Daedalus Taitale

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Daedalus Taitale
Daedalus.png
Personal Details
Born: 15th of The Grand Harvest, 1535
Died: 10th of The Amber Cold, 1628 (aged 93)
Castell, Ponzan, Savinia, Kingdom of Santegia
Spouse: Apollonia Lysistrate Taitale
House: Taitale
Father: Metiér Taitale
Mother: Alcippe Avie

Daedalus Taitale (15th of The Grand Harvest 1535 – 10th of The Amber Cold, 1628) was an Akritian polymath who was most notably known for his wide array of expertise, which included cartography, geography, history, heraldry, painting, architecture, writing, literature, and music. His extensive knowledge would see him serve as adviser to many prominent figures of society, from gentry to royalty - having advised across Vandoria, Oren, Courland, and Santegia.

Born to Metiér and Alcippe Taitale, prestigious merchants and explorers that prospered between the trade routes between realms. He was born and educated out at sea, taught purely through experience rather than academia. Much of his life was spent on the Isles of Axios, with much of his service spent on the Duchy of Savinia, under Abdessamad de Savin.

Amongst all his work, his most well known and influential was the Axion Atlas, a map which he compiled and maintained throughout his lifetime - one which detailed all of the Isles of Axios - and until his death. These and many other works are still being used to this day, allowing him to continue influencing the course of the realm from beyond his grave.

Life

Daedalus was born on the 15th of The Grand Harvest 1535, to a family of explorers and seafarers, who had long since escaped the constrictions of the known realms. Little is known about his early life, except that much of his childhood was spent on his parent’s vessel, ‘The Caeruleus’. Although, his unusual circumstances meant that he received an informal education while he was young, it did not seem to hinder his capabilities in any manner. In fact, his experience would later prompt him to write ‘The Lands Beyond’, an aptly named book that documented much of what he had learnt and seen during these voyages. Perhaps as a direct result of such an opportunity, it spurred an unquenchable curiosity upon the young Daedalus, allowing him to visit and experience an array of cultures from Aeldin to Vailor.

“I could tell you of the exotic wonders to the far eastern fringes of our plane, and lands to the far west - where the only green are the dead grasses and rotting reeds, looming in the mists like ragged shadows of long forgotten summers.” -Daedalus Taitale
The Axion Atlas.

In 1552, at the age of seventeen, he made his first steps of independence, having left the Caeruleus and his family behind, following his sense of curiosity towards the Isles of Vailor. His first endeavours saw him explore the far fringes of the islands, taking vast notes on the settlements and monuments that he passed. Included in these notes were meticulous sketches of the lands around. In his journals, Daedalus expressed fondness for the city of Felsen, specifically noting the architectural details that adorned the settlement, from its imperial palace to the docks from which he arrived.

It was in Vandoria, where Daedalus first gained prominence, having published a map of the Isles of Vailor, the culmination of years of geographical work. The map depicted national borders, political claimancy, important transportation routes, and the location of settlements. He continued updating the map until the great migration from the Isles of Vailor to the Isles of Axios.

As one of the first to arrive on the shores of these new isles, he was tasked with the job of exploring and mapping the unknown realm. Yet again, he was constantly on the move, recording information wherever he went. Daedalus would brave the chilling cold of Ceru, the dangerous jungles of Asul, and soar above the highest peaks of Tahn - in the name of discovery. From the very beginning, this map cemented itself as the singular and most prominent of its kind, none ever surpassing it in usage.

In the 1580s, Daedalus’ prominence in society grew ever larger, now renown for his works in heraldry, he would be responsible for creating and managing a vast multitude of armorial achievements for nobility and royalty. During this time, he would find himself working as a scribe in the Barony of Ponce, the start of his administrative career. Directly following on, he become directly involved in the development of Savinia, mediating its transition from a Barony of Lotharingia to a Duchy of Courland.

Daedalus was instrumental to the creation and survival of the Duchy of Savinia, having personally designed its palaces and settlements by utilising his refined architectural knowledge, as well as providing the administrative integrity required to sustain such a fief. As a result, he was made an Arch-Chancellor of Savinia, briefly serving as regent during the Duke’s absence, as well as being knighted in the most honourable Order of the Veldin. Despite his honours and rewards, he never accepted a place in the nobility, and found solace in the gentry and the bourgeoisie.

The results of his work make him a progenitor the Kingdom of Santegia, one of a handful of founders. Many agree that without his influential work, society would be very different today.

Personal life

Within his lifetime, he would only marry once, remaining faithful until his death.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

At the end of his life, his title was: ‘’The Most Excellent, Daedalus Taitale, OE, Knight of the Order of the Veldin.’’