Astrom II

History

Astrom was born during a time when Losia was a republic. Since the death of Losia’s last king during the Bay of Farenno War, there had always been talk about the restoration of the monarchy. Astrom grew up in a staunchly traditionalist family and was raised under the possibility of one day becoming king. After the untimely death of his father Astrom was considered the most credible pretender to the throne due to being the closest descendent of Losia’s last monarch. 

Astrom was studying overseas at an elvish university in Midboria when the War of the Dawn broke out. Unlike most of his fellow Losians, Astrom was an unabashed supporter of the Umrinor Cordiale due to his traditionalist and religious upbringing. Astrom was approached by agents of the Cordiale to attempt to influence Losian politics and keep the nation neutral in the war, to which he enthusiastically agreed. Astrom would become the face of the public relations efforts by Losia’s pro-Elderkin minority, occasionally achieving minor success after the scale of the Elruth famine came to light. 

When it was revealed that Losia’s government had clandestinely helped the Voskgardian Navy escape at the end of the war, Astrom was outraged. Knowing the Elderkin would demand retribution, Astrom approached his backers in the Umrinor Cordiale. He and his fellow monarchists offered to overthrow the republican government of Losia if they would offer support and legitimacy. 

In the year 19 of the Third Age the monarchist faction took power in a coup supported by Umrinor Cordiale. A year later Astrom was crowned as Astrom II, first of the Sar dynasty. Under his leadership Losia would become a de facto satellite state of the Umrinor Cordiale as he passed policies greatly favoring the Elderkin. To maintain his grip on power Cordiale troops are stationed in the country as “peacekeepers”. 

Despite his unpopularity amongst the general Losian public King Astrom II has managed to maintain power through a careful balancing act of Elderkin appeasement, political oppression, and occasional concessions to Losia’s public. He has survived numerous assassination attempts over the years. It’s an open secret that some of the royal guards protecting him are actually Elderkin in disguise.

Personality

The first thing most people notice when they meet King Astrom is his admiration for all things elvish. He has a tendency to wear elvish clothing, surround himself with elvish trinkets, or adopt of elvish greetings and proverbs. Astrom Ii often feels more comfortable being around other members of the Elderkin than other members of his own species. 

It’s unclear how much of this is a result of his overseas tutorship or if he always held that opinion. Another notable personality trait is his stoicism. Astrom seldom reveals any outward display of emotion. In the few public interviews he’s agreed to, Astrom has stated that emotions are merely figments of the imagination best ignored. The one exception seems to be his zeal for politics. 

When giving public speeches or discussing ideological concepts, Astrom speaks passionately with an almost religious like fervor about the causes he champions. In contrast when speaking to individuals Astrom’s personality has charitably been described as dry and humorless. He has admitted in private that he struggles to hold conversations when the topic is unrelated to policy. 

He feels little empathy towards people as individuals, instead viewing them as mere abstractions. King Astrom has a flair for pomp and circumstance. He believes tradition should be held as the highest virtue one can achieve. As such he has a distinct disdain for modern sensibilities, preferring to dress and speak in deliberately antiquated ways. 

Leadership and Ideology:

King Astrom II is best described as a traditionalist of the Second Age aristocracy with a very pro-Elderkin worldview. He believes when humans are without the wisdom of the higher races they become greedy, nihilistic savages prone to violence and war. Astrom described the Voskguardians as power hungry scoundrels who represent the worst of Humanity. 

To him the wanton destruction of their natural environment and events such as the Great Elruth Famine were examples of human vices left unchecked. Astrom believes with their short lifespans and temperamental nature, mankind is creating a dangerous new world for itself. Astrom II is a devoted follower of the Mai-Hatoist sect of the Auratheist religion. 

As such he believes mankind’s degradation of the fieldic leylines is an affront to all that is sacred. More importantly he believes the destruction of the leylines will collapse Tyrrell’s biosphere and all but guarantee the return of the Forgotten. Astrom believes while technology is not necessarily an inherent evil, industrialization must be slowed, regulated, and above all done with the minimal impact to the environment. 

Astrom II is one of West Ciradon’s leading conservationists. When it comes to the Elderkin, he frequently overlooks, or even justifies the human rights violations of many Elderkin communities. Astrom is on the record saying the destruction of Voskgard was justice well served. Astrom earnestly believes that as a human monarch, it’s his highest duty to bridge the gap between the elder and lesser races and prevent the darkness of the Third Age from destroying the world.

Powers and Abilities:

While a far cry from even the weakest Elderkin mage, King Astrom is highly proficient in the art of magic by human standards. His greatest magical power is perhaps his ability to alter humidity within any given area. When under great concentration his spells have been known to greatly alter the dew point. Astrom can also create wind gusts up to 8 knots using his bare hands. 

Astrom’s study of magic has enabled him to greatly increase or decrease his body temperature. He has been known to cause water to boil by simply touching it and can even survive dangerously cold weather without warm clothing. It’s rumored he uses these abilities in conjunction to wear heavy clothes in unreasonably muggy weather without sweating. 

Despite his age King Astrom is unparalleled when it comes to fighting with a spear. He is the current owner of Stenkagek, the legendary spear used by Losia’s first king. In contrast Astrom despises guns, considering them to be uncivilized (although he acknowledges their necessity in modern warfare).