The Red

It is as much title as it is threat. A warning to any wishing to oppose you. If you have truly earned the title, then no one even remotely sane would think to act against you.

— Adeon Vargan

Monikers are a common thing in history, graciously dealt out by high- and lowborn alike to distinguish notable personalities according to their ability, both real and perceived. Some of them are more than just embellishments, however, and serve to warn of what to expect from an encounter.

Change in Perception

by Yeji Hong

A title hailing from the old Avitae language, the Red used to indicate that a ruler had been especially bloodthirsty either in battle or rule. Often used synonymous with the Red-Handed, it was a title with many wielders and in the same manner unimpressive as the Good or the Greedy.
That would change with the reign of Seron Valerian, however. Trying to hold a decaying Empire together, Seron employed terror tactics on a unprecedented scale, purging anyone deemed unruly and punished entire nations for the acts of the few.
In this manner, the Red came to mean something else. Rather than blood thirst it implied ruthlessness unmatched, a mind that knows no boundaries when reaching for something to achieve. In the same manner that meaning changed, so did the way it was written. The old Avitae word Imesa became Imera, the former still denoting blood lust, the later the new meaning. When given to a person, titles in old Vardanian languages usually change form to match the name.

A Title Well Earned

One could easily think the Red to be an often-used title. After all monikers such as the Cruel, the Ruthless or the Monstrous are easily dealt out by historian and average citizen alike. This is no such case, however, for the Red has gained such infamy that even the mere thought of attributing it to someone may be counted as the highest of damnations. Certain criteria must be met:

Ruthlessness

While simple at first glance, this is hard bar to match indeed. Ruthlessness beyond measure is perhaps a better word. A ruler to earn this title will know no boundary, be it social, ethical, or moral. Key in this is, however, that these acts are not committed out of cruelty or sadistic satisfaction but rather serve as means to an end. It specifically is tied to the sense of ruthlessness often required of a ruler and many times celebrated in Vardanian society. Success without pity or compassion. Success at any cost.

Scale

Of course, one may wonder why there is need for a special title when there is the simple the Ruthless available. The distinction lies in the sheer scale of the acts. In this sense, it is a title solely reserved for rulers and warlords, for only they have the power necessary to operate on a massive scale. Be it the deportation of entire tribes, continent-wide purges or the utter annihilation of half a hundred dynasties, a ruler worthy of being called the Red has to go above and beyond in their endeavour.

Necessity

One Aspect of the title that is sometimes overlooked is that of necessity. The acts committed, no matter how astonishing, never occur out of desire. "For the sake of the realm" is a saying often connected to it and very much the way its wielders operate, setting aside morals and the fate for what they perceive to be the greater good.

Enduring Fear

It is probably the greatest testament to the sheer difficulty inherent to the acquisition of the title that there have been only three wielders in the millennium since its inception. About the same number of people have come close, have perhaps even been called by the title in small circles. The sense of terror inspired by the mere mention can be felt around the Divide, the Red having entered many tongues as a symbol for utter dread. Unlike other titles it is not an insult or really a damnation, but a warning to anyone that to stand in the way of such an individual is often the same as poking a sleeping beast: lethal foolishness.

The higher up one sits in the world the easier it is to do the unspeakable. One death may be a tragedy, a hundred thousand are mere statistic.

— Maria Imera Severa

Type

Nobility, Honorific / Ceremonial

Creation

ca. 2220s DA

First Holder

Seron "the Red" Valerian

Related Organizations

• Fourth Tarquinnian Hegemony

Fear is an elemental part of humanity and as such the greatest weapon of any ruler.

— Seron Valerian

Holders

• Seron Gerian Imareon Valerian: (2188 - 2242)
  Last Emperor of the Second Hegemony and first wielder of the now infamous title. His actions directly caused its creation and have scared the memory of many a people around the Divide.

• Maria Imarea Severa: (2908 - 2963)
  Usurper and second Empress of the Fourth Hegemony. Chose to style herself the Red as a warning to anyone wishing to challenge her. Her purges and style of rule were equal to that of Seron.

• Adeon Imareon Vargan: (3276 - )
  Warmaster of the Fourth Hegemony and last defender of the Fallen Empire. His ruthlessness in battle is legendary and although it is mostly his enemies calling him such, he stands equal to the others in his willingness to unleash destruction for his cause.

by Ahmad Said