Avelorn is ruled by the Everqueen, the chosen of the Earth Mother, mistress of the undying forest, preserver of green fastness, observer of the rites of the golden spring, monarch of one of the Twin Thrones of Ulthuan. As such, she holds tremendous power and prestige -- her only real peer is the Phoenix King himself. Often, there is rivalry between the two Thrones, but this balance is at the very heart of the High Elves' concepts of hierarchy -- being ruled by a single all-powerful dictator would be unthinkable to them.[1a]