Dedric I of Valkanren

Dedric I of Valkanren (143 AU—201 AU) was the ninth High King of Valkanren and the fourth of the House of Dornay. He is widely regarded as a just and honourable king, and was accountable for the rescue of the prestige of the Dornay dynasty after the tremulous reigns of his forefathers, Brenmar II and Conrad. He was very just, and his reign was long and peaceful.

Like his uncle, Somnar III of Valkanren, Dedric was cursed with the inability to beget a son. He had three daughters: Marjorie, Marielle and Lucella. His death sparked a Valkanrian succession crisis and the subsequent Lowell Rebellion—an event that diminished crown authority in Valkanren for generations.

Reign
Dedric was well-advised by his Lord Chancellor, Simon Goldfort, who was very thrifty and allowed the crown substantial wealth. Crown estates were expanded in his reign and there was a surprising lack of poor harvests. In addition to this, he brought the justice system to Cyngvar and Sassyar. Overall, he is exalted as one of Valkanren's best monarchs.

Lack of an heir
The primary issue faced by Dedric was his lack of an heir. His brother, Lucion, Lord of Cyngvar had left only a bastard son, Somnal Lucanthar, and the many Valkanrian lords balked at the suggestion that Somnal should become king. Another popular claimant was Richard of Lowell, the husband of his eldest daughter Marjorie, but the Cyng lords admonished the Prince of Lowellshire as over-ambitious and unemotional. Eventually, he named Somnal as Prince of Levenstad, legitimised him and married him to his youngest daughter Lucella. The next year, the couple had twins, Lucella and Alben. Somnal died one year later in a hunting accident, and Dedric followed suit from old age.