Belestram Sylvaeri

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Prince Belestram Sylvaeri High Prince of the Dominion Predecessor: Awaiti Aureon Successor: Loriens Silma Sea Prince of Aegrothond Reign: Founding - 1712 Heir: Fëanor Sylvaeri Born: 15th of First Seed, 1512 Spouse: Illynora Sylvaeri House: House of Sylvaen Issue: Fëanor Sylvaeri, Cedlas Sylvaeri(†), Idril Sylvaeri, Serinwe Sylvaeri(†), Sonna Sirame, Ehmet and the Red Bastards.

High Prince Belestram Sylvaeri (ca 1592–present day) of the House of Sylvaen, was an eminent Elven Prince and statesman whose controversial reign over several polities resulted in long-lasting changes for the Elvish people. Beginning his career during the successful Bronze Rebellion of late Axios, he forged a new path for the Dominion of Malin alongside his fellow triumvirs Kairn Ithelanen and Khaine Csarathaire. Following his ascension to the High Princeship of the Dominion, he oversaw a largely peaceful time which saw the nation attain increased status on the world's stage as an pre-eminent power, aided as ever by his fellow Bronze Princes and many other Elven dignitaries of the time, such as Abelas Caerme'onn. He abdicated the throne and oversaw the coronation of his successor Loriens, as was the custom of the Dominion at the time.

Following his return after some decades away, he served on the Council of now-King Abelas Caerme'onn, and was eventually implicated in the Dwarvish Affair which led to the aforementioned monarch's untimely death. Following a controversial trial, the exiled Prince departed the Dominion of Malin for the last time and established a new seat for House Sylvaeri upon a small island in the Eastern Sea of Atlas. This island became The Principality of Aegrothond, which remains an independent state to this day, surviving the migration to Arcas.

He was a member by patrilineal descent of the Almenodrin House of Sylvaen, being the fifth full-blooded Elf of the line of Aegnor. He was the grandson of the High Prince Eleron Sylvaeri of Malinor, and bore the heirlooms of that fallen Princedom as well as those of his House before passing them on to his son and heir Fëanor.

Biography

The Bronze Rebellion

The late years of Axios were a time of great stagnation for the Dominion, which resulted in discontent among the populace of the once-great nation. Seizing upon this (following personal slights by the Aureon Seed), Kairn Ithelanen led a band of Elves, the Elberu'cinhir, in open rebellion against the State. Belestram, along with some few other Elves from outside the establishment, saw this as an opportunity to assist in the reformation of the systems of governance rather than a force for their dismantlement. Joined primarily by Khaine Csarathaire, he made a concerted effort to employ the Rebellion to this end. The eventual agreement of Kairn led to the Pact of Laurelin, which led to the establishment of the now-triumvirs in the leadership cadre of a new Dominion.

The Triumvirate and High Prince of Elvendom

Elevated to the position of Princes, the three allies began to impress their wills upon the governance of the nation; while High Princess Awaiti remained the official Head of State, the triumvirate exerted a great amount of influence upon matters both at home and abroad. While Khaine and Kairn focused on the military (renamed the Virarim) Belestram directed his efforts primarily upon domestic matters. Once the High Princess saw fit to retire, he was nominated and elected as the High Prince of the Dominion.

Despite the inherent difficulties of leading a conglomerate nation of many different viewpoints and politics, his reign was a time of newfound peace among the Elves, and the strength of the triumvirate put down several stillborn plots and assassination attempts with ease. Most notable among these was the so-called Ballroom Blitz, during which the traitorous Lord Ac'Aelu Tinuvial of the Order Absolute (a mages' guild) was discovered to have been plotting to kill Belestram and overthrow the order of the Dominion of Malin. He was swiftly deposed and his power broken, with Khaine Csarathaire playing an integral part in the operation. Belestram was also able to incorporate the Druidic Grove into the growing lands of the Dominion, a feat which had not been accomplished since the days of Malinor and his grandfather.

After several decades of peaceful rule, Belestram resigned the office of High Prince and held elections to find a successor. In the election, from which he abstained, Loriens Silma was chosen by a wide margin of votes from the Lords of Elvendom. However, the unsuccessful candidacy of Khaine and general discontent with the result among some Elves would prove to be the beginning of the end of the Dominion (and the Bronze Triumvirate).

The Dwarvish Affair

After some decades away from the Continent, Belestram returned to serve Loriens' successor, King Abelas Caerme'onn. While unhappy with the return of the title of King (which he considered anathema), he was elevated to the status of Lord Ambassador and put his mind to the advancement of the Dominion's foreign ventures. At this time he married Illynora Aureon, a fellow diplomat who would prove to be his life-partner.

Long a personal opponent of the Kingdom of Kaz'Ulrah (whom he considered usurpers of the rightful Grand Kingdom of Urguan) Belestram engineered The Elder Alliance of 1679- an agreement with the exiled Dwarves of the latter Kingdom, to assist them in the reclamation of their ancestral lands. This proved to be his undoing, as the Empire of Man chose to declare for the Kingdom of Kaz'Ulrah and put pressure on the Dominion of Malin to renege their signature. Convinced that Belestram had misled him regarding the dangers of such a conflict, Abelas withdrew from the Alliance. In doing so, he invoked the ire of the Dwarves of Ord- who came looking for justice in the royal courtroom of the Dominion.

What happened next is the subject of much debate, and proved to be a pivotal moment in Elvish history. It is known that the dwarf Atandt of the Clan Irongrinder demanded a duel, in which the Elvenking sustained a mortal wound. Belestram, present among the courtiers, did not interfere- viewing the proceedings as a matter of honour. He recused himself with the words "Do with him as you will", which resulted in his banishment and accusations of complicity with the Dwarves.

The Rise of Aegrothond

Exiled from the nation which once he led, and forsaken by the broken Triumvirate, Belestram and his wife Illynora sailed east, to a small island which was granted to them by the Dwarves of Ord as an apology for the tragic circumstances which befell them. They named it Aegrothond, and set to building a new home there for their House and extended family. For a time, the pair and their slowly growing number of friends and followers were left in peace by their enemies in the now hostile Dominion of Malin.

This was not to last, however, as the Dominion itself was soon to come under intense pressure due to the schism of the Kingdom of Gladewynn, which seceded from and then assimilated the weakened State. A conflict thus developed between the former Triumvirs, with Belestram and Aegrothond upon one axis, and Kairn and Gladewynn upon the other. Despite the fact that open conflict never developed between the two nations, the schism deepened with each passing year and several encounters took place on or near the island between purportedly pro-Gladewynn parties and Almenodrin loyalists.

Despite the difficulties and constant threat of war, Belestram and Illynora ruled over an ever-expanding population of Elves fleeing the strife on the Continent.

At the Siege of Ruriksgrad.

Personality and Beliefs

A lifelong proponent of law and order, Belestram held the sanctity of the Elven people in extremely high regard. He was proud and somewhat obstinate in his resistance to what he viewed as barbaric elements of Elvendom, and considered Aegrothond to be a bastion against them. He possessed a deep and unyielding hatred for the Ithelanen family, whom he held personally responsible for his maiming (and the destruction of the Dominion of Malin). His relationship with Khaine Csarathaire was somewhat more complex, and he held him in some regard at the time of the latter's death.

While he took a dim view of the Kingship of his former friend Kairn and others, Belestram maintained a keen interest in Elvish bloodlines and was not opposed to the concept of hereditary succession in Elven sub-states such as his own Aegrothond. Moreover he maintained a unwaveringly legitimist opinion of succession generally, as evidenced by his consistent hatred for the Kingdom of Kaz'Ulrah in favour of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, and his stated support of Horen restoration the realms of Man.

Random Tidbits

• Did you know that Belestram is the bearer of the runesword Gimil-Zagar, a powerful relic?
• Belestram is a Runelord and a member of the Temple of Az'adar, having shared a lifelong friendship with the Dwarves.
• He is Prince Emeritus of Aegrothond, an honourary title.

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