The Duke Who Knelt For His People
His Grace, Duke Damian The Incorruptible
The former King of Beru was the last in his line to hold the throne as a king. To some, he is a hero that cared about his people more than himself. To others, he is a coward who sold out his country to protect his own power. Regardless of whatever people believe, he is the Duke of Beru, below only the Emperor himself. And under his continued rule, perhaps the Aerin Valley can one day see peace, whether through subjugation under Crystalia or another form of peace.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Duke Damian bares an average physique as he is not the warrior like his father but not the scrawny coward like some people like to portray him as. Even his height and weight are average as well, though he does do his best to keep himself in decent shape when the time allows.
Facial Features
Damian has started showing the stress and weight of his station. He already has winkles forming on his face, particularly around his eyes and his mouth. His face is slightly angular as well though.
Apparel & Accessories
As the two dominant colors of Beru are red and blue, it should be no surprise that the Duke wears those colors. He has started to add black into his colors as well to pay homage to the Imperial family of Crystalia now. Of course, only as an accent, never to dominate. When dealing with peaceful or diplomatic matters, Damian often wears blue. When dealing with situations that could turn violent or related to wear, he wears red.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Damian was born to King Loeis the Stalwart (IV) and Queen Marie the Wise (VII) as their thirdborn son. Ahead of him were his two eldest brothers, Jehan and Pierre. As a thirdborn son, he would never be expected to take the throne. At best, he would be a military leader or a bargaining chip with other noble family. But the War for Aerin Unification changed that. King Loeis personally led many defenses against Crystalian invasions but soon he would fall in battle in the 1210s. Jehan took up the crown as king after Marie abdicated but he would share his father's fate in the 1220s. Pierre would follow his brother's path and die in the early 1230s. That left Damian as the next in line to the throne.
Few believed that Damian had what it took and prepared for him to join his father and siblings in the grave. However, he learned from his family's mistakes and was able to defend Beru for some years, adopting tactics that would negate the loss of life for his people. While the attackers didn't lose many soldiers, his main goal was a success. He aggravated his allies, especially Queen Silvia Mallén, due to his dislike of offensive action but he saw firsthand how Beru going on the offensive cost them even more lives.
So for years, Beru stayed as the defender which soon lead to Crystalia changing their tactics and refusing to waste supplies and men on them. At least, not repeatedly as word soon reached Damian in 1240 that the Empire was preparing for one massive invasion to smash through their defenses. No more skirmishes. So the King of Beru prepared for such an eventuality. The invasion never came though as in 1241, the Crown Prince of Crystalia, Wilhelm Draganar, rose in rebellion around the same time that the Western Alliance began an invasion of their own.
Damian could feel the pages of history turning but he would not risk his people in some bid for glory. He allowed his allies through his lands and gave them supplies as needed but he would not order his forces to join. Of course, some nobles under his rule called their banners and joined anyway, as he allowed. History would likely paint him as a coward. But the invasion and rebellion alike failed. With the other three nations weakened, the King knew that Beru would be alone in their defense. Crystalia stood firm and were emboldened by the death of their first prince. Which mean there was only one course of action left.
King Damian surrendered to Crystalia in the fall of 1241. He expected to lose all his titles and be banished or even killed by the Imperial family. But the new crown prince, William Draganar, advised the Crystal Emperor to spare Damian and allow him to serve the empire as a Duke of the newly created Duchy. And so Damian became a Duke of Crystalia and the blades of Beru turn towards their former allies. And depending on history, he will either be remembered as a coward and traitor or a man who chose his people rather than glory.
Accomplishments & Achievements
- Defense of Beru against constant Crystalian assault
- Holding together the nation during a time of war
- Sacrificed his throne and his station for a chance to spare his people
- Public works to rebuild the infrastructure of Beru
Failures & Embarrassments
- Surrender to Crystalia
- Lose of his station
- Unable to currently unite the nobles who are split over the surrender to Crystalia
Morality & Philosophy
Damian has shown through his actions that he is sefless, putting the needs of his people, both common and noble, above himself. He also looks down on those with the power to do the same yet choose not to except in extreme circumstances. For the selfless nobility and the middle and lower class who are often forgotten, this makes him quite popular. But for those who look out for themselves, he appears to be a fool or a threat to their continued power.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Growing up, Damian learned about the romanticized version of nobility and knighthood that many try to live up to. As a young boy with the reality of the world not hammered into him by his father and mother who focused on his elder siblings. That reality did come once his father and two brothers died but it didn't stop him from continuing that path. Damian believes those with power must provide for those that have none. If not then they are wasting their power. It has made him enemies and turned him against former allies but he believes that it is worth it to protect his home.
Social
Family Ties
- Dowager Duchess Marie the Wise: Damian's relationship with his mother has been frayed due to his actions as monarch. She was of the warrior's side, siding with nobles who wished to get revenge against Crystalia and fight back against them alongside the rest of the Alliance. She was a vocal enemy of his ideas in his inner council and has even claimed that he has made a mockery of his father and siblings' deaths. Nonetheless, Damian treats her quite well since she is his blood and no matter what he may think, she will continue to be until she passes.
- Lord Chancellor Félix: Félix is the younger brother to Damian and his own remaining sibling. As such, the Duke didn’t want his brother to potentially fall in the war just as their other family members had. As a result, Damian made him his royal advisor or Lord Chancellor as it is called in Beru. While at first the position was filled by the Queen Mother when Damian was King, once she made her opinion of his stances clear, he dismissed her and had Félix take the position. Some assume that Félix is a simple yes-man to the Duke but that is far from the truth. The Chancellor has made his opinion clear to the Duke multiple times and while they might not always agree, they do come to an understanding. And some have started to see the wisdom that the Chancellor has and begin wondering if he would be a better fit as ruler compared to Damian. For now though, Félix stays stalwart in his loyalty to his brother and Beru alike.
- Lord Arno Dren: A former member of Damian’s inner council when he was king. Arno and Damian were childhood friends and he was even the latter’s retainer. However, Arno couldn’t keep on Damian’s side when he chose to surrender to Crystalia. He was a staunch enemy of theirs and made that clear. When it came time for Damian to become Duke, he chose to send his old friend away to the growing town of Easthill, away from danger and power alike. Damian hopes that his friend sees it that way.
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Current Status
Rules the people of Beru
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
- Last King of Beru
- First Duke of Beru
- Duke of Crystalia
Age
35
Date of Birth
21st of Springrose, 1207 Eternal Age
Birthplace
Zothal, Beru
Children
Pronouns
He/Him
Sex
Male
Gender
Man
Presentation
Masculine
Eyes
Green
Hair
Short, Brown
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
White Skin
Height
5 ft, 10 in
Weight
160 lb
Quotes & Catchphrases
- When your people's lives are on the line, it is better to make the choice that helps them rather than helps yourself.
- His Highness of Veru should watch what he says. I am not the one who fled my homeland and took over the country when his cousin and heirs all fell.
- Queen Mallén, how about we skip the whole backhanded compliments and veiled threats and you tell me what you want so I can tell you no?
Belief/Deity
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Comments