Regulus orn Grimmore

Regulus Grimmore Regulus in 1740 AC, shortly before his death.. Lord-Chancellor of Myllenoris Reign: 1739-1740 AC Predecessor: None; Title Established Successor: Amalia Hargrave Lord of House Grimmore Reign: 1729-1736 AC Predecessor: Severus ven Grimmore Successor: Sirius ven Grimmore Osronan Royal Spymaster Reign: 1730-1736 AC Predecessor: Unknown Successor: Unknown Born: 1707, Osrona. Died: 1740, Starfall Tower. Spouse: Asta Hargrave (m. 1732) House: House Grimmore Father: Severus ven Grimmore Mother: Hestia cos Grimmore Race: Teraphim Human(Formerly)

One of the most influential individuals of the 18th Century, Regulus Grimmore served as Lord of House Grimmore and Royal Spymaster of Osrona. A talented Diplomat, his arranged marriage with High Lady Asta Hargrave both formed the alliance between Osrona and Myllenoris, and ultimately resulted in his being branded a traitor when war broke out between the two factions and he remained loyal to his wife over his King.

Appearance

Human

In his prime, Regulus was a tall man with a caucasian skin tone bearing the typical cheekbones and facial structure of a Grimmore nobleman. He had grey eyes, and was a rare anomaly in the Grimmore family, having dark hair rather than the typical red, which fell to around three-quarters down his neck, usually left loose. He wore a well trimmed beard no longer than enough to cover his face. His clothing was of high quality and in the current Esshar fashions of the time, usually in darker colours. By the end of his time as a human, he was starting to drift towards middle age, with some wrinkles and the occasional grey hair, likely the result of his stressful life. Additionally, the loss of his left hand in a battle during the Osrona-Myllenoris War meant he wore a mythril prosthetic, usually with a glove covering it.

Teraphim

As a Teraphim, Regulus still looked rather similar to his time as a human. His hair was still dark, and thought his facial features had become more angular Grimmore traits were still fairly noticeable. His skin took on a silvery hue and his ears took on the pointed shape typical of Teraphim. His aging appeared to have reversed, with the man at thirty-five looking no older than he had at the age of twenty-one. Due to either preference or inability, Regulus as a Teraphim was never seen to wear a beard. Additionally, the prosthetic was gone, replaced by what appeared to be a regrown hand. Both of his hands had wayfinding runes tattooed onto the knuckles. As a Teraphim - and given the nature of his role and the current war - Regulus wore a Mistseer cloak over a mythril chainshirt, as well as mythril greaves most often. His clothing was cut in the Myllenoran style, as only befit his status.

Personality

Human

As a human - the majority of his life - Regulus was generally an example of politeness. A consummate diplomat, the nobleman was serious, conciliatory and reasonable, traits which benefited him greatly during diplomatic efforts. Unlike many nobles of his status, Regulus was largely free of racial prejudice, something credited to his upbringing travelling. His diplomatic training, if anything, perhaps influenced him too much; he was generally adverse to violence and was willing to make compromises to preserve peace when others might clamour for war. That did not stop him, however, from being decisive when needed, even when the cost of life was high.

Despite this, Regulus was a prideful man; he held a clear expectation for how he should be treated both by his peers and those he considered beneath him. While not one to easily show this side of him, it was most certainly present. He noted social slights personally, holding them as intentional snubs, a trait that could be argued to be partially responsible for triggering the war between Osrona and Myllenoris.

While largely loyal to the Kingdom of Esshar, when the beginning of the Osrona-Myllenoris War came Regulus chose his Wife over his King. He claimed this was also out of a sense of justice, claiming that King Alexander held no right to depose High Lady Asta, and that in the war his quarrel was chiefly with the King, and not the people of Osrona. This sense of justice also spurred arguments between himself and Asta when it came to what would result at the end of the war.

Teraphim

During his brief time as a Teraphim, Regulus showed several personality changes. His seriousness eased, with a more joking manner taking its place, the man became more openly friendly to the people of Myllenoris. There was something of an edge to this joking manner; on one occasion, on being met with disbelief as to his Wayfinding abilities, he offered a young teenager a practical example, only to leave her stranded on the path up to Theria. Otherwise, his personality remained largely the same.

Relationships

Serea ven Astor

Serea ven Astor

Regulus’ relationship with Serea ven Astor was one of mutual respect but often disagreement. Serea’s more aggressive, expansionist views clashed with Regulus’ more diplomatic ones, and the two rarely agreed on how to handle settlements like Theria. That said, the two - prior to Regulus’ defection to Myllenoris, at least - had the best interests of the Essharan Empire at heart, and as such had a professional working relationship, and something of a personal friendship as well. Following Regulus’ defection, the two became openly hostile to each other as a matter of allegiance, though there are reports of at least one professional meeting during Serea’s time imprisoned in Myllenoris. Reports suggest that the Grimmore was grieved by the Astor’s death, regardless.

Alexander rei Petrakis

Regulus was said to try and take the role of mentor to King Alexander rei Petrakis during the latter’s youth, though how accurate this is is commonly disputed. What is not in question is that despite serving as the King’s advisor, by the end of the Theria-Osrona war the King no longer trusted Regulus, believing the man was too influenced by his wife.

Regulus chiefly blamed Alexander for his exile, and as such aggressively sought to dethrone the King as the main condition of the Osrona-Myllenoris war. Even once Alexander’s subversion by the witch Nebula Lockwood came to light, the Grimmore sought his removal from power. While Regulus is considered to have died with his wife, there is no doubt that if he had lived, his hatred would have grown ever stronger in the wake of his wife’s death at Alexander’s hands.

Asta Hargrave

Asta Hargrave

The love of Regulus’ life, Asta Hargrave was described by the man himself to be everything to him. Initially the result of an arranged marriage, the forging of a Teraphim bond between the two ensured the relationship grew to be a loving one. While the two initially held a degree of professional fondness to each other, Asta’s changeable moods and Regulus’ uncharacteristic habit of not saying the right thing to her nearly doomed their fledgling romance before their wedding. The wedding itself was a statement all its own, proving the immediate depth of devotion the two shared to each other, especially Asta’s. Regulus’ own devotion was proven by his defection from Osrona at the beginning of the Osrona-Myllenoris war.

Though the two undoubtedly loved one another, in many circumstances they were said to disagree. While it was not publicly known at the time, sources close to the two describe Regulus as a significant force for keeping Asta’s Teraphim-Supremacist ambitions in check, including talking the woman out of conquering Osrona in favour of instituting a new Osronan Republic. Regulus cared deeply enough for Asta that even prior to the war he was struggling between his duty and his heart - a search of his private quarters following the events of King Alexander’s Wedding Reception turned up several dozen unsigned letters of resignation as Royal Spymaster in his own hand, dated from 1733 AC.

Regulus followed Asta into becoming a Teraphim, and ultimately died with her as a result of the breaking of their Teraphim bond following Asta’s death in the final battle of the Osrona-Myllenoris war.

Abilities

Statecraft

The result of his familial upbringing, natural talent, and an education by the Imperial Academy of Esshar, Regulus was a master diplomat and spymaster, as well as an excellent administrator. His diplomatic efforts delayed a war with Myllenoris and Osrona for several years, the alliance between the two cities key in allowing a successful military campaign against Theria. An excellent negotiator, Regulus’ skill often allowed for agreements that favoured the Essharan Empire more than its enemies, as seen in several prisoner exchanges with the Empire of Barsburg. His time as Spymaster and Advisor to the King was similarly successful, with the Essharan Empire’s vast spy network well managed by the Grimmore Lord. As advisor to the King, he was never said to do anything less than his best, though it is agreed that at some point King Alexander II ceased to trust the man, considering him overly influenced by his wife.

Administratively Regulus was talented, offering useful advice to the King of Esshar. When forced into exile, he carried this role into his time in Myllenoris, doing his best to shoulder part of the burden of his wife. It was Regulus who drafted the terms of the post-war agreement between the factions that formed the Essharan League, as well as outlined a theoretical Osronan Republic, though both were ultimately doomed to collapse by the actions of those who followed him.

Wayfinding

Notably, Regulus was the first human Wayfinder in Esshar in at least a century, a fact for which he was quite proud. Access to the Vale allowing him an easier area to train his skills, Regulus is recorded to be able to perform Wayfinding with rapid speed following years of practice, as well as on one occasion use the Wayfinding runes to allow Pariah Dayndros to speak to his ancestor, the famed Natasa Dayndros. As a Teraphim his skill became near prodigious, though his death ultimately forestalled any further development of the ability.

History

Youth - 1707-1725 AC

Born to Severus ven Grimmore and Hestia cos Grimmore in 1707, from a young age Regulus had heavy expectations laid upon him. With the death of Regulus’ grandfather, Lord Ardes ven Grimmore, in 1710, Severus became the head of House Grimmore and shifted his raising of Regulus to compensate for the likelihood the young Grimmore would eventually become head of the house. In his youth, Regulus was taken on several tours of different lands, fitting the Grimmore tendency of instilling worldliness in their youth. In particular, Regulus visited the Reimara Concordant on Agartha at the age of ten, where he learned about Wayfinding for the first time. Upon his return, the Grimmore was enrolled in the Imperial Academy of Esshar, quickly proving a prodigy in diplomatic education. Following his graduation at the age of sixteen, having skipped a year of his education, the Grimmore toured the Empires of Barsburg and Aen, returning a man weathered by travel and with a strong understanding of the similarities and differences of the lands of Aegis outside of Esshar to his home. Regulus entered into the Diplomatic Service of Osrona at the age of seventeen, and served with distinction within the Domestic branch, personally aiding in preventing discontent in Hessalia and Dintium from resulting in a minor revolt.

War with Barsburg - 1725-1730 AC

During the early years of the Invasion of Barsburg Regulus remained serving in the Domestic branch, helping boost recruitment working with the cities of the Essharan Empire. In 1727, however, he was shifted into the Foreign branch of the Diplomatic Service after being recognised for his success. He quickly adapted to his role, negotiating several prisoner trades with Barsburg and using his diplomatic skill to ensure Esshar got the better side of the deal. No warrior, Regulus’ weapon were his words, and while he focused on diplomacy he also took over the regency of House Grimmore as his father entered the war as a Radiant of the First Light.

In 1729, Severus ven Grimmore was slain in battle with Barsburg, and Regulus became the head of House Grimmore at the age of twenty-two, the youngest Lord of House Grimmore in a century. His exact involvement in the late stages of the war were unknown for several decades following, but released documents after the reclamation of Osrona following the Pandemonium Chase revealed that the nobleman nearly completely drained the coffers of House Grimmore assassinating several key administrators in Barsburg, including a handful of Provincial Governors, destabilizing the Empire in concert with a successful Essharan counteroffensive to the point that a ceasefire - and later peace treaty - resulted.

Post-War - 1730- AC

Regulus in 1730

In the aftermath of the Invasion of Barsburg, Regulus was appointed Royal Spymaster of Esshar, taking over the largely depleted Essharan Intelligence Guild, and became one of the advisors of Regent Serea ven Astor and Prince Alexander ras Petrakis. Even so, he slipped more comfortably back into the Diplomat role at the command of the Regent, meeting with High Lady Asta Hargrave of Myllenoris shortly after the Regent declared the intent to reclaim the lost Essharan territories of Theria and Myllenoris themselves. The first meeting went well by all accounts, and despite some early hiccups Essar and Myllenoris quickly grow comparatively close diplomatically. Their alliance is cemented by the engagement of Regulus and the High Lady by 1731, the two marrying by 1732.

The Wedding of Asta and Regulus

Their marriage was memorable; the Teraphim Weiss interrupted the wedding and challenged Asta in an attempt to prevent it; Asta subsequently slew the Teraphim and declared herself and Regulus married while spattered in blood.

Following the defeats of Osrona and Myllenoris by Theria and Ilburg respectively, Regulus spearheaded the Treaty of 1733, formalising the Myllenoris-Osrona alliance. In 1734 the Nobleman announced the birth of his and Asta’s daughter, Eurydice ven Grimmore. During the war with Theria, the diplomat focused on keeping the alliance between the two cities strong, though tensions rose following the Myllenoran withdrawal from the war with the death of Duana Kurokaiyo, a witch, in 1736. At the same time, Regulus was involved with organising the peace between Ilburg, Osrona and Myllenoris, though his relationship with King Alexander had been strained following the Myllenoran withdrawal, as well as developing Wayfinding - using the runes on one circumstance to summon Natasa Dayndros in the Vale at the request of the leader of Ilburg, Penelope Dayndros. In the later months of 1736, Regulus and Asta appeared unannounced at the reception of King Alexander’s marriage to Nebula Winterbourne. The situation spiralled, and war broke out between the Kingdoms. Regulus and Asta escaped from the reception suffering no serious injuries, with the former doing so through Wayfinding, marking his full development of the ability. In the aftermath, the nobleman announced that King Alexander had attempted to illegitimately depose Asta, and then stripped Regulus of his titles when he refused to side against his wife.

Traitor and Death - 1736-1740 AC

The Reception

With the beginning of the war with Osrona, Regulus’ place in Myllenoris was uncertain. He took a position as the Consort of the High Lady, and was made a diplomat of Myllenoris, fitting his skills. Regulus accompanied Asta as the Myllenoran aid to Ilburg in the purifying of a gate to Njorun’s realm beneath the desert city, and was part of the diplomatic effort to bring Theria and Ilburg into the Essharan League, with lesser success with Alabastre. The exiled nobleman became a common fixture in Myllenoris, advising his wife in the war and spearheading the condition of peace being the abdication of King Alexander. Regulus fought in the battle to lay siege to Osrona, losing his hand to Mikael Hargrave and replacing it with a prosthetic afterwards. In 1739, Regulus was witness to Asta’s declaration of her intent to conquer Osrona. The two disappeared into the Vale following the latter’s Spirit’s Witness with Finley, emerging with new conditions of peace; the dismantling of Esshar’s monarchy in favour of a Republic following an occupation. Regulus was the architect of this plan.

At some point in 1740, Regulus underwent the Rite of the Chrysalis, being reborn as a Teraphim, and was soon after named Lord Chancellor, a position subservient only to the High Lady. Deciding to remain at Starfall Tower during the Siege of Osrona in order to protect Asta from the possibility of him being slain in battle, Asta was unexpectedly slain by King Alexander in a duel. Asta’s death resulted on a powerful backlash along their Teraphim bond. Regulus’ heart shattered, and he died with his wife.

Legacy

Regulus left a mixed legacy. His work with the Essharan League allowed it to persist for another decade as the Essharan Coalition, the most unified the region had been since the 1600s, which went so far as to invade Barsburg. However, his framework for the Osronan Republic ultimately did not stand the test of time, falling to corruption and allowing the Barsburg occupation of Osrona. With the death of Eurydice Hargrave in 1752, Regulus’ line of House Grimmore ended. Despite this, the end of the war with Osrona resulted in the House following his lead, abandoning the Petrakis monarchy and the city of Osrona until it’s reconciliation with the city in 1813.