Publius Bracchus
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Publius Bracchus (17th of the Sun's Smile, 1475 – 21st of the Grand Harvest, 1547) was an Orenian aristocrat, statesman, author, and ambassador, serving throughout the reigns of Oliver de Savoie and Guy de Bar, and in his highest role as Archchancellor, for John I.
Publius was most noted as a loyalist during the infamous Dukes' War, where despite his close ties with both Duke Hughes of Adria and his nominal liege, Vasili of Vydrik, kept his vows to King Olivier and served on his privy council as Lord Steward. He would later convince a multitude of disheartened rebel vassals (most importantly Count Percival Staunton, who would later replace Vasili as Duke) to return to the royalist faction, as well as being an avid advocate of clemency for the revolting coalition. Publius maintained a close bond with the Lord Chancellor at that time, Guy de Bar.
When Guy was elected King however, the relationship between him and the new king soured, and eventually Publius fell out of favor in Guy's increasing paranoia and entered exile. He later returned after the Horen Restoration of Emperor John, which offered him the position as his new chancellor. It would be by the words of Publius that convinced many moderate royalists of the previous war to give their loyalties to the newly crowned John I, and help bridge the fissure between the loyalist and exiled coalition nobility. Publius would also attempt to form a pact between the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, then led by Uldar Irongut, and the Qali nation of Khalestine, but would never come to fruition after the popular deposition of Uldar by Midgor Ireheart.
Because of his failure in secure the Urguanite allaince, which later led to the grueling Eighteen Years' War, Publius resigned from office and resumed his life as an author. He faced his end at the hands of the newly crowned John II, who had him drowned for belief of treason.
Publius is remembered for his original humble origin and his extraordinary ability to rise from a simple levyman to nobility, in joined with his tactful diplomacy in both the Ashford monarchy and the reestablished Holy Orenian Empire.
