Otto von Bismarck
Mage-Duke Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck was the last independant Mage-Duke of Prussia, unifier of Germany and creator of the German Empire. He wanted to become the emperor, but was stopped by Wilhelm, brother of his predecessor. Wilhelm became the emperor and Bismarck remained the Mage-Duke, a position which became one of many administrative positions in the Empire, as well as the Chancellor of the Empire.
Personal History
Otto von Bismarck was born in 1815 to a Junker family. His father was a former military officer sat on the Council of Mages, the Magocracy's legislative body. Otto's mother was a daughter of a senior government official.
Otto was a well-educated and cosmopolitan person who knew many languages including English, Polish and Russian. From 1832 to 1833 he studied law at the University of Göttingen before enrolling in the University of Berlin.
Bismarck's political career started in 1847 when he was elected to the Council of Mages and appointed as its representative to the newly formed Landtag, a legislative body for the non-magical population. Landtag's formation was mostly symbolic as the Council of Mages and Mage-Duke had the real power in the country. In the Landtag, Bismarck was known as a Mage-Duke loyalist. At this stage, Bismarck was opposed to the idea of the unification of Germany. He argued that Prussia would lose its indepandance in the process. He changed his opinion after being appointed as Prussia's envoy to the Diet of the German Confederation in Frankfurt in 1851. He came to a conclusion that a unified state was the only way of countervailing Austria's influence.
When Mage-Duke Frederick Wilhelm IV suffered a paralysing stroke in 1857 and his brother Wihelm became regent, Bismarck was recalled from Frankfurt and he returned to the Council of Mages. Wilhelm was liked by the liberals of the Landtag, but not by the Council, for his ties with liberal Britain. As a result the Council of Mages, for the first time ever, used its right to remove a Mage-Duke and appoint a new one. Otto von Bismarck was chosen.
Bismarck's reign was full of wars and political conflicts. They culminated in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. Prussia was victorious and Bismarck used it to unify Germany. However, he had to compromise. Many people didn't want Bismarck as the emperor. They agreed to unification only if Wilhelm of Prussia was made emperor. As a former regent of the Magocracy and member of royalty, he was considered a legitimate candidate for the position. Bismarck agreed. In return Wilhelm I made him his Chancellor and let him keep the position of Mage-Duke of Prussia as part of the empire's administration. Bismarck had almost complete control over the domestic and foreign policy.
Bismarck remained in office until 1890 when due to Wilhelm II's insistence, he resigned. For the rest of his life he remained the Mage-Duke of Prussia. Otto von Bismarck died in 1898.
Physical Description
Special abilities
Bismarck was a magic-user trained in battle magic. However, he rarely used his abilities. He believed that he could achieve more by diplomacy and talking.
Apparel & Accessories
Bismarck often wore a military uniform, even when he held civilian positions. In pictures he was often shown with a dark or gold Pickelhaube on his head and a white uniform.
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