Aurelius

RapturedSplicer, also known by his birth name Aurelius or his adopted name Aurelius of Haven, is the founder, governor, leader and representative of the city of Haven, as well as the co-founder of the Republic of Lydoneia, a representative republic situated on the southernmost continent of Alathra. He was born in the former Kingdom of God settlement, Vatican City, after the city was in a permanent state of ruin following the Ashina-Kingdom of God War. His mother and father were both killed by bandits at a young age, and he was raised seemingly alone wandering the ruins of the city, feeding himself with what he could manage to scavenge.

Beginnings and Early Years
Aurelius was born 22 years ago in the fledging Kingdom of God, a nation now dissolved and abandoned after merging with Ashina post-war. His mother, Athena, and father, Romulus, both practiced the religion of The Holy Pantheon, and were avid contributors to religious causes. After the war decimated their home, Aurelius, his mother and brother Morgan_Attano hid in the ruins of the family home while his father attempted to seek aid and a new home for his family. One fateful night in autumn, while preparing supper for the two young boys, wandering outlaws from the former settlement of Xenoarcadia attacked, robbed, and brutally murdered Aurelius and Morgan's parents. The two boys were then left without a home.

Aurelius and Morgan began to wander as far as they could from the Kingdom in order to find a new home for themselves. They scavenged day and night for any source of food that could tide them over until they found a permanent home. Bandits, outlaws and packs of wolves constantly bombarded Aurelius and Morgan with devastating setbacks that nearly cost them their lives. It was through these moments though that the brothers grew together and bonded over a shared hunger for peace, justice and success.

Becoming a Leader
Finally making their way to the southernmost continent after many months of travel, setbacks and injury, the brothers settled on the edge of a modest lake, now dubbed Lake Haven. The now booming city began in a small shack, no wider than 3 furnaces and no taller than fully grown sugarcane. In the early days of Haven, the brothers quickly learned about farming, crafting, building and leadership. No more than two days after settling on the coast, members of The Southern Union approached the brothers in an attempt to get them to join the Union. The brothers debated quietly, and shook hands with the Emperor in agreement.

Aurelius led Morgan and the new residents of Haven to victory in many small scale battles in and around the fledgling town. Aurelius spent many months perfecting the skills required to craft the most powerful weapon in the region - the Fury of Aurelius, in order to properly protect his citizens from the same fate his parents met years before. He travelled far and wide in both the Overworld and Underworld to gather the necessary materials, fighting vicious monsters and all who stood in his way.

Aurelius, alongside his brother Morgan, both sit on the House of Representatives for the Republic of Lydoneia. In addition to serving his own nation, Aurelius spends much time creating new opportunities for locals of all continents, nations and towns. Most recently, Aurelius began initiating large scale trade deals with Lethos, Elyria, Atolia Island, the Fossores Republic, and even nearby nation Acquendavia. Aurelius' natural approach to diplomacy and trade sparked a revolution in the southernmost continent - one that will continue to blossom for years to come.

The Great War
Aurelius represented Lydoneia during The Great War, in all of the battles that took place on August 20th, 2021. He was an acting lieutenant of the First Infantry division, which experienced the most combat as well as the most losses during the conflict. Aurelius was solely responsible for the withdrawal from the war on August 21st, 2021, as well as the Elyria-Lydoneia NAP that was signed and put into place on August 22nd, 2021. Believing he was the sole reason of his nation's defeat, he took the burden of all Elyrian war reparations and is still paying them back, out of his pocket and time to this day.

Political Beliefs
Due to the rather violent and turbulent upbringing he experienced, Aurelius has a strict intolerance for colonization, war, violence, and banditry. All bandits, war criminals and colonizers of the southernmost continent, extending to all of Alathra, are condemned by Aurelius. In his own town, Aurelius believes all citizens should have the freedom to practice, conduct, and work themselves to whichever extent they are comfortable. No citizen is allowed to be criticized, condemned, or shamed for their beliefs, unless they are a bandit. Aurelius tends to hold an isolationist approach when it comes to House of Representative discussions, and tends to err on the side of caution. Believing that outsiders are not to always be trusted, he is very selective with trade and diplomacy for both Haven and the Republic.

After his involvement in leading Entente forces during The Great War, Aurelius solidified his beliefs and completely withdrew from all foreign conflicts.

Notable Contributions
As the leader of Haven, Aurelius holds many responsibilities. He is one of two responsible for forming the Republic of Lydoneia along with Aethelmod of Redpeak. He tends to organize meetings with diplomats of other nations, leads peace talks, and contributes to most (if not all) of established trade deals. He has been present for every large scale meeting of the nation.

In his own town, he is the lead architect, engineer, philosopher, builder, warrior and diplomat. He is responsible for nearly every building within Haven, including the Lydoneian Archives, the New and Old Town Hall, The Lupanar, the Temple of Haven, the Celestial Temple, the utility shops, the road network and the minecart network. He gathers most materials himself, with little help from outsiders. He also works as the main city planner, designing roadways leading to new developments.

Within other nations, Aurelius and Morgan were contracted by the nation of Elyria to design and build a functional road network between the settlements of Peachfield, Briscoe Ranch, Knights of Sol and Ehir. After the record breaking construction time, Aurelius and Morgan decided to found the Haven Architecture Firm.

Aurelius was present and an active participant during The Great Slumber, First Festival, The Great War, the Elyrian Civil War, as well as many global summits and peace talks since his rise to leadership as a founder of the Republic of Lydoneia.