Rulers

The ruling individuals and families of the nations of Karsen.

House of Grushin
The current empress of Halsha is Praskovya I, a distant relative of the former emperor Hovannes I who manipulated her way onto the throne following the temporary chaos of the court after his death. She is the youngest Halshan ruler in living memory and considerably beyond, with her only political experience being her competent rule of Znamensky province after the death of her first husband, Lord Grushin. However, she possesses a genius intellect and extraordinary talent for interpersonal intrigue, which she uses to devastating effect among her subordinates. Her goal is to cement Halsha as the main political power on Karsen and unite the continent against the encroaching Fair Folk.
 * Preceded by: House of Rodionov
 * Founded: 2019
 * Founder: unknown
 * Current head: Praskovya I
 * Religion: Flareism
 * Estate(s): Koltsovo, Znamenka
 * Cadet branches: unknown

Kolkoz family
Oddly enough for the cradle of phrinu civilization on Halse, Themboldis has been ruled by a nephilim king, Ansel Kolkoz, for the past nearly 400 years. He is often referred to by the populace as Ogiishkimanisii, the Themboldese word for kingfisher, or Kagĭgegabo, meaning 'he who stands forever'. In the seventeenth century, then-queen Nanaboz died during a war against Prey Veng. As she had no children, she had named her trusted Spymaster General, the foreign-born nephilim Kolkoz, her successor. He has remained in power ever since, surviving multiple assassination attempts, peasant revolts, and myriad other issues plaguing the realm. Generally he is popular with the common people thanks to his extreme deference to Nanaboz's legacy, preference for peace over war, and firm stance against Halsha's aggressive moves towards other nations. Kolkoz has attempted to abdicate a few times, but remained due to sudden disasters or wars breaking out in the East Wing.
 * Preceded by: unknown
 * Founded: 1630
 * Founder: Ansel Kolkoz
 * Current head: Ansel Kolkoz
 * Religion: irreligious
 * Estate(s): Mikenauk
 * Cadet branches: unknown

Soames family
The Soames dynasty in Laeland began in 1998 when General Kaspar Soames of the Laelish military orchestrated a coup to overthrow the previous dictator, Baelian Eiri. Kaspar has since ruled Laeland under a stricter isolationist policy, closing borders to surrounding countries, especially Halsha, and continuing the work begun by Eiri to institute an omniscient police state using a combination of technology and magic. He is a native of Wolfguard and a well-loved career soldier.
 * Preceded by: Eiri family
 * Founded: 1998
 * Founder: Kaspar Soames
 * Current head: Kaspar Soames
 * Religion: irreligious
 * Estate(s): Wolfguard
 * Cadet branches: none

Kaspar is the only member of his family, never having had children or siblings, and like all Laelish dynasties, his name is expected to perish with him.

House of Florakis
Currently consisting of one member, Zarid Florakis, the Seldene royal family was deposed and dissolved upon Halsha's invasion of the country. He fled to Nedevara, where he is attempting to raise support for Seldene independence and re-establishing the Florakis lineage. Historically they have been a purely Fae family, until Zarid's father adopted him from a phrinu orphanage in Kato Deftera. Zarid had a faerie half-sister, Ioanna, who died in 2016, making him next in line for the throne.
 * Preceded by: House of Sgoros
 * Founded: 1623
 * Founder: Stylianos II Florakis
 * Current head: Zarid Florakis
 * Religion: Flareism
 * Estate(s): Kato Deftera
 * Cadet branches: unknown