The Azorella Reformation
A historical recounting documenting modern Haelun’or’s most pivotal events in recent years.
Penned by Phandelver on 10th of the Deep Cold, 1788
1767:
The Sohaer of the time was Sulraell Visaj, the Maheral was Azorella Elibar’acal.
Tensions arise when Azorella speaks out against the marriage of Evelon Telperion and Muriel Uradir. They were related not by blood, but still cousins-in-law, which Maheral Azorella argued to still be incestual in practice, reflecting a poor precedent for future generations.
At this specific council meeting, the majority of the council abruptly speaks out in defiance of the Maheral, most notably the Sohaer himself, his Annilier Adeline, and Okarir’nor Nerithil Valarieth, leaving Nelgauth Maehr’tehral and Acaele Lazul the only ones in support of the Maheral.
**To be noted: to question the Maheral’s declarations is considered heretical and outrageous, as per centuries of Haelunorian tradition.
Such a display struck concern across Haelun’or, and discussion began to be held over simple tea-parties with Maheral Azorella in the Elibar’acal manor.
Within the year, the term “Maheralist” began to be coined, first in derision but quickly embraced, defining those who believed in upholding the values of Haelun’or prior to the Diarchy. This movement soon unraveled the discovery of the Diarchy’s, primarily Dimaethor Visaj’s, attempts to erase Haelun’or’s history prior to his installation as Haelunor’s leader.
Such a term- Maheralist, would further inspire the group of mali’thill to rekindle an old Haelunorian phrase, which appears often throughout their writings, missives, and important documents: “The Maheral simply is.”
Soon after this, it was discovered that Sohaer Sulraell Visaj had in fact altered one of the laws of the Silver City in secrecy, that upset the balance of the role of Sohaer and Maheral, the law now giving more favour to the Sohaer and denying the will of the Maheral.
He was quickly put on trial, and while there was no serious punishment inflicted as he was declared guilty by the judges, it was agreed upon to return the law to its original state, and for the Sohaer to make an open apology to the populace.
Sulraell refused, thus leading to a single peaceful protest in the square demanding he follow through with the pararantirs’ verdict.
16th of the Sun’s Smile, 1768:
A storm rages on this particular day in Haelun’or, which brought many people to find shelter in the citadel where many heard a shriek:
The people panicked as they heard the agonized screams of their Maheral. Two councilors-- Nerethil Valarieth, and Aerendyl Lor’demar, refused to open the door, feigning confusion and deafness as the Malaurir was murdered only feet away.
When the door was finally opened, it was far too late. Maheral Azorella was murdered in cold blood by a beast unleashed by Adeline. Okarir’maehr Kinahen Athrilum was found to also be in the room-- a physician who refused to act in the moment to save the Maheral. Never before, in all of Haelun’or’s history, has a Maheral been murdered by their own council.
The Okarir’san, Aerendyl Lor’demar suddenly leaped into action- despite his earlier sluggishness, and despite Azorella’s bleeding body staining the marble, he tried to defend his fellow councilor, Adeline, as the people of Haelun’or demanded justice. When they both tried to make their escape, Aerendyl was captured, and after being convicted of plotting to kill the Maheral and collusion with Adeline, he was sentenced to death by acid-pitting: the last time the pit was put to use, as of 1788.
The next two years would see the rise of Acaele Lazul taking Azorella’s place as Maheral, where he faced a nation divided. On one side, the Maheralists, led by Nelgauth Maehr’tehral, Ikur Sullas: who valued the Maheral’s word above all else, and followed the traditions of Haelun’or, and the Diarchists (primarily only the council itself): who sought to emphasize the achievements of their founder, Dimaethor Visaj, and his protege, Sulraell, often attempting to maintain control while seldomly making any public appearances.
Unfortunately for them, the political environment soon brought Sulraell to resign from his position as Sohaer, and leave the city thereafter, Alaion Miravaris rising to take his place.
The Maheralists would soon come to adorn a pink carnation upon their lapels-- a visual, open representation of their political alliances, chosen specifically to represent Maheral Azorella, come to be called “The Bee”, and the color she was famous for. This was coupled with the cry “Ay’Azorella,” the Maheralists refusing to allow her legacy-- and the atrocity that ended it, to be forgotten or forgiven.
In retaliation, the Diarchists claimed the Maheralists led “lynch mobs,” despite the openly peaceful nature of the growing political movement. This only further inspired Maheralists to have open dialogue with the citizenry, often gathering in the main square of the city or the tavern, debating philosophy and informing the populace of the events.
13th of the Amber Cold, 1770:
Elathion Dagre’sae, the head of the Diraar, who defended and guarded the Maheral honourably, publicly reveals a petition for the trial of councilors Kinahen and Nerithil, signed by the majority of the city’s populace.
Despite the trial being inducted, testimonies of the two councilors were questionable and manipulative, one of the judges overseeing the verdict being Dimaethor Visaj himself, who persuaded the majority to soften the punishments of the two councilors, despite the warnings of Malaurir Avern’dionne.
This trial stood as a pivotal moment, as the manipulation of their own Maheral, Acaele Lazul, began to reveal itself-- the man often consulting with the Diarchists, speaking with and confiding in Dimaethor Visaj, spending less and less time with the followers who supported him. Let the record show, Acaele Lazul is still, in fact, a good man-- only misled by the illusions of control by the Diarchists.
The removal of Nelgauth Maehr’tehral from the council shortly thereafter would lead to the final act.
18th of the Deep Cold, 1771:
The citizens gather in the Citadel for the agreed trial of Maheralist figureheads Sulii’ceru, Ikur Sullas and Muriel Uradir
Without prior warning, the Sohaer and Maheral announce that they would be trialing an unagreed-upon set of Mali’thill.
Ikur Sullas -- who had preemptively taken to the defendant’s podium -- declares this an act of corruption, stating “The Maheral simply is, and Acaele Lazul… you are not,” thus rebuking the Lazul’s claim to Maheral.
It is in this moment, the citizenry decide collectively that Acaele Lazul is not, in fact, Maheral, and much of the Diarchist council fled from the city. This marked the beginning of the transition.
The Malauriran Avern’dionne and Kelthran Iyathir, alongside Ikur Sullas, assume control of the chaos. The throne of the Diarchy is dismantled, the Council -- by then only Nerithil and the former Sohaer Miravaris -- is captured and summarily released to live in shame of their (in)actions.
1st of Snow’s Maiden, 1772:
Ikur Sullas, by general consensus, is decided to be the new Maheral. He organizes the citizens, and alongside the two Maheralist Malauriran and the Laurir Maehr’tehral transform Haelun’or into a republic, restoring the true, traditional state of Haelun’or and its culture, after over a half-century of erasure underneath the Diarchy and Dimaethor Visaj.
Malaurir Avern reintroduced a nation to democracy by guiding the newfound republic of Haelun’or through its first round of elections for their new council.
The election of Nelgauth Maehr’tehral as the Sohaer of the new Republic, 1772
Introduction to the Azorella Reforms and the New Constitution of 1774, guided by Avern’dionne and Nelgauth Maehr’tehral.
