Amelian "the Younger"

True, my father is a faithful servant. One that blindly follows orders. Even if they are given by a deceiving harlot. Let him call me a failure. Let him call me disappointment. In the end, I know who the true Emperor is.

Excerpt from War of the Seven Princes by Darius Kaseidis
One of the more obscure actors, in the tragedy that was the Princes War. Despite his accomplishments, most people have already forgotten about him. Many didn't even know who he was. It is a twist of irony that the younger Amelian seems destined to remain a mere footnote, while the man he fought and ultimately died for is grieved for by millions.

History

by Deiv Calviz (David Villegas)

Born to one of the great Vardanian Princes and brother to the Emperor himself, one would assume the younger Amelian's life to be filled with all manners of luxury. Sadly, or fortunately, depending on your perspective, he was born to Amelian the Elder. A man known for his strict sometimes called tyrannical and spartan lifestyle.
The relationship with his father was strained from the beginning, as his birth had resulted in the death of his mother. As the younger Amelian grew, it became increasingly clear that he was the complete opposite of his father. Additionally, the son seemed to take great enjoyment in embarrassing his father in any way possible. Each action followed by evermore draconian punishments. In 2200, the situation escalated. What exactly happened is not known, but the son was banished from his father's court, any inheritance now an impossibility.
Emperor Eugeron, seeing his potential promoted the younger Amelian to governor of Imera Province. An insult the Elder Amelian never forgave his older brother. When the war broke out, Amelian wasted no time and threw his support behind Gordian and later Eugenius. Throughout the war, he proved a cunning opponent, sometimes the only one keeping the usurpers' cause alive.
At points the most powerful warlord in Vardania, he was unable to overcome the Regent's forces. Beaten in the Third Battle of Aurasio, he was captured and brought before the Empress. After a short show trial, he was judged guilty of high treason. On the 5th of Quitil 2213, he was executed by the Imperial Guard.

Characteristics

Physical Appearance

Most contemporary sources describe him as looking exactly like his father had in younger years. While true, for the most part, there are minor differences. Amelian was taller and of a leaner figure. Light brown hair framed a handsome face, marred slightly by minor scars on the left cheek. His deep grey eyes and roguish good looks were said to have taken center stage in many a maidens dream.

Personality

Brash, charismatic, forceful. Those are the words that appear most often in sources that mention Amelian. While true, they are a stark simplification of the man. While brash and energetic, he did share the same calmness under pressure as his father. Even during battle, he would keep a cool head, calmly giving orders while under assault by enemy soldiers.
To his peers, he showed a face full of energy, to his most trusted one of quiet introspection and deep thought. He could switch between the two at will and it stands to reason that the former merely functioned as a mask for the latter. While not a genius, he was quite intelligent and showed a talent for improvisation.
In battle, the man was a monster. Able to take his enemy apart, even with vastly outnumbered forces. The loyalty he inspired in his soldiers was extraordinary, none willing to testify against him, even under torture.

I know that all this must seem foolish to you. I know how you view me. Of the rift between us, one I have as much part in creating as you. But I also know that you are a man that cares about the realm. About its people. Miera's actions have already poisoned our nation to the core. Under her, this war will never end. I beg of you, father. See reason! Let us unite to end this conflict before it devours us all!

— Secret letter from Amelian to his father

Ethnicity

Vardanians

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Prince of Imera

Life

2183 DA 2213 DA 30 years old

Circumstances of Death

Executed on orders of the Imperial Regent

Height

1,87m

Weight

84kg

Unbreakable Determination
Loyalty, one of his most admirable and forgotten traits. His support for Eugeron and his sons was almost fanatical and even in the most hopeless of times, he never seemed to waver.
It has to be mentioned that he understood the war, as an action against Empress Miera, someone he saw as a traitor and usurper. The child emperor Metachares was merely an unfortunate victim, a tool in his mother's mad play for power.
After Eugenius's death, his goals changed accordingly. He had never denied that Metachares was one of Eugeron's heirs, just not the one that should have gotten the throne. With both Gordian and Eugenius dead, Metachares was the one true heir. Judging by his actions, it is reasonable to assume that he planned on removing Miera and her clique, possibly becoming Regent himself in the process.

by Gilles Ketting