Rhys Rhalasian

The Bloody Bear

Step-mother- Kristina Rhalasian Orsinia

Sister- Lana Rhalasian

Uncle- Rhalf Rhalasian

## Synopsis

Rhys Rhalasian is the son of King Rakem Rhalasian II, and the direct descendent of the disgraced Old Lord Rhalas who founded the kingdom of Rhalasium near the start of the First Era. He is deemed by many in the series to be the most dangerous and influential man in Lumina partly because of superstition and his alignment to the mythical Dark God Zzaro, and partly due to his immoral and self serving actions. His resolves, while immoral, are largely in line with what he believes is important in the Zzarian Creed and Religion. He, like is father, is very devoted to the religion. He spent most of the series leading Princess Willa, and who could be considered his best friend in Archer towards the Era of Zzaro, which boasted absolute supremacy to his family and friends, and everlasting fealty to all who would dare to oppose him. He was provoked by those who tell him what they see of his future, some of whom wish only to goad him into doing something that would benefit them more.

Rhys wishes to prove to himself and others that he's more than capable of being a good king and an influential figure. His nature, and the perception of him throughout the castle and the city was not equal to what he thought of himself. He's described by many in the lower quadrants of Rhalm, the capitol city of Rhalasium, as being "emaciated to the point of looking sickly, and far to diminutive to in any way warrant that." In the years prior to being coronated as King, he is deemed the posterchild of Divine dysfunction since most royals, nobles, and aristocrats believed they or their progeny were stronger and more regal than he was. This is something which Rhys is well aware of, and tries to fight against.

## Early Life

He and his twin sister Lana were born to Rakem II and Kristina Rhalasian, the King and Queen of Rhalasium respectively. Both children were not permitted to leave the castle without accompaniment. He spent most of his early life in the woods on the hilltops of the capital of Rhalasium, Rhalm, reading and learning of the great men in history.

## King Rakem's War

The first book opens with Rhys as its main character and him being greatly dissatisfied with his father's decision to go launch an attack on the kingdom of Renaria with the apparent goal of annexing it, and leaving him at home to protect the city with his baby brother Jerelle, and Kristina. He stews silently about how his father's war made no sense, and just caused problems for the kingdom. First they were only fighting Renaria with the goal of going south to conquer Praedium in the next year once regrouped. Not a half year into the war against Renaria, Praedium broke their Armistice with Rhalasium and attacked them at once, heavily shifting the scales in favor of Renaria. Rhys is immediately met with the news that his father's forces were defeated in a very lopsided battle where a Rhlasi fort near the Praedi border was taken by forces 40,000 strong. 19,000 men were either killed or captured, and 11,000 lived to fight another day.

### Battle of Rhidinh

Two weeks after the defeat of Rhalasi forces at the hands of the Praedi in Fort Lissa, located along Rhalasium's south border, Rhys and his armsmob consisting of servants and imperial guards traveled straight to Fort Rhidinh to join the king.

## Prince of Chaos

After receiving news of the failure at Fort Lissa, Rhys met Organa of Crylanor and Cysero the Undying, who informed him that there were more forces at work than just a his father's war. Organa is there in part because of Cysero's premonitions, which showed all royals with the blood of Draemor withering away into nothingness, and the world descending into an apocalypse headed by Rhys as King of everything. She has a vested interest in protecting the Urbish Imperials, whom she is supposed to marry into. They would not fit into the future she saw, and they would not be allowed to exist. She planned to get him to swear a blood oath that promised protection to and her sons should there be a judgement day and Zzaro wishes to wreak havoc on all who have not devoted themselves to him.

Cysero informs him that his father is withholding knowledge from him, and that there is logic behind his endeavors. He delicately explains the Procession of the Ethers, and how Lumina is reaching the end of the era of Draemor. In all of creation, there had only ever been one god. One god that was praised and all powerful, and another God that was despised, hidden, and stifled, both of which came out of the ethers together. Neither could see eye to eye with each other, so they fought for eons. Until one, Draemor reigned Triumphant over the other, and buried Zzaro deep within the earth with very little power and influence. It became his world. But the rules of nature dictate that in all things, especially in the case of celestial beings, there must be balance. No god could remained suppressed forever. Every 25,000 years, there was supposed to be a changing of the guard where the other god rules, but Cysero explains that Draemor had been putting off the transition for 50,000 years. He explains that in the coming year, 50,000 years of chaos will begin leaking into the world, much to the chagrin of all those who are not aligned with Zzaro.

Organa, Impressa of Urbs, came there in secret to ensure the protection of herself and her family once they transition into the new era. She'd seen glimpses of the Chaos and wanted no part of it. Cysero just wanted to offer his wisdom and hope it would make a difference in a decision Rhys would eventually make.

## Traits

Notably self conscious and hyperfocused on how he comes across. Other's perception of him is very important in his eyes, and prior to a kind of metamorphasis while fighting in King Rakem's War he often modified his behavior to achieve desired results. The failure of the Rhalasians and the subsquent execution of the Rhalasian royal family sans Rhys himself had a transformative impact on him.

At the start of the first book it is driven home that he is a boy trying to step into shoes which are way too big for him, and those with experience around him see through his attempts at excercising authority and appearing imposing. This when paired with the less than ideal status of his mother causes many high ranking members of the Rhalasi government and aristocracy to not only not respect him, but to become extremely agitated and annoyed at his attempts to demand it.

Things he detests are hubris and the idea of an obligation to a greater morality.

> "Father says that good men are the fools of history. I have no desire or obligation to act righteously. In such a cruel world the risk always outweighs the reward."
> "Aye, but are you ready for the world to view you as cruel? To treat you as such?"
>
>

He is calculated and somewhat wise, but it is evident that he is not as smart as he believes himself to be.