Sothar kesGalen
King Sothar kesGalen (a.k.a. Unifier of the Realm, Mistwalker, the King of Yore and Days to Come, The Elder Oak, and the Taloned King)
There is no man, woman, or child in all the land of Keledon who does not know the name of Sothar kesGalen, the first king of the land, the unifer of the realm, and
a towering figure of legend throughout the kingdom, featuring in songs, tales, and the mythological cycles of the land, as well as a mighty general, heroic warrior and puissant king. As a legendary figure he provides a rallying point for Keledoni culture and is the subject of endless songs, tales, and epics. After nearly a thousand years and the rise of so many tales, it is impossible to separate the historical king from the figure of legend, nor has there ever been any desire to. No bard or minstrel worth the name has less than a half dozen pieces concerning the King in his or her repertoire. The king is also the central figure of a great deal of Druidic lore, which also draws inspiration from tales and wisdom from his life and reign as sources for allegory and pedagogy.
Early Life
Sothar kesGalen was born into the Galen clan, whose traditional lands encompassed parts of modern Southlands (Kalabarshire) and Knights' Rest, in 898 AS. In those days Keledon was no united realm but rather a haphazard and shifting group of smaller kingdoms and wild territories. War was frequent and broke out at slight offenses. Sothar grew up in a highly militarized climate and was quick to master sword and horse, strategy and tactics. Although not highly placed by birth kesGalen proved to be an adroit commander and was soon in high demand among his kinsmen and their allies. He quickly came to enjoy his military victories and tired of devoting himself to purely defensive concerns and minor skirmishes. Desiring to carve out a greater land for his clan, and to unite them under his own banner, he soon fell foul of Halm the Six-Fisted, leader of a sizable kingdom that extended from the Reach of Culain towards what is now the Kingsland. Despite a desperate series of political maneuvers the feud came to a head in 934 AS; both armies gathered for battle near the modern town of Abred. The battle was costly for both sides but kesGalen was defeated and fled, finding shelter and rest among the Druids in the hidden reaches of Draoi. Knowing that Halm was hunting him ruthlessly, the Druids, sensing greatness and strength of destiny in him, smuggled kesGalen south through Keledon, then via ship to Kapel Derwydd.Among the Druids and Conquest
In secrecy, Sothar hid among the Druids, being one of only a handful men outside their august order ever admitted to the enclave of Kapel Derwydd. During his time there he was tutored in many subjects, and learned a great deal of sacred and secret lore. Songs and tales of this time often emphasize how clever the young man was, and often involve aspects of the supernatural, and the kings, queens and warriors from the Land Behind the Mists. It was at this time that Sothar decided the entire land would be united as one, and in this matter he obtained the blessing of both the Archdruid of Kapel Derwydd and the Myrddin. Sometime around the spring of 939 AS, Sothar returned in secret to the mainland, and the home of his clan. There he found them oppressed in answer to his defeat by Halm, and nearly broken. Immediately he set about reforging them into a fighting force; rearming them; and restoring their pride. Around this time, the fledgling king obtained the blessing of the Archdruids of The Whitestag and Draoi. In 941 Sothar and his army lanced northwards into Culain, quickly capturing and executing Halm and his clansmen. Continuing on, by 943 he had pacified Lothyan, Elbana and the lands south to the sea. Blackfordshire fell in 944. All of Avendur and the Dalelands soon came into his fold as well. In 958 the Marches made peace with the king, and the entire peninsula was united for the first time in its history. A large part of Sothar's legend revolves around this period. It is said that on the shores of the Woodmere he was blessed by the spirits of the Land Behind, and to this day the coronation rites of the kingdom require the new monarch to journey there. Legends and stories of bravery in battle, and Sothar's Chosen (his elite, closest knights and companions) also feature prominently. The Tale of the Hawk's Quest tells of a journey Sothar undertook into the Land Behind, spending a night there among its people but returning to find six months had passed. The Sword of the Sun is another popular tale, often spun into an allegory, concerning Sothar's successful quest to find a legendary sword, said to make it's bearer a mightier warrior than any other alive. Several well-known tales and sagas concerning these days are popular throughout the kingdom. The King and the Oak is particularly popular among soldiers, knights and other fighting men, while Fist for the Six Fisted is a humorous classic that underscores the king's cleverness.Reign
As a king, Sothar proved to be an able, just and popular ruler. The stability of his rule and law improved the lots of the nobles--ascended from the old clan chieftains--as well as the common people. Sothar implemented a system of common law, extending rights to all the citizens of his kingdom according to their station. Under his leadership Keledon grew prosperous for its day and the security of his reign allowed for greater settlement and expanded agriculture. Periods of strife did occur, when old feuds rose up or ambitious clan leaders attempted to supplant the king, yet none were successful. King Sothar died at the age of 69. Just as he had come into the world on Endless Day, so did he leave it on Longest Night. This has been long held as evidence of the sacredness of his life, its deep connection to the Land Behind the Mists, and soon gave rise to the belief that he had not died at all, but abandoned physical existance to tend to the spiritual, and will one day return.Popular Legacy
Sothar remains the great and legendary hero of Keledoni folklore. He is said to be entombed under Hawksholme, the great hill on which the royal palace of Keledon sits, but none can now say if this is so. The stone falcons which rings the walls of the city, and which legend says will spring to life one day to defend it, are said to be the spirits of Sothar's Chosen. The coronation ceremonies of the kingdom owe a great deal to Sothar's legacy. The journey to the Woodmere is not the only ritual repetition of Sothar's actions the new king or queen undertakes. The new king or queen must also gain the blessing of each of the kingdom's Archdruids in turn, as well as that of the Myrddin, who crowns the king or queen. Indeed, this ceremony is the only one that summons forth all four figures at once as they journey to the capital. To the common people, King Sothar remains a powerful and mighty figure in lore and belief. He rides across the skies during thunderstorms with the Wild Hunt of the gods and is not dead, but simply sleeping until a dark day when he is needed again. He was kind, just and compassionate and his rule was a golden age. To the nobility, Sothar was the founder of the kingdom's feudal structure. He was a wise king, who saw how to gain, maintain, and share power. His Chosen were prime examples of noble virtues--honor, loyalty and discipline. To the Druids, Sothar is an archetypal priest-king, wielding both spiritual and temporal authority. He is a central figure in their lore, and close ties between the monarch and the Druids are rooted in that ancient friendship.
Current Status
Deceased, buried beneath Hawksholme
Current Location
Church/Cult
Age
Deceased, age 69
Date of Birth
1 Beralin (Endless Day)
Date of Death
21 WInterfang
Life
898 AS
967 AS
69 years old
Place of Death
Hawksholme
Family
Children
Founded Settlements
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