Queen Arundhati Rama Ramakrishna (3412–3512; Queen 3455–3512) ruler of Shaprut. Originally destined for a life in the arts she became Queen after her oldest sister died and her remaining sisters had become rulers of other Ramakrishna planets. She pushed for Shantor rights and built the Academy of Girivraja.
Early life[]
The fourth daughter of King Bhardadvaja (3367–3441), she took up the study of music in her youth, preparing for a life in the arts. But when her eldest sister Meera (3389–3455; Queen 3441–3455) died, the middle two sisters, Dalia and Siry, took up the rule of a Rauhina, colonized from Shaprut under Balahadra (c.2885), Arundhati took up rule of Shaprut.
Reign[]
She exercised her power against the Bashshar Corporation, freeing the Shantor laborers and increasing corporate taxes. Arundhati then increased the size of the Shantor reservations (Asvemedha was enlarged to include the entire Videha peninsula) and made them citizens with representation in the Parliament. Finally, in 3460, she began the Academy of Girivraja, bringing the greatest musicians and academics to Shaprut. Her renaissance gave rise to the great libraries, some of which still stand, and Shaprut possesses some of the greatest archives in the Known Worlds.
Queen Arundhati was politically close to Arif al-Malik, but when her granddaughter, Sakuntala, fell in love with Arif ’s grandson Tahir, Queen Arundhati forbade them to wed, fearing increased Bashshar influence on Shaprut. The two lovers exchanged many metaphors and symbolic texts coded to each other, and their escapades and daring meetings became material for public consumption throughout the Known Worlds. Indeed, the Romance of Tahir and Sakuntala is still sung by bards everywhere. Finally, in 3502, the Queen relented and Shaprut passed to House al-Malik fold with her death.[1]
- ↑ Fading Suns Game Masters Guide Revised Edition 2013, p. 148.