Royal Concubines of the Isle of Smoke

**The Royal Concubines of the Isle of Smoke** are the seven traditional consorts of the king of the Isle of Smoke. In addition to their responsibility to bear royal heirs, the seven concubines also manage the administration of the nation in all but military matters. While the king remains the head of state and chief governor of the Isle, much of the actual governance of the nation falls to his concubines.

## Selection and Tenure

Selection as a concubine is seen as both an honor and a sort of civic duty. When a woman is selected, she may not use preference or prior marriage as a justification for rejecting the offer. The only way to avoid selection is through Proof by Combat, in which a potential concubine and her companions fight the king and his in order to prove that she is of more use to the Isle as a martial defender than as an administrator.

Once a woman has become a concubine, she remains so for the rest of her life, regardless of how long the king lives. Dowager concubines serve as advisers to the new king's consorts, and will fill the administrative role of their position until a new woman has been selected.

## The Seven Concubines

### Arcana

The Concubine of Arcana manages the administration of the Isle's mages' guilds and the laws regarding the use of magic. This woman is typically selected from among the members of the Isle's guilds, especially the Truthspeakers or the Archivists of the Flame. The current Concubine of Arcana is Blessing, advised by the dowager concubine Vanity.

### Arts

The Concubine of Arts manages administration of all artisans' guilds on the Isle and is tasked with finding and sponsoring talented artists and musicians on the behalf of the royal court. Patronage of the arts, and particularly of music, is highly valued by the tieflings, and the woman selected as Concubine of Arts is usually a skilled musician herself, often one who has previously been sponsored by the court. The current Concubine of Arts is Hope, advised by the dowager concubine Elegance.

### Coins

The Concubine of Coins is tasked with the management of the royal coffers and regulates all spending by the king and his court. She is also typically involved in the Isle's trade relations. This woman is usually selected from among the merchants of the Isle. The current Concubine of Coins, however, is a scholar, Sorrow. Her predecessor, Solemn, is deceased.

### Cultivation

The Concubine of Cultivation deals with all agricultural issues on the Isle. The woman selected for this role is always a druid and usually a member of the Moonsisters; as a result, this concubine is able to exert some degree of control over the weather, ensuring the efficacy of the Isle's agriculture. The most recent Concubine of Cultivation, Accord, is recently deceased, and her chosen replacement, Myth, won her Proof by Combat. As a result, the administrative duties of this position are currently carried out by the dowager concubine Cadence.

### Diplomacy

The Concubine of Diplomacy manages the diplomatic relations of the Isle, including hosting of diplomats and dignitaries. She is also tasked with the management of all espionage that the Isle carries out. This concubine is sometimes chosen from the mages' order the Darkweavers, but may also be selected from any number of low-level diplomats who aid the royal court, or occasionally from among the Isle's merchants and sailors. The current Concubine of Diplomacy is Whisper. Here predecessor, Marvel, is deceased.

### Laws

The Concubine of Laws acts as a chief magistrate for the Isle of Smoke and the chief administrator of the nation's courts. She is usually chosen from among the scholars of the Isle, and is occasionally a mage. The current Concubine of Laws is Sly, the eldest of King Honor's concubines. She is advised by Honor's mother, the dowager concubine Promise.

### Ships

The Concubine of Ships manages the royal fleets and approves the commissions of all ships operating out of the Isle's port cities. She also frequently works alongside the Concubine of Coins and the Concubine of Diplomacy to manage the nation's trade relations. She is typically chosen from among the ship's captains of the Isle, but is also frequently a ship's mage of the Seacallers. The current concubine, Tempest, was a Seacaller, but she is advised by a dowager concubine, Wisdom, who was a ship's captain.