Elector Prince Cosimo Anafesto, Lord of the Helios League
House Anafesto can trace their lineage back to one of the first colonies that left the fabled Terra Firma and have been an influential part of every galactic governing body from the start of the Second Breath to the present. More than a hundred different systems along the Appian Way near the center of the Empire swear loyalty to the Helios League and send tribute to their throne world, Spica.
Cosimo Anafesto, nicknamed “the Fox” for his cunning, became the Prince of his House by accident; his parents and older brother Ian Anafesto, was killed in a suspicious aircar accident. Thrust into power at a mere 22 years, he had to fend off both military and political enemies and hold the Helios League together. Through a liberal use of excellent strategy, subtle political maneuvering and some outright luck, Cosimo Anafesto was able to protect his domain and even increase its size and power. As a result, the Helios League continues to be the largest Imperial sector in the Empire, and second most influential after the Imperial Central Sector.
At the age of two, Cosimo was tested and determined to have no mystical affinity. After a typical noble upbringing, he intended a life of academic pursuits. At 18, he enlisted in the Helios League navy, and was immediately made a commander due to his family’s primacy. He had completed this military service and was a student at university when tragedy struck – both his parents and older brother Ian, the designated heir, were killed when their aircar lost power and hurtled them to a fiery doom. At 22 years old, Cosimo was the master of the Helios League.
Early in his career he tangled with Katrina Zenda over Hadrian’s Moon, a rediscovered inhabited planet in a system one jump off the Via Planitia. Using a huge bluff, Cosimo won the system for the Helios League, but was intrigued by his opponent. Soon thereafter, the two nobles began playing strategy games via ansible and in person when attending the Celestial Court. There were whispers of an affair, but no evidence to support them.
More recently, Cosimo Anafesto outmaneuvered Kuro Hidora in a matter of politics. While the matter was not of major importance, Hidora is reportedly still smarting from being thwarted, and has taken several petty steps to revenge himself against Anafesto. As both appear to be laying the groundwork for a campaign to claim the Iridium Throne when it becomes vacant, these moves have taken on a new urgency, and other nobles are watching both princes very closely. Cosimo is making several public moves which might gain support for a bid to become emperor, including tax-free holidays on worlds controlled by the Helios League, and introducing a military enhancement bill for the consideration of the current emperor, with a minuscule tax on hyperspace trade routes to pay for it.
Most recently, Katrina Zenda sent her daughter to Spica, hoping Allyssa’s beauty would put the canny Cosimo Anafesto off his game in a trade negotiation. Instead, Cosimo appears to have become enamored of the younger Zenda, and vice-versa; Allyssa returned from her visit singing Cosimo’s praises. It remains to be seen if anything will come of this mutual infatuation.
Cosimo publicly attends worship services in the temple of Yig, as one of the more popular mainstream religions, but has been seen reading The Shepherds Creed on occasion.
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