Gordian Valerian

First of the Seven Princes

The Empress might have numbers but they are mere rabble. Nothing can stand against the might of the Legions! Together we will tear the usurper from his throne. Tear out the decaying wound that is poisoning the realm! A new Emperor must rise! And until he does the earth will run red with Blood!

From "War of the Seven Princes" by Darius Kaseidis:
Seen by many as the Great Man of his age, Gordian Valerian was a man of great prowess, great charisma and great ambition.
While he is generally remembered most fondly out of all the actors of the tragedy that was the War of the Seven Princes, there can be no doubt that it was his actions which unleashed over a decade of strife upon Vardania.

History

by Murat Gül

Born on the 1st of Febris 2165 DA to Eugeron and his first wife Decoria, Gordian was destined to a life of luxury and power. As a member of the high nobility and firstborn of Eugeron, he enjoyed the best education and training one could possibly receive. A prodigy when it came fighting, riding and military history, it soon became clear that Gordian's future lied with the army.
When his father became Emperor in 2180, he had already received command of a cavalry detachment in the Northern March. Even then he continued to serve along the northern border, distinguishing himself on multiple occasions. Proving a great warrior and commander he rose through the ranks and in 2190 received command of the 19th Legion. Two years later, he was awarded Ilin Province by his father, going henceforth by the title "Prince of Ilin".
In 2200 he caused a scene when he stormed from his father's birthday celebration, following a heated argument with Eugeron's new wife Miera .
It was well known that Gordian despised the woman's influence and when she declared her son Emperor, he knew it to be a power grab. On the 12th of Ianuaris 2210, he declared her son a usurper and marched his army south to claim the throne.

war by Wu. Hao

What is now known as the Velarian Campaign culminated ten months later in the siege of Velaris. His army destroyed by the timely arrival of Votarian, Gordian who had been at the cusp of victory was forced to retreat. He died six days later, during the Battle of Anadera. In a desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle, Gordian led his cavalry in a final charge, falling in the following melee.

Characteristics

Physical Apperance

At 1,90 meters tall, with a muscular build and slightly tanned skin, Gordian is and was considered by many to be the ideal Vardanian. Short, red-brown hair and a trimmed red beard framed a face seen by man and woman alike as handsome. Sharp features, accentuating piercing green-blue eyes made for a face that according to the Historian Emelia radiated a special sense of beauty in wrath and grief alike.

Personality

Great appetite, great prowess, great ambition, if one were to describe Gordian with a single word it would be great. A brash man, he always spoke his mind. He possessed a crude sense of humour and was hard to anger. But once unleashed his wrath was a frightening sight. Gordian had a long memory, he might forgive but never forgot.
Some Historians have painted Gordian as a dumb brute, this, however, is decidedly false. He was of average intelligence, showing sparks of genius in all matters military. A great tactician, his care for the soldiers under his command made him popular among the army and lower classes. However, he was known to be a risk-taker and patience was not his greatest strength.
One of the lesser-known attributes Gordian exhibited was his dislike and even hate of non-Vardanian cultures. Western people in particular were seen as decadent, lazy and even savage, which led to repeated clashes with his cousin Votarian, a half Vitrian.

I may not be the most knowledgeable when it comes to matters of the court or succession. I may not be the best at seeing through schemes and plots. But it does not take the sharpest eyes to see Miera's ambitions. She wishes to rule the empire, her son a puppet! I will not see my father's legacy be taken by this scheming harlot!

Ethnicity

Vardanians

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Prince of Ilin
Guardian of the North

Life

2165 DA 2210 DA 45 years old

Circumstances of Birth

Firstborn of Emperor Eugeron

Circumstances of Death

Slain in the Battle of Anadera

Height

1,90m

Weight

97kg

In another time, he could have been a great warrior king, perhaps someone that led Vardania into a new golden age. Sadly his so admired attributes only served to end an era.

— Darius Keseidis

War in the North
The warm years of the early third Millenium made even the lands north of the March hospitable. To secure peace, it became standard policy for the army to prevent any larger political entity from forming in the region close to the fortifications.
Leading one such expedition, Gordian destroyed the Kingdom of Kannery in 2191, ending any Barbarian attempts at consolidation for another century.

by Tyler Thull