Firuell
From FiranMUX
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Contents |
Overview
Hero. Traitor. Noble. Commoner. General. Civilian. These words are some of the descriptors of Firuell Aurik’s life; each of them holding just as much truth as the next, despite their conflicting nature; each of them, a piece of Firuell Aurik’s history.
Early life
Firuell was born in Anarinuell a few years before the Great War. He was brought up in the militaristic and proud Aurik family, members of the “Mighty” Gold Dragon Clan. Following in his father, Baristano’s footsteps (news Baristano), Firuell enlisted in the military immediately upon completing his Ceremony of Souls. As was the practice of the time, he was sent to the Guard for a year or two to train before transferring into the infantry where he served his first couple terms. It was during this time with the infantry that Firuell married his first wife, Wenda (news exiled Wenda), although Queen Sabine cut that marriage short with her judgment exiling her. During the off-season, Firuell took up the mantle of the Aurik family feud (news Family Feud), matching Baristano’s hatred for Garis (news Garis) with a hatred for Garis’ son, Norius. The two men fought over all the essentials for an aspiring soldier: promotions, women, land…really anything they could find to fight about. This mutual hatred was increased ten-fold when Norius married Firuell’s sister, Dania. Firuell even tried to kidnap his sister to stop the wedding, but the rest of his family kept him from doing so. That was the way of Firuell: Anything to get the job done and done well. This was the method to Firuell’s madness, and would be exactly what excelled Firuell into the ranks of the beloved, and at the same time, the seeds of his downfall.
1st Division
Firuell returned to the Guard as a Centurian, and steadily moved up the ranks, specializing in interrogations and the organization of the jail with his promotion to Captain. He carved a name for himself within the Guard, surpassing the rest of the division in interrogation techniques. His most famous subject for these interrogations was Sir Unsel Gadinik, first arresting and interrogating him when the former-OCer was only 11 years old. His continuous work with the Guard led him to the rank of Commander and lead interrogator, and eventually General.
Eneas & Porfirio
As General of the First Division, Firuell met many challenges that he never before expected. One such challenge was when two of his Commanders, then-Lords Eneas (news Eneas) and Porfirio (news Porfirio), both made surprisingly similar attempts on his life. Both men wanted what Firuell held: the rank of Guard General. Porfirio went Sangreos, asking him to arrange for the assassinations of Firuell and the other Commanders, thus leaving the High General with no choice but to promote him. Meanwhile, Eneas went to Sangreos and asked for exactly the same thing. Sangreos, however, was not about to try to assassinate someone as well-known and well-connected as Firuell, and informed him of the mirroring plots. Firuell took Sangreos’ word with a grain of salt, but at the same time, erred on the side of caution, sharing the information with then-High General Xegolus (news Xegolus) and the two kept a close eye on the Commanders. After more evidence was gathered, both men were arrested and thrown in jail. Their trials came about and Firuell convinced the Clan Council of their guilt and both men were sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted of insubordination, conspiracy, and attempted murder. Firuell personally executed the men, leading the guards who took them to their gallows, and putting the noose around their necks.
Vahlgellan & the Kraken Clan
Firuell is also well remembered as being in charge of the Republic response to Vahlgellan’s public descent into insanity shortly before his arrest and mysterious death (news Vahlgellan). Vahlgellan had the Hydra Clan medallion, after the fall of Draugik (news Draugik) and Pavan (news Pavan), and declared himself Hydra Clan Leader, before instead deciding to create the Clan of the Kraken. Firuell led members of the Guard and Military to the Hydra clan where they surrounded the medallion-holder. Firuell had known Vahlgellan for many years, and so offered him a chance to give himself up to Republic custody peacefully. Vahlgellan refused. Firuell asked again, explaining that it was Vahlgellan’s last chance before force was used in his apprehension, and was again turned down. Firuell stood his ground, and told Vahlgellan, “Very well, you are Clan leader of the Kraken Clan. I am here representing the Republic. The Republic declares war on the Kraken Clan and its sole member.” The archers raised their bows and Firuell smiled at the Prince, “The Republic declares victory.” Vahlgellan turned his back on Firuell and the archers, and began walking away, at which point Firuell gave the order to shoot him down. When Vahlgellan fell unconscious after a barrage of arrows hit him, Firuell went into the Hydran True Temple where many Hydrans, including Amenik, were hiding, and told the scared teenager, “You are Belik’s son. Go out, take the medallion from his neck.” Amenik did so and became the new Hydran Clan Leader, while Vahlgellan was carted off to the Bear Clan jails. Firuell was one of those trapped inside these jails when they collapsed and trapped guards underground, while they were investigating Vahlgellan's death under mysterious and not entirely known circumstances.
Promotion to High General
Firuell continued his promotion-filled career, being promoted to High General approximately two years after Xegolus’ death at war; a rank he kept for many years with Lucian at his side as General. It was during Firuell’s later years as General and after his promotion to High General that many of the Guards of the time would claim the 1st Division ran its smoothest in decades.
Abayos
Not everything went well for Firuell during his time with the First Division. One of Firuell’s lowest points in the Guard was in the aftermath of demoting Abayos from Captain to Sentry after another mishap with the then-Sentry. Abayos, angry at his two-rank demotion, filed a writ of abuse against Firuell and took his High General to court in front of the Clan Council, who believed the whole thing to be a huge joke that would take no more than five minutes of their time. However, just before they began the trail, Viceroy Taleo walked in and the Clan Council decided that the Deputy Viceroy, Lord Razesh, needed to know how to argue a losing side, and thus was required to argue for the prosecution. Razesh worked wonders in the role after making sure Abayos stopped speaking, and almost caused the Sentry to win his case! In the end the demotion stood and Firuell received a minor punishment for possible abuse of his position, but it also began the respect-filled relationship between Razesh and Firuell.
Tuelli
Firuell was also responsible for the judging and punishing of Tuelli Istariniad (news Tuelli) as a Military Judge. This judgment and flogging resulted in her death at his hands.
Family Craziness
When it came to the Aurik family, Firuell grew up trying to become and surpass his father, Baristano. He was determined to become Head of House after his father married out of the family to become noble, marrying Lady Ninzi Manosik (news Ninzi). However, Firuell was unmarried at the time and Baristano refused to name him HoH as long as he wasn’t married. Instead he named Anikos (news Anikos), Firuell’s nephew. Not long after this change, Firuell got married for the second time. This time to Winia Keniwik (news exiled Winia), bringing her into the Aurik family and adding to the relationship between the families. Things were going relatively well in the Aurik family until the death of Lord Halakeye (news Halakeye) when Anikos’ brother Sett (news Sett) became enraged by the way the entire investigation was handled and went insane. He started a riot against then-Clan Leader Jalil and the Bears, as well as insulting his own family. He died in the fire that he started, burning down the Auriks’ home. Again a calm settled within the Aurik family in the wake of this incident until the Market Massacre (news Anikos’ folly), which led to Anikos’ death. Firuell, the most successful and most well renowned Aurik at this point, as well as being one of the older generations of Auriks, was sure he would finally be granted the Head of Household position at this point. However, this was not the case as Jalil did not like nor trust Firuell. Instead, Jalil made Recis, only 13 years old at the time, Aurik HoH. Although Recis was officially in charge at this point, Firuell made sure that he was able to “guide” his great-nephew and thus ran the family from behind the scenes.
The Great Dream
Jalil did not like nor trust Firuell because of the latter’s actions during The Great Dream (news The Great Dream) in 25 A.U. During this Dream, Vahlgellan sent Firuell a message, asking him to join Vahlgellan’s side of the upcoming civil war within the Republic, promising him nobility, power, and pretty much anything else Firuell may want. Firuell informed his father about this offer, pointing out that Jalil had promised similar things multiple times over the years, but never delivered. He went to bed and when he awoke, it was at the hands of guards arresting him and throwing him in the Gold Dragon jails along with Draugik and other rebels. Draugik mouthed off to Jalil and Taria, and in return was stabbed by their guards with multiple spears. However, he kept walking towards them until one chopped off his head. Jalil then turned his attentions to Firuell and began interrogating him. Firuell, possibly invigorated and impressed by Draugik’s final display, as well as not having ever been good at holding his tongue, started talking back to Jalil, telling him about all his promises and how he never delivered, so of course he was going to side with someone who actually might help his family. Jalil, in turn, took out a sword and cut Firuell through the heart.
Repercussions of the Dream
Then he woke up. The repercussions of his actions during the Dream were severe, but not impossible to live with. At first there was mistrust by members of his family, especially his nephew Nivaro, as well as Jalil refusing to ever again trust Firuell. Jalil went so far as to make sure that, until the Clan Council insisted on the synching on clan and Republic military ranks, Firuell was never promoted higher than Centurion in the Clan Military, even though he was a General in the Republic Guard. After the synching by the Clan Council, Firuell still was not allowed to have any subordinates in his chain of command within the Gold Dragon’s military. Finally, upon reaching the rank of High General, Jalil could not do anything about the fact that the entire chain of command fell below Firuell, and let the matter go.
Status Quo
This was the status quo for a while, as Firuell became sponsored by Viceroy Taleo and continued to slowly become one of the most powerful commoners in the city. That is, of course, until Jalil gave the city of Scirlut to his son Judanus as a wedding present and the Gold Dragons living there rebelled, becoming the Blood Dragons.
Blood Dragons
Recis, Firuell’s HoH, went to Scirlut to join the Blood Dragons. After a couple of months of Firuell leading the family in his stead in Anarinuell, the High General gathered up his entire family and publiclly called upon the Gold Dragon military to rally to the Blood Dragon cause. 25% of them chose to follow Firuell instead of Jalil. Upon arriving there he called for Jalil to give up his medallion, knowing that it was a long shot, but believing it best for all Dragons. The Blood Dragons welcomed Firuell after he announced his intention to lead these troops he brought in a military defense of Scirlut. Firuell joined together with Lord Kamen, Prince Sadin, and two of the Blood Dragon commoners, Pilak and his son Amphion, who had been living in Scirlut to lead the Blood Dragons forces. For having deserted his post, Firuell was dishonorably discharged from the Republic military, after which he renounced his Gold Dragon ties in favor of the Blood Dragons. Taleo and all of the Gold Dragon leaders renounced Firuell as a traitor.
Recis' Trial & Execution
Ojitar gave a speech admitting that some of the Blood Dragons were actually under cover for the Gold Dragons, Recis included. This led Pilak and Amphion to try and put Recis on trial. Firuell did not want to see his great-nephew executed, and demanded that a Tribunal be formed, with Firuell serving as a judge. They agreed and in return Firuell promised that if he became convinced of Recis’ guilt, he would kill his great-nephew himself. Recis gave his defense, and Firuell was not convinced, but convinced the other two to not kill him yet. They threw him in jail, just in case, and Firuell began interrogating him using the skills he’d perfected earlier in his career in the Guard. After a couple months, Recis broke, admitting that he was a spy for Jalil, claiming he was only trying to protect the family. This meant that Firuell had no choice but to follow through on his agreement and execute Recis. Bringing Recis into the public square, Firuell took his father’s sword from its sheath and cut Recis through the heart, just as Jalil had done to him during the Great Dream.
Becoming Noble
This public execution showed the Blood Dragons just how dedicated Firuell was to their cause and they called for his, and by extension, his family’s ennobling. Finally, Firuell had attained all three of his main life goals: He was a High General, the Aurik HoH, and a noble. This nobility, however, went unrecognized by any outside of the Blood Dragons.
Secret Missions
The Blood Dragon leaders sent Nivaro, Amphion, and Seriss (news Seriss) to Anarinuell on specific missions, requiring them to meet with various Clan Leaders and try to gain allies for the Blood Dragon cause. Seriss made a speech announcing his intention to take Sadin’s son Argin back to the Blood Dragons, which led to his being arrested and handed over to the Hydrans, who executed him by means of the Stone of Redemption. Nivaro went to Jalil and told the Clan Leader about this plan to secretly make treaties with various clans. Jalil welcomed him back into the Gold Dragon clan as a commoner, and named him HoH of the Aurik family. He was given a reward, and Amphion was arrested because of this information.
War!
The Clan Council decided that the Blood Dragons and Scirlut were a Griffon matter because Jalil had given the city to the Griffons, and the Griffon Clan decided to go to war against the Blood Dragons. They sent their army down to Scirlut while Firuell built up the defenses in and around the city. Firuell innovated several successful tactics during this war including using the smoke from a mass funeral, griffons dropping rocks, and griffons dropping buckets of oil with archers shooting flaming arrows on the ground. The Griffons eventually launched an all out assault against the city, which decimated their air force and killed many, including Dame General Latta (news Latta).
Last Stands & Treaties
During this assault, Darius and the 500 (news Darius & the 500) were trapped within the center of the city during this, after the Blood Dragons managed to get their gates closed and surrounded Darius and his men. Firuell exchanged many insults and other unkind words with Darius Istariniad, the last sparks of their old family feud. While this was going on, Razesh came down as the Republic Diplomat, to try and set up a treaty between the Blood Dragons and Griffons as the war had decimated both sides. Eventually, a treaty was accepted by both leaderships, which included a full pardon for the Blood Dragons and the ability to leave their old clan and join a new one if they so chose.
Saving Razesh
The Blood Dragons were unhappy with this treaty, however, and tried to kill Razesh after his announcement. Firuell knew what would happen if the mob killed a Republic Diplomat and stepped in their way, commanding his forces to stand down. Firuell, through this act, saved Razesh’s life, a move that Razesh never forgot, and enabled the treaty that split the city in half to proceed.
Return to Anarinuell
After the war ended, Firuell returned to Anarinuell with his family, and tried to rejoin the Republic Military, twice sending messages to Taleo, which were emphatically and colorfully rejected. After those refusals, Firuell met with then-Clan Leader Inaya, asking to take him and any of his family who would come with, into the Chimera Clan. As it turned out, only Firuell, his wife Winia, their two children Baristes and Fiona, and their unofficially adopted child, Amik (one of Sett and Jayni’s sons) moved to the Chimera Clan.
Life in the Chimera Clan
Firuell tried very hard to lay low in his new clan, avoiding the spotlight and attention he had grown so used to. This was made very difficult by the actions of Zafir and the Gold Dragon Auriks, who were doing everything in their power to take any money and livelihood from Firuell; even trying to take the Aurik name! Zafir had Firuell arrested on trumped up charges, but he was released after a few days without charges as Zafir and Firuell both knew that his prosecutors did not have anything to bring to court. Throughout these ordeals, Firuell tried to convince members of his family, especially his great-nephew Anteros, to join the Chimeran Aurik. Sadly for Firuell, that too fell through when Anteros was made HoH for the Gold Dragon Auriks.
Firuell did not stay completely silent in his new clan, however. He became an advisor for an old subordinate of his, Ronti Garkansen, who himself was an advisor to Clan Leader Inaya. Through these indirect means, Firuell slowly began laying the seeds for his return to the political world. Shortly before the Antonian Apostasy, Firuell came before Inaya and her husband Inarus, another old friend and subordinate from his days in the Guard. He had an idea for how to improve the Chimeran military, regaining its status as a military of elite, well-put-together, well-run soldiers with a suggestion of a military camp. Before these plans could go anywhere, however, an old drinking buddy from his military days contacted him. That man was Antonius Marcus (news Antonius).
Antonian Apostasy & Execution
Antonius had been trying to meet with Firuell since his return to Anarinuell, but their schedules kept conflicting, and the meeting was continuously put off. Eventually, the two set up a time and met alone in the Marcus estate, where Antonius informed Firuell about a plan he had been concocting to remove Taleo from power, and how he was in need of Firuell’s help. Firuell was clearly intrigued by the offer, but the means of doing so seemed poorly thought out, and likely, even impossible under the best circumstances. Antonius continued pushing the offer and the need for Firuell’s involvement, even mentioning the Lanesh. Firuell left, explaining that he would “think about it” and get back to Antonius, but before he could do much more he found himself awoken during the Dawn Raids and thrown in jail with many other possible conspirators. He languished in jail for a number of months, coming to terms with the fact that he more than likely would not be leaving alive, considering the slew of powerful people who were looking for any excuse to execute him. Interrogated numerous times, Firuell stuck to his story: Antonius approached him without Firuell knowing why, but considering their past together, he went ahead with it. When Antonius was talking about removing Taleo from power, Firuell was skeptical of its possibility. Antonius kept pushing, even mentioning the Lanesh and how they would kill him and his family if he mentioned this plan to anyone. Firuell, trying to ensure the safety of his family before contacting anyone, and without having any actual intention of joining Antonius and his group, left with an “I’ll think about it” so that the Lanesh would not be under the impression that Firuell was running off to tattle on them. Taleo, the judge in Firuell’s trial, unsurprisingly, did not believe Firuell’s story and called for his execution for treason, the banishment of his wife Winia, and the taking of the children (Baristes, Fiona, and Amik) into Republic care until they could find homes. Firuell was whisked away to an undisclosed location and executed by the hand of the prosecutor from his trial.
