Kilustari

Killustari is a relatively new feudal kingdom located on the northwestern coast of Veruli. Traditionally, the people in Killustari lived small clans, although several of the traditional clans had consolidated over time. About 4 generations ago, the southern horseman tribes began to fall beneath the advances of the Empire of Thell. It was a young son of a chieften—in the house of Lowan—who envisioned a great alliance of all the tribes. It took his entire life, but his marriage to a princess from Dava formed an alliance that gave him clear superiority in both military and economic spheres. The merchant clans in the west fell in line—having no clear internal leader, their fractured political might left them weak in the treaties and discussions, and their rivalry continues to this day.

The continued war with Thell has put great pressure on the kingdom, although the war has begun favoring the Killustari. This is largely a result of recent political unrest in Thell, as well as a recent surprise offensive by Nzul which led to the sacking of Thell's capitol of Goshen.

The agreements which created the Kingdom of Killustari do not require that the monarchy pass to the eldest son. The Council of Lords (from the ranking clans) oversee the succession, but there were no contenders to the throne outside the house of Lowan until the assassination of Lowan III and his heir by one of the younger princes. This treachery was uncovered, surprisingly, by visiting ambassadors from Versviejir and Tireth Taen.

Following the traitor's beheading, the Council of Lords raised Torin I from the House of Bruth to the throne. This may have been in partial recognition of his several former heroic deeds in service to Killustari; but his declared intention to wed Elana Lowan, the last surviving daughter of the house of Lowan, may have been a factor. This marriage helped secure his position and provide continuity to the succession, helpful since the country still faces significant military pressure from Thell to the south.