Rethwellan is a kingdom[1] south of Valdemar. The Comb mountain range is in the northernmost part of Rethwellan, forming the border between the two countries. Its' capital city is Petras.
The Rethwellan royal family, House Jadrevalyn, has both Mage-Gift and Earthsense in their blood. Traditionally, Rethwellan's rightful ruler is chosen by the Sword That Sings, and is bound to the kingdom with an Earth-binding.
The Sword was stolen, and for a few generations Monarchs were chosen by vote among the royal family and others of high rank. After Raschar usurped the throne, Tarma and Kethry found the Sword, which identified Stefansen as the rightful king.
The first King of Rethwellan was an Adept-class Mage from the Leverand School, and he valued honesty so highly that he ensorcelled the royal archives so that once something has been entered into the royal archives, it cannot be removed or "something nasty happens."[2]
It is stated that in Vanyel's time, Rethwellan opposed homosexuality, and sending an openly shay'a'chern with his lover as an ambassadorial unit might cause a declaration of war for the perceived insult.[3]
Menmellith was once part of Rethwellan, but the mountainous region was hard to travel, hard to tax, and often besieged by Karse bandits. As "a kind of thanks-offering" for the birth of Rethwellan Prince Darenthallis, Menmellith was granted independence as a client state.[4]
Known Rethwellan monarchs[]
Rulers of Valdemar are included for chronological reference.
- Queen Lythiaren [reign of King Randale][3]
- Queen Lethonel Jadrevalyn (era unknown)[5]
- King Destillion [reign of King Arden & Queen Leesa][2]
- King Raschar Jadrevalyn, usurper [reign of King Arden & Queen Leesa][2]
- King Stefansen Jadrevalyn & Queen Mertis [reign of King Arden & Queen Leesa, reign of King Roald][2]
- King Megrarthon Jadrevalyn [reign of King Sendar][4]
- King Faramentha Jadrevalyn [reign of Queen Selenay][4]
Notable Rethwellan characters[]
- Princess Idra, captain of the Sunhawks mercenary company
- Archivist Jadrek
- Prince Karathanelan, Faramentha's brother, treacherous husband of Queen Selenay of Valdemar
- Prince Darenthallis, Faramentha's youngest brother
- Herald-Captain Kerowyn, granddaughter of mage Kethry
Notable places in Rethwellan[]
- Petras - capital
- Bolthaven - formerly the winter quarters of the Skybolts mercenary company, now a White Winds School led by Master Mage Quenten
- Great Harsey - home of a White Winds School founded by Adept Mage Jendar
- Unidentified - home keep of Tarma and Kethry's school, located near Rethwellan's southern border. The keep was granted to them by King Stefansen after they helped restore him as the rightful ruler.[2] The keep was later deeded over to Kethry's son-in-law Rathgar; Kerowyn was born and raised there.[4]
Notes[]
- ↑ Rethwellan culture is based on Renaissance Italy per "That's Why It's Called Fantasy: An Interview with Mercedes Lackey" (2020) She said, "You get all the merchant-princes, and outright factional brawling, and city-states in a state of, if not actual war, certainly sniping."
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Oathbreakers
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Magic's Price
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 By the Sword
- ↑ "Trust Your Instincts" by Dylan Birtolo, Pathways