Character: Emperor Dardanos

Dardanos doesn't come into play much until the third novel, but his undertones permeate the first two novels. He was actually one of the first characters I made for my realm when we were roleplaying. After all, I needed a bad guy for Krom. But he has become much more three dimensional since that first moment.

Dardanos was born the oldest son of Leo the Second. He was groomed to become Emperor since the day he was born. He learned the art of politics and weaponry early and failed in neither. When his father ruled everything remained status quo, the merchants sailed north and traded with those of Tridon and those who were ruled by the Black Wizards, but no new exploration ever occurred. Dardanos feared that it would cause the Empire to stagnate. He vowed that when he became Emperor he would send ships out to explore the east, colonize the non human lands, and perhaps even take Taina from the fools in the north. When his father died of a stroke he swiftly put his plan into motion. Now the empire thrives under his hand, though at the cost of the poor, the non humans and those who don't share his ideals.

Dardanos is Ariellan, thirty seven years old, six foot tall and around 200 pounds of pure muscle. His face is very chiseled, with a square jaw and light ebony skin. His eyes are a dark shade of chestnut that turn a dark shade when he is angry or annoyed. His Black hair is cropped short in military style. He wears a toga of white with a purple palla with gold trim and griffins.

Dardanos speaks little unless necessary. He is like a military commander, straight and to the point, unless discussing something vital to the empire. He does not mince words, he says what he thinks, though he is always seeking the advantageous political outcome.

Dardanos is friendly to those he likes, even a few of his enemies that he has gathered over the years. To those he does not like or are in disfavor he is blunt in his speech and usually spends little time speaking to or of them. He is not vindictive, he sees his expansion as simply a way to help the Empire prosper. He isn't above using assassins and the like, but he prefers open warfare or negations to slights and assassinations.

My hardest trick with Dardanos was making him seem human. Sure, he is against Tarkil and his group and their goals, but he is trying to make his people safe, secure, and comfortable. He is not doing what he is doing for selfish reasons, which makes it even more fun to write him.
Tomorrow: Mage Guild of Bloodhelm