[hider=People of Importance in Eskanadra] [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://th09.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2013/029/4/8/sir_nordan_gram_by_samc_art-d5t5gee.jpg[/img] Name: Basileus Oppius Eskandar II Race: Human Age: 48 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Oppius Line Biography: Forty eight years ago, when the 72 year old Basileus Aulus II still ruled Eskanadra, Oppius was born. He was the youngest of his siblings and was expected to be the future Basileus from that day, after all, Eskanadra had developed a tradition of handing down the reins of power to the youngest child of the reigning Basileus. At the rather young age of 17, Oppius found himself sitting on the throne, though he had no time to waste, it wasn't long before the Weeping Death ripped through Eskanadra, and his every action was vital for survival. His policies and moves ensured that the plague did not spread in the major cities and that deceased bodies were quickly removed. Once the disease had run its course, he set to rebuilding all that had been lost. 31 years have passed since his ascendancy and his reign so far has been most fruitful and enlightened, with a general increase in living standards and quality. Married to Roxanne at the age of 24, he has already begotten five children: 21 year old Hermanus, 18 year old Horace, 14 year old Torina, 11 year old Marcus and 7 year old Tacitus, the last being the current heir to the throne unless a younger sibling is born - which is very likely. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/285/6/2/sofia_by_goran_alena-d4cm1b4.jpg[/img] Name: Basilinna Roxanne Race: Human Age: 45 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Oppius Line Biography: After years of courting Oppius, Roxanne finally married him when she was 21 years old. It was, as is expected, an arranged marriage, though over the years of courtship they developed a certain love for each other, and that has only increased over the years since their marriage. It has not been unusual for past monarchs to take on seconds wives of mistresses so as to beget more sons, and this is something Roxanne truly fears and does not want Oppius to do, but she has a strange feeling that one day, when she can no longer bear him children, he will turn to younger women just like his fathers before him. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://th09.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2012/109/b/2/fallen_from_grace_by_treijim-d4wxu1a.jpg[/img] Name: Tacitus Oppius Eskandar Race: Human Age: 7 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Oppius Line Biography: The youngest son of Oppius II and the current heir to the throne of Eskanadra. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs30/f/2008/173/7/e/Portrait_Study_by_faxtar.jpg[/img] Name: Lucius Hermanus Eskandar Race: Human Age: 98 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Hermanus Line Biography: Lucius was the youngest child of Hermanus, who was the son of Aulus I and brother of Oppius I. Born when Hermanus was 89, the year his father died, he would live to see Aulus II's reign and that of Oppius II many years later. When he was 67, he saw the ascendancy of Oppius II and now feels his old age and senses the approach of death. One of the oldest and most senior members of the House of Eskandar, Lucius has been a diplomat, chronicler, writer, teacher, scholar, tactician, admiral and general throughout his life and an advisor to both Aulus II and Oppius II throughout their reigns. He is not a man to be messed with and the infinite amount of energy and vitality he has gives him the feel of an immortal being. Rumours have even been circulating that he has managed to get an elixir of eternal life from his magical contacts in Stormbreach and would live forever. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen... [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://th03.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2012/291/b/2/blakely_hillsen_by_treijim-d5i8m5l.jpg[/img] Name: Mettius Hermanus Eskandar Race: Human Age: 11 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Hermanus Line Biography: Mettius is the son of Claudius Eskandar and the grandson of Lucius. He is the fourth oldest of his siblings after 17 yr old Faustus and his 15 yr old twin sisters. A diplomat in training, his potential was first spotted by his grandfather when he was seven years old and he has been nurturing him ever since. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://th04.deviantart.net/fs48/PRE/f/2009/153/0/a/CABALLEROS_DE_RIBADAVIA_by_nachomolina.jpg[/img] Name: Lasus Julius Eskandar Race: Human Age: 34 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Julius Line Biography: One of the youngest Imperators to rise to the position, Lasus is a true prodigy, having simultaneously studied the arts of war at the Grand IHEL of Crimsamara and the School of Tactics and Strategy while training at the Barrack of the Great and Mighty. Within a couple of years of his graduation he had risen in the ranks, famed for his ability to sniff out brigands in the forests of Eskanadra as well as destroying various rebel encampments in the the 'wildlands', the small strips of land between the borders of Eskanadra and neighboring nations such as Stormbreach and the Confederacy. At 30, he became the Imperator of all the armies of Eskanadra and has held the position for four years now, no new prodigy or strategy even posing a threat to his hold on the position. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://th06.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/066/9/7/odysseus_by_tikos-d4s15bl.jpg[/img] Name: Spurius Oppius Eskandar Race: Human Age: 50 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Oppius Line Biography: An old sea dog who has seen his fair share of sea battles, Spurius Eskandar is perhaps the greatest Strategos Eskanadra has ever had. A son of Aulus II, he is also the brother of the current Basileus Oppius II. For years now he has managed to contain the rising pirate infestation, bringing down many renown pirates such as Grogaro Buckmooth, Feartar Wranig and the first Eskanadran pirate, Klassius 'the Plague' Talerius. Though he is not the greatest of strategists or tacticians, his love for and understanding of the sea gives him an edge over any sailor, and his clear sailing ability puts him immediately at an advantage, even when outnumbered or facing ships of greater size and higher technology. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/067/b/5/the_dragon_sculptor_by_calavera666-d4s3vnq.jpg[/img] Name: Fabius Hermanus Eskandar Race:Human Age: 61 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Hermanus Line Biography: Fabius has been out of the political game all of his life, having turned to the arts from his earliest years. He is a master painter and sculptor and a well known music-writer and playwright. Over the years he has created two theatre companies and a musical band all which he still runs to this day. He also funds four other theatre and musical companies and sponsors many growing artists in arts which are not known very well known, such as puppeteers. His sculptures and paintings are famed throughout Eskanadra, and he is well known for his exhibitions every now and then, as well as apprenticeships offered to talented artisans. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/229/d/1/BG__Gorion_by_artastrophe.jpg[/img] Name: Livius Hermanus Eskandar Race: Human Age: 65 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Hermanus Line Biography: Livius is what one may rightly call a political animal. He thrives on the intensity of politics and the ever-shifting state of events and relations. The first-born son of Caligula, he is Fabius' older brother and the only one who is ensuring the continuity of the Caligula line thus far with his five children - three of them male. When it comes to understanding events and analysing the possible outcomes of treaties and events, Livius is most capable. He may not have the most powerful body and may not have delved into diplomacy, but his mind understands the ins and outs of the intricacies of the Eskanadran royal courts, and he can weave through them like the sniffer-dog to its prey. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/121/8/f/The_Defiant_by_David_Willicome.jpg[/img] Name: Hermanus Oppius Eskandar Race: Human Age: 21 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Oppius Line Biography: The oldest son of Oppius II and the Imbratorus of Second Legion of Eskanadra, Hermanus has already proven himself to be a most capable commander and passionate leader whose men are most willing to fight for. His fiery speeches as well as his skill with the sword are the talk of Eskanadra, and many see him as the reincarnation of Aulus I, come to safeguard Eskanadra into a new era of supremacy. However, his ability with word and sword is not yet matched with wisdom and patience. Indeed, he is known to fly into fits of rage and make rash decisions at crucial moments. While he has been tactically and strategically trained, he seems to forget his years of education when the rage grips him. This little detail is not quite so well known amongst the people or even amongst many of his soldiers. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/320/8/7/commission__rand_by_adelenta-d4gccxr.jpg[/img] Name: Horace Oppius Eskandar Race: Human Age: 18 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Oppius Line Biography: The second son of Oppius II, Horace is in many ways similar to his brother. His fiery speeches are the stuff of legend and his skill with the sword impressive. However, Horace is in many ways a different breed of man. While he can fly into impassioned speeches and lead when he pleases, there is a calm and calculative air about him which is quite terrifying. Indeed many of Hermanus' ideas have their roots with Horace. His blossoming as a polymath who understands the arts, sciences and mathematics as well as the art of war and strategy is only just beginning, yet he shows much potential and can already make judgement and conclusions which many men twice his age could not have come to. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://th09.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2012/164/3/2/325d1df51d4dedcb1f10ca3f7c48352b-d53ehdg.png[/img] Name: Maximus Julius Eskandar Race: Human Age: 100 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Julius Line Biography: When people stare in wonder, when they whisper behind closed doors and glorify the power of the One at such a miracle, they are most likely to be speaking about Maximus, the oldest Eskandar alive, the youngest son of Julius, he was born one hundred years ago in 142 AA. His age is a wonder, and unlike his cousin, Lucius, his old age has yet to affect his sharp mind and memory. In his long life, Maximus has had so many exploits and adventures as to make it futile to try and list them all here, indeed, his exploits have filled volumes - all written by himself of course - from [i]The Beginning of a Lifetime[/i] which details his life from childhood to the age of sixteen when he was assigned on his very first mission, a crippling raid on the 'wildlands.' The last few chapters detail their tracking down of Zolzak the Snake and his final defeat at the Crows Nest deep in the wildlands - Maximus himself brought about the vile cannibals' death. Other books such as [i]Between the Years[/i] detail his rise to the position of Strategos which he then relinquished to delve into politics before going off and becoming the Imperator for a good few years. His most recent book, officially the one hundredth and sixth he has authored or helped in writing, [i]When a Century Looms[/i] summarises his exploits up until relinquishing the position of Imperator and becoming an Education Inspector. It is said in his book that he managed to visit every single school in Eskanadra a total of seven times in his five year stint as an Inspector. From there he went on to inspect IHEL's and ordered the closure of more than a dozen for incompetence and not meeting the expected standard. He almost had the Exalted IHEL itself closed had it not been for an outcry from the city's populace. In the final chapters, he talked about his, 'ascendancy to godhood.' He claims that after living so long a man like him can no longer just be expected to fill any position, he encompasses all and can be anything from Strategos to Imperator to Scholar to Advisor to Travelling Entertainer, all things which he has been in his long life. The final words of his book are eerie indeed: [b][i]When the tidal wave of a century looms behind, surely it shall come crashing down...and I believe it shall carry me into many, many more.[/i][/b] He has professed immortality. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs21/f/2007/233/0/f/Ser_IIyn_Payne_by_capprotti.jpg[/img] Name: Arrius Hermanus Eskandar Race: Human Age: 53 Allegiance: Eskanadra - the Hermanus Line Biography: Polemarchos of the First Company of the Fourth Legion of Eskanadra, Arrius has been in the military since his mid-thirties, rising to the rank of Polemarchos when he was thirty seven. Before then he drifted between politics, the Barrack of the Great and Mighty and the School of Tactics and Strategy where he taught. In the end, he was pushed away from politics be a particularly bad diplomatic mission to Elias which saw relations between the two countries fall to pieces and outright war was almost declared. Thankfully, Lucius was sent to sort things and all was well - just about. With that, Arrius officially retired from politics and delved into the army. Now a veteran of nearly twenty years, he seemed the perfect choice for the seizure of southern Elias... [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/005/6/b/sellsword_by_cristi_b-d5qike7.jpg[/img] Name: Jeremonus Azelial Race: Human Age: 37 Allegiance: Eskanadra Biography: A man who studied at both the Grand IHEL and the School of Tactics and Strategy, Jeremonus simultaneously trained to become a knight at the Barrack of the Great and Mighty. Not just any knight however, he wanted to become the very best: a Bull Knight. And it cannot be said that he failed in this. For years he was one of the honoured Bull Riders and he survived skirmishes against the Caliphate as well as against the dwellers of the 'wildlands.' Now he is a diplomat, one of the only non-royals who ever managed to get into government. The fact that he is married to the Basileus' sister may have helped him slightly, but it cannot be denied that Jeremonus is a special individual indeed... He now sets off for Imryk to bring back the lost scholar; Ambus Bare. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://th01.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2009/357/e/e/Anaximander_by_ArtofTy.jpg[/img] Name: Laxion Hosarusson Race: Human Age: 93 Allegiance: Eskanadra Biography: Laxion is perhaps one of the most renown Wise-men and scholars of Eskanadra. It is said that he had learnt to read and was writing by the age of three and had already read some of the great works of his day by the age of ten. He was discovered by one of the scholars of the Grand IHEL at that time, a man known as Farenus Hosarus, who took him under his wing and taught him all he knew. By fifteen Laxion had the experience of Farenus and his knowledge under his belt and was already famed for his well-constructed arguments as well as his many novel ideas in the fields of science, mathematics and the social sciences. People became so used to seeing him and Farenus together that many came to call him, "son of Hosarus" and from there it developed into, "Hossarusson" or Hosarus' son. At twenty five, he left the Grand IHEL and traveled around Eskanadra for a while before going to the Caliphate and spending some time in Stormbreach. When he got to Elias he fell sick due to the unusual climate and had to return. The return journey by ship saw many stormy days and a few attacks by pirates, but he eventually arrived safely in Irenor where he took up residence. Now thirty four year old, he started working on publishing the many discoveries he had made about the nations he visited as well as the new knowledge about science, art, mathematics, architecture, society, government and more which he had discovered. After these amazing contributions to academia, the August IHEL fished him up and had him teach there, and he has remained there ever since, teaching, writing, debating, travelling and more. Here he met Ambus Bare, another extremely gifted scholar who had a particular passion for Imryk and its culture. Recently, Ambus who went to study the ways of the people of Imryk there has stopped sending back letters with his pigeon which worried Laxion enough to go and tell the Basileus... [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs29/i/2008/107/0/d/The_Wise_Old_Man_2_by_Fairiegoodmother.png[/img] Name: Granius Saleno Race: Human Age: 86 Allegiance: Eskanadra Biography: Granius became an advisor to the Basileus thirty one years ago, back in 212 AA when he was fifty six years of age, just a year after Basileus Oppius II ascended to the throne. A wise scholar of history, politics, the arts of war and religion, he was and remains fantastic choice as an advisor as his decisions have the weight of many years of studying and understanding of the way of the world behind them. However, over the years he has slowly begun to develop some interesting ideas about Eskanadra and its position as some kind of eternal super power ruling over the world by the power of the One. Indeed, his ideas have affected the sons of the Basileus greatly as he was one of their many tutors, and Horace has taken to those ideas very readily. [img]http://web.archive.org/web/20131007132651im_/http://th03.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/295/b/0/god_of_deception_by_anndr-d5ikkld.jpg[/img] Name: Herakle Pontius Race: Human Age: 60 Allegiance: Eskanadra Biography: Herakle is quite a strange man whose history is shrouded in mystery. At 'sixty' years old, he has not yet developed a single white hair or a wrinkle and his vigour is the vigour of a man in his prime. Having become an advisor at twenty two back in 204 AA in the time of Aulus II, he is one of the longer-serving advisors in Eskanadra, having been in the position for thirty eight years now. Living in one of the secluded parts of the Great Palace, Herakle's room is one of the most well hidden and fortified. None can ever hope to enter it and what's in there is a secret to all but himself. However, his young appearance has begun to draw attention and many suspect that he is hiding something much bigger than he lets on. As an advisor, Herakle is perhaps the wisest and most intelligent of the five, his ideas tend to be the best and the way he thinks is usually in the best interests of Eskanadra on a national and international level. Alas, he is seen as a conservative and a traditionalist for this and thus slightly unpopular with the younger generation of Eskandars who are constantly being fed imperialistic and expansionist ideas by Granius.[/hider]