Heric the Wise's page

About Heric the Wise

King Heric the Wise has ruled Silverkeep for 19 years. A large man in his 50s with a short grey beard, Heric remains one of the more skilled combatants in the land, as well as one of its shrewdest administrators. His ascendance to the throne was a troubled one, as no clear successor was readily apparent. His father, King Kasillon II, was a deeply unpopular figure with the mercantile establishment and the priesthood of Silverkeep, a problem compounded by factionalism within the nobles. As such, Kasillon’s choice of his son Heric to succeed him was not widely accepted. He eventually gained the throne through negotiations and compromise with some factions and the forcible retirement and expulsion of others.
Upon his ascendancy, Heric adopted the title “the Wise” as part of his campaign to unify the city and to re-establish the throne as a highly regarded institution. His policies of cautious expansion and greater leeway for the city’s mercantile establishment have greatly endeared him to the powerful mercantile sector, while the improved economy has allowed many nobles to line their pockets with the benefits of stable trade. As such, Heric is generally well regarded by these two powerful groups. The general populace sees him as a skilled leader who has brought prosperity to their city, but most of its affection is directed towards his daughter Lynessa. Heric is not a popular king among the priesthood, however, as his policies are considered too worldly and open-minded for the comfort of many in power.