Titus Aruk
Lord Marshal Titus Aruk
Titus is the head of the Eisenovian Military and the de facto ruler of Eisenovia. He is an older elf with white hair and brown eyes, one of which is milked over as he is blind in one eye. He is a stern, imposing man.
He is known for his commanding presence and the overwhelming air of power that accompanies him, as if the very air around him exerts more pressure on those near him. He is a ruthless dictator, concerned only with the goal of the Eisenovian people, the eradication of corrupt arcane practitioners and the dangerous knowledge they so casually play with. The legal limits on his authority have no relevance, as nobody is stupid enough to deny his commands.
Personal History
Early Life
Titus was born as the third son of the Grand Duke of the Kearmer Peninsula, a prestigious title inherited from a smaller nation that was integrated into the fledgling Eisenovian state. Despite the grandeur of his family's title, their actual territory was significantly smaller. Growing up in a kingdom ravaged by war, Titus received a good education but always anticipated a future as a military commander or a holder of a keep, as was common for a third son. However, his fate took a drastic turn when both his father and brothers lost their lives in the conflicts with the Kingdom of Flamel, fueling his thirst for revenge.Time at War
Driven by his desire for vengeance, Titus leveraged his title and convinced the King to entrust him with the command of a massive force of 50,000 soldiers. With a mind consumed by rage, he led his troops into the disputed lands, facing a daunting challenge as an inexperienced officer placed in charge of a formidable army. Despite the odds, Titus displayed exceptional skill with a sword and led his men from the frontlines. Employing ruthless tactics, such as burning down enemy-held towns, he earned the infamous nickname "Titus the Bloodthirsty" as his campaign left a trail of destruction in his wake. Titus's relentless tactics and strategic maneuvers gradually turned the tide in favor of Eisenovia. While many despised him, weariness of the long-standing war and the hope for a swift resolution prompted military commanders to rally under his command, seeking both glory and the favor of a powerful noble. Although not officially bestowed with the title, Titus effectively acted as an Exetar, commanding hundreds of thousands of soldiers and pushing southward, surpassing the disputed lands, and advancing toward the Flemish capital. As his armies reached the Flemish capital of Charlême, Titus received the order to stand down. Horrified by the brutality of his tactics and facing internal divisions within the army, the King negotiated a peace settlement that granted half of the disputed lands to Eisenovia and left the other half as independent states. Though Titus was on the brink of complete victory and control over the disputed lands, he was unwilling to instigate a civil war. Instead, he struck an agreement with the King: he would relinquish his military campaign, the armies would return home, and there would be no internal conflict. In return, Titus would be appointed Lord Marshal and granted authority to run the military without interference.Consolidation of Power
With his appointment as Lord Marshal, Titus wasted no time in consolidating power and solidifying his position within the kingdom. Recognizing the need for a unified command structure, he undertook a series of reforms to centralize control over the military. He reorganized the armed forces, streamlining their operations and implementing a merit-based promotion system that rewarded skill and loyalty. Through his strategic acumen and charismatic leadership, he gained the respect and admiration of the military ranks, further bolstering his authority. Titus also recognized the importance of gaining support from key stakeholders within Eisenovia. He skillfully maneuvered through the political landscape, forging alliances with influential noble houses and winning over powerful figures in the bureaucracy. By rewarding loyalty and quelling dissent through force or persuasion, he effectively neutralized potential rivals and secured the backing of those crucial to his consolidation of power. During this period, Titus launched an aggressive campaign to diminish the power of the monarchy and strengthen the influence of the military. He strategically placed his trusted commanders in key positions of authority and gradually shifted decision-making powers from the royal court to the military council he established. Through a combination of shrewd political maneuvering and his reputation as a formidable military leader, Titus was able to assert his control over the nation's governance, reducing the monarchy to a mere figureheadThe Dictator
The death of King Leonhard presented a significant turning point in Titus's quest for power. With the young and inexperienced Queen Talea ascending to the throne, he seized the opportunity to extend his influence further, removing the King's appointed regent on charges of embezzlement and installing a new regent loyal to him, and spent time shaping the young queen. Under Titus's continued rule, Eisenovia witnessed significant changes in its political landscape. He further diminished the power of the monarchy, gradually transforming the kingdom into a military state with himself as its undisputed commander. The military became the driving force of the nation, with Titus expanding its size, fortifying its resources, and shaping it into an unstoppable force. His strategic vision and relentless determination led to the modernization of the military apparatus, ensuring that Eisenovia remained a formidable presence on the battlefield. Titus's rule was marked by strict discipline and unwavering loyalty to his vision for the kingdom. Dissent was swiftly silenced, as few dared to challenge his authority and risk the consequences. His emphasis on eradicating corrupt arcane practitioners resonated with the Eisenovian people, who saw him as a champion of justice and protector against dangerous forces. While his methods were often brutal and his rule authoritarian, many within Eisenovia saw Titus as the embodiment of strength and stability, keeping the nation safe from external threats and internal strife. Acting as her trusted advisor, he manipulated and guided the queen, shaping her decisions to align with his own interests. Under his guidance, policies and laws were enacted that further strengthened the military's authority and limited the powers of the nobility, ensuring his position as the de facto ruler of Eisenovia. Titus's consolidation of power during this time laid the foundation for his subsequent rule and set the stage for the transformation of Eisenovia into a military-dominated state. His unwavering determination and strategic vision allowed him to navigate the complex web of politics and establish himself as the undisputed leader, paving the way for his continued influence and control over the nation.Mental Characteristics
Motivation
Titus' ultimate goal is the expansion of Eisenovia's ability to project power across the world in order to prevent a second Cataclysm by ridding the world of arcane knowledge and practitioners and promoting responsible behaviour from deific and nature-based casters.Ethics
Titus believes in graded absolutism, the idea that certain ideas and actions are inherently right and wrong, and that how good or wrong an action is can is quantifiable. In this moral system, an action is good even if it violates a lesser good action, or requires an action that would be wrong so long as the intent and result is a greater good, in fact it believes that it would be wrong to not perform a necessary minor evil in service of a greater good.
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Current Status
Preparing for war
Current Location
Honorary & Occupational Titles
His Most Serene Highness, the Grand Duke of Kearmer, Titus Adelgis Aruk, First Among the Lords Temporal, Hero and Victor of the Disputed Land Wars, Lord Marshal of the Armies, Protector of the Realm
Date of Birth
17 Vecihn, 786 Southward Expansion
Year of Birth
2127 A.C.
659 Years old
Children
Current Residence
The Iron Citadel
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
