Ara Sertem
Ara Sertem is the young queen of the Sertemic dynasty of Baetep. She rules at the intersection of Zanic legacy, Baetepian restoration, dynastic legitimacy, and the instability left by Jarenam's conquests.
House of Sertem¶
The Sertem bloodline began with Srandenr Sertem, an admiral who proved his worth to Zanis the Great. After years of faithful service at sea, he was granted the governorship of the rich Baetep province in his elder years. Once appointed to the position, Srandenr worked with a passion that belied his advanced years and did everything he could to entrench his dynasty's personal authority.
As the Zani Empire and later Razani power weakened, the scheming Sertem betrayed their masters at a crucial juncture and declared independence. The loss of the Baetep provinces, with its extravagant wealth, battle-tested levies and incomparable cultural prestige, severely damaged the standing of the Razani Empire. Sertem rule continued the Zanic pattern of foreign domination over Baetep, even as they presented themselves as the practical rulers capable of holding the province together, and while many of their subjects adore them, there are small pockets that despise Srandenr and his descendants as usurpers.
Rivalry With Dune¶
The Kingdom of Dune, governed by the Djedhid dynasty, once sat on the Pomegrante Throne and ruled over Baetep, but the family was deposed almost nine hundred years ago and have lived in shameful exile ever since. The rulers of Dune, believing that the moment to reclaim the throne is at hand, have openly stated that they will destroy the Sertem once and for all.
Ara's conflict with Dune is therefore more than a border war; it is a struggle over whether Baetep belongs to the native peoples, the family that has ruled it for centuries, or new, post-Jarenamid warlords who can seize opportunity from imperial weakness.
Character and Legacy¶
Ara is clever, ambitious, lustful and cruel, known as much for her biting wit and she is for her piercing glare. She is physically beautiful and indulges her body whenever the opportunity arises. From her earliest days, she has been raised knowing that the hopes of her family's survival are in her hands, and while some people might wither under the pressure, Ara is determined to succeed where others have failed. She is willing to destroy all challengers to her power by whatever means are necessary, making her one of the most dangerous rulers in the Baetepian south.
Family¶
Ara is married to Ozam Obennan, a quiet, soft-spoken scholar that is a world-renowned authority on Phrytherian naval tactics. Ara and Ozam have twin children, sons Tedere Sertem and Ok-Ubpomse Sertem.
See also: Kingdom of Baetep, Kingdom of Dune, Baetepian, Zanis the Great, and Jarenam the Formidable.