Medallions
From FiranMUX
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On Medallions
The Clan Leader or Ranivor's medallion is the ultimate symbol of power over a Clan. It is the "institutional memory" of a Clan, passed down from ruler to ruler since time immemorial. Many civil wars are literally struggles over the medallion itself, with as many strategies to hide and obtain the medallion as ones to capture the hearts and minds of the clan's citizens.
It is commonly believed that the medallions are gifts from the gods themselves, a show of their favor on the person who wears it. It's unknown how the medallions were made, or even if they were made at all. Obviously, there must be some way for the gods to create new ones, as new Clans have been added to the Republic (such as the Chimera), and the creation of the office of the Ranivor, which carries itself a medallion, but the creation medallions remains a mystery to the masses.
Some say that they are made from a special gold that is found only in the mountains, near the Caldera City. Others say that the last smith who knew how to make the medallions was Throgana Keniwik of the Gold Dragon Clan, and that the art is now lost to Firankind.
The divine right of Clan Leaders to the Firan people is more than just an abstract political theory. Instead, it is manifest in the Clan medallions themselves, for only those who the medallion allows may wear or touch them without harm.
The danger that the medallions pose to those the medallions do not deem worthy is the most known piece of lore about them. The medallions have been known to defend their wearers against some who seek to harm them, injuring those who touch the medallion wearer. It's unknown just how the medallion makes this decision, but it's thought best not to touch a medallion holder while he or she wears the medallion, just to be safe.
The one exception to this rule is the lore that if a person touches the hem of a Clan Leader's tunic or stola on the night of the Clan Leader's Coronation, that person will be blessed with great fortune by the medallion. At Coronations, many jockey to greet the new Clan Leader and touch his or her hem for just this reason.
It was also thought that a medallion would only tolerate a blood heir of its royal family wearing it. It was thought that the medallion would smite any false-blooded wearer, preserving the integrity of the royal line (even if it by bastards or unrecognized kin). This assumption has been called into question by a number of historical incidents.
For example, Bannos Istabannos was only thought to be a distant relative of the royal Cockatrice family, and even that remains in some dispute. Also, proxies of all manner of bloodlines have been able to hold the medallion without harm, such as Lady Regent Nalia Iberik and Lady Regent Pia Teranzik. Also, Lord Viceroy Taleo Ternazik holds the Republic medallion as a Regent for the royal Elianik family, yet has no known blood ties to the family. Why the medallion tolerates temporary holders is unknown, and yet it is clear that those without the bloodline are never very comfortable wearing the medallion, and possibly fear that it may turn on them at any time.
It should also be noted that whether or not medallions might attack each other, or befriend one another is not clear. It is sometimes observed at the Clan Council table that certain clan leaders can touch one another without incident. But the people believe that no leader of the Hydra Clan can touch a leader of the Eagle Clan whilst they both wear their medallions.
As should be clear by now, medallions are more than just shaped pieces of metal. Instead, they have minds of their own of a sort. It is thought that the medallion carries the memories of wearers ages past in it, and can communicate these memories to those that wear it. In this way, the medallion is a living piece of Clan and Firan history, taking the memories of its wearers and giving those memories to future wearers. No matter the details, it's clear that none who have worn a medallion have been totally unchanged by the experience.
Current Medallion Holders
- Fidelia (Bear)
- Torianos (Chimera)
- Diamia (Cockatrice)
- Ania (Eagle)
- Ojitar (Gold Dragon)
- Luna (Griffon)
- Amenik (Hydra)
- Taria (Ticanee)
- Taleo (Republic Viceroy holding The Ranivor's Medallion)
Past Medallion Holders (as Clan Leader)
Sabine (Bear), Elianos (Chimera/Republic), Akinita (Chimera), Inaya (Chimera), Nydiam (Cockatrice), Zeysani (Eagle), Judanarius (Griffon), Jalil (Griffon/Gold Dragon), Belik (Hydra), Vahlgellan (Republic), Firgalas (Gold Dragon)
Past Medallion Holders (as Regent or First Proxy)
Ibania (Cockatrice), Nalia (Eagle/Griffon), Vahlgellan (Hydra), Rodellos (Hydra), Pia (Griffon)
