Valern

Valern (born Wallace An Emdrin) was and erinian lawyer and statesman who became the second Grand Protector of the Erinian Commonwealth, after his predecessor Kaysar unexpectedly picked him to be his successor.

Valern initially had to contend with a coup against him lead by Kaysar's son Rupert, republican loyalist riots and revolts by the armies of Nykesia all within the first year of his rule. But from there the state stabilized and his time in the office is remembered as one of the most internally peaceful in Erinia's history. Accomplishments during his rule include the codification of the commonwealth's general law, pacification of the Nulian states to the north-east in Calamont, and most importantly the discovery of the western continents, with one of them being named Valernia after him. With 41 years in power, he is the second longest-serving Grand Protector in history after Erinianus.

Valern is remembered for his reserved and calm manner and is considered to be one of the most intelligent men to ever lead Erinia. His rule greatly solidified and entrenched the regime of the protectorate established by Kaysar, ensuring its longevity. However, Valern's critics would consider him timid and indecisive, as his rule saw little great change over a long period of time.

Valern issued the tremendously consequential Edict of Graydon, which set the rule that once a member of a certain dynasty had occupied the office of Grand Protector, all members of that same immediate dynasty would be forever barred from assuming that office. This forces the Grand Protector to pick an heir outside of his family, granting more men of merit a chance at assuming the office.

Wallace An Emdrin abdicated the office of the Grand Protector in 986 and retired to the island of Jennis. He died of an internal haemorrhage four years later, receiving the poshumous name of Valern, named after the ancient arostrian kingdom of Valoren. He was succeeded by Magnian.