Nive Pallas-Akerian

Nive Pallas-Akerian (known in-game as Mozazio) is the current head of the Soleannen faith, as well as an influential bureaucrat within Escharia and the Imperium. A Plagosi by birth, he moved to Escharia and played a crucial part in the events surrounding the collapse of the Soleannen Empire of Escharia and formation of the illegitimate Empire of Asterien, as well as the eventual reunification of Escharia under the Soleannan Imperium.

Family History and Early Life
Originally named simply “Nive Pallas”, Nive was born in the Plagosi city of Andoros, within Aurora Novum. He hailed from a wealthy Niedene family who had been granted noble status by the Emperor Severie when Plagos was under Escharian domination, though following the Ascension and collapse of Niedene control in the region they became simple landowners and merchants, albeit wealthy ones, adjusting seamlessly to the new states that formed in the region while still maintaining their own cultural identity. This emphasis on culture did however cause Nive to look beyond Plagos as he came of age, seeking to find a new home in which he could be among more of his own kind. This would eventually cause Nive to emigrate from Andoros, for the Escharian city of Vollressal.

Soleannen Empire of Escharia
Within Escharia, Nive flourished, befriending much of the local nobility, as well as the reigning Ahroqan (Duke) of the province, Anerias Magistri. He found himself working as something of an attache to Anerias, serving as a bureaucrat within his new home. When the Uldarash Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Escharian Expeditionary Force, and fought at the disastrous battle of Hapatmitas and was wounded in the fighting. Following this he was discharged, and he avoided military life for the rest of his career.

Kimiwekessie
Following the collapse of Escharia and declaration of independence from Suderen, Nive was quickly catapulted into a leadership position within the new Kingdom. Though he had not held high rank before independence, most of those who had were still strongly intertwined with Escharia and the new Escharian Empress Ilia an Aesperii, leading Anerias to mistrust much of his senior officials. Nive, however, with no significant ties to anyone outside of Suderen, and was quickly elevated to a position similar to that of a second-in-command. For a little over a year, Nive would even serve as regent for the Kingdom, whilst Anerias was on an expedition West. It was at this time that Nive became aware of Anerias’ plan to annex the Escharii duchy which lay to their north, stealing it from the grasp of what remained of the Escharian Empire. Though he was an avid supporter at the time, Nive would later come to consider this his greatest regret.

At this time Nive also became close friends with Anerias’ adopted daughter Luci, his fiance Xarahh, and the Auroran general Robert Vorpes.

Eventually, Nive, Anerias, and Anerias’ daughter Luci managed to convince the governor of the Escharii Duchy, NevinHenry, to secede and merge with the Kingdom of Suderen, declaring the formation of the Fourth Empire of Escharia. Though it was never called that at the time, it has since been designated the Empire of Asterien by posterity, in order to avoid confusion with the legitimate Escharian states, of which there have been only three. This would kick off a period of immense tension between the remainder of Escharia, which was now stylized the Free Escharian State, and Asterien, as both were backed by outside superpowers (Bardonia and Uldarash respectively). As such, both sought to avoid a war, and instead focused on negotiations and diplomacy to find a peaceful resolution. Nive was very involved in these events, accompanying Anerias to the talks. This is also where Nive would become acquainted with Yasof Akraeshii, the current Cardinal and future Emperor, for the first time. Though the talks themselves were inconclusive, they would lay the critical groundwork for Nive’s own relationship with his future Emperor.

After these talks, the Emperor Anerias became more and more lethargic, losing the gusto which had carried him to his current position. This left Nive to increasingly pick up the slack, handling more and more of the daily governance of the new empire. Nive would end up serving as formal regent multiple times during this period whenever Anerias would become unwilling or unable to rule in his own right, often for months at a time. However, Anerias would eventually come to fear Nive’s growing power, which would culminate in a miniature falling out between them.

After more and more time elapsed with Anerias neglecting his duties as Emperor, it was eventually decided between Robert Vorpes, Nive Pallas, and an officer and close friend of the regime named Valentinian that Anerias had to go. With the support of the emperor’s fiance Xarahh, Anerias was confronted and asked to step down in favor of a permanent regency led by Nive, to which he relented. It was at this point that Nive assumed the title “Akerian”, meaning “Royal”, to be attached to the end of his name. Nive did however refuse to take the title of Emperor, instead styling himself the Aizokan, which is a title analogous to that of “Shogun”.

However, as Nive surveyed the lands he now ruled, he came to despair for the future of Asterien. The empire had failed to find significant allies outside of their patrons in Hapatmitas, and was in serious danger of invasion by the Caligo-worshipping Kartek empire to the east, which Uldarash privately admitted they did not have confidence they could beat. Nive began negotiating a deal for reunification with the Free Escharian State, which by now had come to be reformed as Aesperium Niedea, which guaranteed a diffusion of the Kartek crisis. After a long string of negotiations, the Empire of Asterien and Aesperium Niedea (along with the free cities of Lileannen and Gentumar) would merge into the Soleannan Imperium, under the rule of the now-emperor Yasof Akraeshii.

Soleannan Imperium
Nive, by virtue of his control of the Eastern provinces, was selected to serve on the High Council of the Imperium, second in power only to Yasof and his chief advisor Samael. However, Yasof’s ascension to the throne presented a problem; the position of Cardinal, head of the Soleannen faith, was now left open. In a surprise to Nive, he was chosen to fill the vacant seat, leading him to become the new head of the Soleannen faith.