Key-Bearer of Volkur

A key to the Republic of Legends deserves only to be held by the stuff of legends, don't you think?

The country of Volkur was established by adventurers and legends in their own right, spurred on by their achievements to carve out a place that they could truly call home. They set up the country's council, founded its capital and its largest cities, and when the time came, departed to their respective afterlives and left the country behind in the hands of new heroes.
But they were not fools, those original elites. They knew there would need to be a process for recognising those who'd achieved things as great as them for equally valid reasons as them. Whilst they could not be certain the times that would come after them would remember their processes and rules, they had to at least try. And so each took off their key and stored them behind a series of trials - the Path of Heroes.
The Path of Heroes cannot be attempted by anyone. Only true heroes - as determined by their actions and the judgment of Volkur's council - can take the trials, and only the most genuine of heroes will come out bearing one of the country's Keys. The Key renders them eligible to join the the Council of Volkur and grants them great respect across the country, and in the surrounding nations.

Appointment

Citizens of Volkur, raise your eyes to the skies and observe! Today, we announce the claiming of a new Key! May our newest hero know our joy and our pride as they stand at our highest point - may they hear our cries of their name!

— announcer

After the completion of the Path of Heroes, the temple the keys are kept in - known as the Heart of Volkur - fires out a magical beam of light that alerts the entire nation of a hero's success.
The hero can then step through a teleporter and be ushered into the council chambers, where the council will have already gathered due to a prior alert notifying them of the near-completion.
It is here that they are pronounced a Key-Bearer, and announced to the realm atop the council chamber's balconies.

Traditionally, they then parade through the country over the next few days, to return to the Path's entrance for a massive feast and celebration. These occasions are a wonderful treat for Volkur's citizens, and have only occasionally been interrupted by villains seeking to put on a show.
Strangely enough, Seiðrkolva, despite being a lich and generally a force for evil, usually attends these celebrations to bestow the new Key-Bearer with a gift suiting their combat role. Nobody has ever asked her why she cares - or if they have, her response has long since been lost.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

You have not only dishonoured yourself - by your grievous actions, you have dishonoured us all.

— disappointed council member

If a Key-Bearer slips into the pits of evil and despair, they may lose their title and their Key. Volkur likes to remain aware of the Key-Bearers and their deeds -- if any begin straying from what the country considers as a fairly broad moral code, they are hauled up in front of the Council and made to explain themselves. If they are truly far gone, they will immediately be stripped of their Key and likely exiled from the country; if there is any doubt, they are simply asked to either give up their Key and their title, or to re-enter the Path of Heroes and prove themselves.
Key-Bearers can also willingly give up their Key. This is rare, but often done when a hero is retiring or stepping out of the public light. These legends are remembered and recognised still, and find themselves often still asked for advice and guidance by their fellows. Those who decide to give up their Key are usually watched for a short time thereafter to be sure that they willingly gave it up - whilst the Council does rigorously check, mind control can be incredibly subtle, and the return of a Key can often be a sign that the Key-Bearer has lost their own mind to another's puppetry.

Type

Nobility, Honorific / Ceremonial

Status

Current

Form of Address

Key-Bearer

Equates to

Lord / Lady

Source of Authority

the Council of Volkur

Length of Term

Until a new Key-Bearer is chosen; usually until death.

Current Holders

• Helgi Fjotlisson

Related Organizations

• Volkur

On Morality

Key-Bearers are not required to be good people, only to have done heroic things. Some of the finest Key-Bearers in history have been Lawful Evil in terms of alignment, and yet have done their duty well.
Alignment is not the be-all and end-all of humanity.