The Antler-King of the Isles, more commonly known as the High King or even the King in Green, is the ruler of all the Waelen and symbolically the husband and champion of the Earthmother. Should she call upon him, he must fight her battles. However, this is highly theoretical and mainly used as a symbol of his right to rule, for this has not happened in centuries. The king is required to be as much a warrior as a diplomat, charged with the difficult task to maintain a semblance of unity among the clans.   On his crowning day, the aspiring king enters Fharraige Fáil, the sea of destiny, a moonwell said to be the first place the goddess appeared and gifted the antler-crown and the oathblade Solais to the first King in Green. There, he meets with the Earthmother and is judged. If he is accepted, he emerges from the waters wrapped in green and silver mist, reborn as hers and invested by her powers. If he is rejected, he is never seen again, and the pool fills with blood as the mad laughter of Da Dhiogail is heard.   This tradition has prevented the Waelen from having a royal bloodline, for the king has no a queen and his children have no claim to the throne. The death of a High King is always followed by a time of turmoil across the isles, as clans compete against each other to present their best candidates for the throne. Many different types of men have been High King, from conquerors to schemers and diplomats, or even tyrants at times. It takes ambition, courage, and probably a touch of madness to wish for the antler-crown. Only the goddess knows why she picks who she does, choosing who her people need, and not necessarily who they want.   The Antler-King leads with a sacred right, seating atop the figurative pyramid of power. To defy him is to defy the will of the goddess herself and his position is only rivaled by the leathdhia demigods and the archdruids. The king surrounds himself with oathbound nobles representative of each clan, defending the interest of their homeland. Kinship plays a great deal on the political chessboard, as more than a few High Kings have favored their initial clan throughout their rule. Noble houses also take pride in providing a suitable High King and benefit greatly in influence from his ascension. In theory anybody, man or woman, can wear the antler-crown, but in reality, only a handful of Antler-Queens or plebeians ever ruled.

the capital of the Waelen Isles, on a hunting trip, N.B. should be a difficult boss battle with a long buildup

Hemdall - Gwent card by Anna Podedworna