Emperor Justinian II

The Emperor Justinian II was born in 1105 IE and died of natural causes in 1179 IE, aged 74. Having ascended to the Imperial throne at the age of just 19 his reign 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 was not obviously more corrupt than anyone else in that position.

Due to concerns about his safety, Justinian relocated the Imperial court away from the capital city of Cinnibar to 'Sanctuary' – an armoured fortress in the barren foothills east of Rolac. A veritable fortress of Solitude one might call it, for apart from the Emperor’s bodyguards, servants and the garrison of the 1st Imperial Legion only he and his family resided there.

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.

Justinian himself was a good looking man, who (in his youth) was tall and muscular.

He was married (and widowed) twice and 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 1178 IE, which left his younger brother Ephestus - a man much like his father - to follow the family's work.