Bephalaena Salanka

Luteia has a robustly seated class system, mainly because the highest class, the nobility, are all related by blood. All of them are (married to) the descendants of the Conqueress of Peace, Bephalaena Salanka. She made sure to form bonds with all the warring lords and ladies of the Realm of Orange. Not only did she have 35 children herself, a grand number for an elven woman, she ensured they all married with other high standing families. Now a great-grandmother, and soon to be great-great-grandmother, the current count of legitimate descendants stands at 320. Of course, there is also a veritable horde of bastards with some of her blood, which would extend the numer up to 1000.

Sex sells. No one knew this better than the Beauty of the Northern Bluff. And she used it to buy peace.

Early life

In an age where any kind of dispute was settled with bloody battle, Bephalaena had a different strategy. She quickly gathered her loyal following through charismatic political speeches and performances of her notoriously beautiful singing. It is said that her beauty, grace and generosity could entrance anybody, no matter if they would even be attracted to women. Her love was plentiful and not exclusive, and she encouraged others to share more and let go of jealousy. She first fell in love with Duke Angilbert Nulberry, insisting their house would carry both names. But after giving birth to his heirs (Bertriel, Laena and Torir Nulberry-Salanka), she famously anounced their union would henceforth be an open relationship, freeing both partners to bond with others as well.

Rise to rank

After that, she enforced many new laws that gave her people freedom and security, making her a much beloved ruler. Peasants from the other noble houses flocked to her in droves. Naturally they saw this quickly rising new power as a threat. But despite her army's growing size, she always attempted peaceful resolutions first. She had many more bonding ceremonies, and with every union the Salanka family grew. Bephalaena made sure to spend time with all her children during their formative years, much more than is common for a noble woman. She tried to instill in all of them the value of harmony and compromise, humility and generosity. To great success. Most of them would gain enough popularity within the family and with their vassals that they would become the leading lords and ladies of their respective houses. Under her guidance, they united all of Luteia and heralded an age of Tranquility. Armies were disbanded, soldiers re-educated as carpenters, masons, hunters and builders. Bephalaena herself was crowned as Supreme Dame, leading the Council of Families in ruling the realm.