Redham Ainros - 8th Known Ruler of Revellia
King Redham Ainros
Reign: 721 RA - 726 RA
Wizards: Anna Chains , Bergeth the Fair, Uithael Wonder Redham grew up under the shadow of a forceful grandfather and father. Both were confident and effective kings, leaving little room for the child to learn governance. As such, Redham was entirely reliant upon the Wizard Anna Chains when he took the throne. This led to suspicion of the Wizard and mockery of the king, ending in Revelback accusing Anna of heresy, and Redham speedily condemning her to death. It is said Anna Chains shed one tear in all her life, when Redham condemned her. Without a strong Wizard, governance fell apart. The Graunts and Beths began to vie for control of Great Cross . They besieged the town and ejected the Rordans, who fled to Aerwoth demanding protection. The king's eldest son Griin declared that he would lead a host to deliver Great Cross. Feeling belittled by his own son, Redham declared he would lead the host himself. Shortly after approaching the battle at Great Cross, King Redham took a stray arrow in the neck and died. His son took up his crown and won the battle.
Wizards: Anna Chains , Bergeth the Fair, Uithael Wonder Redham grew up under the shadow of a forceful grandfather and father. Both were confident and effective kings, leaving little room for the child to learn governance. As such, Redham was entirely reliant upon the Wizard Anna Chains when he took the throne. This led to suspicion of the Wizard and mockery of the king, ending in Revelback accusing Anna of heresy, and Redham speedily condemning her to death. It is said Anna Chains shed one tear in all her life, when Redham condemned her. Without a strong Wizard, governance fell apart. The Graunts and Beths began to vie for control of Great Cross . They besieged the town and ejected the Rordans, who fled to Aerwoth demanding protection. The king's eldest son Griin declared that he would lead a host to deliver Great Cross. Feeling belittled by his own son, Redham declared he would lead the host himself. Shortly after approaching the battle at Great Cross, King Redham took a stray arrow in the neck and died. His son took up his crown and won the battle.
"Much is made of young Griin and his supposed murder of his father, but little is said of the factions surrounding them. Griin was a strong boy to be sure, but he was only thirteen. His cause was championed by Daedalag Sorshan, Lord Toron Odon, and most notably: his uncle Kurnek, who would later be called the Usurper. Though ostensibly supported by the eastern clans as a whole, King Redham's truest companion was his brother Rael, who gave up the position of Chief Justicar to none other than Lord Toron, so he might accompany the King to the fatal fields outside Great Cross. The King was slain by a stray arrow, but his brother Rael died in the battle as well, and with him died any interest in investigating Redham's unusual death. Just who slew Rael, none can say." - Genev the Terrible
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Redham was said to have been born feet first, and that consequently he did everything backwards. He was a callow child, kept away from his father and grandfather as neither could be bothered to raise him. His mother, a lady of Clan Rutach, spoiled the boy and is said to have dressed him in cloth gowns rather than furred ones, something considered horribly unmanly at the time. Some even say he had flaxen hair, something not seen in southern Milos until the Eysch came over to Ethel. It is impossible to know if any of these tales held any truth, or if they were invented after the fact to unman the weakest member of the legendary Ainros clan. There are, expectedly, even rumors that his mother betrayed King Maitiu and got Redham with a tailor, a tanner, or some male speller. These stories were definitely invented after Maitiu's death.
Interestingly, some legends say Redham was frequently entertained and educated by Anna Chains. By no means renowned for her humor, it is said Wizard Anna would warm to young Redham in a way she never did when his father was growing up. Some point to this as an explanation for why Redham grew up to be so weak. Others think on this when considering the tragedy of King Redham's condemnation of Anna Chains to the fires.
Failures & Embarrassments
It should surprise no one that, when a king refuses to prepare his heir for kingship, that heir proves poor at his job. Most agree the Redham's two great failings were his betrayal of the Wizard Anna Chains, and his decision to lead his army to Great Cross. Both of these were motivated by a desire not to appear weak in the shadow of much more confident rulers.
Social
Family Ties
Conditions
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
King of Revellia
Lord of Aerwoth
Lord of Aerwoth
Life
4692
4726
34 years old
Circumstances of Death
Took a stray arrow to the neck at the Battle of Great Cross.
Birthplace
Aerwoth
Family
Eyes
Blue
Hair
Copper
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Ghast (peach)
Belief/Deity