Aaric Barca

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Blacklion2.png Aaric Barca Blacklion.png
Duke of the Isle of Guardian
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Blacklion2.png Status Blacklion.png
Fullname Philip Aaric Barca
House House Barca
Titles His Grace, Duke Guardian, Dux Bellorum
Investiture December 24, 505
Predecessor Eadric Conway
Heir Apparent Marquis Marcus Damien Barca
Father Duke Damien Barca
Mother Duchess Chloe Barca
Date of Birth

January 10 482 (482-01-10) (age 33)

Place of Birth Gwencalon, Caerdach, Isle of Guardian
Gender Male
Height 6 feet, 1 inch
Eyes Black
Hair Dark Brown
Marital Status Married
Issue Marcus Damien Barca
Lucas Barca
Tegan Barca
Meriel Barca
Philip Barca*
 
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Blacklion2.png Musical Chronology Blacklion.png
Blacklion2.png Quote Blacklion.png



"Life is like a game of chess, in which there are an infinite number of complex moves possible. The choice is open, but the move made contains within it all future moves. One is free to choose, but what follows is the result of one's choice. From the consequences of one's action there is never any escape."

-- Shelly Smith

Blacklion2.png The Tyrean Occupation Blacklion.png

"Your brother kings and monarchs of the earth do all expect that you should rouse yourself, as did the former lions of your blood."

-- Henry V, I.ii

No one who knew Aaric in his youth would have pegged him as a likely candidate to rule an island renowned for its warrior heroes. But now half a decade after the Barca Restoration sees him not only commander of the Empire's military machinery but also its seniormost high noble among a bruised aristocracy.

The gamesman has a powerful poker face, and his public acts shed scant light on a private mind. Is he the cold-blooded and vengeful 'Black Duke', a sly courtier, or diligent bureaucrat? Within the span of six years he has embarked on ambitious negotiations with recalcitrant highlanders, ordered the extermination of an entire wildling tribe, and married the daughter of a mountain loresinger and political rival. He rose to power amidst a series of mysterious deaths in the insurgent House Conway, but thereafter raised one of their number to become his left hand and instrument of his darker commands. He shared a sometimes public rivalry with Rourke Caprios before becoming one of the Emperor's closer confidants, and later served without public complaint under a man rumored to have tortured his wife.

A few things we can say with certainty. Aaric Barca is now a little over thirty years old and a father of three. He loves his second wife every bit as fiercely as he mourned his first. He was a reckless youth, but to say he has become a methodical man is to tell only half the story. He may still take a bet on anything, but demands to know the odds beforehand. For all his patience he cannot suffer fools. He loves his family even when they vex him, which is not infrequently, and does his best not to treat them like so many pieces on a chessboard. It is something easier wished for than done. He has made enemies; only a few are still of consequence and he still stands.

But for how long? He has become a symbol of both a landed aristocracy and native militarism seemingly at odds with the foreign-backed new order, and his move from the castle to the city following the quiet coup that ended the Regency seems to confirm rumored tensions between the Barca Duke and the new regime. Since then his public acts have since been focused on strengthening his home isle through appointments, marriages, economic reforms, and at least one daring military venture. Beyond that there are only whispers, many of them contradictory. He is building an army in secret to destroy the Tyrean interlopers; he cut a deal with said Tyrean interlopers to keep his title; he has been unmanned by his tribal wife and is afraid to fight. Some of these may be true, or all of them.

Or maybe Aaric Barca has at least one more trick up his sleeve.

Blacklion2.png The Present Blacklion.png

"If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change."

--Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, 'The Leopard'

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...and did, apparently. Because January 7, 513 saw the end of the Tyrean Occupation amidst rumors of civil war in the neighboring state. The Duke of Guardian was appointed with unanimous consent of the Imperial Council to a six month term as leader of an Empire in a state of emergency.


In actuality he served four brief but eventful months as head of state, first successfully coordinating the defense of Gateway against a Tyrean attack force and then leading the Empire to war alongside King Andrew Llafarge against the renegade Admiral Anwer Covington. Several weeks after a triumphant return he held true to his public pledge to relinquish power if Gateway achieved liberty before his term expired -- surely a surprise to those who murmured and fretted about a Guardian takeover months before. He left disposition of the Empire in the hands of the Imperial Regents deposed in the Tyrean coup, who promptly dismissed the council he had headed as an illegitimate relic of the Occupation. They established a new governing council with Aaric's unlikely deputy, protégé and partner in crime Tiege Soranus as de facto ruler of the Empire until Jordan Caprios came of age.

Blacklion2.png NotesBlacklion.png

"Excellence at chess is one mark of a scheming mind."

--Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

  • He likes chess. A lot.
  • In fact, he enjoys games of all kinds, and is famously eager to take a bet on the most trifling of matters.
  • He can read and write in Baecish, and could quote you line and verse from the poets and philosophers of the old empire... were he ever to actually speak it.
  • He is a voracious reader in general, and it's said that his collection of texts in Caerdach would put almost any self-respecting Draughtian to shame.
  • Though he was never the most athletic of his brood, he established a grueling training regimen under the supervision of his former guard captain that continues to this day. It might be a mistake to underestimate him.
  • His time in the legion beyond basic training was served with the Quartermaster. He knows his logistics.
  • He wore mostly sweaters in his younger years. He doesn't anymore, and would prefer if you didn't bring it up.
  • He apparently needs very, very little sleep. Among a hard-working staff he is first up and last to bed.
  • Rarely he will smoke a pipe or cigar.
  • He drinks more often these days, and does not time it.
Blacklion2.png LogsBlacklion.png

505-11-04 Ducal Gathering Regarding Guardian: Philip meets with the ducal houses to make his case for a coup.

505-11-24 A Skirmish on Guardian: An episode of violence flares up during the fortnight's truce between the Barcas and Conways.

506-09-30 A Caerdach Wedding: Aaric officiates the wedding of his sister Linette to Leon Maritus of Gwencalon.

506-11-17 The Whole World Blind: The execution of Arcadius Athelstan goes awry as only a Guardian execution can. The duke shares a final moment with Mildryth Lachlan, Lady Rayder Pass.

507-06-08 Business as Usual: Emperor Rourke Caprios suggests a change in longstanding military policy at a gathering of the Imperial Council.

507-09-08 Court: Aaric announces the birth of his son, Marcus, and outlines some important reforms for Guardian. Prince Valin Caprios prophecies the downfall of an island.

507-12-15 Ancestor's Day: When Aaric's sister and brother-in-law host this Guardian holiday on Gateway, the duke gives an unexpected tribute to the fallen.

508-01-14 Winter Festival Ball: Aaric and Shayne attend a ball hosted by Princess Eleanor Caprios and Kali Helkaer. They dance with nearly everyone except each other.

508-09-13 Hail the Conquering Hero: An ovation is held in Gwencalon for the triumphant return of Wilhelmina Conway after her victory against the Nitesci of Dun Artan.

509-02-02 A Certain Slant Of Light: The tense beginnings of Aaric's singular relationship with the Lady Heir Thundering Falls.

509-05-03 Court of the Living Dead: Just returned to Gateway after seeing to his wife's affairs, a newly widowed and literally bruised Aaric faces two challenges: the mercantile ambitions of Baron Locke -- and the return of his brother-in-law from the grave.

509-05-11 A Reply from the Duke of Guardian: Aaric publishes a response to an anonymous tract widely circulated through Gateway.

509-510 Correspondence between Aaric Barca and Gruoch of House Artos: Letters between the 'Black Duke' and the Lady Heir Thundering Falls during her mandatory six month service in the legions.

510-09-19 You Don't Mess With The Conway Woman: Aaric intervenes in a courtyard brawl between Baroness Trebachas and a naval conscript -- but not before letting Her Excellency get her licks in.

511-07-03 Banquets, Brides, and Baronies: Amidst strange happenings at court in Gateway, Aaric marries his highlander bride two months before the date set by the Imperial Regents and settles longstanding business in Dun Artan with the appointment of a new baron.

511-08-30 The Young Emperor is Crowned: Matters on Gateway come to a head as young Jordan Caprios is crowned Emperor and two Tyreans are placed at the head of an expanded advisory council. The Duke of Guardian keeps his peace, but few could miss his displeasure.

512-07-17 Turning the Other Cheek: Aaric is asked to pass sentence on a young woman of Guardian for slapping an officer in the Tyrean navy. He sentences her to nine hours in the stocks, but not without delivering a backhanded rebuke of his own to those who charged her and taking the highland girl into his household.

512-12-24 We are One! We are Gateway!: Aaric hosts a celebration of Ancestors Night on Gateway that quickly becomes a public display of unity and resistance against the Tyrean Empire.

Blacklion2.png Gallery Blacklion.png

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