Aurelius I, Emperor of Man

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Aurelius I Emperor of Man Reign: 1678-1694 Coronation: Unknown Predecessor: Title Created Successor: Augustus Horen King of Renatus Reign: 1637-1694 Coronation: 12th of The Deep Cold, 1638 Predecessor: Title Created Successor: Augustus I King of Marna Reign: 1651-1694 Predecessor: Frederick Pius Successor: Augustus I Archchancellor: Charles Elliot Horen Born: 6th of The Amber Cold 1603, Doggersden Death: Presumed 1711 (aged: 107 or 108) Spouse: Theodosia Horen House: Horen Father: Carolus Horen Mother: Larissa Romstun

Canonius Horen, regally known as Aurelius I (6th of The Amber Cold, 1603 – present) of the House of Horen is the first King and current king of the Crown of Renatus-Marna; a result of the union between the Kingdom of Renatus and the Kingdom of Marna. He is credited with dismantling the decrepit sixth iteration of the Holy Orenian Empire, which had long suffered from a string of corrupt or incapable rulers. He would rule his lands until his abdication in the 16th of Amber Cold, 1694

Biography

Early Life

Canonius Horen was born on the 6th of The Amber Cold, 1603, in Doggersden, Axios to Carolus Horen and Larissa Romstun. Canonius grew up around many of the House of Romstun's finest fighters. Many of which would make a deep impression upon him. Most notably, he formed a particularly close bond with the Romstun retainer, Ser Leitsieg Romstun. Ser Leitseig, among the greatest knights of the realm, took a liking to the royal and offered to take him on as a squire. During this time was when he acquired the valuable skills such as command and martial prowess.

However, Aurelius's training accelerated to completion upon news of the death of his father, Carolus. Carolus, who had been rumored to have been working with a Republican faction within the Imperial State was slain at the hands of Imperial Guardsmen upon the streets of Adelburg. The Republicans, deeply perturbed by the troubling news, sent word via courier to the Lord of Doggersden, who still held Aurelius as a ward. There was general outrage among the Romstun court; many cried for retaliation. Lord Deano Romstun dispatched a force immediately to enact justice upon the murderer of Carolus. The Romstun force stormed the Imperial capital and slew the Archchancellor who had given the order for the murder. This would ultimately become the spark of the Romstun War, in which the Empire sought to eradicate the House of Romstun once and for all.

A Royal Portrait of a Young Aurelius, circa 1635

Having grown up with the Romstun's and his father being murdered by Imperials, Canonius was naturally quite sympathetic to the Romstun cause. Aurelius fought with the men of Romstun until the bitter end. When, the Romstun, at last, succumbed to the overwhelming Imperial force, he and the Romstun remnants fled back to Doggersden, sulking in their defeat and planning their return.

Reign

Aurelius's reign is seen as extremely successful, having conquered a vast majority of land during Atlas, and forming the Empire of Man. He is seen perhaps as one of the greatest Emperors since, John I, or Exalted Godfrey

As King of Renatus

Several years had passed and the Imperial state soon became a shadow of its former self. Through the Emperors' ineptitude and negligence, Imperial influence had diminished much throughout Axios. The time was ripe to make the return. To further the legitimacy of their cause, Canonius as a Horen, was elevated to lead their ranks. He would proclaim himself to be the King of Renatus, with much of Romstun remnants being his initial and prime supporters. Canonius took up Aurelius as his regal name. Aurelius delivered word that the Holy Orenian Empire would finally meet its end and reached out to the nobility to join his cause. However, the established elite remained skeptical of his intentions and sought to maintain the status quo.

Aurelius hired Reiter mercenaries to supplement his current backing. When Aurelius's followers slew the Emperor, John VI, in the Imperial Palace of Adelburg, this would be the deciding factor for the Imperial nobility to refrain from joining with the Renatians. Instead, many flocked to a newly formed Imperial loyalist faction, led by Frederick Victor of the House of Horen-Marna. Around this time was when the Capital City of Adelburg was seized by Renatian forces. Much of the nobility exiled themselves, fearing the potential wrath of Aurelius, and joining Frederick Victor's resistance.

A sketch of Empress Theodosia Horen, circa 1681

Aurelius, far from a tyrant, would offer an olive branch to the nobility, to which they would foolishly reject. Minor skirmishes would occur for several more months until Aurelius attempted once more to come to terms with the Imperial loyalists. He offered to meet the leader of the Loyalists upon neutral grounds, amidst the ruins of the Westerlandic City of Bastion. Both leaders brought contingents of soldiers to the meeting. The negotiations were tense as either side stared each other down. Aurelius would ultimately demand that the resistance faction submit and accept his rule while pardoning everyone. The resistance refused the terms and drew arms upon the Renatian band. Their arrogance would become their undoing. A brief battle ensued in which much of Frederick Victor's supporters were slain, resulting in the Battle of Bastion. With this, Aurelius concluded he would never get them to submit to his rule, and gave up the pursuit.

The Third Crusade

Main Article: Third Crusade

Aurelius, as well as the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, and the Apostolic Kingdom of Marna, which comprised of much of the nobility dissatisfied with Aurelius, would eventually heed the calls to Crusade against the heathenous Kingdom of Norland, devout followers of the barbaric Red Faith. The combined Canonist force, driven by holy ferocity, were able to defeat the Kingdom of Norland with ease and sacking the City of Vjorhelm. Witnessing Renatian soldiers fight alongside Canonist forces would serve to partially mend relations between Renatus and the other human realms.

Union of Renatus and Marna

Sometime later, the crusader state of the Apostolic Kingdom of Marna, had entered a period of stagnation. It was rumored that the King of Marna, Frederick Pius (not to be confused with Frederick Victor), had begun negotiations with King Aurelius of Renatus. In a surprising decision, Frederick Pius, would ultimately abdicate and relinquish the throne of Marna to King Aurelius, instead of his own son. Aurelius accepted this offer graciously in an event that would see the crowns of Renatus and Marna unified into a single state; the Crown of Renatus-Marna.

Atlas Coalition War

Main Article: Atlas Coalition War

Aurelius I leading the left flank in the Battle of the Sleeping Swamps, circa 1660

The Crown of Renatus-Marna recently having brought up the ruin of the Czena Coalition. The King Aurelius the first was determined to take the Fatherist Kingdom of Norland, who had quickly allied themselves with both the Haense and Haelunor forming what became known as the United Southern Coalition, this new alliance carried with them the same ambition as the Czena Coalition which had recently been eradicated, that ambition being the destruction of the grand city of Renatus. King Aurelius summoned all the members of the Northern Atlas Coalitions to commence both large and small raids and skirmishes. These were returned in kind by United Southern Coalition as both sides returned like with like, these raids and skirmishes were primarily in favor of the Northern Coalition, at some point the leaders of the Northern Atlas Coalition consolidated the bulk of their forces and begun their march upon the Kingdom of Norland, resulting in the first major conflict in the war between the two warring factions, this battle became known as the Battle of The Rolling Hills, which was finalized as swift and decisive victory for the Northern Coalition which resulted with fervor within the Renatian army bolstering their morale further, as the coalition dragged on their brutal conquest, King Aurelius would easily sweep through the Southern Coalition with his vastly superior forces in both numbers and arguably skill, this continued on for many months until they reached the city of Ruriksgrad, the Kingdom of Norland final stronghold not to mention also their thriving capital. The King would command the siege from afar as the Norlanders would be forced to flee from being slaughtered as the northern side of the wall began to crumble to dust, eventually creating the perfect staircase for the Northerners and their siege. As the dust faded and the Siege of Ruriksgrad was ended Aurelius would hold a session with the King of Haense hoping to end the needless bloodshed the war had caused. With Haense defeated the High Elves backed out, not wanting to risk another war, Aurelius annexed the title King of Norland and all the lands that the title had upon it. A few months after the Southern Atlas Coalition disbanded and the Atlas Coalition War was pronounced over, the Northern Atlas Coalition seemingly done with its job disbanded as the Coalition went back home to celebrate and recuperate after the horrifying war.

Staunton Uprising

Main Article: Staunton Uprising

Six years later after the closure of the Atlas Coalition War, Renatus was flourishing. Numerous feasts and tournaments had been held to celebrate their vast amount of victories in the past and for the time, the kingdom was resting in a peaceful state. It was during this sixth year after the closure of the failed attempt at defeating Renatus-Marna that a great upheaval took place within the grand Crownlands of Renatus. The House of Var Burgundar has disposed of their land and their titles to the House of Staunton, culminating in the reformation that the Kingdom of Courland was going through. This eventually gave rise to yet another coalition which quickly restored to the same ideals as the last, this coalition was called the Anti-Renatian Coalition. King Aurelius summoned his allies to assist him in removing the slight against the kingdom. The enemy was vast with its superior numbers and so a temporary peace conference was procured and to be held upon a bridge. Upon arriving hoping for a treaty to be formed both sides exchanged insults, overall no agreement could be met by the two warring sides so they departed returning to their perspective encampments. King Aurelius would move his troops directly in front of White Peak, one of the largest cities in Atlas. King Aurelius would eventually command for an initial bombardment of the city which resulted in a grand Renatian victory during the Siege of White Peak, this would be the beginning of the end for the rapidly failing Anti-Renatian Coalition, the final battle which decided the fate of this coalition war was decided at the horrific Siege of Ashwood, with the Renatians fully bringing to rise the decimated the remains of the Courlandic forces.

Aurelius I's coronation as Emperor of Man

Ascension as Emperor

With the ending of yet another war, the Crown of Renatus-Marna having successfully eradicating all of its foes flourished in the much needed time of peace. Although King Aurelius grew bored as just being seen as a mere Kingdom after all of the conquesting he’d done with the amount of vassals under him, as he’d either destroyed or vassalized every other human kingdom within Atlas. As he had the numbers he formed the Empire of Man, upon the creation of the Empire of Man King Aurelius was proclaimed the first Emperor of man, upon being proclaimed the Empire of Man a great amount of the old imperials flocked into the city of Senntisten. Having recently formed the Empire, Aurelius believed that the current capital was not fit for an Empire, so he tore the city down to the ground. Upon the self-destruction of the city, Emperor Aurelius ordered the people who’d been named the greatest builders of the realm to construct him a grand city befit for an Emperor and his empire. This new grand city was then named Carolustadt, named after the Emperor's father, Carolus Horen. During this time, Aurelius would bring up something known as the parliament. A place where numerous laws and documents were seen and either passed or denied by a select group. Under the reign of Aurelius the Empire reached a height it had not seen before since the times of Exalted Godfrey.

Third Atlas Coalition War

Main Article: Third Atlas Coalition War

With the recent rise up of the Empire of Man, the old enemies of the kingdom that once was known as Renatus-Marna, vassalized under Aurelius namely it’s old enemy of Earldom of Nordengrad, which for many years under the service of the Empire had obtained a large and vast rally, this was until the unsuspected death of Thoromir II Ruric. Emperor Aurelius who later became known as the greatest Emperor of Man having to know the Norlanders would strive for an independent nation suspected they would rebel, ordered his troops to consolidated and prepare for a possible march from Carolustadt. Upon the coronation of Torsten I Rosik who replaced Thoromir II Ruric as the Earl of Nordengrad, Aurelius was almost certain of Norlands rebellion, this only being made a reality when the Norlanders mounted a defense and counterattack against the Kingdom of Haense a vassal of the empire, Torsten would then go and proclaim himself King of Norland a title which wasn’t rightfully his, this was seen as an act of rebellion towards the Empire of Man. Emperor Aurelius, whom had the upper hand and having already prepared for a rebellion would quickly extract and march his troops from Carolustadt and towards Nordengrad, upon arrival they’d quickly being to siege the city. Aurelius would leave the Siege of Nordengrad in the hands and command of Prince Cassius Horen, from which they would continuously bombard the city and eventually secure it under the foot of the empire once again. Thereafter he would march a major bulk of the imperial army to San’Kala where he would assist his Elven Allies in the Siege of San'Kala. Having already taken the major part of the Anti-Empire Coalition apart, Aurelius continued the long march with his men to the final resting point of the coalition and it’s defeated allies Kal'Tarak. Emperor Aurelius would take an overview of the siege from afar, not being allowed to ensure in the combat by his advisors as they claimed it would be a needless risk of his life and a risk the empire couldn’t take. He continued to watch his soldiers as they stormed the city and ravages the Kaz’Ulrah to proceed to replace it with the Imperial Flag of Renatus, this would bring the end of another failed coalition that humans have formed to try to remove the empire.

Appearance and Personality

Aurelius Horen is heavily built, sturdy, and of lofty stature, although not exceptionally so, since his height was seven times the length of his own foot. The upper part of his head is round with large and animated eyes. His nose is described to be on the long side, has fair hair, and always has a merry face. His appearance is always stately and dignified; whether he is sitting or standing. His neck is somewhat thick and short. His gait is firm, his whole carriage manly, and his voice clear.

He is prone to hunting and boating. He has taken a keen interest in all manners of war, horses, armor, and weapons.

Issue

Aurelius Horen and Theodosia Horen sired three children (3 sons). Most notable Prince Antonius of Renatus-Marna famed war general, and father of Augustus I, Emperor of Man.

Name	Birth	Death	Marriage	Notes
Prince Constantine of Renatus	1635	1678	Unwed	Firstborn son of Aurelius I Horen and Theodosia Horen. Betrayed his people for a Ghanyan wench. Nicknamed 'the Thief' after he stole a large sum of mina from the coffers of Renatus for himself. Disavowed by his people.
Prince Antonius of Renatus-Marna	1636	1705	Maria of Krajia	Second-born son of Aurelius I Horen and Theodosia Horen. First Lord Marshal of the King's Renatian Legion. Beloved by his soldiers. Father to Emperor Augustus I.
Prince Tiberius of Renatus	1641	1719	Unknown	Third son of Aurelius I Horen and Theodosia Horen. Famed Siegemaster of the Renatian peoples. Father of Prince Cassius Horen.

Ancestors

Ancestors of Aurelius I, Emperor of Man

16. Godfrey Horen               8. Pertinax Horen                       17. Rose Amedius               4. Octavian Horen                             18. Augustus Flay               9. Octavia Flay                       19. Lorin Chivay               2. Carolus Horen                                   20. Otto I , King of Renatus-Salvus               10. Victor Sarkozic                       21. Isabella Jrent               5. Adelyne Sarkozic                             22. Tarmin Chivay               11. Helena Chivay                       23. Agnes Ashby               1. Aurelius I, Emperor of Man                                         24. Balereo Romstun               12. James Romstun                       25. Cersei von Xiphias               6. Rocco Romstun                             26. James Adelban               13. Alice Adelban                       27. Alexis Adelban               3. Larissa Romstun                                   28. Unknown               14. Unknown                       29. Unknown               7. Shirley Ashford                             30. Unknown               15. Unknown                       31. Unknown             Template:Ahnentafel bottom