Pelerin
From Almeopedia
Pelerin [pɛ ˈlɛ rin] was a King of Verduria, the first of the Vočnor Dynasty.
Pelerin was born in 3331; he was a remote descendent of the aristocratic Savaresey family of Zeir. His ancestors had been army officers for generations. He did unusually well for a commoner, rising to be belgsanno (general) by 3368, when he was just 37.
In 3356 he married Řesfrea Nueya, second daughter of a Zeiri baron. They had two children, each with problems: Orest, born in 3358, was manic-depressive; Vlerë, born in 3369, was sickly.
Civil war
After the massacre of the Abolinerons, Verduria was consumed by civil war. For almost two years, various contenders marched across the kingdom, fighting each other or sometimes simply looting. Some army elements joined them; others waited it out in their barracks. The garrison and militia of Verduria city were strong enough to keep out the smaller contenders; a few times someone amassed a large enough army to march into the city, though none of these lasted long. Either there was another contender to face down, or the hopeful would run out of money and his forces would desert.
When the civil war broke out, Pelerin declared that Zeir and his forces were neutral, and concentrated on keeping other claimants out of Zeir. The province was not sure at first if it liked having a military protector; but in a few months, seeing that it was peaceful and the rest of the country was not, it quickly came to appreciate Pelerin.
In mid 3375, he began to make allies in Irvesi and Verdurian province, among nobles and commanders, extending his area of control. Several times he was challenged from outside the area; he then showed that his military skills were the equal of his political prowess— he not only defeated the rivals, but did it in their territory rather than his.
Lord Protector
By cuéndimar 3376, he was in control of nearly half the country; more importantly, perhaps, he controlled the approaches to Verduria city. He marched a good portion of his forces near the city, then consulted with the Kal and the commander of Arcaln, suggesting that the city was enjoying his protection already, and that everyone would do better if it were made official. There was some debate— many were unhappy being led by a Zeiri commoner— but it came down to whether the commander would fight to keep him out, and he wouldn't.
Pelerin occupied the royal palace, but named himself Sanno Akežec (Lord Protector). He restored order in the city, reconvened the Esčambra and revived other royal institutions, then spent a year gaining control over the rest of the country; he always tried to negotiate first, but he was willing to fight if his rivals did not give in; none gave him very much trouble,
His firm hand, the modesty of his title, and the value he placed on the protocols of power, all made an excellent impression, and in išire the Esčambra named him king by a wide majority.
Reign
Given his background, Pelerin focussed on Eretald and favored the pagans; for most of his realm the conservative Caďin party was in power— though for the first three years of his rule he insisted on a national unity government. However, he strongly supported the Navy, and thus was popular with the merchants.
He reorganized the colony of Karímia in the wake of a Qarau rebellion, and rebuilt the Řuk Ranetami fortress at the mouth of the Eärdur as well as the Verdurian-Érenati base on Melloin island.
He rebuilt the Royal Library opposite the National Theater in Išira, which focussed on the arts; after his death it was renamed the Pelerin Library.
In later years Pelerin is said to have despaired over his difficult son— not so much on a personal level, since he seems to have been emotionally distant, but because the boy was a weak support on which to build a new dynasty. Řesfrea blamed herself, and suggested he divorce her for reasons of state and take a younger wife. He focussed instead on getting his children married off; he succeeded with Vlerë, finding a match with a prince of Ctésifon, but Orest refused all candidates.
| Preceded by: Ayeša | Pelerin 3376-99 | Succeeded by: Orest |
