NPCs: Movers and Shakers

Characters who shape the country of Areloma.

Emperor Urias has ruled Areloma for the past 40 years, for better and worse. Not everyone likes the Emperor, but most citizens can agree that over the past four decades, he's done much to improve the infrastructure of most of the cities, built up the army who protected the citizenry from many attempted attacks and raids from barbarians, and generally made Areloma feel more like an Old World city, like it many of its citizens come from in some shape or form. Among the aristocracy, he is well liked, for the most part. He helped bring the arts into Areloma, and encouraged the sciences. He's tolerated by the clergy, putting money into the Iraquio Cathedral, the tallest (and some would say grandest) building within all the Capitol. Finally, he is also rather well liked by the magocracy, sponsoring the development of Academies that rival the ones of the Old World. All this money came from somewhere, though, and as such the poorer people in Areloma often get the short end of the stick, with high taxes and little chance of social growth. The Xohulu people in Areloma are the most affected by his sweeping taxes, whether or not the emperor notices or cares.

The Emperor has been married to his dutiful wife, Empress Antonella Urias for over 30 years, and with her has sired seven children. However, it's a bit of an open secret within those who are "in the know" that Emperor Urias has been more than a little unfaithful, and may have sired an additional twelve children with his mistresses, though he's only admitted to three of these bastards being his own.

Lately, there have been rumors swirling around that the Emperor was in ill health. This hasn't been helped by his lack of public appearances in the past few months, though his children will argue that the good Emperor is simply getting older, and has been taking a break from unnecessary publicity. Whatever the case may be, there are whispering questions about who will rule Areloma once he does finally pass.

Maricel is the bastard daughter of the Emperor and one of his consorts; let Maricel tell the story, however, and her mother was the king's one true love. There may be some truth to that, though, as Maricel and her mother's every whims are cared for, unlike many past mistresses. Maricel has inserted herself in court as of late. Her motivations are mysterious, but her power over the emperor is unsettling to many courtiers.  Many believe she is being manipulated by her Xohulu lover, Anca Toliao, her mage advisor.

I'm probably too brain-fried to come up with any background for these characters ATM, but they're still good to know of.

Empress Antonella Urias



Anca Toliao



Prince Ilasi Urias



Archmage Calian Bidabon: The guy in charge of the Capitol's Academy