Count Jacques Rostov

Count Jacques Rostov, Lord Steward of Aguba Jacques Rostov is an infamous figure in the Darikahn Lower Reaches. A natural warrior, he quickly made a name for himself in his youth as a mercenary, and later as a prominent member of the duelling circles that were popular at the time. Some have even attributed much of Rostov's dislike of the Church to its constant criticism of duellists, and there is perhaps an element of truth to this, though it was the Church's backing of the Gonzagin that really lit his ire. Whilst capable and brave, Jacques dalliances with shadier elements of society made him an embarrassment to his father, yet as the only son, he was never formally disowned. Nevertheless, the pair were estranged, and Jacques spent most of his time at court, neglecting his duties back home in favour of socializing and partying. Yet when the most recent war broke out, Jacques was one of the first nobles to join the war effort, drawing on his experience as a mercenary and rising to the position of Anvil Lord. He soon accrued a fresh reputation, as black as the first, this time for his ruthless and brutally successful leadership, putting countless cities across the strategic world of Breznia to the sword. At the conclusion of the war, his success demanded reward...but his reputation made it politically difficult to give him prominence in the inner worlds. In the end, he was granted the Stewardship of a distant planet on the fringes of the empire, recently acquired from the Karsan League as part of the peace settlement.

Concept: Disgraced noble rewarded with the Stewardship as a way to get him out of sight.

Lifepaths: Born to Rule, Coeptir, Armiger, Lord-Pilot Anvil, Freebooter, Duellist, Court Lord, Anvil Lord, Lord Steward

Stats: Wil 4 Per 4 Agi 6 Spd 3 Pow 4 Frt 4 Stl 7 Hes 6 MWd 10 Age 52

Traits: Anvil Lord, Anvil Trained, Arrogant, Brave, Corvus and Crucis, Darikahn Loyalist, Emperor's Steward, Indifferent, Iron Trained, Loathed, Mark of Privilege, Mercenary, Under Pressure, Wigged, Your Eminence

Skills: Anvil-wise 2 (1) Assault Weapons 5 (3) Close Combat 6 (4) Command 5 (4) Conspicuous 2 (1) Court-wise 2 (1) Etiquette 4 (3) Falsehood 3 (2) Imperial Edict-wise 2 (1) Intimidation 4 (3) Logistics 5 (4) Persuasion 3 (2) Scheme-wise 2 (1) Squad Support Weapons 4 (2) Strategy 5 (4) Tactics 5 (4) Trial-by-Combat-wise 3 (2) War-wise 3 (2)

Resources:

• Base Resources 12d
• Expensively tailored coat, breeches and powdered wig. Ceremonial sword and sidearm (color).
• Suit of Iron (exponent 5)

Circles:

• Base Circles 3d
• Affiliations
  • 2d Stewardship (1d free from Emperor's Steward)
  • 2d Imperial Garrison (competent force of anvil trained soldiers and smattering of Exp 4 Iron)
• 1d Nobility (free from Mark of Privilege)
• Reputations
  • 2d Chief Imperial Officer on Aguba (1d free from Emperor's Steward)
  • 2d Infamous Warlord "Butcher of Breznia" (1d free from Loathed)
• Relationships
  • Trevor, his justice and security minister (recripocal, complicated)
  • Lord Valan D'ardano, the Hammer Lord he entrusts with managing the space force (free)
  • Geoffrey De'Marcus, the Church Inquisitor who had the audacity to investigate his world (reciprocal, complicated)
  • Lord Inanna Aguba, the dispossessed heir to Aguba (reciprocal, complicated)

Instincts:

• Have anyone I don't trust searched before I meet them.
• Never let a psychologist into my mind (never accept a connection).
• Keep a weapon on my person at all times.

Beliefs:

• I don't care what Geoffrey De'Marcus claims: he and his Church are traitors and I will not tolerate their interference.
• This world is my just reward for faithful service: if Inanna Aguba wants it, she will have to pry it from my cold dead hands.
• The Emperor's word is law: I will uphold the Aguban Charter faithfully in accordance with his wishes.