Kingdom of Rose and Thorn
The Tuathi unite under the Kingdom of Rose and Thorn. Bound together by the workings of the legendary Queen Tuatha, the clans all have a voice on The Council of the Moon, a political body consisting of representatives from the various clans and regions of the Tuathwold. The Council then advises the Queen or Prince, who is considered to have the final say.
Female rulers are known as queens, while males assume the title of prince. When a ruler passes through the Veil, the council chooses their replacement. However, the council does not have the final say. The Rose Throne is a powerful magical artifact unto itself, and only a worthy candidate may sit upon it. So when the council finally makes a decision, the candidate sits upon the throne. If they are worthy, they gain access to the throne and its various abilities (unknown to anyone but the regent. Should they be unworthy, spear-like thorns will impale them, and their body will be thrown from the Throne.
There have been decades without a true regent, and until a regent is accepted by the Rose Thorn, the Council of the Moon acts as the ruling body. A few times in their millennial-long history, a pretender has tried to act as regent without being judged by the throne. But a regent who refuses the Throne's judgement may not claim the title of queen or prince, and is given no more say than another member of the council.
Structure
The Clans of the Tuathwold are the true power under the forest. Four clans are considered major clans (five if you count Clan Kellin, which now consist of only the elven lich Selbarin). In meetings of the Council of the Moon, the other eight clans align themselves with one of the four major clans.
Clan Lyvanadir is a relatively progressive clan and is supported by Clans Caeloris, Glyvital, and Sindrial.
Clan Tuamarch are an ultra-conservative clan whose members have occupied the Rose Throne in the distant past. They are supported by Clans Darvanil, Talareihan, and Tanekala.
Clan Braethen is a fairly progressive clan. Their lands are closest to Brineven, and contain more than a few alfar communities. They are supported by Clan Havendhal in council.
Clan Doenlach is neutral in council, they call the northern reaches of the Tuathwold their home and have few interactions with humans as a result. Members of Clan Doenlach trade with the hill dwarves of Angbadur and are some of the best smiths of the Tuathi. They are supported by Clan Peverin in Council.
Clan Kellin was once a powerful clan, claiming the eastern pass to the Wildlands. In the distant past, an immense orc horde threatened their lands. The archmage Selbarin unleashed magics of nightmarish proportions to halt an invading army when it threatened this land. Now, Kellindeath apparently exists more in the Shadow World than Arith. Few have traveled into Kellindeath since that fateful day, but those who have done so report that while the forests of the Tuathwold are usually alive with the sounds of birds and other animals, Kellindeath is eerily silent. The shadows are deeper, and where the sun shines, the light is so bright as to cause eyes to water and sting. A sense of unreality surrounds the place, and more than one group have ventured in and never returned.
Location
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