Post by Glorfindel on Jul 1, 2020 20:26:06 GMT -5
Name: August du Locke, Augustus Sestius Maximus
Age: Deceased, 89 years old
Hair: Grey with a grey beard, in his youth it was jet black and clean shaven
Eyes: Blue
Height: 6'4"
Titles: Emperor, The Last Emperor, Father of the Republic, Elite Cataphract, Lord Commander of Tower Forge, Defensoris and The Last Defensoris
Build and Stance: Tall and bulky with eyes more closed then open in the sunlight. He thinned out considerably as he aged. It was said he rode a steed with such grace and beauty as if "an angelic titan". Was known to break shields with the force of his spear in shield lines as a young soldier. He had major scars on all four limbs of his body and also multiple sword wounds on his hips and stomach. His right ear was severed by a sword blow. His right shoulder was crushed in the battle of The White Bull in Delucia and never fully healed and because of this couldn't raise his right arm past his waist.
Personality: Augustus was known for his commanding stature and presence. He was proud and arrogant in his youth, but often falling in love hard with the local women in towns and villages conquered and often mocked for it. Lamorak ascertained he had at least 11 other children out of wedlock. To young soldiers he was brazen but fair, to ranking officers he was cold but respectful. In retirement he adored his children and grandchildren and often in his later years could be seen bantering with the less fortunate in Skara Brae drinking wine and offering his goblet to random strangers.
Early Life: August du Locke was born on the outskirts of Britain in an abandoned blacksmith hut, little if anything is known of his mother other then she came from a wealthy family in Britain who after her pregnancy disowned her. His father Luther a handsome and kind man who was the son of a City of Britain guard who was ashamed of him and had left him at the age of nine to fend for himself. As Luther grew up he became a tall leaning yet shy man but seemingly to locals was a dimwit and slow of tongue and whom was forced into conscripted military service to the empire after its conquest and subsequently offered his teenage son who he had raised on his own named August into the Byzantine Military, feeling this was the best life he could offer his son. The Byzantines were cruel and harsh. They conquered with relentless precision and brutality. But within the ranks there was warmth and comradery and a respect and adoration for those who stood besides you with shield and spear. The army brought him a sense of family he never knew. He educated himself in the Library of Chalcedon as much as he could when stationed at home. He grew fond of the grand librarian's daughter Karissah and married her. They had a son Lamorak.
Height of Byzantium & Tower Forge: In the year 311, the wars on multiple fronts the Strategos Julius Doccius marched on Empath Abbey flanked by Elite Cataphract Septimus Primus and Cataphract Augustus. The strategy was simple, it was hard enough for the militia to fight shield to shield against the well trained foot soldiers but bringing the cavalry with the Cataphracts from the flanks was crushing and the Yew Militia lead by Nocturne were defeated and retreated back to the Court of Truth with many escaping on boats fleeing. By the fall of 311, Doccius had ransacked the Court of truth and captured most of the remaining militia. With the combined forces of Necroplise and Shadowclan attacking Yew daily it seemed holding Yew would be a losing strategy. Doccius split the army into three. Augustus was sent to Delucia as Tagmata spies had sent word that Nocturne and his lieutenants had commandeered the Delucia Keep. In November 311 the Byzantines all arrived and laid siege to the Keep for two weeks, the final battle Augustus's shoulder was crushed and he did not see the end of the battle. Recovering in Delucia a letter arrived bringing more bad news for Augustus, his beloved wife had died. Granting him furlough, Augustus returned home to take her remains to Magincia and her surviving family.
After several months in Magincia he set sail for Nujel'm. A depressed and broken Augustus drank and gambled day and night. One night of revelry Augustus won several hands in a row against a disgraced knight known as Silus, insulted and offering up a deed to his families stronghold but for a duel to the death. Agreeing only because he partly wished his own demise Augustus staggered outside along with the knight. The knight rushed Augustus with all the grace of a boura, Augustus sidestepped and instead of swinging his sword brandished his knife and with one swipe disemboweled the knight Silus spraying blood all over the sandstone pavers. Renewed and revitalized and deed in hand, Augustus hired a crew and they set sail for Dagger Isle. A few days later they anchored there, the winds ferocious that day it took six hours to come ashore and another week through the snow in one of the worst recorded winters on Ice Isle they arrived at Tower Forge. Expecting a company of knights but all that was found was several old stewards and a young starving family of four, a mother and three children. He hunted at night and by day they all worked to clean, rebuild and collect firewood. One night of hunting he was attacked and almost killed by a white wolf.
The return home and civil war: After six months at Tower Forge, Augustus set sail home for Chalcedon. Surprisingly he was met with a great deal of adoration. He was sent back to the front, campaigns against Necroplise had been ongoing but a new found ally had emerged. Nocturne's men had joined forces with and negotiated a deal with the Emperor and Yew was now the balance of power for the empire. As the months progressed the new alliance became a merger of powers and the Emperor's son Aldarion reigned. The sigils became Numenorean and Cataphracts became Commanders. The old words and tongue was discouraged but the wars seemed the same though. The Court of Truth became the centerpiece for the empire. But the dissention was growing amongst the rank and file because the two mixed like oil and water. Well trained army of discipline and a rag tag group of locals with attitude. Augustus and a few others began to question their loss of heritage and the revoking of their class and birthrights.
From the Appendix: "With the Numenorean Civil War at its peak, a small group of Tagmata escaped to Dagger Isle with the scrolls and relics and took them to The Tower Forge. Most of the remaining Tagmata were arrested and charged with sedition against the state and executed. Defensoris Augustus Maximus rallied the Byzantine loyalist under the banner of Republic of Byzantine. With the defeat of the usurper after the years long civil war and the bravery of the Tagmata, Augustus's son Lamorak recommissioned them as a knight order."
The Byzantine Republic and the fall: Retaking the capital city, Augustus considered this his greatest moment and as duly elected Strategos by the Cataphracts he waged war on the orcs in Yew but his armies were pushed back all the way to Skara Brae which became the central headquarters and that is where they held strong, repelling wave after wave and for several months peace returned to the island and with peace, Augustus Sestius Maximus was anointed Emperor by the Consuls of the Republic. By 331 the Republic was being trounced by Orcs to the eastern mainland. Smaller battalions were scattered about and sent to patrol the borders. The elf ranger Glorfindel was used to scout and track orcs. Initially Augustus was disgusted by the elf, as was custom he believed he was an inferior race of filth. With two fronts, Shadowclan and Knights of Arcane Steel the Republic was defeated at the battle of The Last Crossing. Augustus severely injured with a blow to his head shearing off his ear was taken back to the island. Glorfindel and Orodreth tended and cared for Augustus in Skara Brae, The Holy War was over and lost.
The Last Dynasty(Dyn) and Tagmata: With the collapse of the Republic his son Lamorak took a more commanding presence. Engineers were sent to Tower Forge to complete its renovations. Orodreth persuaded Lamorak and Augustus to swear in Glorfindel into Tagmata and commisioning it as an Order of Knights. Lamorak, named the "Argent Knight" led the (Dyn) Tagmata company along with others such as the Emerald Fist and Chanticleer defending Skara Brae. As the war campaigns died down The Tagmata took on a more nuanced role. Cursoris Cyprius Flavius a veteran of the Republic Wars was sent to the Kingdom of Inethria under the rule of Venner Blackhand. Defensoris Glorfindel went to Yew and the Emerald Kingdom of Connemara ruled by Aedon Dureah.
Later years and death: Augustus spent his summers at Tower Forge and winters in Skara Brae. He visited Yew several times and stayed in Everthorne on occasion and was counsel at the Court of Everthorne. He knighted Octavius Thorn. He placed the corner stone at the Somerset Estate near the ruins of Chalcedon, which he engraved "Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam Tibi" (I will either find a way or make one). He spent most of his remaining wealth on any of his children and grandchildren that came around some were rather indignant but took advantage. He sold off all of his dwellings except for the cottage near the Shattered Skull. He died alone in his cottage peacefully of an apparent stroke. Lamorak lamented "This day we have lost our great father, a gentle soul of strength and courage that inspired and endeared us all to him". He is buried in Somerset, west of the ruins of the great library of Chalcedon and has a memorial statue at Taras Anar in Everthorne.
Age: Deceased, 89 years old
Hair: Grey with a grey beard, in his youth it was jet black and clean shaven
Eyes: Blue
Height: 6'4"
Titles: Emperor, The Last Emperor, Father of the Republic, Elite Cataphract, Lord Commander of Tower Forge, Defensoris and The Last Defensoris
Build and Stance: Tall and bulky with eyes more closed then open in the sunlight. He thinned out considerably as he aged. It was said he rode a steed with such grace and beauty as if "an angelic titan". Was known to break shields with the force of his spear in shield lines as a young soldier. He had major scars on all four limbs of his body and also multiple sword wounds on his hips and stomach. His right ear was severed by a sword blow. His right shoulder was crushed in the battle of The White Bull in Delucia and never fully healed and because of this couldn't raise his right arm past his waist.
Personality: Augustus was known for his commanding stature and presence. He was proud and arrogant in his youth, but often falling in love hard with the local women in towns and villages conquered and often mocked for it. Lamorak ascertained he had at least 11 other children out of wedlock. To young soldiers he was brazen but fair, to ranking officers he was cold but respectful. In retirement he adored his children and grandchildren and often in his later years could be seen bantering with the less fortunate in Skara Brae drinking wine and offering his goblet to random strangers.
Early Life: August du Locke was born on the outskirts of Britain in an abandoned blacksmith hut, little if anything is known of his mother other then she came from a wealthy family in Britain who after her pregnancy disowned her. His father Luther a handsome and kind man who was the son of a City of Britain guard who was ashamed of him and had left him at the age of nine to fend for himself. As Luther grew up he became a tall leaning yet shy man but seemingly to locals was a dimwit and slow of tongue and whom was forced into conscripted military service to the empire after its conquest and subsequently offered his teenage son who he had raised on his own named August into the Byzantine Military, feeling this was the best life he could offer his son. The Byzantines were cruel and harsh. They conquered with relentless precision and brutality. But within the ranks there was warmth and comradery and a respect and adoration for those who stood besides you with shield and spear. The army brought him a sense of family he never knew. He educated himself in the Library of Chalcedon as much as he could when stationed at home. He grew fond of the grand librarian's daughter Karissah and married her. They had a son Lamorak.
Height of Byzantium & Tower Forge: In the year 311, the wars on multiple fronts the Strategos Julius Doccius marched on Empath Abbey flanked by Elite Cataphract Septimus Primus and Cataphract Augustus. The strategy was simple, it was hard enough for the militia to fight shield to shield against the well trained foot soldiers but bringing the cavalry with the Cataphracts from the flanks was crushing and the Yew Militia lead by Nocturne were defeated and retreated back to the Court of Truth with many escaping on boats fleeing. By the fall of 311, Doccius had ransacked the Court of truth and captured most of the remaining militia. With the combined forces of Necroplise and Shadowclan attacking Yew daily it seemed holding Yew would be a losing strategy. Doccius split the army into three. Augustus was sent to Delucia as Tagmata spies had sent word that Nocturne and his lieutenants had commandeered the Delucia Keep. In November 311 the Byzantines all arrived and laid siege to the Keep for two weeks, the final battle Augustus's shoulder was crushed and he did not see the end of the battle. Recovering in Delucia a letter arrived bringing more bad news for Augustus, his beloved wife had died. Granting him furlough, Augustus returned home to take her remains to Magincia and her surviving family.
After several months in Magincia he set sail for Nujel'm. A depressed and broken Augustus drank and gambled day and night. One night of revelry Augustus won several hands in a row against a disgraced knight known as Silus, insulted and offering up a deed to his families stronghold but for a duel to the death. Agreeing only because he partly wished his own demise Augustus staggered outside along with the knight. The knight rushed Augustus with all the grace of a boura, Augustus sidestepped and instead of swinging his sword brandished his knife and with one swipe disemboweled the knight Silus spraying blood all over the sandstone pavers. Renewed and revitalized and deed in hand, Augustus hired a crew and they set sail for Dagger Isle. A few days later they anchored there, the winds ferocious that day it took six hours to come ashore and another week through the snow in one of the worst recorded winters on Ice Isle they arrived at Tower Forge. Expecting a company of knights but all that was found was several old stewards and a young starving family of four, a mother and three children. He hunted at night and by day they all worked to clean, rebuild and collect firewood. One night of hunting he was attacked and almost killed by a white wolf.
The return home and civil war: After six months at Tower Forge, Augustus set sail home for Chalcedon. Surprisingly he was met with a great deal of adoration. He was sent back to the front, campaigns against Necroplise had been ongoing but a new found ally had emerged. Nocturne's men had joined forces with and negotiated a deal with the Emperor and Yew was now the balance of power for the empire. As the months progressed the new alliance became a merger of powers and the Emperor's son Aldarion reigned. The sigils became Numenorean and Cataphracts became Commanders. The old words and tongue was discouraged but the wars seemed the same though. The Court of Truth became the centerpiece for the empire. But the dissention was growing amongst the rank and file because the two mixed like oil and water. Well trained army of discipline and a rag tag group of locals with attitude. Augustus and a few others began to question their loss of heritage and the revoking of their class and birthrights.
From the Appendix: "With the Numenorean Civil War at its peak, a small group of Tagmata escaped to Dagger Isle with the scrolls and relics and took them to The Tower Forge. Most of the remaining Tagmata were arrested and charged with sedition against the state and executed. Defensoris Augustus Maximus rallied the Byzantine loyalist under the banner of Republic of Byzantine. With the defeat of the usurper after the years long civil war and the bravery of the Tagmata, Augustus's son Lamorak recommissioned them as a knight order."
The Byzantine Republic and the fall: Retaking the capital city, Augustus considered this his greatest moment and as duly elected Strategos by the Cataphracts he waged war on the orcs in Yew but his armies were pushed back all the way to Skara Brae which became the central headquarters and that is where they held strong, repelling wave after wave and for several months peace returned to the island and with peace, Augustus Sestius Maximus was anointed Emperor by the Consuls of the Republic. By 331 the Republic was being trounced by Orcs to the eastern mainland. Smaller battalions were scattered about and sent to patrol the borders. The elf ranger Glorfindel was used to scout and track orcs. Initially Augustus was disgusted by the elf, as was custom he believed he was an inferior race of filth. With two fronts, Shadowclan and Knights of Arcane Steel the Republic was defeated at the battle of The Last Crossing. Augustus severely injured with a blow to his head shearing off his ear was taken back to the island. Glorfindel and Orodreth tended and cared for Augustus in Skara Brae, The Holy War was over and lost.
The Last Dynasty(Dyn) and Tagmata: With the collapse of the Republic his son Lamorak took a more commanding presence. Engineers were sent to Tower Forge to complete its renovations. Orodreth persuaded Lamorak and Augustus to swear in Glorfindel into Tagmata and commisioning it as an Order of Knights. Lamorak, named the "Argent Knight" led the (Dyn) Tagmata company along with others such as the Emerald Fist and Chanticleer defending Skara Brae. As the war campaigns died down The Tagmata took on a more nuanced role. Cursoris Cyprius Flavius a veteran of the Republic Wars was sent to the Kingdom of Inethria under the rule of Venner Blackhand. Defensoris Glorfindel went to Yew and the Emerald Kingdom of Connemara ruled by Aedon Dureah.
Later years and death: Augustus spent his summers at Tower Forge and winters in Skara Brae. He visited Yew several times and stayed in Everthorne on occasion and was counsel at the Court of Everthorne. He knighted Octavius Thorn. He placed the corner stone at the Somerset Estate near the ruins of Chalcedon, which he engraved "Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam Tibi" (I will either find a way or make one). He spent most of his remaining wealth on any of his children and grandchildren that came around some were rather indignant but took advantage. He sold off all of his dwellings except for the cottage near the Shattered Skull. He died alone in his cottage peacefully of an apparent stroke. Lamorak lamented "This day we have lost our great father, a gentle soul of strength and courage that inspired and endeared us all to him". He is buried in Somerset, west of the ruins of the great library of Chalcedon and has a memorial statue at Taras Anar in Everthorne.