Monarch factions
Monarch Factions rule Iteration 110: Cradle. At present, there are seven or eight factions, depending on whether the assassinated Arelius Monarch counts.
Monarchs do not age, so they can live for hundreds and even thousands of years, but they usually die in battle before reaching their first millennium. In terms of world-power, Monarchs are a great big hairy deal. They are superpowers. Only Dreadgods outmatch a Monarch — 5/6th of the world’s rulers died to the beasts in the Dread Wars, roughly 500 years ago. Of course, Iteration 110 is only one world among thousands in The Way. Off world, Monarchs are perhaps similar in power to a lesser Abidan, or a rookie Vroshir.
- see also Advancing to Monarch
Cradle’s Monarchs
Seven Monarchs at the start of the series:
- Akura Malice - Western Ashwind continent
- and see Ashwind Continent History for Ashwind’s historical ruling factions
- Seshethkunaaz - Eastern Ashwind continent, a gold dragon (see Sacred Beasts
- Northstrider - Trackless Sea
- Emriss Silentborn - Everwood continent, a Remnant of a sacred tree (see Sacred Arts)
- Sha Miara - Ninecloud continent
- Reigan Shen - Rosegold continent, a lion (see Sacred Beasts
- Tiberian Arelius † (Monarch of more than half of Rosegold — died before book 1)
- The Eight-Man Empire - wandering conquerors, eight united Sages and Heralds harnessing the collective power of one Monarch, with their base typically on the Iceflower continent
Sages and Heralds
After Monarchs, Sages and Heralds are the most powerful sacred artists on Cradle. They will often ally with a Monarch, but some are independent.
- See List of Sages
- See List of Heralds
Factions w/ Bloodline Abilities
Three Monarchs carry a lineage with inheritable bloodline abilities. These abilities helped to put the House n the throne, originally. House Arelius descendants inherit the historic clan Patriarch’s infamous Arelius Sight, a detection madra. Descendants of Akura Malice inherit her expanding purple armor. Sha Miara inherited her Royal Madra from a long line of ancestors.
