Belisarius Doukas
Belisarius Doukas, Legate of the 6th Legion. Medium Human Male.
Overview
Belisarius of House Gabinius imagines himself the epitome of the Imperial Army, and few would disagree. Even though he is in his late forties, he is still strong and healthy. His rugged features and stern countenance look as if they were carved by a master sculptor. Legate Belisarius has held his position for some twenty years and shows no sign of retiring soon. It was under his leadership that the 6th Legion first started making serious inroads into Mabean territory, and it was while under his command that the Empire finally defeated the Mabean Queen, Cartimandua, at the Battle of Storms in 1239 IC. For ten years after that great battle, Belisarius governed the Marches, established a hierarchy of nobility, and put in place the bureaucracy necessary for its efficient rulership. All this while, he continued to fight against the neighboring Gaels, gaining territory both to the east and west of Fort Umbrago.
Two years ago, the man the Senate had decided would rule the colony that Belisarius had won, Marcus Basileios of House Accius, arrived and assumed his position as Prefect of the territory. Legate Belisarius handed over the reigns of rulership peacefully, though some in his legion suggested a revolt to keep him in power. Ever loyal to his Emperor, the Legate executed those men and, in a masterful oration, announced that he was pleased that he could turn his full attention to righteous battle. His troops pacified, if not more loyal than ever, Belisarius set about concentrating his full efforts on fighting against the Gaels along the western borders of the territory. The Legate, however, found it difficult to defeat the new King of Ywys, Cormac Mac Donchad. Mac Donchad, a native of the Challieann Mountains by birth, knew well the tricks of war, and it is rumored that he even trained as an auxiliary with the Imperial army in Mitaria. He was able to fight the Legate to a stand-still, and the borders between Ywys and the Mabean Marches have begun to solidify over the last year.
Eight months ago, Legate Belisarius returned to Fort Umbrago, hot on the heels of the news that Prefect Basileios was considering a more lenient policy towards the conquered natives. The Legate, not wishing to see the people he had just finished conquering given enough power to rebel, hotly opposed the propositions of Basileios. The Prefect backed off of some of his more liberal policies (such as permitting certain Mabean nobles the return of their lands, and the freedom of Mabeans to enter formerly proscribed areas of Imperial towns), but still issued a letter to the Emperor requesting that the native peoples of the Mabean Marches be made citizens. The Legate also sent a message to the Emperor in an attempt to counter the Prefect’s plan. The Emperor has not yet announced his decision on the matter, and the two leaders are obviously anxious to see what results from their efforts.
Despite his disagreement with the Prefect, the Legate is far too honorable to attempt a civil war, even though he would almost certainly succeed. Indeed, the only member of the Prefect’s family the Legate generally enjoys the company of would seem to be the Prefect’s second son, Sir Antonius. The two have fought in several battles together over the last two years, and the Legate has come to admire the courage of the lad. Sir Antonius, for his part, is fascinated by the tactical mind of the Legate, but does not entirely understand his interest in politics.
As for the rivalry between the Legate and the Prefect, one or the other will have to step aside, eventually, to implement their policies. Though both are stubborn men, both also obey Imperial Law, and would not enter into armed conflict with one another unless they believed that the other had committed a grievous crime. Few wish to see the chaos that would ensue should that occur.
