Character name: Adrian Steele, High King of Mashiro & Dragos
Description/Picture: (Adrian with his mother, Queen Helen)
Rank/Title/Position: High King
Kingdom: The United Kingdom of Mashiro || The Great Kingdom of Dragos
Political Philosophy: Loyalist | Moderate | Hegemonist
History: Adrian Steele's history was a somewhat turbulent one. Born 28 years ago in GSY 989, he found himself as the sole heir of the powerful tycoon James Steele XII, and a then-unmarried Queen Helen Dragos. Because of the enemies that would have arisen against the couple, James had to flee with Adrian shortly after the scandal was uncovered. The child (nor his identity) was never uncovered until several years later, when he was far out of the reach of the fledgling Kingdom of Dragos.
While under the care of his father, Adrian was on the Steele Family's headquarters on their private world of Mashiro, which also happened to be among the single most well-defended planets in the entire known galaxy, thanks to his family's sheer wealth and power in the region. While his father, King James, was out building the wealthy secret society that Adrian was destined to be the leader of, he was also out making a name for his society in preparation for an heir to come to the throne. However, during GSY 995, the day of his passing came too early, for he was intercepted by a large fleet of pirates. He was never heard from again, and Adrian spent his years growing up in the center of his family's semi-secret empire just north of the shattered Jasidian Federation... much of which the Furians now controlled for purposes of mineral exploitation and repopulation.
For the next fifteen years, Adrian had slowly learned the ways of his empire. Over time, he slowly found the string he needed to pull to keep his endangered race in power... and he waited for the perfect time to move. The best time came for an overt move in GSY 1011, when the Draconian Empire was reeling in political strife naturally resulting from a historic conquest. Adrian's half-brother Aldaron was incompetent and headstrong, and had gotten his new empire into a lot of trouble by making a rather illegal and very unwinnable bet against an empire ten times the size of his own.
Not too long afterwards, Adrian had deposed Aldaron using the Draconian's ancient wars of warfare between royalty, after revealing his true lineage. Because of the former Queen Helen stepping aside, he was crowned King of Dragos. Late the next year, he struck a deal with the Achenaran Emperor, joining what is now the Imperium Universalum in an extremely unusual maneuver of taking two empires with him instead of one. Since his historic diplomatic stunt, it's been more or less business as usual for Adrian and his two kingdoms... one of which still resents him for subjecting their proud nation to the will of another.
Unfortunately, it was in the midst of this transition that Queen Helen and Adrian's half-brother were killed in a terrorist attack on the Palace. However, Aldaron's body was the only one found at the scene. In addition, other retainers were noted to have gone missing that day as well.
Other information:
-- Contrary to popular belief, he is actually widely hated in Dragos among its elite, and as such their votes in the Senate tend to wildly differ from his. However, he still remains very popular with most of the common people and minor nobles, as he's directly responsible for having brought Dragos and its surrounding territories into a new age, because of the sheer force of his economic power.
-- Because of his spectacular wealth, Adrian is among the single richest individuals in the Imperium, aside from the Emperor. It is thanks to his seemingly inexhaustible supply of money that territories he directly controls have a very high standard of living, especially for territories new to the Imperium. It is from his wealth, as well as the well-being of his people that he's able to draw the majority of his current power base. It is also rumored that more than one high-end supercomputer is required to keep track of his finances. It is also rumored that the young monarch is constantly trying to find new uses for his money, but still cannot spend more than he makes.
-- For reasons unknown, Adrian has a close relationship with the Emperor, and it is rumored that something having to do with the former Furian Empire joining Achenar. Nobody has officially confirmed or denied these statements. Either way, this close friendship (along with Adrian's political power) has proven to be a source of hatred towards Adrian from more than a few members of the Council.
-- He used to be in love with a certain Princess Lily of Wirus. However, that didn't pan out, and somewhat distraught and lonely Adrian withdrew from the public scene for some time. He's recently come back though, and with a vengeance. He has certain enemies still among the Council that he knows are at least partially responsible for some of the worst things he went through early in life.
-- For reasons unknown to all but very few, he has a dislike of the faraway Glacians. When asked, all he says is that it has to do with some recently unearthed (and unresolved) ancient history.
-- One of his favorite dishes is an odd preparation of firefruit, that comes from trees native to Mashiro. Because of its acidity and spiciness throughout, it needs extensive preparation. (It is truly a dish for the patient... and the rich.)
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