This post is intended to explain the current division of power within the Kingdom of Ertia.

The political landscape in the Kingdom of Ertia has been precarious since just before the passing of King Arjen IV. Before the discovery that King Arjen IV and his wife did indeed have an heir, it was thought that upon his passing, King Arjen's nephew Christopher would be next in line to the crown. Indeed, when King Arjen did eventually die, Christopher took the crown for himself and sat in Florae as King Christopher of Ertia. When it was discovered that King Arjen had a direct heir, Christopher refused to give up the crown.

Most Ertians in the northern part of the Kingdom recognized Aven Arjen (Arjen V) as the rightful King of Ertia. His hometown of Amora holds an incredible amount of power in Ertia's northern border. It sits at at the mouth of the strait connecting the Khabranthian and Imperial Oceans. Thus it sees a great deal of Imperial vessels pass through weekly. With the weight of Amora behind him, Aven Arjen was able to take the city of Roseaire from Christopher's forces and declare it his capital.

Most Ertians in the south, encouraged by Christopher's interest in improving Ertia's southern infrastructure, sided with his claim to the Ertian throne. Christopher and his forces currently control Florae and all of southern Ertia. Their hold on Roseaire was lost soon after Aven Arjen claimed himself to be the legitimate King in Ertia. However, given Florae's status as the traditional capital of Ertia, Christopher's grip on his portion of the Kingdom is strong.

The current "peace" within the Kingdom of Ertia is very precarious. There have been no major battles since the Battle for Roseaire, but the conflict within Ostlaed may spark more unrest within the Kingdom. It is rumored that Christopher may be in contact with the Ealdorman Mark Accynnafon. The Ealdorman's radical Ostlaed-centric policies echo what Christopher would like to do with South Ertia. Cut it off from international politics and focus on inward development. This is in stark contrast to Aven Arjen's outward focus. Since his claim to the crown, North Ertia has developed embassies in Wysteria and DorEryn. It has also been granted an international travel port in Roseaire.

Both Wysteria and DorEryn have declared Aven Arjen to be the rightful King of Ertia. The rest of the Empire has yet to weigh in on who they consider the legitimate King.

_________________
Joren

of River's End

It is the right of the realm to decide how each new leader is elected. The internal disputes of a Realm are not usually the business of outsiders, but for the interest of peace our duty as Council Members is to uphold the values of Kingship.

Aven Arjen holds the support of The Empress.

_________________
Petra Ravnikaar of The Veil

Thank you, Empress. Your support is a large step towards fully legitimizing my claim to the Ertian throne. I fear that Christopher has done much to encourage the poor Ertians in the south to distrust the Empire. Despite your full support, I have no doubt that they still see him as their true King. We can only hope that in time this will change.

_________________
Joren

of River's End

/lore off

I like how you organized all of this. Really great stuff.

_________________
Ealdorman Cerdic Beoden Accynnafon of Östlond
Runner Up of the Glas Claddach Boat Building Competition
Minister of Justice

/lore off

Thanks! Your posts have been inspiring me to get in on some of the action. I sent you a PM with some thoughts of mine. Let me know what you think!

_________________
Joren

of River's End

/lore off

I love the lore that you have written here! Good stuff Arjen.

_________________
Scrios V
King of Perth, Brother of Valyria