Lucon -

![[characters_banner_2.webp]] `Apr. 18, 2025` · [[Horseapple]] · #Fragment #Characters #Bannerlord > powerful nobles, Lucon is an honorable but stiff-necked aristocrat, who demands that the Senate be the one to choose the next emperor — they want power returned to the Senate because they “understand politics and law” [^1] > The Northern Empire is built from the long-standing oligarchic trend in imperial politics. They believe that a strict obedience to law guarantees the Empire won’t become tyrannical. Lucon, as well as others, believe that it’s only the landowners - with their educations, experience in government, and stake in property - who can truly understand and appreciate law. Therefore, the Senate must reign supreme. [^2] > According to Garios Comnos, 20-years-ago, his uncle Pateor led some veterans through Amprela. They were requesting fair compensation for their services to the Empire: Land. This was so they didn’t end up as beggars. But Lucon and the Senate prosecuted Pateor for mutiny, and Garios’ uncle was beheaded. The army still fondly remembers Pateor, and Garios’ men say they aspire to be like him. [^7] [^3] > Lucon has a grim, haggard and gaunt appearance, with a stoic’s beard and short hair. Also, Lucon apparently promised “Blackheath” aka Garontor-Castle to his son and heir: Ascyron. [^3] [^4] > During the Calradic Republic era, the oldest families of the Empire lived where the Northern Empire is today. They arrived as marcher lords, *(ie. border guards)* who were also members of the Senate that were granted vast tracts of land: large slices of drained marshes, dried floodplains with wheat fields, and deforested hillside pastures. All this from their colleagues in the Senate in return for protecting the frontier. These families were specifically charged with protecting the border from the “pacified” northern tribes: the Battanians, Sturgians, and Khuzait. But then the Calradic Republic became the Calradian Empire, and its emperors became more and more dependent on money and lands to reward its soldiers, the families began to fear that their land would be seized by some tyrannical emperor. Now, in 1084 during yet another imperial civil war, the northern families have united around Lucon, a senator who sees a Senate of established property-holders as the supreme authority and the emperor as its servant. [^5] > “The Senate chooses the next Emperor.” That’s been a rule for centuries, a rule found in what is the majesty of imperial law. But this rule has been missing for sometime. It has either been twisted, broken, or ignored for the last 100 years - since 984. Still, the law has remained unchanged. Because without law. Without fealty to the written word… There is only tyranny and rule of the mob. [^6] [^7] > Lucon claims to fight for the return of the old Calradic laws, the ones which prevented tyranny in the past. Although, Rhagaea Pethros doubts his conviction. More yet, according to Apys Varros: senator Lucon is a “vile little hypocrite” who hands out huge gifts to his backers in the Senate for their support. Lucon states his actions are morally fine, as gift-giving is ancient and hallowed tradition, but Apys’ actions of accepting bribes shakes the very foundation of the Empire. [^6] [^7] > Istiana says about Lucon, that he sees the Empire as weak, and the Outer-Kingdoms *(ie. Vlandia, Aserai Sul., Sturgia, Khuzait Kha., and Battania)* as strong. She accuses Lucon of not caring about events going on outside of the Empire, instead, only looking inward. That this surge of power in the Out-Kingdoms must have been because the Empire lost its roots. Abandoned their old traditions, and grown weak in return. Istiana claims that Lucon is unaware of the truth, that the Outer-Kingdoms simply evolved. They’ve grown used to the Empire’s tricks, and even learned them. [^7] > Pharon Leonipardes actually somewhat agrees with Lucon, but with one major distinction: one of their upper class should rule above the rest. The problem with the Senate, Pharon admits, is that they will always quarrel and fight one another. An Emperor, or Empress, would fix that. [^7] > Lucon is part of house Osticos, a very old family which has done great service to the Empire. However, Lucon believes that a man is only as good as his honor and obedience to the law. For Lucon, a man - no matter how wealthy - if he doesn’t understand the law, cannot join the Senate. Lucon says he respects the Empire’s soldiers, but they cannot govern. If Lucon wins this civil war with Rhagaea and Garios, he’ll re-establish the old laws that give the Senate authority over the emperor. [^7] > Neither Lucon, nor Rhagaea, wish to bring back the Empire’s old popular assemblies. A democratic colored system where the people lead their communities through public meetings, were votes are gathered and assigned judges or governors carry out the people’s wishes. [^7] > Lucon claims to not be fighting for his own sake, instead, for the Empire’s. Because from the moment of the Empire’s conception, all the way up until 100 years ago - in 984 - the Senate chose the Emperor. The Senate could also remove the Emperor, if they so chose. This was law. Any emperor who went against this fact was a tyrant. In 984, emperors stopped going before the Senate, instead, naming the Empire’s heirs themselves. The Senate was weak at the time, forced to acquiesce as the Empire was on the verge of splitting itself apart, but the Senate never overturned Calradic law. And according to Lucon the Senate wouldn’t even have the right to do so even if they wished to, as the Heavens bestowed upon them this sacred duty and ancient right to choose emperors. In the past 100 years since then, what has the Empire seen since the old Calradic laws stopped being enforced? The Empire’s dealt with some bad emperors, some admittedly good emperors, and some lunatics. It’s Lucon’s firm belief that a strong Senate forms a reliable barrier against tyranny and chaos both. > When it comes to the two other imperial throne claimants, in the civil war, this is what Lucon has to say: > Arenicos Pethros, the Empire’s last emperor before the civil war, was a good man. And a good emperor too. But if he named Rhagaea as his heir, and she’s not just lying about that, it shows even good emperors like Arenicos - without the say of a strong Senate - are capable of being seized by madness. Rhagaea, heir to the Empire? The daughter of the former Darshi padishah? How do we know she won’t serve the Calradian Empire up to her father on a silver platter? > As for Garios Comnos, according to Lucon, people like the general hate the Senate. Garios calls it corrupt and that it blocks any change. Lucon claims Garios believes a strong emperor, who can do however he wishes without first conferring with others, is what makes for a strong state. But Lucon says that the opposite is actually true. Garios’ way is how wars and armies are lost. Lucon goes on to claim that if Garios had his way, then instead of the Senate choosing the next emperor, the armies would decide. Lucon calls Garios a scoundrel, but says he’ll still do him the honor of taking his proposal seriously: Lucon respects the Empire’s soldiers, and would even call them heroes. But they are easily enough swayed by free wine and a good speech. And so letting soldiers choose the next emperor is the rule of the mob. > Lucon’s philosophy: > No — Women cannot join the Senate. > No — Soldiers should not be given pensions by the Empire. > No — Foreigners cannot become citizens. > No — Slaves cannot buy their freedom. > Yes — The Senate chooses the next emperor. [^7] > Lucon aims to re-establish this old law and turn the Empire back to how it should be. [^7] > According to Istiana: Lucon seemed to have the best grasp of our laws and traditions. [^8] > [!custom-callout]- All mentions > *Pulled from* [[3-companion_strings-(Bannerlord)]] — “I could marry Lucon or Garios, and save thousands of lives. But men are willing to fight for me, though it gains them nothing, for no other reason that the throne is my right. I will not betray these men. People will think back on my victory and think, ‘Heavens smile on those who are in the right.’” > > *Pulled from* [[3-heroes-(Bannerlord)]] — “The northern third of the Empire is ruled by Lucon, who represents a long-standing oligarchic trend in imperial politics. It holds that strict adherence to imperial law is the best guarantee that the empire will not become a tyranny. Oligarchs like Lucon also tend to believe that only landowners can have the extensive education, experience in government, and stake in property to really understand and appreciate the law, and thus the Senate should be supreme.” > > *Pulled from* [[3-spkingdoms-(Bannerlord)]] — “Many of the oldest families of the Empire live in the north. They came here as marcher lords, granted vast tracts of land by their colleagues in the Senate to keep 'pacified' northern tribes in check and hold the frontiers against Battanian, Sturgian, and Khuzait raiders. They drained marshes and turned the river floodplains into wheat fields, cut back forests and turned the hillsides into pasture. But as the republic became an empire and as emperors became more and more dependent on money and lands to reward their loyal soldiers, the nobility here began to fear that their estates would one day be seized by some cash-starved tyrant. Consequently, in the ongoing imperial civil war they have become some of the strongest champions of Lucon, who sees a Senate of established property-holders as the supreme authority and the emperor as its servant.” > > *Pulled from* [[3-std_sandbox-(Bannerlord)]] — “Lucon Lucon I've been told, sir. Was born old and just got older. Lives in a palace made of gold. Where it's always dark and it's always cold.” > > *Pulled from* [[3-std_story_mode-(Bannerlord)]] — “Choose one and pledge allegiance. When this civil war began, I was a bit torn... Rhagaea was the cleverest ruler, Garios probably the best fighter, and Lucon seemed to have the best grasp of our laws and traditions. But you can make up your own mind.” — “As I said before, there's a case for all of the claimants. When this war began, I thought Rhagaea understood best how to rule, Garios was the strongest warrior, and Lucon had the firmest grasp of our traditions.” > > *Pulled from* [[3-wanderer_strings-(Bannerlord)]] — “The Senate chooses the Emperor. That is our law. It has been twisted, broken, or ignored for 100 years. But it has never been changed. Without law, there is but tyranny and the mob.” > > *Pulled from* [[3-world_lore_strings-(Bannerlord)]] — “Men such as him, who have no regard for the majesty of imperial law, are a disgrace upon the Senate. Years ago, when he was a magistrate, he let it be known that whoever paid him the highest bribe should win any judgement that came before him. When I learned of this, I filed a prosecution against him, and won it, banning him from further office for a period of several years. In my opinion, he should have been hanged.” — “Ah, yes - a man who hands out huge gifts to his backers to their support in the Senate, and yet prosecutes better men then him on charges of corruption. I asked him about this, and he said, 'While giving gifts is an ancient and hallowed tradition, selling judgements as a magistrate rocks the very foundations of our Empire.' Did you ever hear such hypocrisy?” — “Twenty years ago, my uncle Pateor led a deputation of his veterans through the streets of Ambrela, requesting a fair compensation for their services to the Empire - a bit of land, so they wouldn't end up on the streets begging scraps from those who they fought to defend. Lucon and his friends in the Senate prosecuted my uncle for mutiny, then beheaded him. The army fondly remembers Pateor and my men have told me that they aspire, some day, to take Lucon's head and parade it about on a pike. I hope you'll forgive me if I indulge them in this.” — “Lucon says he fights for the return of the old laws, that prevented tyranny. I do not believe that. Garios says he fights for his own men. Him I believe.” — “Lucon sees us weak, when we were once strong, and the outer kingdoms strong, when they were once weak. He believes, as a man who cares nothing of events outside the Empire, that the cause is entirely within ourselves - we have abandoned our old traditions, and grown weaker. It does not occur for him for an instant that barbarians have learned our tricks, and grown stronger.” — “My class was taught how to rule, and rule we should. But one of our number should always be above the others. Put us together in a Senate, as Lucon wants, and we will always quarrel and fight. Let an emperor or empress rule in the capital, and let their children succeed them, without any fuss. We shall give them a peaceful and prosperous countryside.” — “We're of a very old family that has done great service to the Empire. But I'll tell you something - a man, whatever his bloodline, is only as good as his honor and his obedience to the law.” — “The Senate chooses the Emperor. That is our law. It has been twisted, broken, or ignored for 100 years. But it has never been changed. Without law, without fealty to the written word, there is but tyranny and the mob.” — “Senators understand the law. If a man does not understand the law, no matter how much money he has, he cannot enter the senate. I respect our soldiers but they cannot govern. If I win this war, I will reestablish the Senate's authority over the emperor.” — “Anyway, Lucon. He's from a good family, you can't deny that. He knows our laws and respects our laws, and you know he'll keep up standards.” — “Well, of course what I want to is to serve the people. Lucon is a vile little hypocrite and Rhagaea a puffed-up foreign usurptress, so of course I would back Garios.” — “I am fighting not for myself, but because this empire went wrong, and I am going to turn it back to how it should be. From the birth of our empire until only 100 years ago, the Senate chose the emperor. The Senate could remove him. Any emperor who went against the Senate was a tyrant. One hundred years ago, the emperors stopped going before the Senate, and started naming their heirs themselves. The Senate was weak at the time. We acquiesced, so as not to split the empire, but we never accepted. Nor did we have the right, even if we had wanted, to sign away a right and a duty given to us by the Heavens. You have seen what happened in the past 100 years: we have had some good emperors, some bad ones, and some lunatics. A strong Senate is the only reliable barrier both against tyranny. Arenicos was a good emperor, all told. But if he indeed named Rhagaea his heir, and that is not just a lie, it shows that even the best of men may be seized by madness. The daughter of the former Padishah? How do we know she won't just serve us to her people on a plate. People like Gario hate the Senate, calling it corrupt and that it blocks any change. He would have the army proclaim the emperor. Gario is a scoundrel, but I will do him the honor of taking his proposal seriously. I respect our men; I would even call them heroes. But they are easily enough swayed by a ration of free wine and a good speech. Letting them choose the emperor is the rule of the mob. If I win this war, I will reestablish the Senate's authority over the emperor. People think a strong emperor who can do whatever he wants makes a strong state. (But the) opposite is true. (We) must be sure never to lose an army.” > > *Pulled from* [[Blog_42_Empire_Pt.1]] — “A faction of powerful nobles under the honorable but stiff-necked aristocrat Lucon demanded that the Senate choose the next emperor. ‘We understand politics and law,’ they said. ‘Return to the old days; return power to us.’” — “Lucon convened a gathering of senators in his power base in the north and had himself declared emperor.” > [!location]- Info from: > [[3-lords-(Bannerlord)]] ```   <NPCCharacter id="lord_1_1" name="{=CLqPbdiZ}Lucon" age="62" voice="curt" default_group="Cavalry" is_hero="true" culture="Culture.empire" occupation="Lord" face_mesh_cache="true"> <face>  <BodyProperties version="4" weight="0.2" build="0.7" key="00005C0B4000034D649A7797787A473B743A45888527B857869AA27956B54D3C0007A5A6073DE87C00001105000030A30000001F000000000000000001182000" /> <hair_tags> <hair_tag name="Short" /> </hair_tags> <beard_tags> <beard_tag name="LightShortBeard" /> </beard_tags> </face> <Traits> <Trait id="KnightFightingSkills" value="5" /> <Trait id="Commander" value="16" /> <Trait id="Politician" value="12" /> <Trait id="Manager" value="14" /> <Trait id="Valor" value="1" /> <Trait id="Honor" value="1" /> <Trait id="Generosity" value="-1" /> <Trait id="Oligarchic" value="1" /> </Traits> <Equipments> <EquipmentRoster /> <EquipmentSet id="n_emp_king_template_bat_m" /> <EquipmentSet id="n_emp_king_template_civ_m" civilian="true" /> </Equipments> </NPCCharacter> ``` > &emsp;&emsp; ![[encyclopedia_calradica.gif|center|300]] >*“A massive `Mount & Blade` wikipedia.”* About [Encyclopædia Calradica](Calradica.md) About the [Project](Project.md) About the [Author](Horseapple.md) &emsp;&emsp; [^1]: Blog_42_Empire_Pt.1 [^2]: 3-heroes-(Bannerlord) [^3]: 3-lords-(Bannerlord) [^4]: 3-settlements-(Bannerlord) [^5]: 3-spkingdoms-(Bannerlord) [^6]: 3-wanderer_strings-(Bannerlord) [^7]: 3-world_lore_strings-(Bannerlord) [^8]: 3-std_story_mode-(Bannerlord)