(ℹ) This post may be helpful: Linguistics of the Duskhyn Confederacy
The title “Mage-Queen”, as used in the Marksvar, does not necessitate political authority. For Tarvin Derek, it absolutely did.
The Marksvar, or the March, refers to the territory that today is split between Westmark, Eastmark, and Leevara. A Mage-Queen (or Mage-King, though nearly all famous persons to hold this title have identified as female) is a powerful sorcerer who is said to be chosen by The Five. To attain this title, the person must be recognized by an assembly of all village leaders in the March.
The title of Mage-Queen carries spiritual significance. While they have never held concrete authority, they are considered to speak for the spirits and their counsel is often sought for any weighty matter. Throughout the recorded history of the territory, up until annexation, at least one Mage-Queen was alive around a third of the time. (There was a brief time in which there were two Mage-Queens, whose escapades are better suited to tabloids than history books.)
Tarvin Derek is known as “the last true Mage-Queen” and is by far the most famous, being the last person to hold this title before the March became part of the Duskhyn Confederation.
Since the title became associated with hostile sentiment, it was many decades before the people of the Marksvar elevated another Mage-Queen, though several worthy candidates presented themselves over time. Modern Mage-Queens are appointed in much the same manner as always, but the rule of lords and governors greatly diminished their soft power.
The Third March War
The First and Second March Wars were largely power struggles between different factions within the Marksvar. The Third March War also began this way, but was unique in that it ultimately brought the entire March together to flip off the Confederacy.
Tarvin Derek was a local sage from what is modern day Leevara. As the conflict began to build, it is said she received a vision from the spirits wherein Easterners (the Telosi people) took advantage of their division to conquer the entire Marksvar. She began to travel and spread her word of warning to other towns. Reception was mixed.
It became apparent to Tarvin and her allies, including one Oma Leevara, that her message would be better received were she recognized as Mage-Queen, and thus a campaign was launched. She continued to be met with resistance until she worked an unprecedented wonder of magic before a crowd in the city of Atonbeck. It was later revealed that her work was aided by technology provided by the Empire of Bostia.
After being confirmed as Mage-Queen, Tarvin hit the ground running in drumming up martial support for a “preemptive assault” on Duskhyn. Oma Leevara did not like this development and turned against her. He began working with the Duskhyn lords to undermine Tarvin.
With pressure from the east, and now from the south with Oma’s faction, Tarvin was ultimately contained to Atonbeck, where a months-long siege ultimately decided the war in Duskhyn’s favor.
With their leader defeated, the March conceded to annexation by Duskhyn. Oma was granted his own territory, the province of Leevara. The rest of the Marksvar became one massive province, which was soon split into Westmark and Eastmark.
Fifty years later some guy would get mad and move the seat of the Grand Council to Goodhope, Eastmark. But that’s another story.
The Five
The spiral emblem shown on Tarvin’s chest refers to The Five. The Five States, or Five Elements, are the basic forms by which Marker tradition defines all things. These five states of being are typically described thus:
- That which was (air),
- That which is (earth),
- That which shall be (living things),
- That which is eternal (water), and
- That which should not be (fire).
The Five are a tenet of old Marker spiritualism and are still revered by many contemporary Marksfolk, and also by rebellious Telosi youth.
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