Padraig O'Rourke, Count of Halstaig
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Padraig O'Rourke was a well respected man who helped shape the Holy Orenian Empire into what it is today. Born in Aeldin, the man moved to Arcas when he was ten. From there he grew up with his cousins & siblings in the countryside of Kaedrin. Through rigorous work he managed to secure himself mayor ship of Owynsburg, then Minister of the Commonwealth of Kaedrin & later Secretary of the Interior in the Holy Orenian Empire.
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Biography
Early life
Born to Pious O'Rourke & Clover Agusta, Padraig O'Rourke was born in Galave, Aeldin. In the town of Galaeve the young O'Rourke was able to master many skills which served him greatly in his later life. From horseback riding to manipulation, there was never something not to learn from the aeldin town. When Padraig was twelve, he set sail with his cousins & siblings to Arcas where he spent the rest of his life. Arcas served as his output for all his talent & skills. Once reaching the new land, the first place he called home was Owynsburg, Kaedrin. When his cousin; Oisin O'Rourke turned eighteen he was rewarded with an estate outside of Owynsburg which is where the O'Rourke family moved to.
Later life
At the age of twenty, Padraig started his first career as a manager of a printing press which later became the first asset of the O'Rourke Company. Padraig's next business plan was to open a tavern in Owynsburg. Until Padraig & his sister Quinn established the first tavern, the town went tavern-less which lead to a shortage of travelers & citizens. Once the tavern was proven successful, Padraig went to open the last business of the O'Rourke company; a horse breeding organization. To start, the help of Donovan O'Rourke was enlisted to gather suitable horses for breeding. When that was done, all the horses were moved to stables at the O'Rourke Estate where they were breed & milked for the best of the best. Private contracts were soon made with militia's & militaries of Arcas once the O'Rourkes proved that they truly had produced the best horses. The O'Rourke Company went on to establish many other branches, including Murkywater, Orlov Co & Imperial Heavy Industries.
In 1767 the Josephite Convention was announced to take place in New Reza, Haense in the N.G.S Museum. With his cousin Oisin O'Rourke & bodyguards from The O'Rourke Company, Padraig journeyed to the highlander city to attend. The evening went over smoothly & it became clear politics were the next thing House O'Rourke would place it's hand in. A few years later with the announcement of the 16th Imperial Diet being formed, Oisin O'Rourke ran under the Josephite banner as a candidate. When he won with the Josephites being the majority party of the house, Padraig decided to spread the Josephite influence into the heart of Kaedrin & what better way to do that than became mayor of Owynsburg.
In 1769 Padraig launched his campaign to become mayor. With his new allies The Komnenos's & Cenobia's backing him, he managed to rally the majority of Owynsburg citizens to vote for him. A year later in 1770 when the votes were made known, Padraig O'Rourke decisively won against Edmund Bren, whom he accused of hiring assassins to murder him a month before the election without evidence. The O'Rourke administration brought in many new changes to the city. Taxes were cut in half, construction of a proper hospital & marketplace were brought forth & outside walls were erected around the valley to defend against the Hangmen raiders.
When Padraig's term as mayor was coming to an end, instead of running for re-election he nominated his friend; Alexios Komnenos to run instead so he could focus on a new area; The House of Commons. Seeing the Josephite success during the last session, Padraig stepped up to the plate & ran himself in the 17th Imperial Diet election. To the shock of no one, Padraig was able to get into the house with ease, starting his new career as a member of the House of Commons. Within a few days of his newest position, he was given the title & job of Minister of Labor in Kaedrin where he was to oversee kaedrini activity inside & outside of the Owynsburg walls.
For eight long & prosperous years Padraig continued to hold his position in the kaedrini goverment until 1783 when a new imperial cabinet was formed by Jonah Stahl-Elendil; the head of the Josephite party. Jonah called Padraig to the capital of the Holy Orenian Empire, Helena to take up to position as Secretary of the Interior. Without hesitation Padraig answered the call & the very next day he rode to the capital to meet with the new Archchancellor. The previous Secretary of the Interior; Edward Galbraith left many holes within the interior ministry, holes which Padraig quickly filled. Almost instantly the citizens of the empire were able to see the changes at work, the clerks office lead by Annabelle Kelmenour was allowed more freedom. The long ineffective livery board of Helena was abolished & replaced by the Aldermen organization which created many new legal reforms to the city. During this time Helena saw an increase in productivity along with the greater empire, all thanks to the leadership of Padraig O'Rourke.
Relics
Liar's Bane - Padraig's Sword, passed down through generations of O'Rourkes & Elendils. A bastard sword who's blade measures to a length of forty-six inches with the hilt & pommel adding an extra elven inches. The blade is made out of a reflective, crystal like metal, a metal that is almost unearthly in shape & design. For those who study the blade closer would see the reflective crystal would not reflective the surroundings of the wielder but more of act as a mirror to a different world. The weapon was passed onto Padraig's eldest daughter, Anastasia O'Rourke prior to the Seige of the Doghouse in the Inferi War.
