Handrin dynasty

The Handrin dynasty of the Berytusian Empire has ruled the Imperion since 766, with the coronation of Emperor Mises I. It is to date the longest ruling dynasty of the Imperion. The Handrin were originally military retainers of the Visroi of Lamalis, and rose to power during the Amellion Revolt (731–840). Like many Pelagasians, the Handrin are of partial Amellion ancestry, a matter which is covered up and not spoken about. The entire dynasty has blue eyes (a trait exclusive to Amellions) and are notably tall. It is customary for the emperors to wear brown contact lenses to cover this trait. Since the reign of Ryanus (864–880) the Handrin dynasty has also been of partial Yothian ancestry.

Notable Emperors

Mises I (born Handrin ko Barasas; 2 Suryarion 724 – 3 Lysandros 799) was the founding emperor of the Handrin dynasty of the Berytusian Empire, reigning from 766 to his death in 799.

Ayen (5 Idarion 788 – 3 Suryarion 864) was the second emperor of the Handrin dynasty of the Berytusian Empire, reigning from 799 to his death in 864. The only legitimate son of Mises I, Ayen was groomed from birth to continue his father's recent-gotten gains. He was considered a fair and just ruler, and made peace with both the Kingdom of Tuundet (in 840) and the Haugrkirk Emuna (in 863). He is sometimes known as Ayen the Diplomatic. He was succeeded by his grandson Ryanus.
Ryanus (35 Suryarion 843 – 13 Vidaen 900) was the third emperor of the Handrin dynasty of the Berytusian Empire, reigning from 864 until his abdication in 880. He was the only son of Prince Adrian of Handrin and Princess Temitope of Yothia. Ryanus was notorious for his philandering, apparently sleeping with half the women in court. He married in 871 to Lady Natalya, and their marriage was as scandalous as his single life: she apparently had numerous male and female lovers herself, and Ryanus approved of this practice. Ryanus never had legitimate heirs, and Lady Natalya's children were usually not Ryanus'. He was succeeded by his illegitimate son Dillon Arianrhod. His partially-Yothian ancestry and lecherous behavior led him to be derisively nicknamed "Negusa" after Negusa Maatmalek, the historical Yothian king.
Dillon Arianrhod (23 Barsabion 866 – 33 Suryarion 955) was the fourth emperor of the Handrin dynasty, ruling from 880 until his death in 955. Soft-spoken and widely personable, Dillon's reign was a period of peace and a return to stable government following the social tumult of the reign of his father.

Other notable members

Maison apo Handrin (843 – 927) was a member of the Handrin dynasty, and a general in the service of emperors Ryanus and Dillon Arianrhod. Maison was famous for his lackadaisical attitude towards all things, and would often show up to lead his army after a battle had begun, or issue orders drunk. Despite this, he was undefeated in battle or campaign, and was considered blessed by God with perfect luck. A political faction supporting Maison's succession to the imperial throne emerged in Ryanus' final years, and was poised to place him on the throne when he made a public speech renouncing all claims and swearing fealty to Dillon Arianrhod.

• Prince Morvarid.

Trivia

• The Handrin have ruled Berytus for so long that the term "Handrin lands" has become the poetic name of the Imperion.
• Many emperors of Berytus are based on real people; you'll recognize yourself usually.
• The character of "Ryanus" is actually based on Negusa Maatmalek
• In Welsh myth "Dylan ail Don" was the son of the god Arianrhod.
• "Morvarid", a Persian word meaning "pearl" and cognate to "Margarita", which also sounds like "More Varied". ;)

Type

Political, Family