Padraig O'Rourke, Count of Halstaig

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Padraig Pious O'Rourke
padraigorourke.jpeg
"The Adunian Pioneer" by Rayehm Wynsehn, c. 1770
Count of Halstaig
Tenure: 19th of the Deep Cold, 1788 - 18th of Malin's Welcome, 1791
Predecessor: Oisin O'Rourke
Successor: Anastasia O'Rourke
Secretary of the Interior
Tenure: 1st of the Amber Cold, 1783 - 18th of Malin's Welcome, 1791
Predecessor: Sir Edward Galbraith
Successor: Dimitri Orlov
Minister of Labor
Tenure: 24th of Sun's Smile, 1775 - 11th of the Grand Harvest, 1783
Predecessor: Marina Dubois
Successor: Sir Alexios Komnenos
Lord Mayor of Owynsburg
Tenure: 1st of the Amber Cold, 1770 - 24th of Sun's Smile, 1775
Predecessor: Edmund Bren
Successor: Sir Alexios Komnenos
Race: Adunian
Born: 2nd of Sun's Smile, 1744, Galaeve, Aeldin
Died: 15th of The Amber Cold, 1791, Helena, Oren
Spouse: Illaena Stahl-Elendil
House: orourke2.png O'Rourke
Father: Pious O'Rourke
Mother: Clover Augusta

Padraig Pious O'Rourke (Common: Patrick Pious; High Imperial: Patricius Pious) monikered, Padraig 'The Grim' was the 2nd Count of Halstaig, Secretary of the Interior of Oren, Minister of Labor of Kaedrin, and Lord Mayor of Owynsburg. Padraig was born to Clover Augusta and Pious Padrick in the realm of Aeldin. Growing up away from the blights of Iblees on Arcas, Padraig had a relatively simple childhood. However, when his father died in 1756, Padraig along with his cousins sailed to Arcas to start anew. They landed in Owynsburg and started a printing and equine business. In 1764, when the Imperial Diet was reformed, Padraig entered a career of politics, serving as a member of the Josephite Party. His career took off and it saw him reaching many high-ranking positions in Imperial society.

Tenure as Lord Mayor of Owynsburg; 1770-1775

After having lived in Kaedrin for almost a decade, Padraig had amassed enough support to where he believed he could successfully run for Lord Mayor - And so he did. In 1769 he would challenge the incumbent mayor, Edmund Bren for office. During his campaigning season, two assassins dressed in the garbs of the Hangmen would break into his home and attempt to assassinate the O'Rourke. However, after hearing the commotion Imperial State Army reinforcements arrived under the command of Peter d'Arkent. After a lengthy battle, the Imperial State Army emerged victorious, and the Hangmen, slain. Padraig along with many other members of the House of Rourke, publicly accused Edmund Bren of sending the assassins. Edmund denied the accusations and sued Padraig for slander. In a settlement agreement, Padraig agreed to pay Bren a sum of 7,500 minas. [1]

The elections would go on as planned, a debate was held, and later elections were held as tradition demanded, but again a scandal arose; non-Kaedreni citizens had voted. The rigging affair was reviewed and a new election was held, this time Padraig O'Rourke would take the lead and win the elections. Padraig's tenure as Mayor saw several economic improvements in Kaedrin. In 1771, he had reopened the Ves Mines after an employee of his hard discovered a new metallic ore. By 1772 he had ceased taxation on several parts of Kaedrin in an attempt to lure more people to live there. To make up for the lost income, he paid the nation's taxes out of his own pocket. In 1773 he had introduced several economic reforms that would lower the cost of living in Owynsburg. Lastly in 1774, Padraig introduced reforms to the requirements of running for Lord Mayor of Owynsburg. All of his reforms and improvements would go on to transfer over to all the mayorships following his, until the destruction of Owynsburg in 1795.

Tenure as Minister of Labor; 1775-1783

After Padraig's term as Lord Mayor of Owynsburg came to an end, he was extended an invite by the Lieutenant Governor General of Kaedrin to partake on the Kaedrini Council. He accepted and was made the Minister of Labor for Kaedrin; a role previously held by his friend Marina Dubois. His cousin, Oisin, was extended a similar invitation and he was made Minister of Defense for Kaedrin, a role in which he would hold alongside Padraig until death.

The beginning of Padraig's tenure saw the outbreak of the Sutican War which was highly unpopular in the Kingdom of Haense & Commonwealth of Kaedrin. While Haense was rarely raided during the war, Kaedrin became the stomping ground for raiders of the Begrudged Alliance due to its lack of defensive structures. As Minister of Labor, Padraig was tasked with providing citizens of the Commonwealth with supplies and protection during the war. A large wall was constructed around the valley of Ves and the gates of Owynsburg were upgraded and regularly monitered.

When citizens of Kaedrin reached out to Imperial Administration for the approval of a local militia to defend against raiders, the Orenian government declined the request and instead stationed the 3rd Brigade in Owynsburg for the remainder of the war. This didn't satisfy the O'Rourke as the 3rd Brigade was understaffed and despite their station in Owynsburg, many of their members lived in Helena and were unable to assist in defending against raiders. Padraig took the initiative and hired a private group of mercenaries who patrolled the Kaedrini walls and led local townsfolks in defense of their city. Kaedrin saw a significant decrease in raiders afterward.

The war ended in 1780, with the Commonwealth of Sutica and the Holy Orenian Empire signing a peace treaty so that they could instead focus their efforts outward towards the growing Inferi threat in the Korvassa.

The Stahl-Elendil Administration; 1783-1791

Upon Jonah Stahl-Elendil's elevation to Archchancellor, Padraig has been selected to serve under him as Secretary of the Interior (later known as Minister of the Home Office). His appointment was met with immediate controversy as many denizens of the Kingdom of Haense who were primarily Evardines were upset that only members of the Josephite Party were being selected to serve upon the Council of State. In addition, Padraig was selected to the interior office despite not having worked in it prior. This outraged those who believed Haenseni, Angelika Bykov, the previous Deputy-Secretary should have been promoted to Secretary of the Interior instead of Padraig.


Reign as Count of Halstaig; 1788-1791

Death

In 1788, allegations were launched at Padraig by Tanith Vursur, claiming he had assaulted & tortured her with the help of Ostromir Carrion. Both Padraig & Ostromir found this accusation utterly disgusting & started planning to take this battle to the Orenian courts. In the following month, an investigation was underway by The Ministry of Justice which found both Padraig & Ostromir innocent of all crimes. Miss Vursur in a fit of rage self-exiled herself to Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. This caused Miss Vursur's friend; Edward Napier & his orcish bride to plan an attack on Padraig.

Winter came and went & Miss Vursur kept trying to rally support for what she claims was "unfair justice". One day in the spring of 1789, Edward Napier & his orc wife finally launched their surprise attack on Padraig, jumping him on the road just outside of Helena. Using a bowie knife, Edward clashed his throat open & his wife brutally smashed him into the road like a rag doll. Not wanting to continue the fight, Padraig was able to push himself to his feet & run back inside of the city to inform the Imperial State Army.

The Imperial State Army quickly apprehended the attackers & took them into custody. Meanwhile, Padraig was ushered into the Helena Hospital where Jacquelyn Cenobia, an army medic & close friend attended to him until a paladin arrived to fully heal him. Edward was later charged with first-degree assault & his wife was slaughtered within imperial cells.

As it so happens, the trial for Edward Napier fell through soon after Padraig died the year after. It is unknown how Padraig passed but many theories he either succumbed to his wounds or one of Miss Vursurs supporters finally got to him. Padraig was buried on the 6th of Harren's Folly, 1791 at Charlesport beside his cousin, Oisin.


Issue

Name Birth Death Marriage
Anastasia O'Rourke, Countess of Halstaig 11th of Snow's Maiden, 1770 Alive Carter Alexios Komnenos, Count-Consort of Halstaig Firstborn daughter. Countess of Halstaig.
Patrick O'Rourke 2nd of Sun's Smile, 1774 Alive Emilia Morgryn Firstborn son. Absent during his formative years and his father's death, thus leading to his older sister inheriting the title.
Cristonia O'Rourke, Baroness-Consort of Pyrmont 20th of Malin's Welcome, 1782 Alive John Frederick Hartcold Secondborn daughter.
Eavan O'Rourke 9th of the Grand Harvest, 1786 Alive Unwed Thirdborn daughter.