Emperor Metachares I.

Tarquinnias Child Emperor

In the end, he was nothing more than a child. A child born at the wrong time. A child whose youth was overshadowed by war. Before he had even started to speak, he had become a pawn in his mother's games. And before he could even fully grasp what his title truly entailed, his life met its end at the red hands of Seron Valerian.

— from "War of the Seven Princes" by Darius Kaseidis

History

Empress Miera's pregnancy, in late 2207 DA, came as a surprise to many. Emperor Eugeron, while still healthy, was over sixty years old at this point and not the most energetic anymore. Material for the local rumour mills but of no importance in the end and on the 8th of Febris 2208, the court proudly announced the birth of its newest member. Miera decided to give him a Rhomeian name, Metachares meaning Luckbringer in the common tongue.
His peaceful life as a member of the imperial household was rudely interrupted when his mother announced him to be Eugeron's sole heir. On the 8th of Ianuaris 2210 DA, Metachares was officially crowned as Emperor Metachares I. His reign, or rather that of his mother, was marred by the War of the Seven Princes, something he had scarcely any knowledge of even as he got older. Sheltered within the New Imperial Palace his only task as ruler was to provide his signature on documents and edicts, written up by the Regent.
When Vespasian launched his coup in 2219, he was whisked out of the capital by soldiers loyal to his mother. The following year he would travel alongside her, before triumphantly returning to Velaris in a great procession. There he would continue to be his mother's puppet. In late 2221, he would find his end at the hands of Seron Valerian, a quick stab in the heart ending his all to short life.

Appearance and Personality

Any rumours that Metachares was not Eugeron's child were quickly squashed once one was able to see the boy in person. A younger version of the late Emperor, with a round face, a rather large nose being the most striking part. Both his eyes and hair showed his mother, however. A mane of darker grey atop his head and two light blue eyes that would sparkle with innocence and curiosity. Energetic, always curious and endlessly stubborn if something did not meet his will, he could be the bane of the royal servants. It didn't help that he seemed to develop a knack for pranks as he got older. At times the entire court would be in an uproar, as young Metachares waged a personal war on those that had "wronged him", usually meaning that they had tried to restrain the young monarch in one way or another. Warmaster Octavian once remarked jokingly that he would excel in guerilla warfare.

I want to ride on the big horse! You have to let me! I am Emperor! Mom said that means everybody's gotta listen to me. Even the frogs croak when I tell them to!

— Metachares to Warmaster Octavius

Ethnicity

Vardanians

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Emperor of the Hegemony
Reign 2210-2219/2221

Life

2208 DA 2221 DA 13 years old

Circumstances of Birth

Third Son of Emperor Eugeron

Circumstances of Death

Killed by Seron Valerian

Eyes

Light Blue

Hair

Short, Dark Grey

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

White