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History:
The lands encompassing the present Kingdom of Altoria were originally divided among many clans of warring humans. It was an agrarian society with a serf class ruled by kings. The ancient kings, chosen by their people for their strength and wisdom, fought for control of the land. The frequent battles over land and resources kept the kingdoms from advancing. Other races threatened their borders and attempted to enslave the humans.
They were then united under one King, chosen by the great god, Toran. Toran sent to his chosen people, through his son, Delius, laws for governing his people. For many generations, the kingship of Altoria has been distinguished by the observance of the ancient laws set forth in the Sacred Scrolls of Toran. In accordance with the seventh Law of Toran, the great god, Toran, has chosen to make it known to his priests whom they shall name King. As stated in the Sacred Scrolls: Unto each generation shall come one who has the royal aura and this person shall rule for his lifetime. Upon his death, the royal aura shall pass on to one of the next generation and this one shall be, in his lifetime, the acknowledged King of all Altoria.
The rightful king of Altoria is known by the royal aura which is discernible to those who have studied the ways and rituals observed by the priests of Toran. The priests of Toran are the only ones who can give official recognition to possible claimants to the crown. The right of kingship must also be shown by the claimant's recognition of the true Scepter of Law and the true Scepters' acceptance of his hand. This ceremony is presided over by the High Priest of Toran. The true King is also to be known by the mark of his beknighting by the sword of Toran. This mark will appear on the left shoulder of the chosen one. All these things must be shown and proved before the High Priest and the proofs presented to the Council. Only then shall the chosen one be set upon the throne and wear the Crown of Altoria. He shall be called King and all shall follow and obey him as decreed by the great god Toran.
This is basically the 'begats' of the Altorian Kings-
Most people of Altoria are familiar with the stories, but wouldn't have the line of succession memorized.
The first King recorded was Kaldorn Astarn. He took the throne of Altoria at the age of 14 years and ruled until his death at the age of sixty-seven. Upon his death, the priests of Toran searched for his successor and found, within a fortnight of his passing, that a child was born unto the wife of his second born son who possessed the royal aura. Upon being presented with three scepters, the babe reached unerringly for the true Scepter of Law. When the scepter was placed in his hand, the King's stone showed by its' agreement of color with the royal aura, that it accepted the child, Gheldar Astarn, as King. The mark of beknighting, by the Great god Toran, appeared on his left shoulder when he reached the age of seven years and at this time he was placed upon the throne of Altoria and ruled until his death in battle at the age of thirty-one years.
On the very day of his untimely death, his third wife gave birth to a son, Trandere Astarn, who possessed all the required attributes and was placed upon the throne of Altoria as ruler of his people. He reigned or seventy-two years.
Upon his death the priests looked upon each birth in the Astarn family in search of the new king, but he was not revealed. Five years passed, and then the priests of Toran came upon a boy of three years who possessed the royal aura. Tomaht Faltorn was the third son of Emalor Faltorn, son to the brother of Gheldar Astarn's grandmother. So it was, that in accordance with the rights and signs put forth in the Sacred Scrolls of Toran, the priests determined that Tomaht Faltorn was to be the rightful ruler of Altoria. When the mark of his beknighting appeared on his shoulder at the age of seventeen, he took his place on the throne of Altoria. He ruled until his death at the age of sixty-one.
The right to rule stayed within the family of Faltorn for seven generations and then passed again to the family Astarn for three generations more.
After the death of King Maldon Astarn, no rightful heir to the throne was found for three years. Then the signs showed the new king to be Tholere Allathor, a true priest of Toran, who ascended the throne of Altoria at the age of twenty-three and ruled until his death at the age of fifty-six.
The royal aura then passed to his nephew, Kolere Allothor, who ruled for forty years; but in his last years it was seen that his aura faded and changed in hue, also the mark of his beknighting faded and became obscured. He became addled of wit and the Scepter of Law no longer responded to his hand.
Before his death, a child was born to the wife of Karl Faltorn, who was adjudged to possess the royal aura. When the Scepter of Law was placed in his hand, the King's stone showed by it's agreement in hue with the color of the royal aura, that it accepted Tokarl Faltorn as the rightful King of Altoria. Even though a mere babe in arms, the mark of beknighting was on his left shoulder. So it was seen that Toran had meant for him to take his place on the throne of Altoria, and for Kolere Allothar to step down. Tokarl Faltorn reigned for sixty-two years.
Next in line was Malkar Astarn, then Ghemar Astarn, Maht Faltorn, Emal Faltorn, Kalaht Faltorn, and then to Averal Arlen, Kavral Arlen, Ghere Arlen, and back to a succession of more Astarns and Faltorns.
The last King was Kaerl Astarn, honored for his diplomacy in securing trading agreements with the San Wan nations and for his contributions to the mapping of the known world.
Unfortunately for the Kingdom of Altoria, the great god Toran, had not seen fit to send them a true King for many years. Altoria had been without a King for seventy-five years. This was the longest span of time that the Kingdom had been without a King.
Then the Staff of Law was discovered to have been stolen, and replaced with a fake. No sooner was the true Staff recovered than it appeared that Toran had graced the land with a King, Sheal. King Sheal ruled for some months, and though there was some grumbling from the lower classes all seemed to be running smoothly.
It was discovered that the Staff of Law had been tampered with and that Sheal was not a true king. A legendary artifact was discovered within Hidden Mountain which proclaimed Wesley Hood to be the true king of Altoria. Long live King Wesley.
During the times that the priests search for a true King, as shown by the signs from Toran, a Regent must run the country. Priests and the Council choose this Regent. The most recent Regent had been in office many years. He was popular with the priests and the nobility. His standing with the commoners was somewhat questionable. His interpretations of the laws of Toran were questioned by many. It is believed by some factions, that the Regent and Council may have strayed from the original meaning of some of the sacred laws. The former Regent stayed on as an advisor to King Sheal. He was relieved of his duties by King Wesley.
It is the duty of the priests of Toran to search for the chosen one, acknowledge him, and present him to his people so that they may follow him and be loyal only unto him. The people must trust to the priesthood to fulfill this task.
Obviously, the Kingdom cannot be ruled by babes, so when the signs show a child to be the rightfully ordained King, he must be advised by priests and council members until he reaches the age of majority. The age of majority in Altoria is 14 years for males and 12 years for females.
The King is absolute ruler, as decreed by the Laws of Toran. His wife is Queen and their children are known as the Royal Princes and Royal Princesses. A true King rules as he sees fit, answerable only to his god. No one can question his authority.
Although the right of kingship seems to stay within only a few families, it can conceivably be granted by Toran to any of his people. There is obvious precedent to show that the aura can also be taken away from a King - also apparently at the whim of Toran. The signs do not necessarily show at birth. The signs can appear at any time on any man. So far, the signs have never been seen in a female.
Since their unification as one kingdom, Altorians now have the power to defend their borders against invaders. Altoria has become a very powerful kingdom. The priests of Toran have great political influence. The common people have seen little change in their lives. They are still serfs to the nobles, but at least now, the nobles don't war with each other.
It is hoped that King Wesley will bring an end to the troubled politics of Altoria. |