The Sexen Triumvirate

Aethelstan ‘King of the Sexens and Bearer of the World’ (1319 MH - 1385 MH)

Aethelstan II was the King of Messex a predominantly human nation consisting of ethnically Sexen people. From a young age, as Prince, he would watch his father lament at the droves of his people that would seek refuge in Messex, fleeing the conquering Gnomic states in the south. Around him, the other Sexen nations would bicker amongst themselves and leave Messex alone to cope.

By the time Aethelstan took the throne in 1337 MH, Messex was one of the last 'safe' Sexen nations, shielded by a handful of disorganised principalities and a couple of kingdoms. In many ways, Athelstan was trapped, separated from being able to contribute to his peoples war. For the unambitious, the only option would have been to wait, or attempt diplomacy and wrangle the diaspora towards a common cause.  Instead Athelstan had a more direct plan to secure the future of his people and make sure no Gnomic states would ever be able to threaten them again.

To this end, Aethelstan attempted, and very nearly succeeded, in uniting all the ethnic Sexen people in the north under a single kingdom. Originally ruling Messex, Aethelstan would conquer Thyssex, Nossex, Dembria, Growwick, Denwick, and Calumbvyre before illness forced him to stop. This remarkable feat was achieved in a mere 30 years and the only nation with a Sexen majority, the Kingdom of Frendlewick, (which too had been attempting a similar feat for several centuries), remained discorporated. Frendlewick was the only Sexen state that did not share a border, (the pair being separated by Settia), and when illness struck the King plans to invade the separating nation was abandoned.

Aethelstan was notably crestfallen by this, but would not by stymied from his undertakings, continuing to administer and organise his realm. Aiding him in this regard, was the typically rural nature of the conquered lands. Often this meant, while pitched battles where notably devastating, the new populations as a whole where rarely aware of the barbarities of war. Aethelstan was not cruel either and noted for his magnanimosity in victory. This, coupled with his diligence and ultimate goal of uniting the Sexens, meant even foreign Sexen dignitaries quickly warmed to him.

In the year 1374 MH the Kingdom of Sexenia was formally created and Aethelstan, in an unusual act of self-indulgence anointed himself ‘King of the Sexens and Bearer of the World’, the latter being a reference to the old Sexen religion of Hythness and this was no accident either. While Hythness had become virtually extinct under the Gnomans, it had bounced back somewhat, particularly among the Sexens. Several of the Brego, (the Sexen title equivalent to Lord), were Hythnetic and by appealing to this old religion, it was yet another way for Aethelstan to ingratiate himself. Even outside of this, the mythos of Hythness had always been ingrained in the Sexen culture and this was another way to affirm his right to call himself ‘King of the Sexens’.

As Aethelstan settled and took to his family, he began to notice a floor in his plans. Sexenia would be strong under him, certainly, but under his eldest son? The king was concerned. It was not that his son showed traits of a poor ruler, but that collectively, each of his three children bickered an argued amongst themselves. Family bonds only went so far and Aethelstan could see that the ambition he possessed was present too in his offspring. Invariably, he saw this would lead to his eldest son being plagued by infighting with his brothers, at best this would be a distraction from the defence of his people, but at worst it would mean civil war and the collapse of all he had fought for.

This, of course, was unconscionable for Aethelstan and so he began to create a new plan. Upon his death in 1385, the Kingdom of Sexenia was dissolved and in its place the Sexen Triumvirate was formed. His eldest son, Roland, became the king of Messex, absorbing the former Calumbvyre territories. His second son Leofwine, inherited the Kingdom of Nossex, including Growwick and Denwick, and finally, his daughter Fraelind became Queen of Thyssex, absorbing Dembria.

It was Aethelstan’s wish that his children maintain close relations once he passed, but he was not so naive to believe his will alone would ensure this. Instead, he used the capital he had amassed, both in wealth and politics and besought the Bregos he trusted to execute this testament. It was an unenviable task and for a time looked as though it may fail, with both brothers being reticent to accept less, however, the persuasive words of the Bregos would prevail and, after much grumbling, the Triumvirate was formed.

The Triumvirate is collectively the Kingdoms of Messex, Nossex, and Thyssex. Each is operated as an individual nation for most intents and purposes, however all three have close and reliable bonds of, if not friendship, grudging respect.

In the aftermath of the death of Aethelstan, an attack was launched by the nearby human ruled nation of Meddia against Messex, but was handily repelled by a mixed Triumvirate army. This war, in many ways, was just as responsible for ensuring the success of Aethelstan’s plan as the Brego’s involvement themselves, with the three siblings, (or ‘Aethelings’, as they would title themselves), realising that the threats faced by their father were very much still present.

As such, the Triumvirate cooperate on military affairs and present themselves collectively in many foreign diplomatic affairs.

Aside from this unique situation, there are a few other unique aspects to the Kingdoms.

Thyssex, (Capital: Lywick)

Upon its creation the Kingdom of Thyssex officially endorsed Hythness as a national faith alongside Cathirianism. This lead to the withdrawal of Thyssex’s one Cardinal, although said Cardinal was merely moved to Messex, so ultimately had very little effect.

In addition, Thyssex also instituted laws of absolute primogeniture, meaning that the eldest child inherits, regardless of gender. This applies to all property within the nation, not just in the monarchical sense. The other two nations did not go so far, but instituted agnatic-cognatic succession, allowing only a sole female heirs to inherit, (this only applying to the monarchy however).

Messex, (Capital: Therbridge)

Messex has four Cardinals, (following the transfer from Thyssex), despite having a relatively small population. The capital, Therbridge, is by far and away the largest city in the Triumvirate, having double the populous of the next closest city.

Nossex, (Capital: Weirn)

Rather counter-intuitively, for nearly a decade since 1404 the Kingdom of Nossex was ruled by the monarch of Thyssex in a regency. When Leofwine passed away due to illness in 1411, he bequeathed his kingdom to his sister. Despite holding both titles, due to the agreements made following Aethelstan’s death, Queen Fraelind was unable to merge the two kingdoms as they were bound to remain politically separate. There has been a rising tension regarding a perceived homogenisation of policy between the two nations, with many of the Bregos questioning the Queen’s attempts to implement consistent laws. That being said, there is tolerance for the moment, most likely because the Queen has not yet attempted, nor suggested she would “Derogate the line of Kings”. This is in reference to further changes to the succession law. Under the current system, upon Queen Fraelind’s death, the title of Thyssex would pass to her eldest child, her daughter, Lialind, whereas the title of Nossex would pass to her eldest son, Godfrey. The Bregos will accept this as a temporary arrangement, but it widely believed that any attempt to change the laws, (so that Nossex would pass to Lialind), would be met with revolt.