Mergus of Avornis

Mergus was king of Avornis and the father of Lanius. He'd been warrior in his youth. At the time of Lanius' conception, Mergus had sat upon the Diamond Throne for almost thirty years. He had already married his allotted six wives, and had no sons. He'd lost one wife in childbirth, one to fever, had sent one away for barrenness, and had five daughters by his remaining three wives. Consequently, Mergus' hated brother, Scolopax was the heir apparent.

Thus, when his concubine, Certhia, informed Mergus she was pregnant, Mergus was willing to violate the traditions of Avornis to secure a son as his heir.