Orest

From Almeopedia

Orest [ˈo rɛst] was a King of Verduria, the second of the Vočnor Dynasty. He was born in 3358, son of Pelerin, who became king when Orest was a teenager.

Orest was clearly mentally ill; from historical accounts we may suppose he was manic-depressive, with an undercurrent of paranoia. He could be furiously active, devoting himself to athletics and studies, or to carousing with his friends; at other times he was listless, doing little for months at a time. He was prone to violence when crossed; many an acquaintance found that boyish joshing could suddently turn into a deadly situation. A friend, Draceon the son of the baron of Loša, in a heated moment called Pelerin a "usurper"; Orest immediately drew a sword and killed him. He then broke into tears, begging forgiveness of his dead friend, and refused to leave the palace for four months.

He studied at the University of Verduria, which seemed to steady him somewhat, though he received his degree only by the grace or political skill of the administrators. He was intelligent enough, but only worked hard if the coursework interested him. He met and befriended Onvaďra Anëtey at the university, and perhaps fell in love with her, though as a commoner she was far from being an acceptable consort. However, he helped start her in her Esčambra career. He refused to marry any of the candidates Pelerin or others presented to him.

His father died in 3399, and he duly became King. Probably due to the added stress of royal duties and protocol, his condition seriously worsened. Within months he alternated between violent fits of anger and near-catatonic depression. Six months after his accession, the Esčambra deposed him in favor of his younger sister Vlerë. Though necessary, this move was unpopular, and led to the unseating of the ruling Caďin party the next year; Orest's old friend Onvaďra became sannei Konselore elreë, prime minister.

Orest survived his sister's death and Onvaďra's long usurpation of power. He was given a small allowance and a residence in Taslelë. He added alcoholism to his problems; in his inceasingly rare periods of lucidity, he expressed satisfaction at not having to be king, and even declared that he was a republican. HE died, nearly forgotten, in 3421, not long after the accession of Vlaran Vleteon.

Preceded by: Pelerin

Orest 3399-3400

Succeeded by: Vlerë