Charles Astilor

Charles Astilor is a Valrean Noble in the Valreach Imperium, and serves as the first Patriarch of House Astilor. Considered a charming fellow by friends, family and even his enemies, he is a passionate lover of history, art, archeology, swordplay and architecture. Charles is also known to enjoy finer brews and alcoholic beverages, having sampled many on his travels around the world. Charles lives in Fortress Ludenstadt in the Barony of Ludenstadt which is his primary title.

Childhood
Charles Astilor was born without the name Astilor, and was a lowborn unnamed son of a merchant trader in the former Commonwealth of Archos. His parents Edward and Margaret had lived in Archos during the Imperial Era, and were survivors of The Great Catastrophe. Charles grew up with his older brother Arthur, and was soon joined by his brother Albert and sister Eleanor.

Although without noble rank, the family enjoyed minor wealth due to the prowess of Edward as a trader, helping bring in goods to the island post-catastrophe. This gave the family opportunities to travel, something Charles relished, as he was never particularly fond of his home. It was here Charles began to foster a true passion for history, culture and the arts; exploring so many new places in Eldham gave Charles a truly rounded view of the world. By the time he was 10, he had been to countless nations, witnessed business dealings, art shows, wars, gladiator tournaments and sampled great foods from what seemed like endless cuisines.

Sibling rivalry
Charles got on well with most of his siblings, admittedly he and his older brother Arthur had their far share of misgivings about each other. Arthur, an educated child but lacking in the drive and ambition of Charles was always jealous of his younger brother, and Charles still finding himself in this vast world admired Arthur's seemingly endless confidence, but such admiration was marred with animosity from his brother and thus it fell into envy. On the other hand, he became inseparable from his younger brother Albert, and the two found a deep passion for architecture, sketching building designs daily, and painting great structures when they visited different cities and nations.

All of his siblings had a good bond with Eleanor, the only girl of the siblings. This inevitably led to the brotherly sense of duty to protect, even if it did end up stepping on Eleanor's toes, something she never failed to remind them of. Despite having an uneasy tension between the two, Arthur and Charles were on relatively good terms into their teen life, with Arthur helping Charles navigate expanding social situations as he grew older.

Teenage Years and a Grand Adventure
Arthur having finished his education was desperate to go on a grand adventure, however his parents would not allow it unless he took his brothers, as Eleanor was too young to go away. Arthur agreed, and the trio went off in search of new cultures and lands to experience. In the far east, a desert land named DonFuer was rumoured to hold a mystical tower full of knowledge called Matis - The House of Scholars. It was said to be guarded by great sandworms, and holding an elixr of Knowledge and Immortality. Charles knew that Matis was an adventure worth having and persuaded his siblings that this should be their first destination. They travelled to the mystical deserts and after following the advice of local merchants and friendly desert clans, they found the tower. It was a mighty structure, but sadly abandoned. Inside the remains were broken, and dusted but some of the knowledge within remained, and the books and wisdom were transported back with them to Archos. Whilst they never saw any sandworms, they did find bones of a huge creature alluding to something hidden beneath the endless sands.

The End of the Commonwealth Part I
Settling into a minor clerk position at the Paragon Banking Clan (the de-facto owners of the Island), Charles began to experience the heavy burdens of bureaucracy, and it was not an enjoyable period in his life. However, things would slowly become worse. It first began with a reported missing cargo ship, timetabled to arrive before winter set in. However, it never arrived even when correspondence via third parties confirmed it had left its original port. The winter was harsher on the island as a result, and the Archosi were eager to uncover the mystery of the ship. When the nip in the air soothed, scouting parties were deployed by the civil administration, and Charles was there to watch them go. By this point he had moved career to the Civil Administration and worked as a Chief Clerk within the Archosi Island Flotilla and was assigned to assist in the navies investigation. When the scouting ships never returned, fear and hysteria began to spread; some said sea-dragons and some whispered blockade from the continent but none could have foreseen the true breadth of the oncoming threat. The CEO of the Paragon Banking Clan, Arthur Paragon also the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth made a speech to the Isenridge Assembly and spoke of the resilience of the people, and the will to see out this threat whatever it may be. Three days later Arthur Paragon and his family sailed back to their private villa, on the tiny island home which their family had lived on for generations; the family were never seen from nor heard from again and the island is now an ash filled ruin.

Upon the presumed death of the Lord Protector and a lack of a clear successor given the strange relationship between corporation and state the Civil Administration with backing from the Home Guard and Archosi Island Flotilla stormed into the Banking Clan's Headquarters and dissolved it. Seizing all assets and merchant ships to prepare a realistic response to the oncoming storm. Charles by this stage was making progress with his administrative work, and had caught the eye of the new Commander of the Flotilla who moved Charles into the Intelligence operation trying to uncover the greater plot. It was here that whispers from around the seas began to speak of a grave threat - a pirate faction reborn. Alarm bells rang constantly as any ship nearing the Sea Gates of Isenridge could have meant death. The family's business was suspended as the risk of attack was too great. A state of emergency declared and construction on a battle fleet began, it was the beginning of the end for the fledgeling nation.

The End of the Commonwealth Part II
Dispatched to the neighbouring state Vuria, to collect intel from continental sailors, Charles was able to discern when the attacks began and how many ships of note had been discovered. It meant that Flotilla Command could estimate a number of enemy war vessels they would need to counter. Charles alongside his older brother Arthur, also served as a member of the diplomatic corp sent to Vuria to secure a trade deal for wooden logs, due to the demand for warships increasing. Their mission was a success and the brother's were given medals for their efforts. Alas, the efforts would be in vain, as Vuria was raided by a mighty pirate force just days later. The ineptitude of the Civil Administration and the military began to weigh on the families mind, and Charles was unsure of his future. His father did not want to leave, eventhough his mother was adamant they escape whilst they could. More and more ships began to go missing and sightings of pirates grew by the day. The Flotilla planned to lay a trap for the pirates in order to create a direct confrontation, and this worked, but only to the Flotilla's demise. The pirates baited by an easy picking soon responded unkind when the trap was sprung, large vessels mobilised as the Archosi Home Flotilla engaged in full. The final confirmation of the end came as one small merchant vessel, requisitioned as a Sloop class vessel, returned to the shores of Archos in pieces. Five days later the end came to Archos.

Death in the Family
The pirates landed on the shores, and began to skirmish the Home Guard, but the real plan had not yet been unveiled. A group of pirate divers had swam under the Sea Gate and released explosives into its side. The blast was successful and the Sea Gate collapsed, clearing the path for the pirate fleet, whose volleys brought devastation wherever they fired. A valiant effort by the Home Guard managed to entrap the pirate fleet in the bay, with their own explosives and the wreckage of the Sea Gate. This meant that a last ditch escape could be made by the remaining merchant ships, it was here that Arthur took up the sword of a defeated Home Guardsman and began to fight the pirates wherever he could, his wife and son were being transported onto their family ship, with the rest of the family. Tragedy struck when the pirates breached through the eastern corridors and killed Charles' parents. Charles and Albert slew the pirates with the help of others but the damage had been done. Charles ran to grab his brother begging him to leave now, but all he found was a pirate standing, bloody sword in hand, with his brother's lifeless body on the floor. Charles will never forget the decrepid and dirty smile as the pirate's stare penetrated his deepest memories. The image still haunts Charles' nightmares. Grabbed by Albert, the two were the last on their family boat and their journey west to Valreach began.

Escape
Escaping the pirate fleet was a task not so easily done, however the naturally proficient saliors of Archos slipped away from the chaos, and what would become the Astilor family sat together in a small hold, contemplating the losses of their family. Charles looked at the tear stained face of his nephew, and held back a tide of his own. Reduced to what they held on them and what was on the boat, they sailed as far west as they could go. Through storms they ventured seeking a place where they could be safe from raid, and given time to recover. They spent a month at sea, surviving only by small supply missions conducted by Charles and Albert in port towns, sneaking in and stealing what they could. Eventually, with a ship falling to pieces, the family landed on the shores of Valreach Imperium. There escape was complete, and a new chapter was beginning.

A new home?
Grabbing whatever they could carry the family scrambled to the nearest town, but were turned away by various guards and militias. Eventually the family were detained as refugees and given social housing in Valrum, where Charles would report for baptism to begin the acclimatisation process. Charles felt a sense of excitment about this new land, the design of the buildings, the regality of the palaces and the pride of the flags and statues which were liberally spotted across the cities, struck a chord in his heart. Nothing would ever beat the fresh sea air of the Archosi Coast, but this was truly something new. Charles set about work, signing up for the Legion of Solaris. With a small stipend for his work and with some minor administrative tasks for the local government Charles set about trying to provide opportunities for his family. He bought books for his nephew, and brother whist saving what he could to prepare for future hardships. In the week, he would write and train, and deliver messages across Valreach. It gave him a chance to travel the roads, visit the cities, explore the towns and meet the people. His work was noted for its diligence, efficiency and effectiveness. His ambitious character was matched by his charm and charisma, which made him all the more enticing of an investment as a certain Valrean noble would come to realise.

Opportunity at every door
After a year of living in Valreach, Charles was settled alongside his family. His brother Albert had joined the Imperial Architects Guild and had began to build a reputation of his own, and his nephew had been progressing with his studies thanks to the efforts of his two teachers, his mother and his aunt Eleanor. Charles was building connections and making himself known to the right people. One of those individuals was Friedrich Aulian, the new inheritor of the disgraced Dadlos family holdings. Friedrich met Charles through the Legion and the ministry service in Valrum, he saw the potential in one with experience in management and a flair of character with the right amount of ambition. Truthfully, Friedrich needed manpower to help manage all of the domains now under his control, and one ruined castle was particularly of interest. Charles was sitting at his home desk, writing letters to scholars about teachings for his nephew, when a knock on the door came. Eleanor opened it and welcomed in an esteemed noble. Friedrich stood in the downstairs room and looked upon the family he would turn into nobility. Charles gracefully welcomed his guest and they spoke privately for approximately 32 minutes. Those minutes wouldn't be forgotten in any of the families minds. Charles' mind burned with excitement as Friedrich explained the brief history of Ludenstadt, of the surrounding jungle and his new acquisition of Port Haven. Charles recorded every detail in his mind as Friedrich laid out his vision for a powerful expansion into the unclaimed Valrean western lands. The potential for his family, the chance to make an inscription in the annals of history, it couldn't be missed. This opportunity does not come twice. Charles accepted his new charge with haste to the delight of Friedrich, and they both toured the castle in the coming days. His new title came with a gracious stipend, and with some family items sold and all they had scraped together, Charles took his family on a coach to the city of PortHaven to take his new seat as the Baron of Ludenstadt.

Expanding the family
Once in Ludenstadt a great fortress was constructed over the remains of the old castle. It still serves as the primary seat of the Astilors. Charles was keen to implant as many of his growing family in landed positions. His sister had many children when in Valreach, and he was able to grant them land as he slowly acquired it. As news of the rapid growth and development of the Astilor fiefs spread, it convinced others to cry out for Astilor rule. Fiefs in the centre of the Empire turned for Astilor and more Astilors were sent to govern territories. A distant cousin who had also escaped Archos had found themselves in a new Kingdom entirely, and their son had become the King. Charles offered to adopt the King as his brother, a strange move but one more respectful of the status of his new brother. Thus a minor branch was created along with this new King.

As more and more cities turned to Astilor and more vassals swore fealty to Charles, he was elevated to the rank of Marquis. This new rank also found him situated in the Regency of Internal Affairs as a Sub-Regent and in the coveted position of Courtier. The adoption of John Astilor, a well respected tradesmen seeking family stability, brought with it two new fiefs to the Empire, with Charles taking one of them directly. As Charles sat one day in his study, looking over the reports on Astilor growth, he allowed himself a moment of reflection on what he had achieved and he was proud. Yet, he knew it could not last until he had an heir.

Revna Hrafn
Having met the Emperor of Simulami before in the Hesia Campaign, Charles was aware of a young familial relation to Emperor Feloks Hrafn. Her name was Revna and Charles had been quite taken with her when they had met aboard a Simulami ship. She was not fond of sea travel, even though she had grown up on an island. However, they bonded over small topics and very quickly Charles had decided he would marry this woman. It was a year later after many exchanges and letters sent that Charles made the proposal to Revna and Feloks. They were married quickly, and found themselves very content in Ludenstadt. Soon, a son was born albeit in less than usual circumstances.

Karl Astilor
Karl Astilor was named in a secret ceremony, a short while after his birth in Raghrena. His parents, Charles and Revna doted on him. Yet, his primary care came from his Uncle Robert who looked after him in Galencourt. However, Karl was taken by Friedrich Aulian at the age of eight to be tutored in Aulian ways and to be in the care of the greatest scholars of the Imperial College. Karl and his father rarely met, and Karl resented him for this. However, his values as a Valrean were instilled deeply and he felt his responsibility to family strongly. Despite Karl's dislike of his father, they do make a solid team when it came to administrating the creation of Astilor legal codes and Fiefdom Grants for their various vassals.