His Holiness Marcus Imperation
Imperial Prince of Turelion & Kelbonnar / Arch Priest of Canthart
The current Arch Priest of Astartes, His Holiness Marcus Imperation is the second oldest son of Empress Annunziata II and is the younger brother of the currently ruling Emperor, His Imperial Majesty Belliotrix IV. He is regarded as being a key player in the Empire’s politics, as well as being a renowned theologian.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Born in 517DW, Marcus was the second of three sons born to Princess Annunziata, who would go on to become EmperorAnnunziata II in 528DW. Though he spent most of his formative years away being educated at Hapsburg House, during the long summer vacations when he and his brother Gaius were reunited with the rest of the Imperial household, he was doted on by his mother, and it was widely considered that Marcus was her favourite child. Whether or not this favouritism was fuelled by genuine love, or by the resentment Annunziata felt that her own father, Kelbon I took more of an interest in her eldest son Belliotrix than he did her, until his mother ascended to the throne, Marcus was doted on by Annunziata.
However, the suspicious circumstances surrounding Kelbon’s death, and the whispered rumours that Annunziata may have had something to do with it, led to Marcus taking a back seat, as the newly crowned Empress sought to build a better relationship with Belliotrix, and thereby bring more security to the line of succession and reduce the risk that Belliotrix might turn on her as it was rumoured she had turned on Kelbon.
During this time, Marcus devoted himself wholeheartedly to his studies, and for several years he never returned to the Imperial Court during the summer months, instead choosing to remain at Hapsburg House and continue his academic pursuits. When his eighteenth birthday arrived, he returned to Meltaro the capital of the Empire of Turelion for the first time in four years to undergo his mandatory coming of age service at the Grand Astartic Temple.
Whilst many thought that Marcus would suffer greatly at being forced into servitude, away from his books and study, he actually thrived in the temple environment, so much so that when his period of service was over, the then Arch Priest of Astartes, petitioned the Emperor directly for him to be allowed to remain on and be trained as a member of Astartes’ clergy. Seeing the advantage of having a member of the Imperial Family so intimately connected to the Imperial Church, Annunziata agreed.
This next stage of Marcus’ life was something of a renaissance for him, which saw him channel his prodigious intellect into the pursuit of theology and devoted service to Astartes. It also saw a re-establishing of good relations with his mother and slowly but surely, Marcus reascended the pecking order until, at times, it felt as if he once again was the favoured son of the Emperor. After completing his clerical training with flying colours, Marcus took on the role of Assistant to the Arch Priest in Meltaro, eventually reaching the point where he knew the duties of the Arch Priest better than the role's incumbent. It was no surprise, when in 549DW the Arch Priest stepped down due to ill health, that Emperor Annunziata appointed Marcus to the position.
To this day Marcus holds the position of Arch Priest of Astartes, and he has used the power and influence that comes with it to play an active role on Turelion’s political stage.
Education
Along with his younger brother Gaius, Marcus was educated at Hapsburg House, the foremost House of Learning within the The Empire of Turelion.
He lived and studied there until his coming of age, where he moved back to the capital Meltaro to spend his required period of servitude to the Divine Astartes in the Grand Astartic Temple, as befitted his standing as an Imperial Prince.
There, his devotion and obvious connection with Astartes was noticed, and having been granted permission from the then Emperor Annunziata II, the then Arch Priest of Astartes took it upon himself to train Marcus as an acolyte, with the boy undergoing the rigorous theological training required to become a priest of Astartes.
Social
Family Ties
Naturally, as the brother to the ruling Emperor Belliotrix IV, Marcus is a member of the Imperation Family, which gives him connections with many influential members of court, along with a connection to the heir apparent to the Imperial throne, Her Grace Belladonna Imperation.
His family also provide a link to the Caesarii Family, and the Imperial Order of Knights through his sister, Her Grace Juliana Caesarii's husband who is the current Knight Commissar. He also, theoretically has a link to the Vespasianii Family via his sister-in-law, Her Imperial Highness Salonia Imperation, though as there is no love lost between the two of them, it would be hard for Marcus to exploit this connection.
Marcus’ position, as the Arch Priest of Astartes also grants him a massive network of connections across the Empire of Turelion. These connections are not just restricted to the Imperial Church of Astartes however. Because of his position, there are many notable people throughout the Empire who wish to establish a direct relationship with Marcus, and through that gain the favour of the Divine Astartes.
Religious Views
Whilst many over the course of the years who have held the title of Arch Priest of Astartes have only paid lip service to devotion, Marcus is very much a vehement adherent of the Divine Astartes. This means that Marcus has a detailed knowledge of all of the rituals and rites connected with his patron deity, even those practices which have not been used for many years. His faith and position also mean that he is a renowned theologian and he has written numerous books on the subject of Astartes, and is considered the greatest living mortal authority on the Divine.
Social Aptitude
Marcus is regarded as being one of the finest living orators within the Empire of Turelion, better even that his older brother Belliotrix. He is gifted at speaking both from the pulpit of the Grand Astartic Temple and in more intimate settings, and he frequently hosts exclusive soirees in his apartments within the Grand Imperial Palace, occasions he uses to network and relentlessly reaffirm existing connections with influential players in Turelion’s political scene and establish new ones. He also has a remarkable memory, one which he deploys to remember even insignificant details about other people, details which can be used to both charm, influence and discredit people as a situation requires.
Wealth & Financial state
As a younger son, Marcus inherited little more than a small lump sum of several thousand gold Crowns, a princely sum for most, but small when compared to the wealth inherited by his brother who took the Imperial title. However, his position as the Arch Priest of Astartes provides him with a handsome stipend; separate mechanisms for expensing any clothing, item or event which could be considered part of his duties (with definitions so lacking that it would be hard to prove how any expense wasn’t linked to his position) and; a suite of sumptuous apartments within the Grand Imperial Palace.
Given that Marcus was appointed to his position in 549DW by his mother Empress Annunziata II, his generous remuneration arrangements have allowed him to amass a substantial fortune over the 25 years he has been in office.
Species
Ethnicity
Currently Held Titles
Date of Birth
22nd Ioantal
Year of Birth
517 DW
57 Years old
Birthplace
Family
Children
Current Residence
The Grand Imperial Palace
Gender
Male
Eyes
Green
Hair
Long, straight, auburn.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale, with a sallow edge
Height
5’11’’
Weight
150 lbs
Belief/Deity
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Comments