Rulers of Marilenev
by AllanP from Threshold Magazine issue 21based on an idea by Giampaolo Agosta
Author’s Note:
Inspired by Agathokles’ (incomplete) listing of “List of Rulers of Specularum”, I consulted various sources to construct a possible listing of Marilenev’s rulers from the first century AC through to AC 1000. I hope you find this of interest.
References:
"Karameikan Nobles and their heirs" thread at The Piazza forums;
“Karameikos: The Hidden Years” from Threshold #1 by Demetrios J. Sahlas; and from the Vaults of Pandius,
"Traladaran Clans" by Jennifer Guerra, Francesco Defferrari’s "History of Traladara",
LoZompatore’s "Thoughts on the Traladaran campaign of AC 900"
The Banate of Marilenev (1st century AC to AC 417)
(see Table 1)
In the years before the crowning of the first Thyatian Emperor, like the other Traladaran communities, Marilenev maintained an independent status, fighting and trading as necessary with its rivals. At the beginning of the 1st century AC, Boris Ivanovich installed himself as leader of the Marilenev Banate, instigating a dynasty that lasted over 350 years.
Save for their names, little is recorded of the Ivanovich line until Bogdan succeeded to the position of Ban (Prince) in AC 301. He unified the Traladaran clans and became King of Traladara in AC 324. However, the chaos and strife that arose at his death in AC 356 saw the kingdom split apart. In Marilenev after much turmoil, Misha Marilenev claimed the leadership of the banate, restoring rulership to the clan after which the settlement was named.
During the reign of Ban Yuri Marilenev, the influence of visiting Thyatian missionaries and their leader, Lucor, resulted in the founding of the Church of Traladara in Marilenev.
Ban Yakov Marilenev ruled during the 1st Traladaran War. He is one of the prime negotiators in the drawing up the Peace of Marilenev, the treaty that ends the hostilities between Darokin and the Traladaran clans.
Table 1: Rulers of the Banate of Marilenev
| 1st century to AC 417 | Banate of Marilenev | |
| 3- 35 | Boris Ivanovich | Boris begins the Ivanovich dynasty |
| 35-83 | Avim Ivanivich | |
| 83-119 | Zinovy Ivanovich | |
| 119-167 | Vsevolod Ivanovich | |
| 167-213 | Grigory Ivanovich | |
| 213-242 | Oleg Ivanovich | |
| 242-277 | Avda Ivanovich | |
| 277-301 | Avvakir Ivanovich | |
| 301-356 | Bogdan Ivanovich | King of Traladara AC 324-356 |
| 357-398 | Misha Marilenev | Claimed the Banate throne after death of Bogdan and the resulting internal strife |
| 398-410 | Yuri Marilenev | Supported the founding of the Church of Traladara |
| 410-417 | Yakov Marilenev | Leads the Banate during the 1st Traladaran War (AC412-417) and negotiates the Peace of Marilenev. |
The Duchy of Marilenev (AC417-612)
(see Table 2)
In the immediate wake of the 1st Traladaran War, building on influences that had been prevalent at the beginning of the 5th century AC, the rulers of Traladaran had adopted Darokinian and Thyatian titles in place of their traditional noble ranks. By the end of AC 417, Yakov Marilenev had established himself as the 1st Duke of Marilenev.
Recognising the importance and potential power of the merchants and craftsmen, Duke Yakov supported the incorporation of the Merchants’, Leathersellers’ and Skinners’ Guilds. Continuing to actively lead his forces, Duke Yakov was killed in AC449 during the 2nd Traladaran War.
Duke Yakov’s son (Yakov II) succeeded to the dukedom, but relied on his military advisers to end the 2nd Traladaran War. The second Duke had a brief reign; he died mysteriously in his third year of rule.
Alexei, Yakov II’s younger brother, ruled for half a century. He led the Duchy through the 3rd and 4th Traladaran Wars. He helped constitute the Diet of Marilenev, the governing body of the Traladaran League after the end of the fourth war. Alexei recognised the Duchy’s commercial potential and, like his father, supported the establishment of further Trade Guilds (those of the Moneychangers’, Armorers’ and Scriveners’).
Alexei never married, so following his death in AC 501 there was much debate over who his successor should be. The deliberations were swiftly curtailed when Mira Marilenev, the only child of Yakov II stepped forward with strong supporters and declared herself Duchess of Marilenev. This strong-willed matriarch ruled until her 79th year, when as a result of failing health, she abdicated in favour of her only child, Luka. Like their father and grandfather, Mira and Luka supported the establishment of Trade Guilds, and their reigns saw the founding of those organisations for the Bakers, Apothecaries, Blacksmiths, Carpenters, Brewers, Butchers and Grocers.
Mira’s descendants continued for almost a century after her abdication until the time of Duke Alexandr when the dissolution of the Traladaran League saw much political power lost from Marilenev. The weakening of the Duke and the old aristocracy gave way to the rise in power of the Guilds. A bloody coup resulted in Alexandr being deposed, his family reduced in status and to all intents banished to Castle Marilenev on the coast. Some accounts say that the last Duke was beheaded.
Table 2: Rulers of the Duchy of Marilenev
| AC 417-612 | Duchy of Marilenev | |
| 417-449 | Yakov Marilenev I | 1st Duke of Marilenev Killed in 2nd Traladaran War |
| 449-452 | Yakov Marilenev II | 2nd Duke; son of Yakov I Died mysteriously |
| 452-501 | Alexei Marilenev | 3rd Duke, brother of Yakov II Leader during 3rd & 4th Traladaran Wars |
| 501-529 | Mira Marilenev | Duchess; daughter of Yakov II |
| 529-546 | Luka Marilenev | Duke, son of Mira |
| 546-573 | Miroslav Marilenev | Duke |
| 573-592 | Yakov Marilenev III | Duke |
| 592-599 | Ivan Marilenev | Duke |
| 599-612 | Alexandr Marilenev | Duke, until he is deposed and beheaded by Guild conspiracy, following the dissolution of the Traladaran League |
The Free City of Marilenev (AC612-900)
(see Table 3)
With the removal of Ducal rule, government of Matilenev passed to the new power structure of the Guilds. The Guildmasters established a framework where they sat in council to govern Marilenev. They elected one of their number to serve as the leader (Prior) for terms of 5 years. With the ousting of the Marilenev rulership, the Ducal palace on ‘The Hill’ fell into disuse with Priorate meetings being held at the Prior’s Guildhall until the construction of the first dedicated Council Hall.
For the first fifty years, the role of Prior oscillated between the a Radu and Torenescu families, supported by the guilds that allied to each. But in AC 653 the conflict that would be known as the “Holy Wars” broke out across Traladara, destined to last for almost eight decades . During this period of inter-clan rivalry and warfare, Marilenev’s government underwent much instability as Traladara succumbed to the fears and rivalries arising from the spread of vampirism and lycanthropy. The Radu and Torenescu leaders were distracted by the impact of the wars on their activities and leadership was taken by the other major guilds at times.
Traladara continued to suffer from the diseases, misery, and famines that had erupted during the Holy Wars for the remainder of the 8th century AC. Plagued by the impact of these, the free city power base fluctuated between different guild factions. The rise of sea-based trade saw the founding of the Mariners’ Guild which took the senior position soon after. The Apothecaries also benefited from the overseas trade, becoming a major Guild in the city and winning the leadership at different times.
The unstable political system from the latter half of the 8th century onwards saw figures from other nations (usually Minrothaddans, Darokinians or Thyatians) installed as guild leaders in an effort to guarantee a less biased rule. These substitutions usually took place when the major guilds were weaker, and the minor guilds stronger.
In AC 900, during Fyodor Radu’s second tenure as Prior of the Free City of Marilenev, the ruling structure changed drastically as a result of the Thyatian invasion.
Table 3: Tulers of the Free City of Marilenev
| AC 612-900 | Free City of Marilenev | Guild |
| 612-617 | Petros Radu1 | Merchants |
| 617-622 | Vasile Torenescu | Scriveners |
| 622-627 | Petros Radu | Merchants |
| 627-632 | Vasile Torenescu | Scriveners |
| 632-637 | Petros Radu | Merchants |
| 637-642 | Marius Torenescu | Scriveners |
| 642-647 | Varkov Radu | Merchants |
| 647-652 | Marius Torenescu | Scriveners |
| 652-657 | Varkov Radu2 | Merchants |
| 657-662 | Tibor Georgescu | Armourers |
| 662-667 | Vasile Banica | Leathersellers |
| 667-672 | Varkov Radu | Merchants |
| 672-677 | Yuri Torenescu | Skinners |
| 677-682 | Crelin Torenescu3 | Scriveners |
| 683-687 | Vitez Azuros | Moneychangers |
| 687-692 | Pavel Georgescu | Armourers |
| 692-697 | Yuri Torenescu | Skinners |
| 697-702 | Katarina Radu4 | Merchants |
| 702-707 | Pavel Georgescu | Armourers |
| 707-712 | Katarina Radu | Merchants |
| 712-717 | Florin Banica | Leathersellers |
| 717-722 | Vitez Azuros | Moneychangers |
| 722-727 | Andre Torenescu | Scriveners |
| 727-732 | Virgil Georgescu | Armourers |
| 732-737 | Pyotr Tushina | Bricklayers |
| 737-742 | Arkul Marilenev5 | Mariners |
| 742-747 | Irios Radu | Merchants |
| 747-752 | Emil Levinik | Apothecaries |
| 752-757 | Sergei Radu | Grocers |
| 757-762 | Eldram Hoff6 | Merchants |
| 767-772 | Makar Suslova | Blacksmiths |
| AC 612-900 | Free City of Marilenev | Guild |
| 772-777 | Nikola Torenescu | Butchers |
| 777-782 | Grygory Marilenev | Mariners |
| 782-787 | Alexian Canpolocarius7 | Scriveners |
| 787-792 | Petru Radu | Merchants |
| 792-797 | Gospodin Torenescu | Scriveners |
| 797-802 | Petru Radu | Merchants |
| 802-807 | Karel Troester | Bricklayers |
| 807-812 | Gospodin Torensecu | Scriveners |
| 812-817 | Marku Azuros | Moneychangers |
| 817-822 | Stefan Levenik | Apothecaries |
| 822-827 | Boris Grasu | Blacksmiths |
| 827-832 | Ilya Radu | Merchants |
| 832-837 | Stefan Torenescu | Scriveners |
| 837-842 | Paolo Callister8 | Moneychangers |
| 842-847 | Alexei Georgescu | Armourers |
| 847-852 | Tomas Vorloi9 | Mariners |
| 852-857 | Jud Ebonov10 | Merchants |
| 857-862 | Yuri Levenik11 | Apothecaries |
| 862-867 | Vasile Torenescu | Scriveners |
| 867-872 | Ansel Page12 | Merchants |
| 872-877 | Titus Barbula13 | Scriveners |
| 877-882 | Fyodor Radu | Merchants |
| 882-887 | Ivan Levenik | Apothecaries |
| 887-892 | Grigory Torenescu | Scriveners |
| 892-897 | Samuil Torenescu14 | Moneychangers |
| 897-900 | Fyodor Radu15 | Merchants |
The Province of Traladara (AC900-970)
(see Table 4)
General Flavian Osteropolus led Thyatian forces into Traladara in AC 900. The city of Marilrnev was secured as the seat of regional government for the new Thyatian province, and the city gained a new name – Specularum.
Successive Thyatian Governors attempted to reduce the influence of the Guilds while endeavouring to strengthen Specularum’s position as a trade centre. Much effort went into rebuilding and improved defensive fortifications.
Table 4: Rulers of the capital of the Province of Traladara
| AC 900-970 | Specularum – capital of the Province of Traladara | |
| 900 | Flavian Osteropulos | Imperial Legate |
| 901-906 | Flavian Osteropulos | Governor General |
| 907-918 | Curtius Quadratus | Governor General |
| 919-924 | Elena Hassenberg | Governor General |
| 925-936 | Iulius Bassus | Governor General |
| 937-942 | Petronus Nasica | Governor General |
| 943-948 | Stefan Karameikos II | Governor General |
| 949-954 | Marcellus Lentulus | Governor General |
| 955-960 | Theophilus Regilius | Governor General |
| 961-970 | Belisarius Albinos | Governor General |
The Grand Duchy of Karameikos (AC970-present)
(see Table 5)
In AC 970, Stefan Karameikos III traded his ancestral lands in Thyatis for the sovereignty of the Traladara. He had first learnt of the lands as a young boy. They had been described to him by his uncle, Stefan II, the Thyatian Governor-General of the province a quarter of a century earlier.
Declaring the region the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, Stefan III began a new era for what would become a bustling metropolis built up around the Mirror Bay.
Table 5: Rulers of Specularum, capital of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos
| AC 970-current | Grand Duchy of Karameikos | |
| 970-current | Stefan Karameikos III | Grand Duke |
1 In AC 613 it was Petros Radu who arranged the construction of an irrigation canal to the farmlands of the North End
2 During Varkov Radu’s second term of office, in AC 653, Traladara saw the start of the Holy Wars
3 Crelin Torenescu rallied support for the establishment of the Bricklayers’ Guild in AC 681, seeking to neuter the influence of Lija Radu who, 6 years earlier, had fortified the Stronghold District
4 Katarina Radu proved herself a match for many other merchants as she took control of the Radu family businesses (when her husband, Dimitri, fell seriously ill) and ruled with an iron hand. If not for her death at the outbreak of the Vampire Wars, it is certain that she would have ruled again
5 Members of the Mariners’ Guild had chosen Arku Marilenev, a descendent of the ousted Duke Alexandr, as their leader seeking to keep influence away from the Radu and Torenescu families
6 A Darokinian merchant, Eldram Hoff was the first non-Traladaran to hold the rank of Prior as the Guilds sought to promote more equality
7 Alexian Canpolocarius was a Thyatian scholar who was elected Prior in a further attempt to bring stability to the political structure of Marilenev after a paricularly fraught leadership during the previous five years by Grygory Marilenev
8 Paolo Callister from Darokin served as Prior during a period of Guild conflict following accusations of malpractice exchanged by the powerful Radu and Torenescu clans.
9 The Thyatian trader, Tomas Vorloi, became leader at a time when disputes over port taxes threatened to hamper the city’s trading power
10 Jud Ebonov, a merchantprince of Minrothaddan, built on Tomas Vorloi’s work to stabilise the arrangements for sea trade
11 Yuri Levenik’s appointment was initially contested by Radu Marilenev, the then head of the Marilenev clan who called himself “King”, seeking to restore the clan’s status. It was generally acknowledged that “King Radu” suffered delusions and he continued to make wild claims to rulership over the next 15 years, until his death in AC 872
12 A Darokinian merchant
13 A Thyatian sage
14 Father of Emmett Torenescu; he warned the Council of potential Thyatian incursion but a faction (led by Fyodor Radu) dismissed the suggestion.
15 Fyodor Radu (father of Antonio) was the last of the ruling Priors; the Thyatian Invasion of AC900 introduced new rulers to Marilenev