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official. It was this official who became the legendary Ran Honeth I,
the founder of the Dynastic system. When marauding brigands
attempted to sack the fledgling city' the work-gangs, under the
direction of Ran Honeth, dropped their tools, took up their weapons, and,
because of their superior discipline, easily drove them off. Thus the
idea of Empire was born. Once the work-gangs had tasted victory'
the rest was simple. In a series of lightning moves, Ran Honeth
consolidated his control over the entire Tolnedran people and
established order, peace and security throughout the entire central plain.
THE FIRST HONETHITE DYNASTY 815-1373
(558 years, 23 Emperors)*
* The dynasties provided a convenient, methodical way to establish the
chronology. That
was their main purpose, but the frictions between the great families also proved
very
useful.
iII
The major efforts of the FIRST HONETHITE DYNASTY were directed
at the extension of the northern boundary of Tolnedra to the River
Arend, the establishment of the port-fortresses at Tol Vordue and Tol
Horb, and, of course, the building of the north dike on the Nedrane
River. When the last Emperor, Ran Honeth XXHI, died without issue,
the Empire was thrown into consternation.
THE FIRST VORDUVIAN DYNASTY 1373-1692
(319 years, 16 Emperors)
By the sheerest good fortune, the commander of the Imperial
garrison at Tol Vordue - and, incidentally, the primary civil official as
well - was a strong-minded, talented man who, less from ambition
than from a powerful sense of personal responsibility' marched to
Tol Honeth at the head of his legions to assume the Throne. It was at
that time that the procedure for orderly Dynastic succession was
established, thus saving the Empire from disintegration.
The Council of Advisors, a broad-based group of representatives
from all districts of the Empire, gathered in emergency session and
concluded that the commander of the Tol Vordue garrison was going
to be the next Emperor with or without their consent, and they
therefore carried his name to the Temple of Nedra where the priests
consulted with the God himself.
Note Popular superstition has it that in the early years of the Empire Nedra
was physically present in the temple, sustained and served by the
priesthood. Modern theologians, however, have discounted this and
hold the more rational view that, while Nedra has always been with
us in Spirit, his physical presence at any time in our long history is
incapable of substantiation.
When the priests emerged from the temple with the blessings of
Nedra upon Ran Vordue I, the FIRST VORDUVIAN DYNASTY was
established, and the orderly succession was preserved.
The Vorduvians were vigorous and energetic Emperors, and they
soon turned their attention to the lands south of Nedrane. Early in