Julius Votano - Printable Version

Julius was born in the bustling port city of Venia. The city was rather grand; know well around the Middle Continent as a âMiddle manâ of trade from one region to another, given its central location on the coast of the continent. It was fairly protected from both the purge and the civil war, as it could easily defend itself with it's vast military and strategic location on a peninsula. Juliusâs Father, Markus, was a high-end politician in the government of Venia, and his mother, Vivian, a book binder. Given the fact that Juliusâs father was so high in the government, and therefore high in pay, his mother was simply a book binder by hobby, and not very much so by trade. Also given his fatherâs position, Julius was raised from an early age to also enter his cityâs government.
Julius fully embraced the early teachings of manners and etiquette. He found elation in the fact that while every other youngster on the streets could barely speak, he was speaking in full sentences, using the manners of one high in society, and associating with the âbig-wigsâ of his fatherâs work. One man in particular that Julius found he could look up to, was the Governor, William Gouge. He was often a guest in the home, normally for business, but occasionally for small parties. William was surely someone to look up upon, and aspire to be. Little did Julius know that he would take the Governorâs place one day.
Soon after Juliusâs earlier years, his father felt it right for him to learn the proper ways of the common nobility. Thusly, Julius began with an instrument of his choice, the harpsichord, something he had always watched his father play. He quite enjoyed the sound of the instrument, and, with a small bit of teaching, Julius began to become quite adept with the instrument, forming his own melodies and delighting in the instrument. Soon after he began playing the harpsichord, his father also felt it rather proper for him to learn how to fight, in a distinguished way of course. The first thing that came to mind was a Rapier, commonly used among the Venian nobility. It soon became apparent that Julius was not as naturally talented with this instrument of killing, than he was with the harpsichord. It took quite a while longer, but eventually Julius did gain some skill with the sword. Along with these two traits, Julius's father schooled him in the ways of politics, and the basics of how to be as successful as possible, and get what you wanted. He was also taught to never be satisfied with what you had, and always aim highter, bigger, better, as long as it benefited yourself.
During most of Julius's childhood, Venia was becoming drastically endangered. Due to it's strong economy, and frequently used ports, it was a prime target for cities around it, who would seek to take it over for themselves. Eventully, small attacks on it's borders were made, and action was needed. Before the attacks could increase in frequency and intensity, a grand wall was erected, and the military strengthened, thus detering most other attacks and insuring the saftey of Venia's people from outside attacks. Attacks on it's civilians on he inside, however, were another story.
Julius was now the ripe age of 18, and ready to find his calling. Naturally, the first thing he had thought of was the closest thing to him, his motherâs book binding. Although his father did not fully agree with it, Juliusâs mother soon taught him the ways of her craft. She of course began with the bare basics, of how to craft the common papyrus from reeds, how to create ink, and the usage of quills, and of course, binding the book in leather. What she could teach him was rather limited, as she was no master herself, but what he did learn he retained, and he quickly, with self practice, began to become rather accustomed to the book business. Eventually however, Juliusâs father had had enough of his sonâs behavior, and with much reluctance, he went into politics as his fatherâs assistant.
What Julius dreaded about this job was that he would be working under his father, which wasnât really a place he enjoyed being; in fact, he hated being foreshadowed at all. Nonetheless Julius worked diligently. He did love this job, and just being near anything that involved politics and inputting his opinions. Very quickly, he rose from his fatherâs assistant to an equal of his fatherâs. He had gained so much in that time; he now had his own house, a wife , and a job he loved. His wife was Willow Vanen, who had been a family friend for the longest time, and also a politician. Their marriage was more buisiness, than any actual love, common practice within Venian nobility to strengthen alliances within the government. Only one thing could make this better, being the governor of Venia. His childhood dream, could now come true, he had developed a lust for power over his time in the government, and he was ready to go to drastic lengths to achive what he wanted.
His old role model, was now elderly, and slow, his mind deteriorating just as fast as his body, and with the new election coming very soon, Julius decided to run against all of the older, far more experienced candidates. He knew he had no way of winning, all of the others were far more popular, and had a far wider range of influence than he, but that wouldnât stop him, he was prepared to stoop to any means necessary to get what he wanted, even if it was breaking the law. He did just that.
Of the many secret crime organizations within Venia, none were better know, or had as much influence, as the âRed Masksâ. This was a secret group, who had earned their title for their signature red masks that they wore whenever they were committing any sort of crime. Julius didnât like having to make a deal with them; they were notorious for all sorts of backstabbing, conniving, greedy attitudes, perfect for a politician to get along with. The deal that he had to make was in exchange for their help in the election season, he would try to pardon most, if not all of their crimes, perhaps even make them immune to the law. He was of course, lying though his teeth, surely heâd put all his efforts in office to the greater good, of getting what he wanted.
Eventually, after a full year of campaigning, speeches, and huge amounts of help from the âRed Masksâ, Julius won the election with staggering results. Thankfully, the Masks had done their job well, cutting off all connection from the deaths of Julius's competition, managing to make most of them look like break-ins, or of natural causes through poisons. Julius bathed in the riches of his victory, and celebrated with a large extravagant ball for all of his underlings. However, while he enjoyed his victory for now, the âRed Masksâ quickly became irritatedâ¦ they had spent a lot, even lost a few good assassins attempting to thin out Juliusâs competition, and they planned on getting their moneyâs worth.
Soon after his election, Julius was sent an anonymous letter, telling him that he had better pay his dues, or he was going to pay for it with his life, it was signed with a simple red X. Julius didnât know what to do, surely he couldnât actually give them what they wanted, heâd be executed for comparing with them, he was trapped in-between a rock and a hard place, both were quite deadly. He had to think about his decision for quite some time before he could make a decision. During that time, the âRed Masksâ had gotten quite impatient, and had killed Willow while she was alone in his home. This however, only insured his final decision, he would run, just run, for his own safety, he didnât care about anyone else but himself right now, survival was the only thing on his mind, and that is what he would try to do, survive.
He wanted to get as far away as he could possibly go from the âRed Masksâ, the Forbidden Lands. Without alerting any of his family, he government, or anyone else, Julius had the very best charters map a remote location for him to run to, one that wasnât quite remote, but one that also promised refuge and protection. He had bribed the charters handsomely to keep the location a secret, and his leaving a eret as well. It had eventually come to him that there, in a remote corner of the Forbidden Lands; there was a trail of beacons, one that supposedly led to some sort of âpromised landâ hopefully, he could get there before any trouble arose.
Under his orders, he had a secret ship assigned to travel there, and a small task force of soldiers and carriages to Sheppard him though the beacon trail. All of his convoy and the sailors were bribed exonentially, Julius didn't want to take any chances. As soon as the ship arrived, they had little trouble finding the start of the trail, and quickly made their way past most of the trail. Well into the desert, when they had fallen upon a remote oasis, they set up camp, like they had done many times before, and Julius checked his charts. He had lost most of his group, and only one wagon remained with them, his personal carriage. Most of the men were starved, some half to death, but there was certainly enough food to sustain Julius, although he did often make sure the soldiers were fed as much as possible. Eventually, they would reach the end of the desert, and a fork in the road. Julius was certain that this was the place the trail was to lead him to. He decided that bringing a full group of scouts with him, and his wagon, would certainly draw the wrong kind of attention, for he had no idea the extent of the âRed Masksâ and he was not about to take any chances, he waved his soldiers goodbye, and good luck. He had only taken his personal effects, and although he was now starving, and incredibly tired (He had actually walked the last bit in the forest, wow) he made his way across the bridge, hopeful that this new start would be as spectacular as he thought.