Madelena

Madelena is the current Queen of Okendall and former Maxentios. She's a Halar and married to Thereandil. Her daughter Athalia is the current Maxentios. During Madelena's birth, she was blessed by the Goddess Lena which caused Madelena to have incredibly long flowing hair. She is considered to be one of the greatest Maxentios to have ever lived, possessing both military and political strength.

## Youth & Early Political Career 5963-85

Madelena was born a Half-Elf, having a human father and wood elven mother. During her childhood, it became apparent that she possessed the Gift of Lena, a physical condition giving her incredibly long flowing hair. Few people have this condition, which is why those who gained the gift receive much admiration. The people of the Golden Land believe that the goddess Lena grants this gift to only the kindest of people, which might explain why all blessed are women. Madelena was raised in a rich household, both her parents were active in Hadar political life. Her mother was part of the Forum Halar-Okan, who stood for the wood elven minority in Hadarnissos. Her father on the other hand, was one of the more influential politicians of Forum Maximus, the greatest opposition party of that time. Madelena showed great interest in both politics and warfare, and eagerly wanted to become a great general. Though half-elves age slower than humans, she joined the military academy at the for Hadar standards usual age of 12. Right from the beginning she showed great potential, being able to physically outmatch all the other girls in her class and even some of the boys as well. However, in the later years where students are taught strategy, it also appeared she possessed great skill in military tactics. At the age of 16, she gained the rank of Captain, giving her command over an infantry regiment. During this period she also developped her rhetorical skills, regularly participating in public debates. News of young prodigies thriving in the academy spreads fast throughout Hadar political life, the fact that she showed great skill in both warfare and rhetoric made her a dangerous potential candidate for Maxentios. The fact that both her parents were part of the opposition, struck fear in the minds of the Forum Magnificenta, the greatest party at that time. What would follow was not unusual to Hadar politics. As you can't join a party until your 20th, both Forum Magnificenta and Forum Maximus tried to get Madelena on their side. However, based on her public debates, it became clear that Madelena was a great supporter of the opposition. At the age of 20, Madelena joined Forum Maximus, becoming a candidate for a seat in the Senate. Due to the peace the elections, which followed two years later, weren't surprising. Forum Magnificenta was the winner yet again, though they did lose some seats to Forum Maximus. Madelena was given a seat in the Senate at the age of 22, becoming a regular player in Hadarnissos' political life.

## Election of 5990

Madelena's rhetorical skill only improved during her first five years in office. She became a feared debater, often striking her opponent speechless. As she saw inequality grow in the Republic, Madelena became more fierce, causing the first uproar in the Republic's political life since quite some time. Months before the election, the public order made place for growing discontent, especially among the lower classes. Madelena was shortly chosen as candidate-Maxentios, becoming the first actual threat to the comfortable to Forum Magnificenta, since quite some time. The current Maxentios, Diana, was in trouble. She knew the people would prefer Madelena. Madelena was more charismatic, approachable, kind and yet a great fighter too. Madelena knew the election would be an easy victory, until disaster struck. As dissatisfaction grew under the growing aggression of Forum Maximus' members speeches, revolt broke out. The city of Thera became a warzone, people tried to storm the Forum Magnificenta. The revolt reached a climax when leader of the social welfare Consulate was lynched. Many people were arrested, including Madelena and some of her party members. At her trial, Madelena was sentenced to prison for life, a punishment worse than death for half-elves who lived so much longer than the average man. What then followed, as Madelena gave her last word was an extraordinary moment in the Republic's history.

> *"I take full responsibility for causing unrest in this city, I might even take responsibility for the death of our Squates. Yet I cannot agree with this poisoned court. What is happening right here at this very moment is unrighteous and I refuse to rot in a cage while this Republic is falling apart. I will fight for the people who believe in change for the better. That is why I, Madelena, demand a trial by combat against Maxentios Diana."* - Madelena's final word, *Court Record of the trial of Madelena, 5990*
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Trial by combat was a highly unusual phenomenon, as the last trial by combat was centuries ago. No wonder a sense of shock urged through the court. However, trial by combat is a percectly legal way to oppose your verdict. The duel was organised the very next day, in the Arena per tradition. To say this fight attracted a lot of eyes, would've been an understatement. The Arena was packed, it was estimated that half of the city was in and around the Arena on that day. The duel itself was thrilling from start to end. It was fierce, as the fight went back and forth. Cuts and blocks were made, yet neither of the two could gain the upper hand. After ten minutes of fighting, Diana was slowly tiring out. After Madelena managed to deliver some final devastating blows, Diana fell to the ground, Madelena was victorious. After the duel, it was clear who was going to be the next Maxentios. Forum Maximus gained many seats, as they achieved an absolute majority in the Parliament. After the election results, Diana fled to the province of Constantios, far away from the political center of the Republic. Madelena became the new Maxentios and formed a coalition with the traditional-social Forum Arex and the half-elven Forum Hadar-Okan. Under Madelena's leadership, Hadarnissos would make a rapid shift of especially foregin politics, as the Republic sought more friendly relationships with their neighbours. A more friendly approach was applied towards Storbania, while Madelena also established contact with the mostly isolationist elves.

## Towards the Sixth Millennium War 5990-94

A sense of dread filled the western world. It was only a couple years before the start of a new millennia, however, a major conflict between the dwarves and elves had yet to happen. As the prophecy states, the elves and dwarves were cursed to fight a devastating war every millennia. To add insult to injury, the prophecy states that the sixth conflict would lead to the extinction of both civilisations. While usually a solely dwarven-elven affair, Madelena wanted to make sure that this conflict wouldn't lead to the end of these civilisations.