The Bloodsworn (36 page)

THE KINGDOM OF ALDEN

CAPITAL:
Erroman

Feudal monarchy, ruled by the Whites since the disintegration of the Erromanian Empire more than four centuries ago. Aldrich the White, claiming descent from the royal bloodline of Erroman, fought a brutal campaign to unite what was left of the empire, founding the Kingdom of Alden and naming it after himself. He awarded his closest ally, Konrad, a banner of green silk. This historic event marked the foundation of the Banner Houses; forever more, Konrad's descendants would be known as the Greens. Since then, only four more banners have been awarded—Black, Grey, Brown, and Gold.

King Erik White

Prince Liam White (commander of the White Wolves)

Prince Tomald White (deceased)

Rodrik White

Riggard Black (banner holder, commander general of the king's armies)

Alix Black (bodyguard to the king)

Raibert Green (banner holder)

Arran Green (deceased)

Alithia Grey (banner holder)

Sirin Grey

Roswald Grey (deceased)

Rona Brown (banner holder, White Wolf)

Aina Brown

Adelbard Brown (deceased)

Norvin Gold (banner holder)

THE TRIONATE OF ORIDIA

CAPITAL:
Varadast

Theocracy ruled by a triumvirate, fiercely committed to expansion in the name of religious conversion. The King is said to be a living god (Varad), whose soul is reborn through millennia. When his mortal body dies, Varad's soul passes exactly one year in the heavens before being reincarnated as a newborn baby. It is the Priest, appointed by his peers, who identifies the reincarnated Varad, assembling all male children born on the designated day and subjecting them to various tests until he is certain he has recognised the anointed one. The Warlord earns his place through victory in battle and single combat.

The King, Varad (deceased)

The Priest, Madan (deceased)

The Warlord, Sadik

THE REPUBLIC OF ONNAN

CAPITAL:
Onnan City

Democratic republic. Political parties, known as
leagues
, are elected by district, each district being represented by a speaker. The league with the most seats is said to be
in power
, its leader becoming First Speaker. Most speakers are also priests, reflecting the deep religious convictions of Onnani society. However, it is said that the real power lies with the secret societies, most of which were founded as underground revolutionary movements during the time of the empire, when the Onnani were enslaved by the Erromanians. The slave revolt—known in Onnan as the Great Revolution—marked the beginning of the end of the empire.

First Speaker Kar (Worker's Alliance)

Chairman Irtok (Worker's Alliance)

Defence Consul Welin (Worker's Alliance)

Speaker Syril (People's Congress)

THE KINGDOM OF HARRAM

CAPITAL:
Ost

Feudal monarchy, ruled by His High Lordship King Omaïd. Protected on all sides by mountains, sea, and arctic, Harram holds itself aloof of affairs on the wider continent of Gedona. While politics are generally stable, Ost has never been able to extend effective control over the mountain tribes, whom it views as savages. Because of its imposing geographical barriers, Harram was the only kingdom never to succumb to Erromanian rule, though it did play an important role in the empire's demise. The mountain tribes are generally credited with dealing the death blow to the empire, uniting for the first (and last) time in history to sack Erroman more than four hundred years ago.

THE KINGDOM OF ANDITHYRI

CAPITAL:
Timra

Feudal monarchy, ruled by King Berendt until his execution by the Warlord, now under the stewardship of Governor Arkenn of the Trionate. Andithyrians claim direct descent from the Erromanian nobility. During Erromanian times, the so-called purebloods were easily distinguished by their white hair; when the empire collapsed, this trait became deadly, marking them out for reprisals as chaos gripped the former empire. The imperial race fled in droves, founding their own small country on the southern border of modern-day Alden. To this day, most Andithyri have white hair, though this is slowly changing over time due to intermarriage. Andithyri is the most recent country to fall to the Trionate of Oridia, but rumours have begun to stir of an underground resistance movement.

THE NINE VIRTUES

RAHL (STRENGTH) SYMBOL:
the sun. Also associated with power, leadership.

OLAN
(COURAGE) SYMBOL:
the moon. Also associated with determination.

ELDORA (WISDOM) SYMBOL:
the all-seeing eye. Also associated with temperance, experience.

DESTAN (HONOUR) SYMBOL:
the ram. Also associated with duty, integrity.

FARIKA (GRACE) SYMBOL:
folded hands. Also associated with mercy.

ARDIN (PASSION) SYMBOL:
the flame. Also associated with impetuousness, boldness.

HEW (WIT) SYMBOL:
the crow. Also associated with guile, cleverness.

GARVIN (EMPATHY) SYMBOL:
tears. Also associated with solidarity, generosity.

GILENE (FAITH) SYMBOL:
the star. Also associated with devotion, truth.

Erin Lindsey
, author of the Bloodbound series, including
The Bloodbound
,
The Bloodforged
, and
The Bloodsworn
, is on a quest to write the perfect summer-vacation novel, with just the right blend of action, heartbreak, and triumph. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and a pair of half-domesticated cats. Visit her online at erin-lindsey.com, facebook.com/ELTettensor, and twitter.com/
ETettensor.

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