Rourke Caprios

The Caprios line has ruled the Empire since the Champion, holding both religious and political power over the isles. There was a brief time under Emperor Jonathon when the Keeper somewhat decoupled the centralized power of the political machine from the religious and gave the dukes more autonomy. During this brief span, a number of artistic projects were undertaken by Jonathon. With his death, the new Emperor drew power back to the Imperial Seat bit by bit. It has remained strong ever since.

The life of the heir to an empire is very different from most. The knights were Rourke's constant companions and presence all his life, and privacy was and still is a rare commodity. His sire was known for an iron-handed grip upon everything and everyone, including his offspring, and Emperor Maximilian had a deft hand at manipulating events and people to his will. For Rourke, this resulted in a streak of rebelliousness that often had him in circumstances where his father would just walk away and leave instructions for the knights to discipline his son. It was no secret at court that Maximilian thought his son unworthy and not entirely capable, and that Rourke resented his sire.

No matter how strained the relationship between the two was, the untimely death of his father still left Rourke with a mantle of authority that he did not yet wish. Along with the new authority came the necessity of breeding an heir, and a political marriage was more or less forced upon him by a united front of many of the high nobility at court during one of the hosted debates. It might be noted that the crown has not hosted any debates held in court since, and that such affairs have been relegated to the university.

One of the unique aspects of Rourke's rule was how much power he had vested in his deceased wife, Philomena. It could be argued that this was necessity, but it was rare for an Empress to wield as much weight since the reign of Empress Jolene Barca.

With his typically polite atittude, Rourke is on casually good terms with many people as he is often keenly interested in the details of their lives. However, displays of emotion tend to make him withdraw from situations. The truth is that he's much better with the forest than the trees, and has many acquaintances, few that could be called close. His sister, children, adopted ward, and the knights are those who know him better. Old rumors still linger of a relationship with Baroness Isolde Lieberman. The death of his cousin Vincente was a significant blow to Rourke, as was that of Asha Barca (although the two had had a falling out before her demise), and obviously that of his wife. Phaedrus Forester, the man he appointed as Baron of Landry, is probably the closest thing that Rourke Caprios has to a friend. There is some kinship between himself and Ambassador Rosier Helkaer, but it does not always appear that the two like each other.

Perhaps Rourke's relationship with others can be best defined by what they say about him...

Aileana Ashlan: He is a fraud in every way.

Bastien Arx: To shoulder burdens no one can see, suffer knowledge no one can share, sacrifice everything for people one will never meet and face doubts and recriminations from the very souls one strives to save... I am no longer entrusted with his care, but I feel kinship with him even so. He is the loneliest man I have ever met.

Addison Brandivere: He’s like a father or an older brother to me, half the time I want to slap him, the other half I want to hug him, but I’ll always be grateful to him that he got me such nice stuff .. and that he didn’t have me executed.

Shayne Barca: The Keeper? Well, he's a man with a lot of pressures on him. A lot of expectations. I think he could use some help working out some of his tensions.

Eleanor Caprios: He's hot and cold and you don't want to be on his bad side, but he's my brother and I love him regardless.

Philomena Caprios: To be loved by the Keeper is akin to loving a hurricane. It is exciting, consuming and breathtaking, and can wound you to the very core if not treated with respect and caution. I wouldn't change a thing about my own relationship with him. He is an amazingly strong Keeper, and has the potential to be a truly great Emperor once he accepts his humanity again.

Ellie Clapton: The Keeper, oh, he was awfully nice to me when I wasn't really anybody at all. He even bought me my first chocolate filled croissant. And then when I was bad, he was still awfully nice. I like him. But, well, I do miss seeing him and the Empress out in the village as often as they used to be.

Dorian Claremont: He may not always be right -- heck, he's often wrong -- but he's the Emperor so we have to do what he says.

Timothy Crestwood: He acts and speaks without thinking and doesn't always put the Empire first. He makes requests that he thinks are clear and yet can be interpreted many different ways. Many people cut him slack because he's the Keeper: I just think he's spoiled, unintelligent and irrational. Megalomaniac might be the gentlest term I could apply.

Raziel Devonshire: Have you ever -really- looked deep into the Keeper's eyes when he's controlling the currents? It's as if he's possessed. He's an enigma, Rourke. A man you can trust and have faith in one moment pursuing the good of the People and Empire for all it's worth, and in the next the most dangerous man you'll ever come across.

Cynara Dhaval: It is.... difficult to reconcile the things I know with what I see. In all the world there is no one I fear or worry over more.

Phaedrus Forester: He is my oldest friend, and I would sooner rend the sky or stride into the Portal at his request than inflict misery upon him.

Phoebe Forester: Rourke Caprios? He's the Keeper of the Isles, the Champion of Providence, and Emperor of the Gateway Isles. Keep in mind that he's also my brother-in-law. We're a close family.

Hasdrubal: Who?

Eamonn Kilgannon: Are you serious with this question? Open my mouth and give him an excuse to depose me? Not a chance. No, it wouldn't matter what I said. He'd find something to dislike in it regardless, I'm sure. You know what, don't tell him I said that, either. Just to be safe.

Ysora Kilgannon: While I may miss the easy laughter that was quick on his lips when I first met him, I think that perhaps it has matured to a subtler amusement at the world around him, and recognition of the dark moments that are far too common. He hears so many voices that sometimes it is difficult to recognize his - but there are moments of burning urgency and clarity that can inspire a change of currents in people's lives, for better or worse, and not solely in the seas. He is our Protector - and most days, I thank Providence for it. It's a rare day when the thought becomes Providence save us all.

Nicholas Labrec: Never did meet a grander fella. It's always like that with them super powerful sorts. Feed 'em a drink they like and they'll have yer children. Proud to call 'im my friend and hope he feels likewise.

Isolde Lieberman: The Keeper is a man who knows how to please an Empire.

Briony Marchora: Petulant, demanding, petty, over-concerned with duty and obtuse; this Keeper personifies what nobility is about, good and bad. To speak against him is both blasphemy and treason. How can a man truly live when he has so much weight on his shoulders? I think he needs a good smoke of Draughtian weed, and to lay in the spring grass and take a tumble or twelve. That's the best medicine at all for a broken heart. This man's been dying of heartbreak since I have had the pleasure of meeting him. And avoiding him.

Imani Paggion: He is my Keeper, my Emperor, and never will I set a poor word against my most sovereign Lord. It is both honor and privilege to call oneself but His lowly but loyal servant, and such shall I always be.

Helena Soranus: He is a man both blessed and burdened in ways we cannot imagine, but as Providence places our lives and safety in his hands, so too must we place our trust in him.

Ravelle Soranus: He needs to be saved at all costs. All of those waiting to loose their sword from their sheath to do so are about as useful as bookends in a fire. The pages are curling from the heat already; once the inspiration within is destroyed, we will be looking at the ashes of an empire.

Xylinka: Redefining power.