Karseidon II

Emperor Karseidon II was the previous ruler of the Falassian Empire and father of Emperor Eurystheos XIV.

Appearance
During his life, Karseidon dressed finely, as one would expect of an emperor. According to Kain, speaking as a former street urchin and pickpocket, Karseidon looked too wealthy to pass up as a mark.

Personality
Karseidon was known as a kind, benevolent man who demonstrated these qualities in his role as emperor. He also had some sense of humility and social responsibility, considering crime in Falas as a sign of his shortcomings as a ruler, rather than the fault of those committing the crimes.

Background
During Karseidon's reign, the Falassian Empire was peaceful, near idyllic. Even people living outside the empire, such as the doppelganger impersonating Heyward Wolfwood, remember Karseidon's rule as a golden era. However, during this period, the Falassian council had ambitions of expanding the Empire's borders. Karseidon opposed these efforts, stopping the council before they could set their eyes on expanding north to Cemouth and Northrune. He also ended the Duchy of Villane's status as a vassal state to the Empire, disapproving of the council's decision to install a dictator in the capital. However, said dictator, a halfling named Errol Mountainfall, remains in power to this day. Shortly before his daughter, Eurystheos, was born, a young street urchin attempted to pickpocket Karseidon. When the boy, named Kain, was quickly seized by Karseidon's surrounding Drake Guard, Karseidon ordered him freed, taking responsibility for the necessity of Kain's turn to crime. Karseidon took Kain as his ward and, when Kain expressed an interest in learning magic and becoming Karseidon's arcane advisor, funded his education at the Academy of the Archmagi in Atemcester. Around 588, Karseidon decided to return the Abyssal Crests, which had come to be gathered in Falas, to their original owning kingdoms. This decision may explain why Karseidon was aware of the existence of Aquos, although only a short note about the city was found in his belongings. Karseidon was not necessarily forthcoming about the Crests' true nature, however. For example, Count Corvus of Port Valor, a relative of the imperial family, was only told that the Drape of the Cursed was a powerful magic item that he had to keep safe. Likewise, the Plate of the Ancestors recovered by the Exeter was not given any special protection, being free to take during the king's yearly Bequeathing Ceremony. In Chillbreath 588, shortly after the return of the Abyssal Crests to their original homes, Karseidon died suddenly, bringing his rule to a premature end and leaving the throne to his 15-year-old daughter. While the circumstances of Karseidon's death are not widely known, Kain has stated that he was assassinated. In fact, his body was found in palace gardens by Eurystheos, with a bleeding wound in his back. A small white cloth with an embroidered rose, the calling card of a retired Pale Cloak assassin known as the Pale Rose, was laid on his body as well.

Goals
While Karseidon's intent in dispersing the Abyssal Crests is currently unknown, he likely had Alethustria's best interests in mind, given his personality. He may have been aware of the danger of the Crests being taken by potential bad actors, or he may have simply wished to foster better diplomatic relations with the original owners of the Crests.

Abilities
Karseidon's reputation as a great man, both during his life and ten years after his death, suggests that he was quite charismatic.

Karseidon and Kain
Karseidon first met Kain as a young boy who attempted to pickpocket him. When Kain was apprehended, Karseidon ordered the Drake Guard to stand down and, feeling compassion for the boy, adopted him as his own. Karseidon also funded Kain's education in Atemcester when he expressed an interest in learning magic. Kain considers himself lucky to have been raised by such a great man.

Quotes

 * Name: "Quote."

Trivia

 * Trivia 1
 * Trivia 2