393 AC Basileal Elections

The 393 AC Basileal Elections were held October 17-19, 393 AC to elect a successor to Avkan ruun-Heshkari, who resigned after 32 years in office following the launch of the Rediscovery Endeavor. Over three days, voters cast ballots in six consecutive rounds, with sociologists noting the results marked a potential new paradigm favoring civilian figures over established noble lineages.

Election Process

Voters cast ballots across six successive rounds, each centered on major themes: exploration, politics, defense, economy, society, and a final candidate preference vote. For each theme, voters chose the idea that resonated most without knowing which candidate proposed it. The winning positions from each ballot became the Republic’s official program for the next ten years.

Candidates

Somayeh Bahman

Memorialist of the Ventauri Clan. Advocated for intensifying the Rediscovery Endeavor, believing knowledge recovery is “the most precious resource” and that the Endeavor “is not an earthly initiative—it is a spiritual one.”

Bokang Nkoe

Muna Druid and philosopher of the Issurian school with nearly twenty years of diplomatic experience. Called for pausing the Rediscovery Endeavor until Caer Oorun became a full Province and establishing citizen council oversight of the Expeditionary Corps.

Anuncia ruun-Aysun

Direct descendant of Aysun, founder of Yzmir. Natural successor to Avkan ruun-Heshkari, advocating for continued support of the Rediscovery Endeavor until the Expeditionary Corps achieved self-sufficiency. Allied with Amaro Arundhani as running mate. Supported by the Old Nobility including Vittoria Valiont and Abenet ruun-Aksoy.

Lucas Aveskamp

Direct descendant of Geirr Aveskamp, the fifth Basileus. Fierce opponent of the Rediscovery Endeavor, advocating for reallocation of Expeditionary Corps funds to the Asgarthan populace. Gained prominence during the Caer Esvander suspended mines strike. Chosen as candidate by defectors from Amaro Arundhani’s camp.

Ballot Results

1st Ballot: Exploration

Candidate	Position	Votes	Percentage
Anuncia ruun-Aysun	Continue supporting Endeavor until Corps self-sufficiency	45	39%
Somayeh Bahman	Endeavor is top priority; Asgartha’s future lies beyond borders	40	35%
Lucas Aveskamp	Resources allocated to Corps are weakening Asgartha	17	15%
Bokang Nkoe	Pause Endeavor until Oorun becomes full Province	13	11%

Winning Position: Continue supporting the Rediscovery Endeavor until the Expeditionary Corps achieves self-sufficiency within the Tumult.

2nd Ballot: Politics

Candidate	Position	Votes	Percentage
Bokang Nkoe	Decentralize power from Arkaster to amplify Provincial voices	35	32%
Lucas Aveskamp	Exclude Factions from political process; regulate lobbying	30	27%
Somayeh Bahman	Implement direct democracy; reshape legislative apparatus	28	26%
Anuncia ruun-Aysun	Establish Caer Oorun as full Province with administration	16	15%

Winning Position: Decentralize political and administrative power from Arkaster to better amplify Provincial voices.

3rd Ballot: Defence

Candidate	Position	Votes	Percentage
Bokang Nkoe	Send Alterers to stabilize Caer Oorun; Tumult is true enemy	20	42%
Somayeh Bahman	Educate people to defend themselves via Axiom Constructs	18	37.5%
Anuncia ruun-Aysun	Make Caer Oorun the new Rampart and exploration hub	7	14.5%
Lucas Aveskamp	Increase defense budget and recruitment, including conscription	3	6%

Winning Position: The Tumult remains the true enemy; Alterers must be sent to Caer Oorun to stabilize the region.

4th Ballot: Economy

Candidate	Position	Votes	Percentage
Somayeh Bahman	Move beyond monetary system; redefine prosperity as immaterial	30	36%
Bokang Nkoe	Reform for fairer wealth distribution; universal income insufficient	25	30%
Anuncia ruun-Aysun	Transition Corps funding to participatory private interests	17	21%
Lucas Aveskamp	Reallocate Corps budget back to Asgarthan people	11	13%

Winning Position: Move beyond the monetary system and redefine prosperity as immaterial, emphasizing access to ideas through education and arts.

5th Ballot: Society

Candidate	Position	Votes	Percentage
Bokang Nkoe	Environmental protection paramount; stabilize ecosystems	13	32.5%
Anuncia ruun-Aysun	Celebrate Rediscovery through grand exhibition of discoveries	13	32.5%
Somayeh Bahman	Counter Faction dominance with civic force	8	20%
Lucas Aveskamp	Support innovation; reduce technological inequality	6	15%

Winning Positions (tie): Environmental protection and ecosystem stabilization; celebration of Rediscovery through exhibition of discoveries.

6th Ballot: Candidate Preference

Candidate	Votes	Percentage
Bokang Nkoe	17	34%
Somayeh Bahman	16	32%
Lucas Aveskamp	10	20%
Anuncia ruun-Aysun	7	14%

Final Results

Candidate	Total Votes	Percentage
Somayeh Bahman	140	31%
Bokang Nkoe	123	28%
Anuncia ruun-Aysun	105	24%
Lucas Aveskamp	77	17%

Adopted Program

The winning positions from each ballot formed the Republic’s official program:

• Exploration: Continue supporting the Rediscovery Endeavor until the Expeditionary Corps achieves self-sufficiency within The Tumult
• Politics: Decentralize political and administrative power from Arkaster to amplify Provincial voices
• Defence: Send Alterers to Caer Oorun to stabilize the region; the Tumult remains the true enemy
• Economy: Move beyond the monetary system and redefine prosperity as immaterial through education and arts
• Society: Environmental protection and ecosystem stabilization; celebration of Rediscovery through grand exhibition

Election Oversight

The Frog Prince was appointed by Parliament to oversee the elections. All candidates swore an oath before his Eidolon to defend the interests of the Concord, Asgartha, and its people.

Investiture

On October 22, 393 AC, Somayeh Bahman was sworn in as the fourteenth Basilissa of Asgartha at The Asterion in the presence of outgoing Basileus Avkan ruun-Heshkari.

Relationships

• Avkan ruun-Heshkari: Outgoing Basileus whose resignation prompted the election; attended investiture ceremony
• The Frog Prince: Eidolon appointed to oversee election proceedings
• Parliament of Ashes: Body that appointed election overseer
• The Asterion: Location where investiture ceremony held
• Arkaster Echo: Newspaper that covered the elections
• Fabia Valesquia: Journalist who wrote about the new Basilissa’s challenges