Venedict I

**Venedict I**, born 204, died 271 AD, was the King and later Emperor of Mon Altrya from 204 until his death in 271 AD and eldest surviving son of Kolgrim III. Venedict's reign became known as the Altryanese Golden Age, thanks to the period of peace, harmony, stability, and prosperity.

## Early Years

Venedict was born in Altrya at the Palace of Martyl in 204, the son of Kolgrim III and Queen Katerdur. Venedict had two older brothers die before he was born and from birth became heir to the throne of Mon Altrya. His father died unexpectantly of poor health in 213 AD, bringing the nine-year-old Venedict to the throne.

## King’s Regency of Mon Altrya

Upon Venedict's coronation in 213 AD, Crown Chancellor Uthane Gundon and Queen Katerdur became joint regents, governing in place of the young King until he turned 16, as the wish of Kolgrim III.

In 215 AD, the Fourth Burgadian War began, after Ban Tary spies reported that divisions between the two joint regents had appeared and tensions in the royal court were stretched. The Ban Tary believed that now was an opportune time to strike the Altryanese in order to reclaim lands lost in the previous war. However, whilst it was true that Chancellor Uthane and Queen Regent Katerdur had a poor relationship, the war would bring an end to their tensions. Uthane quickly mobilised his armies and marched south at the head of his own army. Uthane was a highly experienced tactician and won battle after battle and whilst Queen Katerdur was aware of Ban Tary spies within the royal court, she two had spies within the Ban Tary court who she mobilised to cause immense damage within the Ban Tary capital. King Drendur of Ban Tary survived 3 assassination attempts in the first year of the war and lost his wife and two young sons at the hands of assassins, widely believed to be in the pay of Queen Katerdur.

By 218 AD, Uthane was at the gates of the Ban Tary capital, Brinnaholm and after a short siege stormed the city. Uthane was killed in the fighting that followed but the victory was all but secure when Altryanese soldiers stormed the royal palace and killed King Drendur. Queen Katerdur travelled to Brinnaholm two months later and placed the recently disposed Drendur's 15-year-old nephew, Adhurryn, on the Ban Tary throne as the new Prince of Ban Tary, a position subservient to her son, King Venedict.

Venedict spent his teenage years at Bodagian Castle, Anderium under the stewardship of his maternal uncle, Kaldon Lougan who under Regency of his sister, Queen Katerdur had risen to the position of Lord of Anderium. Kaldon, who was in his 60’s had once been a formidable warrior and sailor, skills which he looked to instil in the young Venedict. Whilst Venedict showed a competency in swordsmanship, it was clear to Keldon that he would not be a great warrior. Venedict did however excel in his education and when he was not in study enjoyed spending time at the harbour of Anderium and sailing.

### King of Mon Altrya

On the King’s 16th birthday, the Regency was officially ended, and the 16-year-old assumed his position as King in Altrya. Venedict married a 14-year-old Borgadian Princess, Ellin Ducovin in a grand ceremony in the capital in the same year. Two years later, the arrival of their first child was celebrated, Prince Harland. Venedict would go on to have eight children in total who survived infancy. He selected his uncle, Kaldon Lougan as his Crown Chancellor, however his mother, continued to play an integral part in the governing of the Kingdom.

During Venedict's early reign founded the Order of the King's Swords, an elite Knightly order to act as bodyguards to the Royal family and the Order of the King's Rangers, a Knightly order tasked with defending the countryside and trade routes. He also called for the creation of the Merchant Seafarers Guild and the Guild of Shipbuilders where he looked to develop trade with overseas countries. Under the rule of Venedict he dispatched nobles to act as Ambassadors of Mon ALtrya far and wide and developed relations with countries as far as Edernia and Felistria.

With the advent overseas trade, many coastal towns grew in importance with Aureltia and Anderium growing most significantly.

#### Creation of Mon Altrya Dukedoms

In 226 AD Venedict divided the Kingdom into ten Dukedoms and elevated nobles to run each Dukedom as hereditary Duke's. The eleven new Dukedom's were the Dukedom of Brenna, Varisdan, Borgadia, Dantria, Tariya, Arradur, Umbrissinia, Tortavia, Salona, Cassantina and Orantania. To each new Duke, he gifted 10,000 Gold Crowns to pay for the construction of a castle in the administrative capital of each Dukedom. Whilst these actions solidified alliances with the chosen noble families, he created far more enemies for those that had been overlooked.

#### Hathian War

In 232 AD Venedict agreed to support the Sandorian city states in there war with the Kingdom of Greater Hathia. Venedict agreed to support the city states in return for them pledging alliegiance to Mon Altrya. The Kingdoms of Narentyne and Nyland entered the war alongside Mon Altrya and the Sandorian city states. The war was to last 9 years with Hathia surrendering to Mon Altrya.

#### Orentian Diplomacy

Between 230 AD and 260 AD, Venedict embarked on an ambitious project to unite the Kingdoms of North Orentia through diplomatic treaties and marriage unions.

In 241 AD the King's and highest nobles of Mon Altrya, Narentyne, Calderre, Anthrea, Bergovia, Nyland and Hochland met in Adeleya at what became the Grand Council of Adeleya, in which a great political union was formed. Venedict, with the support of the High Patriarch of Adeleya, Solomon Vandorian, was proclaimed the King of Kings, the Gods chosen one and Emperor of Mon Altrya. The Kingdoms of Narentyne, Calderre, Anthrea, Bergovia, Nyland and Hochland would retain all powers within there Kingdoms, but would pay homage to the Emperor. Numerous marriage unions between the Kings were agreed with the most sought after, being marriages to the children of Venedict. In total 37 Royal marriages were agreed upon with all the unions to take place at the Grande Temple Eminence in Adeleya.

#### Exploration sponsorship

*See also: Cidentaria Expeditions*

Venedict sponsored hundreds of expeditions from 250 AD, with a view of expanding the Empire into new lands. Whilst the majority of the expeditions failed, many returned with exotic riches and stories of green fertile lands to the west. Of the early explorers the most famous voyagers were Calvyn Everwyn, Stanton Wyst, Gregor Balin and Norland Valamyr. In 257 AD, Calvyn Everwyn returned from a voyage west announcing the succesful landing in Cidentaria. Venedict rewarded Calvyn with titles and ships and over the following years, hundreds more expeditions west were launched to explore and and settle Cidentaria.

## Issue

* 222 AD - Prince Harland
* 225 AD - Prince Fulk
* 225 AD - Princess Eldoria
* 228 AD - Princess Salyna
* 231 AD - Prince Alfric
* 235 AD - Princess Darla
* 236 AD - Prince Eldwyn
* 242 AD - Prince Tydus