Emperor Ariminius Comnenos
Emperor
The favoured General of the last Emperor Aristarcos, Ariminius is a war hero and military populist who believes that the armies should choose the emperor, as they are the ones who know best what it takes to protect the empire against it's foes. His realm is the most militaristic of the 3 Imperial splinter nations, the lords of the west rallied under him as a strong military leader in response to the violent and costly wars against the Swadians, Battanians, and Vaegirs.
He is the son of the famous Gaius Comnenos, governor of Nazzareth and commander of the 1st legion. it was Gaius who led a victorious military campaign alongside the hunters of the Order Immanus against a dragon who had attempted to settle on Mt. Aethelstan. In exchange, he was showered with gifts and honours from Emperor Aristarcos, and was given the nickname "the dragonheart, making the flaming heart the new symbol of House Comnenos.
Ariminius grew up in this shadow of his great father, and became head of the family upon his death in the year 1883. By this time Ariminius had already made a name for himself commanding the 9th legion against the Vaegirs, and quickly returned to Nazzareth to take on the leadership of the family. He eventually claimed the throne of what is now the Western Calradian empire upon the mysterious and sudden death of the previous Emperor.
He is a brilliant strategist and tactician, who has led the legions of the empire to many victories over the barbarians. He has been frequently quoted as saying "If I only had 4 more of myself, the empire would be reunited in a fortnight". He is known for his hubris, but his hubris is easily matched by his competence and he is known a gracious ruler, being fond of distributing money to the poor and the soldiers. Many in the West view him as the best chance the Empire has for reuniting, while others in the East and South view him as a tyrant looking to usurp the Imperial throne.
Ariminius's claim to unify Calradia as Emperor is based on his own disdain for his predecessors and the Senate. He blames much of the Empire's recent decline on incompetent oligarchs and aristocrats whose ancient laws and traditions keep them in power by right of blood or wealth, rather than merit, intellect or ability. Despite this, though Ariminius is purportedly opposed to the oligarchic puppet Lucon and the aristocratic agitator Rhagaea, Ariminius supposedly governs his own third of the Empire by the force of his army, and is described as putting down opposition with his soldiers. Thus, Ariminius, separate from both Lucon and Rhagaea who rely on tradition and inheritance respectively, believes in the law of might makes right as his basis for being Emperor. Istiana, former spymaster of Emperor Aristarcos, considers Ariminius "probably the best fighter and military leader" out of the three claimants to the Empire.
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