Continuity/Kellin I and Caerlin I
There are some discrepancies regarding The Yalaini Emperors Kellin I and Caerlin I.
Overview
The Aerlinthe Record contains the following relevant events:<ref name="AerlintheRecord">2000/07 To Raise a Banner of Flame - Aerlinthe Record</ref>
- RE 230: Emperor Kellin dies. His son Delophon takes the Cerulean Throne, assuming the Imperial Name of Caerlin.
- RE 502: Prince Durglen Realaidain, son of the Emperor, announces his engagement to Clari Loritane, Mistress of Aerlinthe.
- RE 507: Prince Durglen and Mistress Clari are married.
- RE 895: With the defeat of the Hopeslayer, the Rhethis Eipoth is concluded by decree of Emperor Caerlin. The Torethis Eipoth is declared.
- TE 2: Caerlin dies at the age of 773 years. His son Durglen Realaidain takes the Cerulean Throne, assuming the Imperial Name of Caerlin II.
- TE 11: Caerlin II and Clari's daughter Alhallie is born.
- TE 504: Caerlin II dies at the age of 1022 years. His daughter Alhallie takes the Cerulean Throne, assuming the Imperial Name of Cellaurai.
The Ages of the Empyrean contains the following relevant events:<ref name="AgesOfTheEmpyrean">2001/11 Dark Majesty - AC:DM CD Lore: Ages of the Empyrean</ref>
- RE 1: Emperor Caerlin I declares the beginning of Rhethis Eipoth.
- TE 1: Emperor Caerlin I declares the beginning of Torethis Eipoth.
- TE 4: Emperor Caerlin I dies.
The History of Auberean contains the following relevant events:<ref name="HistoryOfAubereanVol2">2003/03 The History of Auberean: Volume II: A Struggle With Darkness (-2,998 to -1,999)</ref>
- -2,898 PY: Emperor Caerlin I declares the beginning of Rhethis Eipoth.
- -2,003 PY: Emperor Caerlin I declares the beginning of Torethis Eipoth.
- -1,999 PY: Emperor Caerlin I dies.
Using our conclusions from Ages of the Empyrean Versus The History of Auberean, the above dates translate to RE 1, TE 1, and TE 4.
Analysis
Starting with the Aerlinthe Record, we can construct the following timeline:
- VE 6,102: Kellin I declares the end of the Vacari Eipoth and the beginning of the Rhethis Eipoth.
- RE 124: Delophon Realaidain (Caerlin I) is born.
- RE 230: Kellin I dies. Delophon Realaidain takes the throne and the imperial name Caerlin I. Cearlin I (Delophon) is 106 years old.
- RE 376: Durglen Realaidain (Caerlin II) is born. Cearlin I (Delophon) is 252 years old.
- RE 502: Durglen Realaidain and Clari Loritane are engaged.
- RE 507: Durglen Realaidain and Clari Loritane are married.
- RE 895: Caerlin I declares the end of the Rhethis Eipoth and the beginning of the Torethis Eipoth.
- TE 2: Caerlin I dies at the age of 773 years. Durglen Realaidain takes the throne and the imperial name Caerlin II. Caerlin II (Durglen) is 521 years old.
- TE 504: Caerlin II dies at the age of 1022 years.
If we try to construct a timeline based on the newer information from the Ages of the Empyrean and The History of Auberean, we get the following:
- VE 6,102: Caerlin I declares the end of the Vacari Eipoth and the beginning of the Rhethis Eipoth.
- RE 376: Durglen Realaidain (Caerlin II) is born. Cearlin (Delophon) is 252 years old.
- RE 502: Durglen Realaidain and Clari Loritane are engaged.
- RE 507: Durglen Realaidain and Clari Loritane are married.
- RE 895: Caerlin I declares the end of the Rhethis Eipoth and the beginning of the Torethis Eipoth.
- TE 4: Caerlin I dies. Durglen Realaidain takes the throne and the imperial name Caerlin II. Caerlin II (Durglen) is 521 years old.
- TE 504: Caerlin II dies at the age of 1022 years.
If Cearlin I died in TE 4, and was alive and the Emperor at VE 6,102, that would make him at least 899 years old. Realistically, he would not have been Emperor at 1 year old. If we add about 100 years to that, the approximate age he was at in the "old" timeline when he became emperor, he would have been born around VE 6,000, became Emperor around VE 6,100 and died around the age of 1,000.
If we try to draw conclusions based solely on what is most recent, then the Aerlinthe Record, as least as it relates to Kellin I and Caerlin I, is no longer canon.
Another thing to consider is the in character source of the information. The Aerlinthe Record was written by Empyreans, while the Ages of the Empyrean and History of Auberean articles were written by Isparian scholars. If this were the only factor, the Aerlinthe Record dates would surely be considered more trustworthy.
The last thing to consider is the impact on the timeline as a whole. The only mention of Kellin I is the Aerlinthe Record, stating his death was in RE 230. Similarly, Caerlin I is only really mentioned in the three pieces mentioned above and the Archival Copy. Regardless of which version of events is chosen as canon, it doesn't have a major impact on the rest of the timeline. The only impact is that, if we choose the more recent revisions as being more canonical, Kellin I is erased from the timeline.
Conclusion
It is difficult to draw any conclusions - both versions of events have good reasons to be chosen. However, it is the opinion of the editor that the Aerlinthe Record should be considered more canonical, for the following reasons:
- The Aerlinthe Record is a primary source - it was written by Empyreans.
- The Aerlinthe Record provides us with more information, so we are able to construct a more complete timeline:
- The date of death of Kellin I.
- The date of birth of Caerlin I.
- The age of Caerlin upon death.
- The date of death of Caerlin I.
References
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