Horus Fornathrius

Chancellor Horus Fornathrius
Type	Non-Player Character
Player	Cody
Character Information
Name	Horus Fornathrius
Pronouns	he/him
Race	Human
Age	70+
Languages	Common
Connections	• Emperor Karseidon II (former liege) • Emperor Eurystheos XIV (liege)
Place of Origin	Falas
Status	Alive

Chancellor Horus Fornathrius is the current chancellor of the Falassian Empire and a long-time fixture in Falassian politics.

Description

Appearance

Fornathrius is an older human man with long gray hair parted in the middle. He also has a long white beard. Around the Falassian palace, he wears white robes under a long red tabard, indicating his noble status, as well as a tall hat.

Personality

Fornathrius initially comes across as cold and imperious. However, according to Eurystheos and Kain, he is simply stuffy, rather than mean. He seems to be highly respected within the imperial court. He is difficult to approach but apparently spends his free time sitting in the palace gardens. He has claimed that the flowers remind of his duty to the people, who need someone to protect them and their interests. While his sense of noblesse oblige might be admirable in comparison to some of his peers, this also demonstrates a paternalistic attitude toward the commonfolk. Fornathrius has also lamented the unwillingness of people to make sacrifices and hard decisions.

Biography

Background

Horus Fornathrius was born into one of the high households of Falas. He seems to have been involved with Falassian politics for quite some time. He was appointed to his current position by the Falassian council many years ago. He was the primary proponent of the annexation of Quadroad for the Empire around 568. As chancellor, he worked closely with Emperor Karseidon II at the time of his assassination. However, their relationship was largely work-focused. After Karseidon's death, Fornathrius was quite solemn at the emperor's funeral. However, he managed to consolidate a fair bit of power due to his successor's initial weakness. He has also invested in some businesses in Falas, such as the Quainthouse, a light eating restaurant in the High Terrace. A few years into Eurystheos's reign, he (along with the Minister of War, Keld Norre) pushed for the annexation of Blackpool. Eurystheos was unable to stop this initiative and, after a skirmish with Seaton, Blackpool became part of the Falassian Empire. Fornathrius continues to command a great deal of respect among his peers. However, he has left no heirs and has no remaining family or known close relationships.

Return to Falas

Fornathrius was the one who told the Champions Valoris that Eurystheos was ready for their audience with her. He waited for them to finish breakfast before guiding them to the throne room and advising them that the discussion was to be absolutely private. During the meeting, the party learned from Eurystheos and Kain that Fornathrius was one of the five people suspected of possibly being the mole in Falas's court.

Vicious Eyes and Vicious Hearts

Fornathrius was the first suspect outlined in Kain's report. Kain described how Fornathrius benefited from Karseidon's death, although there appeared to be no bad blood between them. Kain also explained Fornathrius's expansionist ambitions toward Cemouth and Northrune, which were blocked by Karseidon. He noted that Fornathrius had few publicly known interests, other than his time spent in the palace gardens, making him difficult to casually approach at the remembrance ceremony. At the ceremony itself, Ashara initially approached Fornathrius, offering her condolences about Karseidon. While Fornathrius admitted that they had butted heads, he called Karseidon a good man. Ashara said she was trying to get to know Fornathrius and asked about his interest in gardening, as she was considering the hobby herself. Fornathrius claimed to know nothing about gardening. When Ashara changed the subject to scenic travel locations, Fornathrius regretfully said that Port Valor would be a nice place this time of year. While Ashara admitted that the devastation terrified her, Fornathrius was unconcerned because the Fireaxe Clan had been taken care of. However, he also blamed Atemcester for their poor security around the anti-life magic. Fornathrius then excused himself by looking at his pocketwatch. As he left, he told Ashara that flowers remind him of his duty to a fragile citizenry, impressing her. She told the rest of the party that she thought he was unlikely to be the culprit.

While looking for Keld Norre, who had disappeared from the ceremony, Reides and Jorah found Fornathrius instead and struck up a conversation with him. They discussed the large turnout for the ceremony. Fornathrius observed that Eurystheos took to the party quite quickly, which Jorah and Reides managed to play off. They also discussed Karseidon, and Fornathrius expressed disapproval of some of Karseidon's decisions, which he felt weren't in the empire's best interest, such as withdrawing from Villane. When asked about Keld, Fornathrius commended his political views and voting record. He then began to excuse himself by looking at his pocketwatch. When Reides asked if they were keeping him from the dance floor, Fornathrius explained he was just doing his rounds. He also directed the pair toward the drink table, where they were able to find Keld Norre. When they party reconvened, Reides noted that Fornathrius was more approachable than Keld, although Jorah pointed out that he was saying the same things but more palatably. The group suggested that Kilwin also talk to the chancellor. Fornathrius recognized Kilwin as part of the party and two discussed Port Valor, both the tragedy and the hope of revival. Fornathrius commended Kilwin for his efforts to preserve the people of Port Valor and his sense of duty. However, Kilwin was unable to discern if Fornathrius's sadness was genuine or just a front, disturbing him. Fornathrius noted that Kilwin knows what must be done and that that sentiment is too lacking in today's world. He then excused himself, sans pocketwatch, for the ceremony's charity auction.

After the theft of a marble at the charity auction, Fornathrius was approached by Jorah and Ashara. They lamented that someone would steal from charity. Fornathrius swore that the thief would be strung up for this deed. Jorah asked if Damien Wright had any enemies in court and, while Fornathrius observed that they were on poor terms with the entire council after Karseidon's death, he noted that Keld Norre seemed the angriest with them. He also recalled seeing Keld and Damien argue frequently, although he observed that they would stop talking when he approached. Fornathrius seemed to suspect that Damien was behind the theft, which proved to be correct. However, Jorah tried to throw him off, speculating that someone else stole the marble to make Damien look bad. The group also discussed Keld's drunkenness. Fornathrius admitted that this episode was typical of Keld and that he only tolerated this indiscretion due to Keld's voting record. However, he wished Jorah and Ashara luck in finding him. When Jorah expressed hope that the marble would be found soon, Fornathrius only said that the incident would reflect poorly on the imperial family. The Champions Valoris did not see Fornathrius again for the rest of the night, but he was found to have no role in Karseidon's assassination.

On a date at the Quainthouse, Kain mentioned that it was financed by Fornathrius. Ashara mentioned that she liked Fornathrius a lot from their conversations at the ceremony.

Character Information

Goals

Fornathrius has historically pursued an agenda of expanding the influence of the Falassian Empire, frequently at the cost of war.

Abilities

Fornathrius is a skilled politician and very good at keeping his true opinions close to his chest.

Relationships

Fornathrius and Keld

As Fornathrius and Keld both had ambitions to expand the Falassian Empire, they were natural political allies. Fornathrius expressed disapproval of Keld's heavy drinking at social functions, but claimed to tolerate it due to Keld's pristine voting record.

Quotes

• "The ephemeral nature of such plants reminds me of my duty. Each citizen is a flower. They are beautiful but fragile, and they must be protected from those who would trample on them."

Trivia

• Trivia 1
• Trivia 2