Belestram Sylvaeri

This page contains information about a character that has been or is still played by a member of the LotC community. Please keep this in mind as you proceed reading.

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, 1592(?) Spouse: Illynora Aureon Sylvaeri House: House of Sylvaen Issue: Fëanor Sylvaeri, Serinwe Sylvaeri

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 small band of Wood Elves 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

The Triumvirate of Bronze Fathers (Kairn, Belestram, and Khaine). Credit to 1Valaquenta

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.

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. [WIP]

At the Siege of Ruriksgrad.

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.

---