On the Diarchies of Vyruma Serpentis

In the ancient past, before the Free Provinces had been conquered and made vassal states of the High King of Westrun, they existed as the Principalities of Vyruma Serpentis. Alone among the rulers of the world, the Principalities existed as a series of Diarchies. Each prinicipality had two princes, the White and the Black, to manage its affairs.

The White Prince was the so-called Prince of Peace. During times of peace he was the ultimate authority. It was he who made treaties and gave decisions regarding inheritance and the giving of maidens and the adoptions of sons. In those cases, the Black Prince would serve as his chief advisor and first lieutenant, but have no power of his own except that which was delegated to him.

But for any criminal matter, such as for war, murder or vengeance, for which simple restitution could not be made, the Black Prince alone had sway. The Black Prince was the justice of the land and decided the fate of the accused. He bore the sword to that end. Though he served as a judge for these high crimes, he did not otherwise take precedence over the White Prince, except in time of war. During time of war, the White Prince would voluntarily step aside and the Black Prince would enjoy supreme authority until such time as peace was negotiated.

The White and Black Princes were chiefly hereditary positions, with royal lineages distinct from one another in all respects. By a great taboo, no offspring of the White might intermarry with the Black of the same principality. Neither could there be any common blood between them through a third family within two degrees of relation.

This unique power structure was doomed not to last beyond the Wars of Subjection, however. For under Favian this diarchy was not well understood and greatly mistrusted. The High King of Westrun tore down the institutions of Vyruma Serpentis, as he had the walls of their Old Cities. Putting the princely families to the sword, and appointing a vassal to occupy each of the provinces.

However, old habits die hard and so far removed from the ways of Westrun, the renamed Free Provinces quickly reverted to older ways. The appointed lords and barons of each province became known as the White Princes. And certain powerful nobles in each province elevated themselves to the role of the Black Prince. Though not invested directly with any power or station, the Black Princes collectively cozened their way into the counsel of their appointed masters and quickly filled a role that the Provincials understood.