Aster Isarne
Overview
Aster Isarne, Lord of House Magia and Patriarch of the Arcane Bloodline, wields unmatched power and influence in Cruxis, the city of sorcerers. With a legacy forged in arcane mastery and political cunning, he stands as a colossus uniting magicians since almost a hundred years. Dictating the city's fate with an iron will and a sharp mind, he holds onto the reigns of power with a loose but ruthless hand. SummaryDetails
Childhood & Family
Aster is the great-grandson of Isarne the Arcane, founder of the Arcane Bloodline, the city of Cruxis, and the entire House of Magia. While leading his illustrious bloodline is enough to secure a permanent seat at the Council of Nine that governs the destinies of the clan of sorcerers in Pauza, Aster is nonetheless a gifted magician in his own right, perhaps the most naturally talented and innovative duelist and wondersmith since the legendary Isarne himself. Beyond raw magical aptitude, from a young age, Aster also demonstrated an unnerving presence and a strategic mind, outmaneuvering rivals and securing his ascent within House Magia. Even while Aster was still a mere envoy and diplomat under the shadow of his own father, he personally achieved lasting alliances with the bloodlines of Pyrebind and Nyx, as well as significantly expanded their influence into the affairs of Pauza's other Great Houses. His first marriage to Solana Pyrebind,expanding the family's dominion, bore him five children: Magnus, Beatrix, Erwin, Soren, and Nerissa. His second union with Midnight Nyx, now deceased, produced two offspring, Eris and Avren.
As Lord of House Magia, Aster's shrewd acumen for the darker opportunities of magical trade and mercenary work have ensured a steady flow of gold and intelligence into Cruxis. He wields this power and dispenses this wealth with cold precision, his rule marked by a loose hand that makes certain that both the worst and the best sorcery can offer find equal value in Cruxis, while calculated cruelty keeps the chaotic bloodlines in check and cements his own Arcane bloodline's supremacy.
Motivations & Goals
Aster is driven by a relentless pursuit of power and the stability of Cruxis and House Magia. His overarching goal is to cement his family's legacy and the supremacy of his bloodline within the magical world. This ambition encompasses expanding House Magia's influence, advancing magical knowledge and mastery for sorcerers, and maintaining their city's autonomy from external threats. While nominally loyal to Pauza and the diverse allied clans that comprise the realm, Aster's vision for the alliance is one where House Magia ultimately answers to no one but itself. Overall, his motivations are anchored by a deep-seated belief in the importance of personal power, cunning, the superiority of magic over the mundane, and individual initiative and responsibility.
Morals & Ethics
Morally flexible at best, ruthless and callous at worst, Aster operates within a personal code that prioritizes the greater good of Cruxis and his bloodline over individual morality. He is pragmatic, willing to make sacrifices and employ morally ambiguous methods to ensure the security and prosperity of his domain. While not malevolent, his actions are guided by a belief in the necessity of control, order, the advancement of magical prowess and the ascendency of sorcery over the ungifted masses for the betterment of the world.
Personality
Aster's gaze alone commands silence, his stare weaving persuasion as effortlessly as his fingers weave spellcraft. The Lord of Magia embodies the quintessence of authority, confidence, and strategic acumen. His demeanor is commanding yet detached, preferring the realms of strategy and power over personal connections. Even in private, Aster's mind is plotting moves and countermoves; when he returns to the public arena, his alliances and decisions are always two steps ahead. Though he values family, he subordinates personal relationships to his duties and goals, viewing his seven children as intruments who must align with the overarching needs of the entire Arcane bloodline. While certainly not loved, Aster Isarne is respected and feared in equal measure in Cruxis and beyond, a testament to his capabilities and uncompromising vision.
Flaws
Aster's relentless pursuit of his ambitions and the stability of Cruxis comes at the cost of his personal relationships, making him distant and often resented by his seven children. His pragmatic approach to governance is effective, but the trail of corpses or enemies it left in its wake is impressive.
Theme
