Dramatis Personae

Manuel Angelus Imperator, Basileús kai Autokrátōr Thephaiōn (General, Sovereign and Autocrat of Thephians)- The MC, a lowly peasant by birth, brought from his home after finding out that his father is the Emperor. Raised to the position of heir to the throne, to only assume it moments after the death of his father. Of a bookish and theological disposition, he may have become a priest had fate not had greater things in store. With great gusto, he had formed a close relationship with the church, set things in motion for the reformation of the imperial navy, as well as numerous administrative reforms to battle incompetence and corruption.

Andronikos V Angelus “The Usurper” Imperator, Basileús kai Autokrátōr Thephaiōn (General, Sovereign and Autocrat of Thephians) - The previous Emperor. He has usurped the title after the death of the last Emperor of the Ducas line, his reign had seen the further weakening of the Empire, but he has managed to reform the currency which before his reign was in a freefall. His last days were spent in paranoia and obsession of preserving all he created for his bloodline. Shortly after making Manuel his heir, he had died from Blutatem, a type of poison that spreads by air, deadly over a long period of time.

Domestikos (domestic, commander) Armentarius Theocritus - Leader of Scholae Tagmata (School regiment/battalion), the personal bodyguards of the Emperor. Loyal to the empire, he had obeyed the new Emperor's orders and fought to protect him from the coup that his uncle had planned which saw at least half of his men turn traitor. An exceptionally skilled combatant and commander, he is a veteran of numerous wars and battles. Being ambidextrous, he usually wields a sword in his left, and a mace in his right hand, to devastating effect.

Strategos (General) Isaac - A general of the imperial army, in command of the last mobile, loyal army of the empire. Little is known about him, but he had not overtly opposed the new Emperor. He had also crushed a large Lucenian, a tribe of barbarians to the east, raid and secured the Eastern border as a whole.

Protasekretis (first secretary) Avienus Maniakes - Son of the most influential and wealthy merchant family of the empire. He has originally received the post through familial connections, he has lost his position after being accused of incompetence so great that it bordered treason. Thanks to his father's wealth, he had saved his neck but was exiled to a monastery upon an island.

Megas doux (Megaduke) Mundus - The current head of the imperial navy, currently busy fighting off Akeoinian invasion of the various isles held by the Empire. So far indifferent to the new Emperor, but pleased by the efforts put forth by the new Emperor to reconstruct the Empire's devastated navy.

Prōtoproedros (senior president) Leontius - Member of a powerful noble family and the theoretical head of the Imperial Senate. He organizes the scheduled senate meetings and whenever the emperor calls for them. Current loyalties are unknown, but there is general displeasure from the nobility towards the emperor concerning his administrative reforms. Thanks to him, law banning governors from raising their armies was rescinded. Even though this frustrated further reforms, it may have also prevented a potential civil war from breaking out due to the strong displeasure of the nobility.

Parakoimomenos (one who sleeps nearby) Fulgentius - The former head eunuch responsible for the day to day running of the imperial palace. When imprisoned, he had outright told the new emperor that he poisoned the last out of greed. Seemingly reinforcing the stereotype of greedy eunuchs trying to gain more power. He had been executed on the orders of the new emperor.

Photius Angelus - Brother of the previous Emperor, the uncle of the new one. He tried to lead a coup to usurp the throne, but he was killed in battle, the remainder of his family were blinded and exiled, their properties seized. The children however were spared and are now being raised in the imperial palace under a close watch of the new emperor's servants.

Oikoumenikós Patriárchēs (ecumenical patriarch) Anatolius - Head of the faith of the One true God and his Shepherd. Being a religious man, he appreciates the new Emperor's theological disposition, so far he had been friendly and a helping hand to the emperor in numerous matters, for example, finding a new Parakoimomenos of faith and loyalty.

Chartoularios tou kanikleiou (keeper of the imperial inkstand) - An unnamed assistant of the new emperor, he had not introduced himself other than by his title, acting as the personal secretary of the new emperor, he had assisted him in finding talent for the new administrative reform. Calm and old, he mainly keeps to himself unless called upon or unless he has to deliver news to the emperor.

Critobulus Maniakes - Head of house Maniakes, he had pleaded for the survival of his son, and was forced to pay a sizeable sum of his yearly profits and at least partially fund the reconstruction of the imperial navy. Current loyalties are unknown, but a great part of his family's fortune had been spent by the emperor.

Parakoimomenos (one who sleeps nearby) Gallienus - Appointed by the new Emperor on the recommendation of ecumenical patriarch Anatolius . So far had proven to be loyal without doubt, to the point of slight annoyance, most likely because he does not want to lose his head like the last holder of his position did.

Kyvernítis (governor) Iovivus Kurkuas - Governor of the most commercially important area of the empire, that of the purple silk isles. Oriented towards commercial and naval matters, the man trades with anyone and everyone. Currently cordial towards the emperor due to his anti-piracy campaign and the current war concerning his isles.

Helena Kurkuas - An exceptionally well-travelled and friendly lady, with a head towards trade and commerce, a fan of exotic and strange. She is a potential marriage candidate. She is the daughter of Iovivus Kurkuas.

Kyvernítis (governor) Nonnosus Bardanes - Governor of the most fertile and manpower rich province of the empire. The man is a thoroughbred aristocrat through and through. A conservative and a strong believer of imperial supremacy in all matters. Well-educated and polite, he is well-liked in the senate. Current disposition is unknown, but being a noble of noble, it cannot be too high, but it also cannot be too low if he is willing to marry off his daughter.

Dominica Bardanes - A lady of refined tastes, etiquette and grace, as well as courtly intrigue. She enjoys things that she wants, and she always gets what she wants. She is a potential marriage candidate. She is the daughter of Nonnosus Bardanes.

Kyvernítis (governor) Delmatius Ingerinus - A dour, serious man of the east, mining and manufacturing are his main concerns, a bit isolationist and a bit prickly, he doesn't really fit in with the senate, but when he speaks people listen, out of fear if nothing else. Currently indifferent to the emperor, as best as he can tell.

Irene Ingerinus - Of a martial and administrative disposition, and of cold looks and personality, she is not a warm person, prioritizing efficiency and effectiveness where she can. If it means helping people, so be it, if it means hurting them, so be it.

Count Durant Dufour - An Akeoinian diplomat sent to demand the imperial isles. Despite his rudeness, he had not been executed and was instead put under house arrest, where he admitted that he came here with a death wish out of concerns for his family. He also provided his opinions and information about his king.

King Tedwin de La Mare - King of Akeoinians, what is known of him make him out to be a cruel man that weaves endless schemes and keeps his nobility in check through fear. In a powerful position, the unrest in his lands and large influx of warriors prompted him to launch an invasion of the empire.

Ammiraglio (Admiral) Vincenso Grato - son of the current Consul of Tarrizo and an admiral in the Tarrizan navy. In exchange for an increase in the production of silk for seven years, the man took his fleet and soldiers to assist the empire in their naval war.

Protasekretis (first secretary) Auxentius - The replacement of Avienus, a candidate picked by the senate with the emperor's blessing. Neutral in it, he has been the compromise candidate, he has only served the emperor shortly, but he seems competent enough.