Distant Dynasties

Distant Dynasties is a tome stored within the libraries of Chalimar.

## Description

Distant Dynasties is a historical book written by the psychologist Zamnu Zhinmu, notable lecturer in more contemporary years of the School of Artino at the Academy of Rydoon.

## Research

### Completed by Elinor - Inquiry (Study)

Few would decline the chance to rule, whether it be as a locally-appointed station, or a higher, loftier aspiration instead. There is something primally simple about the acquisition of power, to exact dominion and control over a domain, regardless of the intentions that such a station would surely bring. When asked, most, but perhaps most surprisingly not all!, state that if thrust into such a position their intentions would be good and true, with a focus on raising those toiling in the deep from the soil and stone to comfort, offering peace and prosperity and shirking away from violence, arrogance or megalomaniac tendencies. No, instead the minds of Principal Races, and those of many other races besides are shaped to be in a position to stable contentment for themselves and their immediate kin first and foremost - and in isolated thought experiments and passing fancies, it is easy to concoct imaginary dreams in which this could be achieved by means of a crown placed upon their brow, or a sceptre thrust in their hand. For some however, these thoughts linger in the psyche more deeply, more persistently, and thusly may be the sign of a troubled future to come.

Although not commonly known, histories provide evidence that the Cultivar of the Empire of Raq frequently expressed consulted covertly with the College of Anthropology of Halima on behalf of his firstborn, soon to be known as The Son, following the persistence of these dreams of grandeur. The concerns were largely dismissed as a natural response to Hassimir's standing in society, it would be expected that the familiar heir of an Ivory Emperor would indeed find themselves steadfast in their belief of their eminent destiny to rule, surrounded as they were with such a culture of rulership. In 489AG, Hassimir seized control after the demise of his father, in defiance of conventional lines of succession in the Empire of Raq, crowning himself with a circlet of moonstones, pearls and silver detailings - though no finesmith in the Realm is recorded to ever have taken such an order or commission. The rule was troubled from the start, seen by many as one that should never have come to be, but in spite of it was sustained for two and thirty years before his eventual assassination. Nonetheless, the bloodline of Hassimir proved to be further afflicted by such derangements, before assumedly being extinguished during the collapse of the Empire of Raq in 874AG.

Much more recently, the genasi Eagre claimed his right to rule the muchly depleted city of Westdell in the ruins of what was once Kingbourne, proclaiming that he had been placed upon the lands from a castle shielded from view in a valley of quartz and diamonds hidden in the clouds. Through pure self-assured power of will, aided by a seemed divine blessing that afforded him extraordinary magical prowess and majesty, Eagre quickly came to dominate the politics of the populace of the city, assuming a throne shaped to match that which had once been his in his supposed former surroundings. To further bind and rally the people to his side, Eagre cast aside his given name, instead taking that of a mighty warrior of the histories of the region, Namerta the Peerless. Instead, Namerta would come to be remembered as the Tyrant-King, his bloodline reportedly hunted down and eradicated by bounty hunters and assassins, his bejewelled crown twisted and broken with boot and hammer alike.

There is of course a difference between those that covet power and those that feel they are being guided towards it. Naturally, those ill-fitted for the throne will make ill-shaped rulers, regardless of the guidance they are granted, the nature of the hand pressed upon their back moving their forwards, or the weight of the precious headband resting upon their brow. Others perhaps have been better suited. Of the nobleborn twins Otwin and Alda Karmble, both report visions and deep life-like dreams filled with visions of their grandparents offering words of encouragement, though neither came to any position of power, with both rejecting the opportunity of ascension approached. As a young child, Laima Tawnbert vanished for a three months after attending a hunting trip, supposedly none the wiser to her disappearance, reporting that she had been with her mother in their family keep in Inverden the whole time - despite the passing of Lady Aldona many years previously. After being medically and magically examined, no harm or derangement was noted, and she went on to live a long and prosperous life alongside her husband Maxence the Fourth.

Regardless of the source of these shared dreams, it appears that the nature and source remains elusive, their purpose, if any, uncertain - and the fate set before the individuals affected undefined. I have, compelled by genuine curiosity more than any particular academic value, tried to unify the details between these instances and individuals, and thus far have failed to note any true patterns, or prediction of from which dynasties of nobility past or yet to come it may arise once again.