Vespasian Valerian

Fifth of the Seven Princes

Only power yields victory. Only strength can rule. Only fools think otherwise.

Warlord. Usurper. Tyrant. Vespasian Valerian is among the most infamous figures in Vardanian history. Although overshadowed by Seron the Red, he is to many the epitome of treachery and abuse of power. A malevolent monster that burned the Hegemony in his quest for absolute dominion.

History

by Dominik Mayer

Born as a member of one of the less important branches of the Valerian Dynasty, his early life was far less luxurious than what one might expect of the high nobility. Vespasian's family lived in the Northern March, a rough region where any thought of luxury was second to military order. His family had dutifully served in the Northern Army for several generations and Vespasian would continue this tradition.
Quickly distinguishing himself as a capable commander, he moved up the ranks, earning the title Guardian of the North in 2182 DA. From then on, his rise only continued. 2185 saw him as Commander of the Northern March and following the Eugerian Edict of 2190, he was granted the title Prince of Magna Caria. When the War of the Seven Princes broke out in 2210, he remained neutral, largely occupied with fighting a large scale Feran revolt. The war against Rodarit enabled him to expand his territory and by 2213, he controlled nearly all of northeastern Vardania.
It was only in mid-2213, that he joined the civil war, his armies marching against the remaining forces of Amelian the Younger. Serving alongside Adeon Valerian and Amelian the Elder in the pacification of the Hegemony, he soon came into conflict with Empress Miera. The power struggle between the two grew in intensity and escalated in 2219, when Vespasian launched a coup and usurped the mantle of Emperor.
His short reign would see Vardania burn to the ground as the other Princes formed a coalition against him. After over a year of constant war, his army would be encircled in the capital. There he would find his. Unwilling to surrender he was assassinated by the Imperial Guard, his body dragged through the ruined city and thrown into the ocean.

Characteristics

Physical Appearance

When asked what a typical Vardanian looks like, most people would describe Vespasian. Towering to many, although only average for his family. A lean build, his body scarred from years of combat. His face would best be described as somewhat hawkish, his larger than average nose being the most striking facette. Small eyes, grey-ish blue, sat under thick grey eyebrows, the whole thing framed by a mop of brown hair, grey streaks throughout. Contrary to most Vardanian military officials, he never shaved his facial hair off, a medium beard always present.
Although his face was far from what others would consider soft, Vespasian could create a friendly, almost grandfatherly facade, if he wanted to that was. Usually done to lure people into a false sense of security, it could easily morph into a sharp, vicious grimace. A terrifying mask that could make even the most steadfast of men feel fear's icy claws.

Personality

Like a stone is perhaps the easiest way of describing Vespasian. A mask of indifference always seemed present on his face, even when confronted with the death of his eldest son in 2197. Most assumed that he simply didn't care, serving his purpose the only thing on his mind akin to those diabolical Automaton's of Vardanian legend. That simply wasn't true, as his wife Alaia described in her diary. Vespasian was more than capable of showing rage, grief and happiness, he simply chose when to do it. Although he seemed to possess a softer side, his treatment of his children and Metachares clearly showed that there is no denying that Vespasian was a harsh, unforgiving man.
Ruthless and at times even cruel, with no regard for human life, be it his soldiers or civilians. As his life and reign were nearing their ends, he seemed to have grown increasingly paranoid and cruel. Draconian punishments for even the slightest mistake and purges of "traitors" became increasingly common. On his last day, he fell into a mad rage and even attacked his wife. His rampage was only ended by the sword of an Imperial Guardsmen, the mad Emperor bleeding out on his throne.

Gordian, Adeon, Amelian. Each and every one of them a fool. Born to the purple they demand subservience based solely on their blood. Let us put that to test, shall we? Blood against steel. That should at least teach them what truly helps a man to power.

Ethnicity

Vardanians

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Emperor of the Hegemony
Imperial Protector
Prince of Magna Caria

Life

2160 DA 2220 DA 60 years old

Circumstances of Death

Assassinated by the Imperial Guard

Height

1,89m

Weight

86kg

Ferankiller
Vespasian's campaigns against the rebelling Ferans have been burned into the people's collective consciousness. Rather than attack the rebel armies directly, he waged a war against their families. Many times he would capture the civilians of a town and parade them in front of a rebel stronghold. If the rebels surrendered, they and their families would be merely sentenced to hard work in the Labour Corp. If they didn't, he simply slaughtered them down to the last child.
As the rebellion escalated, so did his tactics. Putting entire towns to the torch, crucifying thousands of captured soldiers at a time, nothing seemed too extreme anymore. Although accurate numbers are hard to come by, it is believed that up to half a million Ferans were killed during Vespasian's campaigns.
His name is carved into the Book of the Damned and there are few more despised than his.

by Francis Goeltner