Emperor Æthelbrand
Imperial Majesty Æthelbrand
Æthelbrand of Ludda has been the Emperor of Largusia for three years, after the death of his father Cynefrid the Protector, who died in the Battle of Aketes in the Second Klopedian Uprising.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
A fighter and a warrior in every sense of the words, Æthelbrand is lean and athletic. A lifetime of training and combat has shaped his body as well as his mind.
Apparel & Accessories
When dressed for court or official events, Æthelbrand enjoys wearing expensive furs and fabrics from across his empire. Known in some court circles as somewhat of a clothes horse, it is not unusual for the emperor to dress in four or five outfits each day.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Born 1654 in the city of Ludda of the Gashmeridan Province, Æthelbrand spent his formative years learning about the history of the empire, its past rulers and great battles and wars. Special time was spent on the body of laws supporting the empire, though he also gained some basic knowledge of the world beyond Largusia.
At age ten, he was sent to the Brimorth Preparatory Academy in Askoneria before graduating and traveling to the Egros Province to join the Oswyn Imperial Military Academy at age 16.
After being inducted into the Imperial Army, he served as a field commander for several units during the First Klopedian Uprising before embarking on a year-long expeditionary voyage with the Imperial Navy in 1678. After returning, he began official service as a royal and was sent to many provinces by his father, so that he could learn firsthand of the different cultures of the empire. By the time he returned to Vellakar, his father had left a regent in place while he personally lead the Imperial Army against Nothelis the Traitor in the Second Klopedian Uprising.
In 1684 news reached the Imperial City that Cynefrid the Protector had died at the Battle of Aketes, but that his forces overwhelmed the rebellion. Æthelbrand became Emperor of Largusia and immediately installed an occupying government in Klopedia, which stands to this day.
At age ten, he was sent to the Brimorth Preparatory Academy in Askoneria before graduating and traveling to the Egros Province to join the Oswyn Imperial Military Academy at age 16.
After being inducted into the Imperial Army, he served as a field commander for several units during the First Klopedian Uprising before embarking on a year-long expeditionary voyage with the Imperial Navy in 1678. After returning, he began official service as a royal and was sent to many provinces by his father, so that he could learn firsthand of the different cultures of the empire. By the time he returned to Vellakar, his father had left a regent in place while he personally lead the Imperial Army against Nothelis the Traitor in the Second Klopedian Uprising.
In 1684 news reached the Imperial City that Cynefrid the Protector had died at the Battle of Aketes, but that his forces overwhelmed the rebellion. Æthelbrand became Emperor of Largusia and immediately installed an occupying government in Klopedia, which stands to this day.
Employment
After graduating from the Oswyn Imperial Military Academy, Æthelbrand was inducted into the Imperial Army and bestowed by his father the rank of Grand Prefect, a semi-formal title. It signified his status as a member of the Imperial Family, but also gave him the authority to command troops under the supervision of a Field Marshal.
He was sent to units in Cornerion for some years to oversee training of army forces, and then sent to Smaunia to assist some units there in an incursion from the Black Fleet, who were attempting to install a port and some cities along the coastline. They had managed to encroach several miles into the empire before Æthelbrand arrived with reinforcements and pushed them back out to sea.
In 1678 he was sent on an expeditionary mission with the Imperial Navy. They sailed northward, to Anancis and then across the Wrathful Expanse - an equator full of icebergs and passable only twice a year - up to Nefas and back down. On his journey he endured bitter cold conditions, as well as encounters with the Black Fleet, but he came back with a certain appreciation for the Empire, even with all its perceived flaws.
He was sent to units in Cornerion for some years to oversee training of army forces, and then sent to Smaunia to assist some units there in an incursion from the Black Fleet, who were attempting to install a port and some cities along the coastline. They had managed to encroach several miles into the empire before Æthelbrand arrived with reinforcements and pushed them back out to sea.
In 1678 he was sent on an expeditionary mission with the Imperial Navy. They sailed northward, to Anancis and then across the Wrathful Expanse - an equator full of icebergs and passable only twice a year - up to Nefas and back down. On his journey he endured bitter cold conditions, as well as encounters with the Black Fleet, but he came back with a certain appreciation for the Empire, even with all its perceived flaws.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Æthelbrand is holding his empire together by the seams. An uprising in the south was quelled at the Battle of Aketes, but it cost his father his life. For the moment, the empire is quiet, but tensions ripple just below an uneasy surface.
Æthelbrand wants desperately to keep together the Empire of Largusia, a land that has been joined together for the past four hundred years. To do that, he knows he will have to make sacrifices both political and personal, with economic consequences that will be felt across his lands.
Æthelbrand wants desperately to keep together the Empire of Largusia, a land that has been joined together for the past four hundred years. To do that, he knows he will have to make sacrifices both political and personal, with economic consequences that will be felt across his lands.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Though his experience has mostly been on the battlefields of the empire, or on the seas with the Imperial Navy, Æthelbrand is - perhaps surprisingly - a shrewd politician. He is versed in all the modern philosophers of the world, and is an amateur student of history.
He can also, however, be quick to temper, sometimes making rash decisions he comes to regret later. He does not enjoy being openly questioned, something his court rivals know all too well, and use against him as frequently as they can.
He can also, however, be quick to temper, sometimes making rash decisions he comes to regret later. He does not enjoy being openly questioned, something his court rivals know all too well, and use against him as frequently as they can.
Social
Social Aptitude
Æthelbrand is often amongst his people, especially in the Imperial City, Vellakar. Even when he travels to the many provinces of his empire, he always makes a purposeful effort to meet both the wealthy class and the every-day laborers. He regularly holds opportunities to address grievances from both classes, holding a Court of Requests for general subjects of the empire, and a Court of Chivalry to mediate disputes among the noble and wealthy classes.
He has become particularly well-liked among the lower clases for this practice, and it has the tangential effect of lowering the desire for rebellion, as the people feel their voices are able to be heard.
He has become particularly well-liked among the lower clases for this practice, and it has the tangential effect of lowering the desire for rebellion, as the people feel their voices are able to be heard.
Speech
Not one to beat around the bush, Æthelbrand is known for being quiet direct with his words. Even in political settings, at court and with foreign dignitaries, he often speaks his mind.
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Your Imperial Majesty
Grand Sovereign of Largusia
Grand Marshal
Supreme Imperial Commander
Grand Sovereign of Largusia
Grand Marshal
Supreme Imperial Commander
Age
33
Date of Birth
17th of Blossomtide
Children
Current Residence
Uthdorn Palace
Sex
Male
Gender
Man
Presentation
Masculine
Eyes
Brilliant green
Hair
Short, curly, black
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Tan
Height
5'9
Weight
160 lbs
Solid entry and quite enjoyable, though I am curious as to why the love of different clothing, as the rest of him screams extremely practical.