Rulenka Argard

Rulenka Argard, known as Rulenka Magna to the people of Obrith, is the Duchess of Orendras, the second-largest duchy in Obrith and the seat of Orendon, once Auld Oathkeep. She is the third daughter of Jarl Rykos Argard, former Duke of Orendras, succeeding him when she came of age in 1189 GC (her elder sister Lynaska having abdicated in favor of joining the Ordo Valentia).

As third daughter of the Jarl, Rulenka was not raised with the expectation of succeeding him. However, he did without male heir, and his eldest daughter Annanka Argard was taken by the Sisterhood of St. Devorah due to her sudden manifestation of the Gift of True Flame, directly responsible for the Jarl's death. When Lyneska Argard was frocked of the Ordo Valentia in 1185, Rulenka became heir apparent under the regency of her mother Josseline d'Laurent. At the age of 15, Rulenka became the High Lord of the Morrowood and Duchess of Orendras in her own right.

For ten years, Rulenka has served well, albeit without particular distinction. Traditionally, the Duke of Orendras has been seen as a de-facto leader amongst the duchies of Obrith, though for longer than Rulenka's lifetime, that tradition has yielded to the more modern habit of considering the Duke of Menendras foremost. Recently (1199 GC), Gjor Mennos, Duke of Menendras, passed away, and all eyes have turned to Rulenka Magna for leadership, even amidst the realm's many troubles.

Historically, Orendras, seat of Orendon (and once Auld Oathkeep) has been a particularly peaceful realm, content to collect tariffs for trade along the Road to the Dawn and the rivers Burinflow and Amandine which serve Orendon. In the Auld Empire, Oathkeep was not technically part of House Argard's domain, nor even part of the Kingdom of the Sword in truth, but it nevertheless served as a second home to the house, who has often served as Hand of the King (formalized and ritualized in modern times). Since the Kurnish Invasion, the castle of Oakenhall in Orendon has served as House Argard's winter seat, and so the Duke of Orendras is often seen as the de facto political head of the city, though in truth he holds no such title or honor. Rulenka has served in this regard for years.

Since the Glorious Rebellion began in 1192 GC, Rulenka's problems have mounted. Her status as first-among-equals might be disputed, but none dispute that she is closer to the Church of the One and the Supreme Potentate than any of the other lords of Obrith or the Crownlands. Lacking a true King, the high lords to Rulenka to liase on their behalf with the Church, who controls the lion's share of administrative duties in the realm, if not military power.

As such, Rulenka is tasked as emissary to the Church on behalf of the realm, lacking any titular power to negotiate on their behalf, nor any access rich coffers the Church collects from Orendon. Further, tradition dictates that she levy relatively few men-at-arms for her realm's size, deferring to the Church the right to arm itself care of the Order of St. Arja, and so she is left with a comparatively small army, with which she is bound by tradition and oath to protect Orendon and the Church's lands, sparing hardly any force with which to defend her own lands or lend to the aid of others, all of whom expect it.

In short, Rulenka bears the political and miltary responsibilities of a King, and next to none of the power or privileges. She rules in a land dominated by Ascadian culture, which holds that women ought not rule over men, nor even take up matters beyond child-rearing, lacking the wits for such. And yet, somewhere beneath her finely-accoutred exterior beats the heart of a High Lord, a true warrior of the Crownlands, willing to face hopeless odds in battle against an army of bureaucrats and a sea of entrenched misogyny, in the hopes of winning the hearts of her lords and citizens. This last task she considers crucial, as she is well aware of the threats posed to her realm, both those known, and many unknown, whose visions are granted to her by supernatural sight.

Some speak in whispers of the "Green-Seer", invoking the name as if it were an epithet. In truth, Rulenka was born with eyes of two colors, and it was no accident; she possesses a minor talent to perceive the spiritual memory of the elven people who once guarded her lands, and through that sight, she has gained much insight into the past, and into her realm's future...a darker future than most would believe if she told it. She alone must face the reality of that future, even as courtiers, bureaucrats, and clergymen assail her on every front to snip at her power, her wealth, and the good will her ancestors earned her house.