The Imperial Diet and the First Imperial Election
After the massacre of the Magnurs, an imperial assembly was convened to decide the future fate of the empire. In a situation without a clear heir and under strong pressure from the House of Render, the first ever election of an emperor by vote of the nobility took place. The election ended in a victory for Frederik I, ushering in a new dynastic era.
An empire without a leader
After the Death Wedding, there were only a few individuals left of the direct line of Magnurs who were unable to take over. The traditional system of succession broke down and the empire quickly began to feel the effects of the emperor's absence. There were problems with the collection of taxes, the financing of the army and the maintenance of order in the provinces. It was clear that a decision had to be made quickly, or the empire would begin to crumble from within.
Emanuel's dominance
The Render family entered the Diet with a clear advantage. Emanuel was aware of his military superiority and the weakening of the imperial army, which he was able to partially neutralize by bribing the generals. At the Diet, he openly accused the Magnurses of weakening the empire and presented his house as the only force capable of ensuring stability. At the same time, he used his contacts, funds and threats to gain the support of other nobles.
Emperor's first choice
In the end, the Diet made an unprecedented decision – the emperor would be elected by vote. The Magnurs put up Thomas as their candidate, while Emanuel surprisingly put forward his younger brother Frederik. Frederik acted as a defender of traditions and promised the return of stability. This strategy, backed by money and pressure, proved effective. The election ended 42 to 23 in favor of Frederik, who became the first non-Magnuri emperor in history.
The birth of a new dynasty
After his accession, Frederik tried to strengthen the legitimacy of his position by marrying Oliana, a distant relative of the Magnur family. This move was intended to assuage opposition from a section of the aristocracy and create a semblance of continuity. Still, it was clear that the empire had entered a new era. Power shifted from the traditional dynasty to a new family that relied primarily on military strength, political dexterity, and the ability to manipulate the environment around them.