"Shall I please myself at the expense of my people when their need is so desperate? I cannot find it in me to do so. Such is not the way of duty or honor." — Vincere Callidus Iratus, First Matriarch of the Latenes Sunt
The first leader of the
Latenes Sunt , Callidus Iratus was born a prime daughter among the
Dark Elves to Flavaque Iratus, Matriarch of Clan Iratus and ally to Chenthe Iraenox, Matriarch of Clan Iraenox. She was third to inherit the clan, but renounced her femininity upon her maturity and became sterilis electio (see
Consorts ). He entered the Iratus military and served honorably for forty years before the "Quest for the Tree".
As sterilis electio, Callidus was frequently targeted by his sisters as they struggled for dominance and possession of power in Clan Iratus since he would only need to birth a child to reclaim his position as third in line to inherit the Matriarchy. Callidus survived three well documented assassination attempts in the first five years of his change in status. It is believed that others occurred during his tenure as sterilis electio, however, as it became clear that he had no interest in claiming the Matriarchy from his sisters, the frequency and severity of these attempts on his life died out. After his twelfth year as sterilis electio, his close younger sister Altraheti ascended to the position of inheritor, and he was allowed to pursue his military career in relative peace.
Callidus commanded a twenty squad under his Uncle Fidelis Iratus and his unit was assigned to the expedition to eliminate the dwarves from the path to the light (see
The Uprising of the Dark) under his uncle and Gen Vincere Iraenox commander of the dark elf forces. He distinguished himself during this battle earning the title "Traitor Slayer" (see
The Loss) which he carried until he died.
When the dark elf survivors of the expeditionary force were exiled to
Novam Domum, a leader was needed to establish a new community and clan. Callidus wished to defer to his Uncle, but the soldiers, including Fidelis were adamant that they must be led by a female. Callidus reluctantly agreed to take up this responsibility that he had spent his entire adult life avoiding, and became pregnant, reinstating her status as female and qualifying herself to lead the community. She spoke persuasively to the other sterilis electio amongst the survivors and all agreed to bear children when faced with the community's need and lack of options to fill it.
Callidus ruled the Lantenes Sunt well. Under her rule, the community survived its first two years of deprivation and severe environmental adjustment, and eventually established itself on the island of
Novam Domum. She was close friends to Spesa the dwarven advisor and priestess of the All Father who was a competent and shrewd councilor and crucial to the survival of the dark elves in their new world. By the time of Callidus's death, the community had grown to twice the number of the original soldier settlers - a remarkable success as there were only four females amongst the survivors.
Callidus bore seventeen children, thirteen of whom lived to adulthood. During her reign she was not plagued by assassination attempts, a testament to the respect with which she was held across the community. Her commitment to her people, her duty, and honor exemplified the finest ideals of Latenes Sunt society. As she had taken the name
Vincere to honor her fallen commander, it became both an ideal and a title signifying one who is fully committed to their duty and honor.
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