Maxillar Pythareus

Maxillar Pythareus

(Person)

Titles

High Strategos

Alignment

Lawful neutral

Ancestry/Species

Human (Taldan)

Class

Cavalier 14

Gender

Male

Homeland

Zimar, Taldor

Organization

House Pythareus

Born

ca. 4676 AR

Animal Companion

His horse, Honor

Companion(s)

Milon Jeroth

Images of Maxillar Pythareus

Source: City in the Lion's Eye, pg(s). 58–59

High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus, also known as Maxillar of House Pythareus, is a loyalist and advisor of Grand Prince Stavian III of Taldor, commander-in-chief of the nation's military, war hero, and ruler of Zimar.

Appearance

Maxillar is a well-built, handsome, but weathered man with short silver hair.

Relatives

Maxillar is the descendant of Admiral Arminus Pythareus, who led a naval attack on Absalom in the 40th century AR, and Colonel Sarius "Lion of Zimar" Pythareus, who led the liberation of Zimar during the Grand Campaign while he was still a young captain. Sarius's daring actions and the resulting fame established House Pythareus as a prominent force in Zimar after the war.

Maxillar himself is a distant relation, by marriage, to the Stavian line.

Associates

Milon Jeroth is a confidante, advisor, and covert spymaster for Maxillar.

Traditionally, the high strategos rules jointly with the grand duke of Sophra. The current grand duke, Urjinus Vobellar, is obsequious to Maxillar's demands. He defers to the high strategos in almost all matters as the duke sees Maxillar as the likely future emperor.

Background

Maxillar was raised among the most prestigious tutors and scholars, while his father educated him in combat. As a teenager, his misogynistic behavior toward female classmates led to criticism from some of his teachers, particularly military scholar Tae Amalon, who died shortly after threatening to pull her endorsement of Maxillar's application to a Taldan school for military officers.

Political beliefs

The High Strategos is a skilled military leader and a charitable giver, but also a racist, sexist, classist nationalist who believes Taldor's decline is due to the growing power of women, non-human races, foreign merchants, and the lower classes. He feels especially threatened by the growing influence of Eutropia Stavian and attempted to arrange a marriage with the willful princess to keep her in line. This betrothal ultimately failed however.

As ruler of Zimar

Maxillar is a strict but beloved ruler, and governs the city from the towering fortress of Abadar's Pillar.

Heir apparent

In 4718 AR, Grand Prince Stavian III named Maxillar Pythareus as his heir apparent prior to the Grand Day of Exaltation ceremony.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.