Bruse Shantus
Four decades ago, an orc warlord, Vairday Bruse, declared himself king of Ber after he managed to conquer the three largest cities in the land. Risur expected an imminent invasion, but instead the new king opened diplomatic channels with Danor, asked for help writing a constitution, and arranged for the construction of factories. The wealth from this new industry helped keep tribal warlords cooperative, and the work gave would-be soldiers something to do with their energy.
Dubbed “Le Roye,” a Danor diminutive for “the king,” Bruse managed to keep peace until his death seven years ago, and had the foresight to arrange a peaceful transition of power. He took his cue from Risur, and passed the crown to a respected ally who was not a blood relative; indeed he was a minotaur, not even an orc. The new king kept his predecessor’s name in place of the typical “king,” and so was crowned Bruse Shantus.
Though he was instrumental in the early growth of the revolution, after a few years of bearing the weight of a nation on his shoulders, and of seeing how slow and embarrassing progress was, Shantus appears to have begun to slip back into the traditional patterns of power. Though he hasn’t betrayed the principles of his predecessor, many of his citizens are starting to believe Shantus to be petty and decadent.
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