of Faust Beloerd in Hinsali, Ogden has at his command a dedicated army sworn to serve Belthos . While his elderly and kindly appearance gave him the nickname "Aerpoden" [Grandfather], many quickly learn that beneath his aged appearance he is sharp as steel and indiscriminately cruel as fire. His position allowed him to elevate the power of the Faust Beloerd forces and coordinate on a multinational level, rooting out faith dissidents and eradicating lepers or ish'kerred with impunity.   As the Aer Guider, Ogden is a representative for the Belthos faith and advises on matters involving the faith.  

Seneschal - Ilarion Marinos

Ilarion Marinos from Estari   As the Seneschal, Ilarion's focus is on ensuring that public events, holidays and feasts are handled correctly. He is also the main point of contact for the public to approach with concerns and requests for audiences, which are then relayed to the Judiker.    

Spymaster - Emilia uvae Yosenta

Emilia of House Yosenta in Tavoli    As the Spymaster, Emilia is expected to gather information and news from around the continents to keep the council and high king informed. This in turn affects the policies that they enact and how they proceed with them. In addition, she very often knows the best rumors in the court and city.      

Trade-lord - Berard Filippo

Berard Filippo of Mornali   The Trade-lord organizes and collaborates with each nation in order to ensure that all international trade is handled in a fair and just way, and that no one nation has their costs inflated in order to squeeze another nation. They also ensure that there is fair and open travel between the countries.