The Kingseekers
Overview
High Priestess Xanthia leads The Kingseekers in an effort to find and crown the true High King of The River Kingdoms. She leads a group religious followers who vowed support in whoever she deemed worthy to take the crown of The Kingdom of Venithyr. While The Kingseekers are more theocratic in nature and not pushing for the kingship themselves, Xanthia has refused to name herself Matriarch and established herself more as a religious head (which she already was to a degree). Because of this, and her position as a high priestess of Jaclyn, Queen of the Heavens, many seek her support in their own plots to take the crown. Unfortunately for them, Xanthia tends to see through these ploys and many have started suggesting that she just might be the one to restore unity and order for the fractured kingdom.History
While formed only days prior to the War of the Five Houses, The Kingseekers are still diligent in their duty. A group of religious zealots, pragmatic individuals, traditionalists, holy orders, among others all banded together under High Priestess Xanthia to search for the next High King of The Kingdom of Venithyr. While refusing to be named Matriarch in her own right, Xanthia still commands a sizable following, using the tools of diplomacy and politics to shape the fate of The River Kingdoms. It is, perhaps, dubious that such a high-level religious figure to get so involved in politics, but many prior High Kings have been blessed and sanctified by a High Prietess of Jaclyn, Queen of the Heavens. So, many feel it is only right that those same organizations who provided blessings and sanctification of such an important role be the ones to seek out the next to take its place. Unfortunately for many of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs in power who are competing for the crown, it seems Xanthia believes none of them are fit for rule.
Foreign Relations
While High Priestess Xanthia harbors no personal ill will towards any of the Patriarchs or Matriarchs herself. She understands that those who seek to claim the throne by means of force or who might try to be underhanded in securing the crown. Because of this, The Kingseekers have made no friends when they claimed the western region as their own, and with such a large swathe of people who believe in the duty that they are fulfilling, they are a motivated, diligent, and effective group, carrying out border skirmishes and sometimes pitched battles when necessary.
Their relationship with Venithyr has been strained to the breaking point. There is no hope for Patriarch Egalis Casconne II to gain the support of The Kingseekers or High Priestess Xanthia as both believe he is a fraud and attempting to win the people over with lies and false promises. This has caused a rift between the two regions and an all out war to be declared between them.
Meanwhile, much to the annoyance of High Priestess Xanthia, Zenithyr keeps sending her offerings, gifts, and tokens of friendship to try to solidify a sort of alliance between the two parties. High Priestess Xanthia, however, knows this is just Matriarch Griselda de Valen trying to win her over and charm her with gifts and items in order to hopefully with the support of the Kingseekers. While the gifts are consistent, Xanthia still refuses to acknowledge Griselda as the leader she has been searching for.
Another faction proving to be quite some issue to The Kingseekers is the Eastern Trade Company. They are out for profit and profit alone, and with Patriarch Quintex Whiteshore being a rather shrewd man who is attempting underhanded tactics to win the crown, they have been staunchly opposed by The Kingseekers. Furthermore, with High Priestess Xanthia's direct opposition to them, while meaning little given their distance, has caused others to look upon them with a more weary eye.
Finally, Lord Volnus has been quite different from the others. While Xanthia does not support him for the crown, he also seems to have no interest in it. Instead, he rallys his people in a more military and uniform way, bringing some level of praise from High Priestess Xanthia and The Kingseekers for his blunt honesty. The Mithril Hills to the south have otherwise been at peace with The Kingseekers as neither seems to have any desire to fight one another since they both are focused on tasks at hand that does not involve the other in the slightest.
Seeking Royalty
Founding Date
Teylari 8, A7 1716
Type
Geopolitical, Theocracy
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Venithyrian
Government System
Theocracy
Power Structure
Provisional government
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
- Gold Styx
- Silver Styx
- Copper Styx
Official State Religion
Location
Neighboring Nations
Kingseeker's Vassal State
Kingseeker's Vassal State
House Faer'ah fervently believes in High Priestess Xanthia's goal to reunite the The Kingdom of Venithyr under the divine leadership bestowed by the gods of their pantheon.
Kingseeker's Vassal State
While House Garfax pledges their loyalty to High Priestess Xanthia and her Kingseekers, Xanthia and Patriarch Ben'thor Garfax are both slightly suspicious of the true intentions of the other.
Attempting to Gain Support
While The Kingseekers do not support Griselda's play for the crown, Griselda is attempting to gain the favor of Xanthia so that she gains their support for her to wear the crown, even though they seem staunch in their beliefs that it will never be the case.
Peace
Given Lord Volnus' seeming lack of interest in the crown, High Priestess Xanthia seems content to leave him be and allow him to continue on his own mission for the time being.
Distant Conflict
Despite the distance between these two factions, both the Patriarch and the High Priestess do not see eye-to-eye and are unwilling to support each other. While they are technically at conflict they do not share a border nor is any willing to deploy soldiers to fight in the central region.
War
High Priestess Xanthia believes that Patriarch Egalis Casconne II is simply attempting to manipulate the influence of the late High King Egalis Casconne in order to claim kingship, calling him a 'False King.'
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