Ausra Capewell

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Overview

King Ausra Soren Capewell, known affectionately as "Soren" by those who were close to him, was the first king of Deurlyth and ruled for eight consecutive years before his tragic death during a battle with an elder werewolf. He was well beloved and known among citizens for his gentleness and humanity, and by his peers for his fierceness in dealing with threats to the kingdom and its people.

Before Deurlyth

When the surface of Alenthyl was ravaged by the dragonspawn, Ausra, then a child, was taken with his family to live underground. There, Grandmaster Gray ruled and the Capewells served as soldiers and paladins. When Ausra came of age, he was recruited to the ground military to combat the dragonspawn on the surface. Fighting alongside his cousin Ian, he defended Alenthyl and became proficient in swordplay and strategy.

Ausra's elder brothers, William and Avangantamos Capewell, lead a valiant rebellion against Gray and his armies of undead. William perished in battle and Gray was forced to flee Alenthyl. Avan ascended to the throne, and Gray retreated to Deurlyth with a vengeance, prepared to regroup and conquer.

File:AusraCapewell2.png

Ausra when he first arrived to Duerlyth.

After stabilizing Alenthyl and hearing of Gray's activity in Deurlyth, Avan and Ausra traveled to Hearth accompanied by Alenthylian forces to finish what they started. In a decisive battle, Ausra slayed the corrupted Grandmaster, laying his soul to peace.

After the battle, the Alenthylians hosted a feast to celebrate. They invited all citizens to attend and addressed the issue of Deurlyth's crumbled republic, which had left the nation in anarchy. It was at this feast that Ausra spoke the words:

"The Republic has failed. With the blessing of the people, I will become your king, to guide Deurlyth during times of trial, to be there through the darkness and through the light..."

And so, with the blessing of the people, Ausra Soren Capewell ruled.

Ausra's Rule, Values and Criticism

Ausra was largely loved as a leader, with his opponents being few and short-lived. He regularly strolled his own streets, socializing with citizens. In signing letters, he always wrote, "Yours in fidelity, ever a servant of the people."

He sincerely believed that his sole purpose was to defend those who placed such enormous trust in him and improve their livelihoods. In many aspects he appeared the perfect king, but like anyone else, he was human.

Two of the greatest criticisms of his character were how easily he allowed family pressure to influence his behavior and decisions, and how he treated the criminal class. Ausra allowed his family's expectations to dictate many of his decisions and especially his public presentation, professing belief in the Light when he in fact doubted, and dressing formally at all times and seldom cutting loose. He gave a great amount of leeway to his elder brother, Avan, and the Alenthylian Church of the Light, which had on many occasions during his rule overstepped their authority to threaten his people and directly impact events in Deurlyth.

With criminals, Ausra was very severe and very clear: if you break his laws, you forfeit his protection. Few realize that Ausra ever ordered a single execution when he had actually ordered many, several of which left his own white gloves stained with blood. However, he still freely gave second chances to those who had broken no laws but perhaps broken his trust. He had great faith in his peers and subjects, and was well remembered by those he gave the benefit of the doubt.

Achievements and Major Moves

• Responsible for Hearth's first expansion, ordering the construction of the artisan, bazaar and stadium district.
• Directly opposed the Alenthylian Church of the Light when they began to abduct citizens on grounds of heresy and dark magic, razing their church in Deurlyth as a message to the nation.
• Despite the massive power of Alenthyl's Church of the Light, and the following genocide of Capewells, Ausra survived, persevered and defended his own in Deurlyth until the attacking forces were obliterated in the Hearth harbor in face of unbeatable odds. This restored power to Avan in Alenthyl.
• Eliminated two major Deurlen war clans, the Dimia and Torra.
• Eliminated Rein'Unger, a powerful Volvarian dark mage.
• Instituted Hearth's first comprehensive law set, which is still in effect and known as the Ausrian Class Crimes.
• Backed two public health centers, one a major hospital in the imperial district and one a smaller clinic in the slums, both available free of charge to citizens.
• Eliminated Ghal'Knox, corrupted dark mage and last holder of a functioning dragon charm.
• Eliminated a major slave hub of the infamous Kartal, achieving two things: taking Deurlyth off the map for harvesting slaves, and forging a rare relationship with the reserved but prosperous Rune'Daathian Sultanate.
• Destroyed the city of Bylin, a state formed within Deurlyth directly opposing Novania and Ausra.
• Formed the Novanian Imperium.
• Funded Novania's first orphanage.
• Lead the nation into economic prosperity.
• Remains Deurlyth's longest serving ruler (eight years IC, eight months IRL).

Death, Will and Legacy

Ausra's death was tragic and sudden, shaking the kingdom. When a conflict broke out involving an elder werewolf, Ausra joined the fray. During the battle his sword fell from his hand and he was bitten in the shoulder. The wolf was killed, but the damage had been done.

Due to the werewolf's status as elder, the current moon phase and sheer misfortune, Ausra transformed into a werewolf within minutes of being bitten. Despite attempts to contain him, in the madness of the sudden curse he killed a small child. Before more damage could be done, his own cousin and best friend, Ian Capewell, ended his life.

After a melancholy and solemn childhood living in tunnels followed by a successful and bright rulership in Deurlyth, Ian Capewell refused to allow his cousin to be buried underground or returned to Alenthyl. Ausra was burned on a funeral pyre, and his ashes were mixed with soil used to plant a garden on castle grounds.

File:AusraCapewellFuneral.png

The funeral pyre.

Ausra left behind him a will which named his chief advisor and the current grandmaester of the priory, Relmus Sarethi, king of Deurlyth. This final testament has a few times been challenged with suspicion, especially as his younger brother, Gideon Capewell, was excluded from the will, but it remains largely accepted as legitimate. It was well known that Ausra greatly trusted Relmus, and his relationship with Gideon was poor.

Excerpt from Ausra's Will

I leave the Kingdom of Novania in Deurlyth, and all obligations it includes, to the capable hands of Relmus Sarethi.
I leave him also the sword of Grandmaster Gray, the sword which marked the first moment of my kingship. It is with that sword that I asked the people of Deurlyth for rulership, and it is with that sword which I hereby transfer its responsibilities to him.
Gray's blade is a heavy blade, requiring great strength but also granting great power. It cannot, and should not, be carried lightly. Neither should the duty of king.
I trust Relmus, my wisest adviser and the most perceptive of men, with this great burden. I ask he move with heavy steps, using this blade to guide and to guard, to protect Deurlyth and all people therein.

My words here are written with a grim heart, hoping never to be read, but knowing that should they, they are the truest and wisest of allotments.

I would like to be laid to rest in Deurlyth. This country is my charge and my home, and I would not abandon it in life and neither in death.
This is my final wish.

Yours eternally in fidelity, ever a servant of the people,

Ausra Soren Capewell

He never married, leaving Aevonhold without an heir. His will changed the course of history forever.