Emperor Justinian II

The Emperor Justinian II was born in 241 IC (the eldest of the two sons of Emperor Augustine IX). After the death of his father in 256 IC, the then 15-year old Justinian began his 54-year reign which was remarkable both for its long duration and its success at defending itself against repeated attacks from external forces.

If power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely then Justinian, as Emperor should have been more corrupt than the Demon princes themselves. However, despite a somewhat morbid fascination with death and regularly attending bloody gladiatorial matches in the capital city, Justinian is remembered as not obviously more corrupt than anyone else in that position.

His main defining trait appears to have been a rather healthy paranoia regarding his safety, which resulted in Justinian relocating the Imperial court in 263 IC from the capital city of Merebia to 'Sanctuary' – an armoured fortress in the barren foothills east of Rolac.

Like all Emperors, Justinian traced his family line back to Darameus, the first Emperor of Merebia. Historians recall that Darameus was a leader, visionary, megalomaniac and psychopath (in no particular order). Justinian reputedly shared none of the qualities that made his ancestor great, and left much of the day-to-day running of the Empire to the Imperial Senate and the Kings.

In his youth, Justinian was a good looking man, who was tall and muscular. He was fortunate to retain his looks and his height well into his final years.

He was married (and widowed) twice. First to 'Dianna' the grand-daughter of Halames (the last King of Bal-Morath), and then to Cyrene, the niece of King Atheus of Erganth. With his two wives he had a total of 9 children, the eldest of which was Eternius – a bully and a coward that few wished to be the next Emperor, including (allegedly) Justinian. It is somewhat of a tragedy and a relief that Eternius was killed in a hunting accident in 278 IC, which left his younger brother Ephestus - a man much like his father - to follow the family's work.

Justinian died of old age in 310 IC, aged 69.