Arete Family
Contents
Background
Originally established in Riverholm, the former capital of Abington (on Atamara), the family also currently has members in Ibladesh (on the East Continent), Toren (on the South-East Island) and an adventurer in the Far East. The family's name "Arete", is derived from the Greek word ἀρετή, meaning "virtue," or more specifically, "the excellence that makes anything an outstanding specimen of its kind, especially well fitted to its ends". The family motto is
kratestho logon logoi kratousin humon
which translates from Greek as "Master your words, or your words will master you". The family's reputation has grown very quickly, and most believe that it is their adherence to their motto that has brought about their success.
Aeryn
VitalsTitles
History
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Aeryn was the first of the Arete family to accept the responsibilities of nobility, after which she swore an Oath of Fealty to Sir Phlex, the former Count of Washford. Phlex introduced Aeryn to Duchess Callisto, and the two became close friends. After Phlex was imprisoned by ASI for infiltration during the War of Dishonour, Callisto appointed Aeryn as the new Countess of Washford. Aeryn was only 18 at the time, and had not even been a noble for a full two months yet.
Aeryn spent most of her career working as a bureaucrat; however, a few weeks after religions began to spread across the face of Atamara, Aeryn founded Aristoi Atamarism, the first religion within Abington's borders. After the Aristoi had spread to several regions and acquired a few priests, Aeryn changed careers again and become a mentor. She was reappointed as Countess of Washford, and shortly afterwards was appointed as the Marshal of the newly created Army of Suville, though the latter may have more to do with the military success of her sister, Averyll, than anything she has done herself.
Aeryn is often mistaken to be cold and heartless, but this is because she shows very little emotion in either her speech or her expression. Despite her studious personality, she seems to have developed a relationship with Count Damian. It has taken a long time and a lot of effort on his part in order to win Aeryn's affections, but he is in her thoughts more than she thinks he ought to be, which is a compliment coming from her.
Averyll
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Averyll began her career on the South-East Islands in Toren, far away from her family in Abington. She decided to go to Toren on the recommendation of Sir Phlex, the former liege of Averyll's sister, Aeryn. Like Aeryn, Averyll is very studious, but whereas Aeryn is passionate about the religious affairs of her realm, Averyll is passionate about military affairs, and so decided to leave her ancestrial home for more war-torn realms. In Toren, she met Pontifex Phear, the brother of Sir Phlex. Phear appointed Averyll as the Countess of Jerelin after only two months in Toren. Shortly afterwards, Averyll became Toren's one and only mentor. Many of her students later became very successful in Toren, and eventually Averyll's lessons became the canonical texts of Aristoi Academy.
Averyll's reputation continued to grow steadily. She was appointed by Ascensia as the Marshal of the Army of Tor. Than she was appointed by Pontifex Phear to both his Military and his Advisory Council. And later, she was elected as Fiduciary of Toren, thus becoming the only banker on SEI. It was through this latter title that Averyll became intimately familiar with the effects of takeover strategies, and successfully coordinated several takeovers of her own. Moreover, her high leadership skill granted her command of almost every battlefield, and she emerged victorious almost every time.
Her most famous victory, or rather infamous, was the fateful Battle of Lesthem that ended Phear's life. Being very close friends with the heroic Pontifex Phear, Averyll was very upset over his death; however, she vowed to make his vision a reality, and despite being nicknamed "The Butcher of Lesthem" for her unprecedented brutality during the previous takeover, Averyll was immediately elected as the new Pontifex. She appointed Jonathan (and later Paladin Primus Hackem) as her successors to the command of Jerelin and also retired as the Fiduciary. Eventually, Ascensia immigrated to another island, and thus Averyll inherited the Army of Tor and appointed Fisc as the new Marshal, who had also recently been appointed the Count of Dakan and was elected as Averyll's successor as Fiduciary.
Almost immediately after being elected Pontifex, Averyll faced a large opposition to her rule. One noble even called Averyll a "wretched whore". Eventually, this discontent grew into a rebellion, which came to be know as The Toren Civil War. Despite support from Taselak, the Separatists were quickly crushed by the Loyalists. However, two dozen nobles were lost in the process, and the Ikalakians began to have doubts regarding the strength of their "ally", with whom Toren had a treaty to fight against Taselak. Ikalak quickly decided to initiate a cease-fire and reconsider their commitment to the agreement, thus reducing Toren to face Taselak one-on-one, out-numbered with fewer resources and diminished morale among peasants and nobles alike.
With the loss of the legendary Phear, as well as two dozen other nobles, having suffered a rebellion and the withdrawal of their ally from the conflict, these were truly among the darkest days of Toren. However, great leaders are born from great challenges, and Averyll proved herself to be more than adequate. Maximus, the Prime Minister of Ikalak, not only agreed to abide by the treaty, but even signed an amendment requiring greater involvement of his forces in the war against Taselak, and now Toren is stronger than it has ever been, both in terms of the number of regions under its control and the military power at its disposal. Support for Averyll has grown steadily ever since, and soon she will be credited with conquering an entire realm.
Alendru
Vitals
- Age: 26
- Class: Trader
- Continent: East Continent
- Realm: Ibladesh
- Honour: 29
- Prestige: 11
Titles
- Baron of Ar Raqqah
- Marshal of the Army of Sartan
History
- Began his career in Ibladesh (08/20/06)
- Appointed as Baron of Ar Raqqah (10/05/06)
- Founded the guild "The Order of Tersea" (11/12/06, now closed)
Aaliyah
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The family also suffers the name of Aaliyah Arete, who was disowned by the family for having relations with a commoner. She was subsequently sent to the Far East "to be the commoner she pretends to be." At first Aaliyah was defiant, but she has learned to appreciate her noble heritage and strives to regain her honour and her family's respect. Alendru is sympathetic towards Aaliyah's circumstances, as he himself would prefer a life beyond "the petty etiquette of nobility." Averyll is disdainful towards Aaliyah, as she believes that "nothing is more important than serving the realm." Aeryn is indifferent towards Aaliyah, as she is concerned only for "the general good and welfare of the people of Abington."
Family Fame
The Arete Family
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