Rune

Overview

Rune was the first High King (Kuningas) of Asgartha, reigning from 0-42 AC for over forty years. Known as the hero of The Concord, he mysteriously vanished in 42 AC in an event known as The Vanishing, becoming one of the most enigmatic mysteries in Asgartha’s history.

Reign (0-42 AC)

Founding and Governance

Rune became the first High King and surrounded himself with the Rune Knights to govern the newly founded nation of Asgartha.

The Phoenix

During Rune’s reign, the Phoenix died in one of its cyclical deaths, and its egg reformed from its own ashes, waiting on its bed of embers.

Family

Consort

Ceren was Rune’s Consort and had no idea where he could be when he vanished.

Daughter

Aysun was Rune’s daughter, who continued his lineage and founded the Yzmir Faction. Alternative theories about Rune’s disappearance include a violent altercation with Aysun on the heights of Sekent Isle the night before his disappearance.

The Rune Knights

Rune surrounded himself with heroes—the Rune Knights—to govern. These included:

• Caellach (later founded the Ordis)
• Heshkari (later founded the Bravos)
• Aksoy (disappeared with Rune)
• Ainara Aldana (disappeared with Rune)
• Heeren (disappeared with Rune)
• Tamrat (led the investigation into Rune’s disappearance)

The Vanishing (42 AC)

The Disappearance

After over forty years of reign, Rune vanished without a trace, as if by magic. His quarters were found empty, his rooms abandoned. At the same time, three of the Rune Knights—Aksoy, Ainara Aldana, and Heeren—also disappeared, taking their weapons and armor with them, just like the High King. There was no evidence to suspect any foul play.

The Investigation

An inquiry commission was appointed under the authority of Tamrat, one of Rune’s close companions. Tamrat discovered that:

• Other individuals had disappeared at the same time: a few sailors and soldiers from the Elysian palace
• A masked buyer had purchased a small caravel
• On the morning of the disappearance, a group of about fifteen hooded individuals had set sail westward

Official Explanation

After consultation with Aysun, Tamrat told Ceren that her Consort, feeling he was at the twilight of his life, had gone to challenge The Tumult one final time, never to return.

The death of Asgartha’s first Kuningas was announced with great pomp. Ceren and Aysun, dressed in black and in mourning, bowed before an empty urn. Several months of mourning were decreed in homage to the hero of The Concord.

Alternative Theories

Many other rumors challenge the official version:

• A violent altercation between Rune and Aysun on Sekent Isle the night before his disappearance
• Tamrat begged forgiveness on his deathbed for the secret he took to the grave

The Phoenix Egg Mystery

The Egg’s Refusal

Following Rune’s disappearance, the Phoenix Egg refused to hatch again. 350 years later, it continues to be incubated within a large brazier, protected by the Bravos.

The Legend

A persistent legend within the Bravos Faction says that the Firebird will only reappear when Rune’s true heir is found. This is why many Bravos have volunteered to participate in the Rediscovery Endeavor, hoping to find traces of the first sovereign of Asgartha, and perhaps even his tomb and those of his companions.

Legacy

After months of mourning, Cwaith, an administrator trained by Caellach, inherited the heavy burden of succeeding Rune. She became the first Kuningatar (High Queen) of Asgartha in 42 AC.

Rune is remembered as the hero of The Concord and the founder of Asgartha. His mysterious disappearance and the Phoenix Egg’s continued refusal to hatch remain one of the nation’s greatest unsolved mysteries, with search parties still seeking his tomb 350 years later.

Journey to the City of Scholars

In 393 AC, evidence emerged that Rune had traveled far beyond Asgartha during or after his disappearance. A scroll bearing his words was discovered in the City of Scholars by Waru Toowoom’s expedition. The scroll was found in a shrine featuring a massive phoenix sculpted in bas-relief, brooding over a flame-wreathed egg identical to the Bravos emblem.

The scroll confirmed that Rune himself had searched for the Source of The Tumult and failed to find it—the Source was a fabrication. This revelation threatened to undermine the entire Rediscovery Endeavor, which had been predicated on locating this supposed Source.

Rune’s Testament

The Phoenixian Guard revealed they had long been keepers of Rune’s Testament—secret instructions left by the first Kuningas. According to the Testament, the true purpose of exploration was never the Source of the Tumult. Instead, the mission was to sail westward and rekindle the Phoenix, allowing the Firebird to be reborn. The Testament declared: “The Firebird must be rekindled, reborn. Only then can the world rise from its ashes.”

Rune foresaw that future explorers would discover his scroll and face the same crisis of purpose. The Testament provided an alternative mission to sustain hope and continue the journey beyond the fabricated goal.

Relationships

• Ceren: Consort who had no idea where Rune could be when he vanished
• Aysun: Daughter who continued his lineage and founded the Yzmir Faction
• Caellach: Rune Knight who later founded the Ordis
• Heshkari: Rune Knight who later founded the Bravos
• Aksoy: Rune Knight who disappeared with Rune
• Aldana: Rune Knight who disappeared with Rune
• Heeren: Rune Knight who disappeared with Rune
• Tamrat: Rune Knight who led the investigation into Rune’s disappearance
• Cwaith: Administrator who succeeded Rune as first Kuningatar (42 AC)
• Phoenix: Firebird that died during Rune’s reign; Rune left instructions for its rekindling
• Phoenix Egg: Artifact that refused to hatch after Rune’s disappearance
• Phoenixian Guard: Keepers of Rune’s Testament across generations
• Waru Toowoom: Ordis Exalt who discovered Rune’s scroll in City of Scholars (393 AC)
• Rune’s Testament: Secret instructions left by Rune for future explorers