Difference between revisions of "Hârn Kingdom of Kandáy Present Situation"

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Kandáy Present Situation

Some Kandian lords are troubled by the power of the king’s father, the Earl of Sarkum. His influence over Andasin IV is considerable and, although his judgment is not in question, there is some jealousy, particularly by those who view him as an upstart. Ranald Milaka was the King of Gemala before the capture of Sarkum by the Rethemi during Ezar’s War. His marriage to Mirelael and swearing of fealty to Andasin III are the origin of his present title. In 717, the earl’s daughter Eriel, Andasin IV’s sister, was married to Jevas Toron, the son of the King of Melderyn.

For the last seven years, the Baron of Ohetis, the disgraced former Earl of Kuseme, has been a loyal vassal, although there is no doubt he harbors resentment towards his liege. Although it is unlikely that he would act against Andasin, he would no doubt prefer the king’s brother, Prince Anaflas, as king.

This opinion is shared by several others, as Anaflas is widely seen as more pragmatic and energetic than his elder brother. Many believe that he would be the leader of preference should war break out. Although the brothers are not fond of each other, there is no open hostility. Since 718, Anaflas has been the Sheriff of Peris, holding Imiden Keep for the king.

Andasin IV is unmarried and there is some pressure on him to provide an heir. There are negotiations underway to arrange a marriage between the king and the daughter of Earl Cassean of Heroth. Andasin is privately reluctant; Dorthea Cassean is well known for her shrewish temper and plain appearance. Presently, the heir to the throne is Anaflas, who has also been named heir to the Earldom of Sarkum.

Relations between Kanday and its neighbors are tense but peaceful. Although there has been frequent skirmishing across the Rethem-Kanday border between the rival orders of the Copper Hook and the Checkered Shield since the end of Ezar’s War, neither monarch officially recognizes the conflict nor supports the combatants. Both claim it is a religious dispute, although should either order make substantive gains it is likely that the secular governments would become involved. The Rethemi Earl of Tormau, who detests Chafin III, has been covertly giving aid to both orders to keep the conflict simmering. He has also approached Anaflas through intermediaries to explore alternatives should war break out between Kanday and Rethem.

Andasin IV fears the martial skills and expansionist designs of Marshal Kronas Elernin of the Thardic Republic. The problem is made greater by the erratic (from Andasin’s point of view) policies of the Thardic Senate. Andasin fears that the pro-Kronas and Imperial factions will gain dominance. His greatest worry is an alliance of his northern neighbors against him.

Kanday and Tharda are also at odds over the range of the Gozyda tribesmen. Andasin I swore an oath that his kingdom would always defend the Gozyda. The Republic claims most of the Gozyda lands and occasionally captures the tribesmen as slaves.

King Andasin IV

Andasin IV, eldest son of Sir Ranald “Kingslayer” Milaka and the late Queen Mirelael, is a brilliant scholar and administrator but an uninspiring leader. Some say his fiery brother, Anaflas, is his father’s son and the more cerebral Andasin is his mother’s son.

Andasin was clearly his mother’s favorite son. As a lad, he was invited to spend many late nights listening to his mother conferring with her advisors or simply thinking aloud. As he grew, his knowledge of the kingdom came to rival hers. By the time of her death when he was 17, he had become respected in the court for his knowledge and analytical ability. In the 13 years since his accession to the throne, he has presided over a peaceful and prosperous time. Relations with the Mangai are excellent and Aleath’s growth has led to prosperity throughout the Eryn Valley and much of the kingdom. Wealthy Kandian mercantylers now hold significant interests in a number of Thardan and Rethemi commercial ventures; it is said that not a penny changes hands in Western Hârn, but that Andasin gets a farthing of it.

Andasin is a regular adherent of the church of Save-K’nor. He maintains an uneasy public relationship with the powerful Laranian Church for political and military reasons. The constant threat of his displeasure has been an indirect stimulus for the Church’s significant development of Shreve and Erone as prosperous centers for the production of fine woolens. It was the wily old Serolan Royal, Sir Boromis Tolfane, who said “His Highness can do more hurt to our enemies with cold silver than with cold steel.”

Sir Ranald Milaka, the Earl of Sarkum and Andasin’s father, knows that Andasin makes a better king than his mercurial younger brother, Anaflas. He supports Andasin’s commitment to peace but fears that the intricate commercial network could be destroyed by laws written in the panic of war. To dissuade their enemies, Sir Ranald advises the king to show a more visible military presence along the northern border. Andasin resists, mindful of the folly of the Earl of Kuseme and the cost of resolving crises caused by hotheaded men in armour.

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