Orchesco

Orchesco (IPA: ɔːkɪsskoʊ 4 February 141 – 2 January 219), was a soldier and statesman of mage background, who deposed the former emperor of the Aukranus Empire and became the first King of Acania (174–250). Orchesco's overthrow of the previous empire is traditionally seen as marking the end of the Aukranian Empire. His coronation sealed his title as he was seen as getting the divine blessing of Ciunda, the Goddess of Magic and thus seen as the one with the most magical ability.

Early Life
Born in 141, Orchesco was the illegitimate half brother of the former ruler of Aukranus, Scobua whom had previously exiled Orchesco for possessing innate magical abilities. On top of that fact, he was also seen as a stain on the at the time, Royal family's reputation.

Whilst in exile, Orchesco spent his youth studying magic from his mentor Marsche, a mage whom was an early supporter and fighter in the rebellion. During his time in his exile, he came to join the rebellious group, Dark Atelier and help his mentor in the cause.

As a Member of Dark Atelier
Orchesco began as both a strategist and spy by Dark Atelier to gain further information against the Aukranus Empire. As the war waged on, Ochesco was directly involved in the first attempted assassination's of his brother, the then emperor. Himself and other members of the group were unfortunately caught and sentenced to death. However just before he was to hung, they were saved by what most historians have concluded to be the divine protection of Ciunda herself.

After this incedent, Marsche advised Orchesco to flee and seek another rebellion base as refuge, as the empire would surely be after him to ensure he was killed. Orchesco hestiated to, not wanting to leave behind his mentor but eventually begrudgingly headed left toward the northern base. On his travels he met with a Dark Atelier informant, Nusszo whom had informed him that Marsche had been killed, as compensation for letting Orchesco live. Nusszo had also told Orchesco that the Aukranus Empire would not be coming after him because of the threat of Ciunda's wrath, as it was clear that she would most likely not take kindly to any threat to her. Knowing this, and feeling an innate anger for his mentor's death, he decided that enough was enough and it was time to overthrow the Emperor.

Overthrowing the Aukranus Empire
During what would later be called the Battle of the Sun, Ochesco was put in charge of the northern rebellion and had set his sights on an invasion to overthrow the current Aukranus Empire. The plan was to firstly invade all of the southern most states, then through a series of assassination's and mutinies take over the rest. As the group had been infiltrated by the Empire, Ochesco used this to his advantage and put his army together to invade the Aukranus capital in the south. In an attempt to bring the war to a close and seal their coup, Ochesco lead his army north to meet with the second rebel group.

In what is still today one of the worst, most bloody and chaotic moments of warfare, he and his army of rebels invaded the capital. Whilst the plan was to secure and control the imperial palace, the capital itself and overthrow the Empire, the rebels got caught up in the chaos of it all and had to fight their way into the capital city, their plan was nearly complete, but were unable to continue fighting due to the large number of Empire loyalists fighting their way to attack them. Despite this setback, the rebel army regrouped and eventually made their way into the imperial palace.

There Orchesco stood face to face with his brother, whom was sitting upon the throne and although it felt wrong to kill his own flesh and blood, Scobua had been nothing like a brother to him and it was Scobua's fault that the ones he had called family were now dead. With one swift motion Orchesco drew his sword and decapitated his brother and sat himself upon the throne, claiming his right as King and renaming Aukranus as Acania.

As King
As king, Orchesco started to see the need to establish a strong defence for his new country. One of the first acts he had completed was to create a series of powerful and defensive fortifications. These fortifications included a well guarded and fortified navy to ensure his ships were protected, and the creation of two magical defensive walls to surround the entirety of the capital city of Acania. Within the walls, a series of guard towers had been erected to defend the city as a whole, and to guard the walls to prevent any future attack. Due to the need for the walls and the ships, the Royal army at the time was reduced to a mere force of only 3,000 soldiers and was spread around the newly created walls in positions to assist the defenders and provide protection against any further incursions.

During his reign, Orchesco saw himself as a divine figure and was seen as on the same level of Ciunda, he even had a statue dedicated to him to show his power and honour him as a god. As such he sought to make it clear that his power wasn't something to be taken lightly and saw the need for his people to realise the importance of the kingdom.

As the years wore on, the empire grew into one of the most powerful and prosperous country's in the known world and was at the time one of the three main powers within the known world. During this period of time, the empire saw a great expansion in the number of mages that were allowed to study and learn the ways of magic. During this period of time, only males could practice magic and the only classes taught were those designed to teach the use of mages in war. By the time the empire had finished its expansion, it saw itself as a military power second to only the Borosian Empire and with its own legions of powerful and experienced mages.

Whilst his realm was at peace, Orchesco still kept up a sense of vigilance in order to ensure Acania continued to be protected from any attacks from people still loyal to the former empire. For this reason Orchesco would continue to increase the number of guards at key locations in order to have a force to fend off any attacks from the Empire.

Family and Progeny
Orchesco had only one child by his wife, Ciaiune whom was the Queen of Acania following their marriage in 181. Ciaiune was also a mage and thus their son, Squcheni began to learn magic from an early age.

Death
As his kingdom prospered, he began to feel that it was now the time for Acania to move beyond its borders and to claim its rightful place in the world. On top of this, he was feeling the time of his death was near as he saw himself as having done his duty to his people, Acania and Ciunda. With this in mind, he felt that he should die and go to his divine destination so he could finally rest and have a proper and comfortable death. Before his death, he had gathered his army of defenders and generals as he felt that the last thing he should do was leave anyone else behind in a time of need. As such, when his death was imminent he sat down and had his final meal with his family and loved ones. As the day was drawing to a close, his death was nearing and with that he finally bid everyone farewell and left to meet his god.