High King Azemar Valoren

## Description

Azemar Valoren, more commonly known as the High King or even the King in Blood, is the ruler of all that is within the Valoren Kingdom’s reach. Holding the most power within the Evergreen Havens, his reach may not be as wide as the Elven Kingdoms that surround him, but he is the first within the continent to unite the human clans within his region with intent to continue to expand his reach.  His reputation has earned him the title of Mad King.  Among the public he is known as the False Father after denying the public access to the Palace of Kings.

The High King is in his late forties human, with a strong jawline, high cheekbones and straight nose. Formerly muscular and toned from his military campaigns, his recluse lifestyle in the Palace of Kings has softened his body.  His current obsession is with authority and the all father.  His study of Celestial and the teaching of the All-Father has flued his narcissistic rule.

The High King’s rule has been tyrannical.  He has raised taxes, conscripted the homeless and arrested dissenters to pursue his ambitions.  The construction of the Palace of Kings was his grandest project and initially resulted in some public goodwill.  But the exclusion of the Pretosian public from the temple has fractured the religious base most accepting of his rule.

The High King has taken a wife, but has engaged with many women before and outside his marriage.  Particularly during his military tours he fathered several children.  The only known bastard is Oliver Stone, a Pretosian local born to a maid he dismissed for becoming pregnant while unwed.  His Wife, Queen Valoren has given birth to three children, his youngest daughter Aeolossa Valoren, his son Lysander Dietrich Valoren and his oldest Aeilissa Valoren.  His interest in his children is political and an obsession with his legacy.  He plans to marry off his daughters to secure alliances and has his son is the diplomat for all internal matters within the Kingdom.  There are many rumors of Lysander also being mad due to his talking with himself.  Aeolossa is the current head of the Kingsguard and has the affection of the King.  Aeilissa, known as Lissa, is currently on a diplomatic mission with the Evergreen for a trade agreement.

## History

### Military Campaign

Born in Steelwell, Azemar Valoren enlisted in the military and earned his ranks with ruthlessness.  His performance earned him the trust and approval of his superiors, until he was given command of his own battalion.

The High King led his band of soldiers and brigands against his neighbors.  After conquering or forcing a surrender with his neighbors, he conscripted the conquered people into his warband.  Having built an army larger than any neighbor and eclipsing the size of the Steelwell military, he was able to assume control over the entire Steelwell army.  He conquered towns by sending messages to bow down and join his kingdom.  Any that refused he sent his army to destroy it with overwhelming force.  A coalition of towns and cities attempted to muster an army to rival Azemar’s, but he broke them by sacrificing his terrority to sack his rivals lands.  Causing a rift in the enemy’s forces, where half turned back to defend and the other half pushed forward to attack Steelwell.  When word of this movement was discovered, he moved his Army to destroy the approaching defenders.  Causing a crushing defeat of the coalition.  Then chasing down the remaining army, having cut off their supply lines.  After defeating the army and leaving it fractured and scattered, he split his army and burned down half of the coalition towns and cities.

The results of this campaign were absolute control of the Evergreen Havens as the High King and spoils from the plundered lands.  Crowned High King at the age of 35 by the high priest of the All-Father.

### Assassinations

After being crowned High King, Azemar Valoren consolidated the power of the realm. Executing a number of powerful nobles or former rulers in the newly formed Valoren Kingdom.  Placing his generals and trusted allies into power.  But this resulted in a lot of resistance.  Many assassins were sent after the High King, but they all ultimately failed.

Several of the assassinations appeared almost like intentional failures, what followed was the removal and execution of a powerful noble that was blamed for the attempt.  The most prominent being the leader of House Pretosia, that was blamed for an assassin that attacked with a fake sword.  The High King claimed the All-Father transformed the sword into wood because he was the true king.

The assassinations attempts did take a toll on his sanity.  From being an assertive warlord charging his troops into battle and sieging cities, he has become paranoid and distrusting.  He began demanding more and more unreasonable things and removing anyone that he perceived as dangerous.

### Zenith Council

His reclusive tendencies and obsession with his divine right has led him to becoming detached from the aspects of rulership he finds beneath him.  Forming the Zenith Council from his trusted lords and advisors that helped him gain power.  This council now runs the Kingdom and only the occasional declaration from the King stirs them to action.  Members of the council recognize the King’s flaws and have plans to remove him in the event the King attempts to reclaim power.