Phoenix King

The Phoenix Kings are the rulers of the ring shaped continent of Eodros. The position of Phoenix King is elective. He is chosen from among the Princes of Eodros on the death of the previous Phoenix King and crowned at the massive pyramid Shrine of Asuryan located on an island in the Sterile Sea. Before being crowned, they must pass through the Sacred Flame unharmed to prove their purity under the eyes of Asuryan.    This is not to say that all Phoenix Kings have been good rulers. In fact many long wars have been started by prideful, vicious and arrogant Phoenix Kings. Upon ascension to the throne, the Phoenix King, or "His Sacred Majesty" is betrothed to the Everqueen for a ritual marriage lasting one year, after which they are both free to hold separate courts and take new consorts. While Aarandel was deeply in love with his Everqueen, it has not been uncommon for later kings to have no romantic feelings for the Everqueen.   The ceremony in which the new Phoenix King is crowned is a secret, mystical and dangerous affair, and it is only thanks to the ministrations of the Sapherian wizards that the new Phoenix King survives it at all. As the powerful mages utter incantations that will protect the supplicant, he is ushered into the fires of rebirth and he faces his sternest test. Alone, the candidate must pass through the flames of Asuryan and in so doing he is reborn as the Phoenix King. Only twice in the history of the High Elves have persons attempted to pass through the flames of Asuryan without the consenting vote of the Council of Eodros and lived. The first was Aarandel the Defender, who emerged the first Phoenix King, while the second was Malekith the Great Betrayer.