Fictional History | The Rule of Nine
It's more than just the subtitle of my comic series.
The Rule of Nine was codified by 9 noble houses 52 years ago and it set in motion the events of the story within the comic series.
"The Rule of Nine" is the living document that codified The Republic Kingdom of Athea. Written and signed by the first generation of the first Ennead some 52 years ago.
It states:
"Nine families shall govern as a collective, for no longer than three generations, with ultimate power residing with the Ennead's chosen monarch. An Ennead shall abdicate its power upon the death of the 3rd generation's monarch. If the first or second generation monarch shall fail to produce a viable heir the Ennead must disentangle itself within three turns of their death. Upon the disentanglement of an Ennead the people of The Republic Kingdom of Athea are to choose the next nine families to rule the Republic. Those nine, the next Ennead, will choose from among them the next monarch; therefore reestablishing The Rule of Nine as it is written."
An eloquent solution to the vexing problem that is monarchy… or so the Founding Houses believed. A system like this requires strong willed individuals to carry out on both ends of a given Ennead. Considering our story takes place at the end of the first, we are yet to see if the 3rd generation can live up to the expectations set by the first.
There’s more to it than meets the eye. Although simple, The Rule of Nine allows for someone with enough foresight to plan ahead.
Ellaria Shadoon is that person, or so she thinks. One of her first major decisions within The Republic Kingdom came some 22 years ago, when she was pregnant with the first of her two sons. She knew that her oldest would become the first “King that never was,” so instead of pouring her knowledge of The Republic and how to run it into him she started a school for the children of the most noble houses in Athea.
Grandchild of a seditious Queen, daughter of a battle hardened leader, Ellaria grew to be a tremendous political tactician whose only chance to solidify her Kingdom’s split from Dobashi influence may be to prepare those best suited to take over after the disentanglement. The Rule of Nine, like any political document, relies heavily on how it is interpreted by those in power. Which is a major reason why Athea is a Republic “Kingdom” and not simply a Republic.
A Republic is a form of government wherein "supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives" A Kingdom is "a realm ruled by a monarch, namely a king or a queen."
At the time of Athea’s conception it was at war with its neighbor, The Dobashi Empire. The Lady of Ennea, Athenia Shadoon orchestrated a secession from the Empire along with:
Lady Uldrick of Pinetop, Lord Tytus of Shadegulf, Lord Urik of Annsbury, Lady Yurrick of Densewood, Lord Bolisk of Olisia, Lady Glendor of Dunport, Lady Nihlia of Lismark, and Lord Andion of Freemount.
These nobles knew the best defense for their social experiment in the time of war was to enable one among them the power to veto any and all decisions in the event they’d been compromised. Who better than the woman who’d led them from the start?
In order to live up to her grandmother’s legacy and the standard set by The Rule of Nine Ellaria must make an impossible choice.
The Founding Houses never expected the war with the Empire to last long enough to remain a threat to the 3rd generation Ennead, yet it has. Queen Ellaria is racing to put the Republic Kingdom in the best position possible to survive her eventual death and the period of uncertainty that is to follow. Does she do what she’s supposed to do? Or does she do what’s expected of her? Which is which? The saying goes “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But does it? Guess you’ll just have to keep reading to find out!
Next week I’ll be back with the next scene in Book 1, Not Too Far From Home, where we are introduced to everyone’s favorite, Inahtuu Kinisc. If you want to continue to read new posts from our “Welcome to Amashik” section then you’ll need to click the link above and become a paid subscriber. For only $9.00 a month, or $90.00 a year you can get an exclusive look at this multi-medium epic fantasy saga.
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JL