Benalon I Ulanala
Benalon, the Conqueror (a.k.a. The Maurauder King Benalon)
Emperor Benalon I Ulanala, also known as Benalon, the Conqueror or more derisively, the Maurauder King Benalon was the first ruler of the Empire of Great Benalor
Construction would continue throughout the conquests with Benalon suspending construction at the western fringes of the Hunolduran Plains.
Life
Early Life (500-516)
With the passing of his father, Benalon, a year younger than the age of ascension was kept from the throne by a regency council. Already showing a keen interest in court politics during the reign of his father, Benalon took advantage of the naivety of the council, seeing who would trust who, or who was inclined to backstab who. The most duplicitous among them would be removed the first day of his reign.Ruler of Illalor (516-524)
On the day of his ascension ceremony, as the relentless sun rose over Illalor, the great caldera Gromzug roared to life in a belch of fire and smoke that would paint the western sky in hues of red, black and orange. Seen as far away as the western mountains of Rudora and heard nearly on the frontier of the Kirshallan Empire, this was seen as an ill omen in the realms of man, but to Benalon, a symbol of his destiny.Uniting The Tribes
Of the nine ruling tribes in Illalor, only about five of these were truly loyal to the capital. It can be said the first true wars of conquest fought by Benalon were within his own dominion, fought not with sword, spell or cavalry but with marriage pacts, trade guarantees and allowances for cultural practices typically seen as abhorrent by the court of Illalor. By the end of 522, the remaining tribes had all bowed before him and he set his eyes towards destiny.The Conquests (524-537)
In 525, despite years of closeness, the relationship between Benalon and his Brother Dovere Ulanala was permanently scarred following the execution of Lord Denyll Forn, whom Benalon had wished for him to be kept alive to serve a purpose in his plans after the war.Construction of the Conqueror's Path
The Conqueror's Path was started in 529, while negotiating the terms with the Merchant Lords of the Confederacy of The Frensari, Benalon ordered the extension of the roads from Old Rudora to Amanora. When Confederacy had been brought into the fold, the Path was extended to the new western borders of the empire.Construction would continue throughout the conquests with Benalon suspending construction at the western fringes of the Hunolduran Plains.
The Reign of Benalon I (537-566)
Stabilizing an Empire (537-555)
One of the earliest objectives of his reign as emperor was the reorganization and redistribution of the lands held by Kirshallan Nobles who might stand to oppose Benalon. Whole counties were redrawn, nobles whose familes held lands for centuries were deposed and friendly lords put in power, or even in certain cases, Aelves put in charge of the realms of man where no suitable replacement could be found.Peace In The Realm (555-561)
Kirshallan Uprising (553-556)
Later Reign & Assassination (556-566)
Species
Ethnicity
Life
500
566
Circumstances of Death
Assassinated
Family
Comments