Arylon Family/Rearden

Rearden Arylon
	Lord Speaker of Sirion
	POLITICAL STATUS
	STATUS
	ALIVE
	CONTINENT	NATIONALITY
	East Continent	Sirion
	TITLES HELD	LANDED TITLES
	Lord Speaker of Sirion Chancellor of the Treasury of Sirion Duke of Oroya Duke of Ashforth	Governor of Oroya Governor of Ashforth Governor of Sir Temple Count of Glinmar Count of Lissambar
	RELIGION	RELIGIOUS TITLES
	General Elven Worship	None
	PERSONAL INFORMATION
	BIRTHPLACE	PARENTS
	Avamar, Sirion	Fisc Arylon Alysia (commoner)
	SPOUSE	ISSUE
	None	None
	HEIGHT	WEIGHT
	6'2"	205 lbs
	HAIR COLOR	EYES
	Red	Greem

Rearden is the second of Fisc Arylon's known bastard sons. After finally giving up on regaining his stolen legacy on Dwilight, Fisc and his wife Luna, as well as their true born son Gheric fled to the East Continent to start a new life as relatively anonymous nobility in the Republic of Sirion. The new circumstances were not, however, well suited to Fisc's rough, militaristic lifestyle and he soon grew restless in the mundane life of an aristocrat. As Fisc descended into depression and alcoholism, he previous fissure between he and his wife grew ever larger, to the point where they were no longer on speaking terms for a time. Unhappy and alone, Fisc sought refuge in the arms of many other women, with a parade of noble and common girls alike sharing his bed. One girl, a tall red-haired servant in the Arylonian estate named Alysia, caught his eye and became a source of great desire for him. After resisting his charms for weeks, she finally broke down, and agreed to become Fisc's lover. For the next year, they would see each other almost every night, as Fisc's appetite for her was insatiable. Soon, she became pregnant, and was quietly whisked away to a country estate where she could give birth without attracting attention. Like he had done before, Fisc sent considerable gold and personal items of importance to the mother of his new child.

Several years later, when Rearden was only five years old, Alysia contracted a mysterious illness and died, leaving Rearden alone with no one to care for him. Not knowing his parentage, Rearden was transferred to an orphanage in the neighboring realm of Nivemus, where he grew up starving and alone. Now an adult, Rearden stands tall as an impressive physical specimen with fiery blonde hair and a fierce beard, looking very much like his father. Yet no one alive today -- including Rearden himself -- is aware of his parentage, or that he has a half-sister who is one of the most prominent members of Sirion, a realm he has now dedicated himself to serving after the downfall of Nivemus.

As Lord Speaker, Rearden managed to reverse the slow and painful decline of Sirion, and the realm grew in size and strength once again. After discovering the possibility that forces within Shadowdale were potentially responsible for his sister's abduction and possible murder, he led a delegation of Sirionites to Shadowdale to demand access in order to investigate. They refused and declared war, accusing Rearden of provocative saber rattling. After fighting a war, Rearden was able to make peace with Shadowdale, and gain access to their realm to conduct his investigation. That search for answers only produced more but did exonerate the Shadowdale government, removing any question as to their involvement in the crime.

Though he did not expect to return to the Speakership, members of the Sirion aristocracy asked him to step forward and lead once more. Since returning, Rearden has made diplomatic overtures to Shadowdale, seeking to rebuild bonds of friendship that were strained in his first tenure. He also made a historic mission to the south to visit the realm of Perdan and her Queen Alyssa Kingsley, long a close associate of the House of Arylon. That diplomatic meeting produced an informal alliance, which enhanced the security of both realms. Sirion continued to prosper through his reign, and it began to reconnect disconnected regions of the Republic once more. Soon, Sirion grew to be the largest realm on the East Continent, boasting the largest nobility of any realm as well, making good on Rearden's charge to restore the glory of the Republic. Later, due to Sirion's success, the people of Oberndorf and Ashforth declared their independence from Eponllyn, aligning with the Republic. Shortly thereafter, Eponllyn declared war on Sirion, and Rearden led the realm in defending the realm. The war ended with a crushing victory by Sirion, confirming their ownership of Oberndorf and Ashforth.

Lord Speaker of Sirion

First Speakership

Former commoner elevated to the nobility in service to Sirion. Half-brother of the legendary Duchess Lyanna Arylon, Margravine of Sirion City and long time fiduciary of the realm. Inherited a badly dispirited and weakened Sirion, campaigning on a pledge to revitalize the realm and restore it to glory. The imperial domination of the realm of Shadowdale over the continent loomed over Sirion foreign policy in this era, as did the implosion of Sirion's alliance partner, Eponllyn. Made major reforms to government, including the elevation of the title of Lord Speaker to the premiership, as well as a change to the republican system of government to favor landed appointments, and less frequent elections. Went to war with Shadowdale over demands of access to investigate his sister's disappearance.

Second Speakership

Though he did not expect to return to the Speakership, members of the Sirion aristocracy asked him to step forward and lead once more. Since returning, Rearden has made diplomatic overtures to Shadowdale, seeking to rebuild bonds of friendship that were strained in his first tenure. He also made a historic mission to the south to visit the realm of Perdan and her Queen Alyssa Kingsley, long a close associate of the House of Arylon. That diplomatic meeting produced an informal alliance, which enhanced the security of both realms. Sirion continued to prosper through his reign, and it began to reconnect the disparate regions of the Republic once more. Soon, Sirion grew to be the most powerful realm on the East Continent, boasting the largest nobility and most territory of any nation, making good on Rearden's charge to restore the glory of the Republic. Later, due to Sirion's success, the people of Oberndorf and Ashforth declared their independence from Eponllyn, aligning with Sirion. Shortly thereafter, Eponllyn declared war on Sirion, and Rearden led the Dragon Army in defending the realm. The war ended with a crushing victory by Sirion, confirming their ownership of Oberndorf and Ashforth. After leading Sirion to a new renaissance of glory and power, Rearden made the decision to retire from public service and allow another to lead the realm.

Rearden's Revolution and Third Speakership

Rapidly ascending through the ranks of the realm, North Estrall gained widespread support as acting Marshal of the Army of Sirion, going on to become Lord Speaker at the age of 21. Two months into his reign he fell prey to a mysterious affliction and those around him saw a material change in his behavior. Suddenly, without warning, he moved to eliminate his own Speakership, announcing an end to Republicanism and a dramatic shift to a Sirion monarchy. He called his new regime "the Ancient Empire of Sirion," and attempted to make the change permanent. This decision led to protests within the realm, ultimately culminating with the announcement by former Lord Speaker Rearden Arylon that a rebellion was being called for the restoration of the Republic. Rearden was able to rally nearly all of the realm against North, and his forces captured the capital, successfully decapitating the regime.

Once victorious, Rearden once again claimed the title of Lord Speaker, taking immediate steps to restore the Republic, announcing snap elections. Having not wanted to return to power after having retired, Rearden pledged to hold onto power only long enough to restore the government and guarantee stability, after which time he would step aside to allow another to lead.

Much of Rearden's time in office after the Restoration was concerned with the establishment and administration of the Speaker's Tribunal to judge North Estrall for crimes against the Republic.

Rearden also moved to take the city of Oligarch after it declared independence from Eponllyn. In response, Eponllyn declared war on Sirion, seeking to recapture the city and stop the Republic from possessing it. Rearden led Sirion's armies to the city, ultimately smashing their attempted takeover of the city, and then formally established Sirion's rule over Oligarch. Eponllyn, defeated and humiliated, sued for peace afterward which confirmed Sirion's ownership of the city.

Legacy

Rearden will be remembered as a dynamic, populist leader who inherited a dispirited Republic in decline, and effectively restored Sirion to glory. Under his leadership, he led Sirion's armies in three major wars against Shadowdale and two against the horsemasters of Eponllyn. The wars, particularly those against Eponllyn, were smashing victories for Sirion, leading Rearden to earn a reputation as a strong leader who was a force to be reckoned with militarily. Specifically, the expansion of the borders of Sirion to the south and the west is also considered one of Rearden's most important legacies, as he added several new territories to the Republic. Most importantly, the cities of Oroya, Ashforth and Oligarch became possessions under his tenure, adding significant prestige, wealth, and strategically important cities to Sirion.

More than anything, though, Rearden will be remembered for strong, steady leadership which was free of the ostentatious, aristocratic flavor that is so common in rulers across the East Continent. His humble beginnings as a commoner later elevated to nobility shaped his personality and his attitudes. He had a workmanlike, duty-minded approach to the Speakership, restoring a sense of dignity and purpose to the office. He was widely respected, and did not do anything in his time to lose that respect. Having served his people, he constantly sought to give up his power and return to a civilian life, only to later be called back into service and given power that he did not seek.