The Marlezai¶
The Marlezai are "a group of Uk'Zarai outcasts who worship their ancestors, chiefly Marlezan" (S078). One of the three founding factions of Proturas, they are in 834 AL, in the Fifth Age, its scholars and its richest faction, and its most withdrawn: "the most reclusive and tend to stay within the areas they administer". They hold two seats on the Proturan Council and vote with the Wood Elves (S078, S040).
Also called: the Order of the Marlezai (S026); the Marlerai, in the title "Adiuverent of Marlerai" (S009).
Dominion and forces¶
| Areas of influence: | the High Terrace and Upper Reaches of Proturas, and "vast surface holdings (outposts)" |
| Leadership: | the Arbiter of the Marlezai (judge), the High Speaker (religious authority) and the Quartermaster (administrator) |
| Military units: | "Well-equipped mercenary companies" |
| Symbol: | "A black banner with a green rotated square (diamond)" |
(S078)
The Marlezai meet their quota to the common army "almost exclusively" with mercenaries: "they pay humans" (S078). Under the counties of the Proturan Council, "Uk'Zerai and Wood Elves have so far had the political clout to continue to effectively appoint their own Counts and Countesses to govern their domains" (S107).
Relations¶
They are "allies with the Wood Elves, whom they share many ideals and a desire for isolation/non-interference with", and the elves "often vote in a bloc with them". "They have mixed relations with the Divine Alliance and see relations with them as a necessary evil" (S078); the Divine Alliance kingdoms once declared the Uk'Zerai heretics and hunted them (S107).
The Emerald Cipher¶
"An object created by Marlezan himself before his death and imbued with part of his spirit (or so the legend goes). It is both a treasured spiritual relic and contains numerous secrets pertaining to the Fel arts. It is rumored to be kept in a very secure (and hidden) location within the High Terrace" (S078). The relic is described with the lesser relics.
History¶
The founders of 626 AL were "exiled and outcast Kalari priests & Uk'Zerai from the Sancturi Empire and Northern Kingdoms", and "The Marlezai (Uk'Zerai)" were a member of the Proturan Federation from its beginning (S107). The older note on the Grotto describes the "Order of the Marlezai" as "Uk'zarai outcasts, Fel casters, etc." (S026).
Earlier accounts¶
The Into the Rift character histories show the faction from inside. Karkazan, "an Adiuverent of Marlerai, a student of the Fel arts under Master Ulfurzar", is "a direct descendant of the revered Marlezan", praised as a prodigy by tutors who give him "a pass on" politics and history so long as his Fel-craft impresses. "Karkazan's people are Exiles and hunted at every turn by the peoples of the Divine Alliance", and "there are others of his kind (who still have their wings) that have been corrupted and deceived by Shuruvas, the great enemy of his people" (S009). Ulfurzar served as diplomat of the Grotto's delegation to the peace talks with the elves and humans (S009).