Guardian of the Prosperity of Afal

Overview

The Guardian of Afal is a Marcher Imperial title anounced by Vikas Blake, the Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave in Summer 382YE. The position of Guardian is a sinecure, requiring minimal responsibility but offering a regular income of crystal mana.

Responsibilities

The Guardian has no particular responsibilities; they simply receive a bounty of crystal mana from the apple-tree stand in Upwold. If the glade were to be threatened in any way, it would be the responsibility of the Guardian to deal with those threats. The initial announcement indicated that the title should only be held by a citizen of Upwold. While that is not something that can be made legally binding, it is likely that other Upwolders may look askance at senators who appoint anyone other than a proper resident of the Silver Chase.

Powers

Bounty of Mana

The Guardian of Afal gains custodianship of a sinecure. They receive an income of 9 crystal mana each season.

Appointment

The Guardian of Afal is appointed by unanimous decision of the Marcher senators. If a unanimous decision cannot be reached, the title may be appointed by the Imperial Senate instead.

The title can be held by a Marcher citizen. The Guardian has tenure, and serves until they die or step down. They can be revoked by the General Assembly, the MarcherNational Assembly, and by the Assembly of the Nine.

Afal-on-Ash

Near the waters of the river Ash in Afal, in Ashbrook, Upwold, stands a grove of seven apple trees. Arranged in a ring, each tree is hung with seven model behives amd of mithril, no bigger than a large apple. These forty-nine artifical beehives are beautiful symbols of Prosperity, swinging gently in the breeze, catching the sunlight and reflecting around the glade. In the center of the peaceful stand of trees is a stone plinth, the top hollowed to form a mithril-lined bowl inlaid with the runes Bravash, Verys, and Pallas. The bowl is filled each morning with water from the river Ash, and warmed by the sun. Over time, shards of crystal mana begin to form in the bowl. It takes time, but over the course of several weeks a single perfectly spherical mana crystal forms in the water.

The glade possesses an odd quality of restfulness. When the weather is good, attendants and visitors can often be found lounging beneath the trees chatting quietly and sharing food and drink - especially when the trees are fruiting. The effect becomes most pronounced for the hour on either side of sunset, when it is deceptively easy for visitors unprepared for the aura to be lulled to gentle, peaceful sleep by the lapping of the river, and the soughing of the wind through the branches of the apple trees.

Original descriptive text submitted by Gordon Hodges