Philotas, son of Nicanor

[Philotas]

Philotas, son of Nicanor, of the Neleides

Sophos - The Wise

Age: 31 years

Religion and Language: Archaean Paganism; Archaean, Amoraean, Ismean.

Faction Loyalty: Archaea

Alignment: Neutral-Good

Profession: Chiliarch of the Golden Hypaspists (General of a unit 1000 Hypaspists)

Appearance:
At five foot and eleven inches Philotas is hardly the tallest man but neither is he particularly short. A decidedly average height. Blonde hair is kept cropped short and when combined with light blue eyes makes Philotas the very epitome of Archaean beauty. High cheek bones, fine bone structure throughout his face, defined musculature across his body leaves Philotas as nothing short of exquisite. Philotas is exceptionally physically fit and while he does not have the bulk of many men, he is lithe and surprisingly strong. In terms of stamina there are few men who can match his staying power.

Personality:
An intelligent and exceptionally gifted man Philotas is quiet and reserved in public. Often overshadowed by others he remains unperturbed, he does not seek glory. This quiet, pensive, scholarly aura oftentimes make many disregard Philotas or sometimes openly mock him as unmanly. He is slow to trust and can be hard to engage in conversation, however once someone manages to gain his trust and to penetrate his aloof demeanour they find a firm and warm friend.

His aloof nature is the first thing any notice about Philotas. Born into the aristocratic Neleides family he holds himself above other men as a result of birth; but more than this his intelligence and distaste for stupidity also makes him aloof from most. In the democratic society of Archaea where charisma and the need to appeal to people is essential to advancement, this aloofness has severely hampered his own career.

He is not one given to whimsy or fancy, he views life as a serious matter to be handled with the due deference and dedication it deserves.

Despite his aloof and aristocratic nature Philotas is a selfless man and genuinely aims to help people, however he can. Not out of a sense of belonging to them but rather more out of a paternal instinct, a noblesse oblige. He has a strict code of honour and ethics and will not betray them at any price. Philotas if he was willing to lower himself to playing for the admiration of the mob would in fact be an exceptionally popular leader; however he refuses to engage in demagoguery, and instead continues his stoic, unrewarded, duty towards his country.

History:

Born into the Neleides family, who had been leaders in several city-states Archaea for centuries before the conquest by the Amoraean Empire. He was given the finest of upbringings, with tutors in every subject and exercised by some of the most famous athletes of the Empire. Producing a man which was the pinnacle of the Archaean ideal.

During his youth Archaea was still part of the Empire, and despite his own personal distaste for the Amoraeans served in an auxiliary legion. He proved himself an able soldier however it was as a lieutenant and adviser to his commander that he excelled. He served for ten years and eventually rose to the position of Commander of Heavy Infantry for his auxiliary legion at the age of twenty.

In that same year he marched with the Emperor Gaios IV as the Imperial forces marched to meet the Northmen horde. He was personally present for the annihilation of the pride of the Amoraean Empire; he had been stationed near the centre and had seen the Imperial standard fall and had been amongst the first to hear the cry that the Emperor had fallen. Not all his honour could have saved the day, so when his legion broke he retreated with them. That day firmly sealed Philotas' hatred of the Amoraean Empire, it had been their overweening arrogance and gross stupidity which had cost the day and the lives of so many of his countrymen.

In the years that followed he abandoned the Empire entirely, and became known in Archaea as one of its most vocal opponents. When Archaea finally achieved independence, he was made Chiliarch of one of the new Hypaspists Chiliarchy. At first his men resented their new commander, however over the years and many campaigns he won their respect - begrudgingly at first, though now those men are his most ardent partisans.

Over the next nine years he helped secure Archaea's independence and restore her strength, yet nevertheless remained an almost unknown.

Strengths/Weaknesses: (Excels at Grand Strategy and Tactics).

Strengths:
In terms of assessing the wider implications of any campaign, and how to best progress any goal, there is perhaps no keener mind. Always two steps ahead of his opponents, his ability to predicate where they will next strike or march has been called by many unnatural and supernatural. His strategy is marked by careful and exacting planning, though he has often remarked that no strategy ever survives past the command tent. As such he retains an amazing flexibility and ability to adapt his strategy to changing circumstances and goals (something essential in the new democracy of Archaea where the aims in any war are subject to the whims of the mob).

What makes him all the more dangerous is where most strategic minds are incapable of focusing on the minutiae of tactics; Philotas is no less capable on a tactical front. His tactics are especially suited to his experience commanding Hypaspists, who utilise the more archaic Archaean phalanx.

Whether in battle or during a campaign Philotas present to any foe an experienced, talented and adaptable - consequentially unpredictable - opponent. He can never be relied upon to utilize the same tactic or strategy twice and should you defeat him with one method he will immediately correct himself for the next encounter.

Weaknesses:
His greatest weakness however is he is a rather uninspiring commander. This hampers his ability to command troops which have not campaigned under him. As he appears as a stereotypical aloof, aristocratic and armchair general, completely unversed in the way of warfare. If he was better, or at all interested, in promoting his career this would be mitigated to an extent, but for the most part he is an unknown commander despite his victories. It also makes it difficult for him to influence his commanding officers should they not see the merit of his plans. The dangers of his lack of charisma could not be more overstated, in this age where powerful figures of influence can change the course of history.

As a soldier he is not inept but decidedly average. As such he avoids it for the most part, again making him a less than inspiring leader. It is not born out of squeamishness nor even out of desire to preserve his own life but rather an acknowledgement of his own weaknesses.

These weaknesses make him especially vulnerable to enemies within Archaea, who can more easily exploit these things to their advantage. But even opponents from outside Archaea can turn them to their advantage. When campaigning against or with a charismatic and brave leader disquiet can quickly spread amongst his men, particularly if they have not served with him before.

Likes:
Archaea; politics and war; philosophy; men (and yes in that sense ); winning; honour.

Dislikes:
The Amoraean Empire; The Blessed Isles; stupidity; the mob; merchants; liars and thieves.

Weapons:
A xiphos with a 50cm blade made from iron at all times; upon those rare occasions he joins the phalanx a dory (a ten foot long spear, two inches wide and weighing 4 pounds).

Armor:
Linothorax armour, with an aspis shield bearing the Archaean letter 'P', and iron greaves and a bronze Archaean helmet (OOC: A Corinthian helm). Though he only wears the helm in battle and the shield usually is carried by his shield bearer until he enters battle, which is a rare occasion.

Extra

Your OOC name: Phil

RP Sample:
As their two smiles flashed at each other, William felt that pervasive warmth of old, sincere friendship being rekindled flood through him. That emotion lit up his features and added an extra softness to them, they lost some of that roguishness and instead seemed to be genuinely content and at ease, it was an unusual but enchanting appearance.

“I arrived with the King and my lord-father, I saw you during the introductions but you ignored me – I was wounded.”

He jested and winked. When Lyra kissed him upon the cheek and commented on his looks with deliberate melodrama he pushed his hair back from his ear and preened, adding,

“Well one of us has to have the looks…”

He could not maintain the act for long and laughed again, confirming Lyra’s next sentiments. He simply responded with an innocent smile, as if to ask ‘what on Earth could you mean?’ He knew very well, William laughed at nearly everything, for nearly everything was funny to him. He could never understand how serious people managed to make it through the day, honestly it just seemed absurd to him. Life was ridiculous, pointless, and utterly absurd it was a comedy not a tragedy. Yet people insisted on acting like it was the direst of tragedies. They began to wander the parapet, he had no destination in mind, it mayhap that they would find themselves in the hall sharing a drink and stories or they could just keep wandering and reminiscing. William did not plan, he simply enjoyed the company.

He smiled when she mentioned that he would have spoilt her rotten if she had squired for him, with a shrug of his shoulders and small ‘eh’ he acknowledged that she was right. He finally recognised the name of the knight, and in eureka moment jumped a little. As he recomposed himself he chuckled and spoke,

“Sorry I just remembered where I know the name, Ser Ioan Crowl the ‘Shaft breaker’!”

He chuckled as he recalled hearing of the origins of the nickname. Though when Lyra mentioned that he might like him, William turned and quirked his brow and smiled wickedly.

“Well I already have entertainment for tonight but there is always tomorrow…one must plan ahead after all…”

He laughed some more, perhaps he would see this Ser Ioan and see if he caught his eye. Though William would have to get a promise of no shaft breaking, he was rather fond of his…he was rather fond of almost everyone’s he mused to himself, eyes dancing like satyr’s. As Lyra began to recant her time since Driftmark William listened intensely. He could not believe that Lyra was settling down, not the same lady who had been roaming Westeros caked in dung and twigs, not Lyra surely. He listened to her tale of the inn in Whitehabour and laughed a little when it was appropriate. At the mention of her “scent” he genuinely laughed and with a wide smile shook his head. When the conversation swung back to him William nodded and replied,

“Driftmark is well, my lands are good – I have improved my keep since your stay – and the people are well. My lord-father is healthy as ever, and young Monterys is growing strong…Gods he is looking more and more like father every day.”

He sighed a little, he missed his younger brother. His father didn’t want to bring him on the trip preferring to leave him in his Maesters’ care at the castle.

“Sixteen…Gods I was barely a man, you know I was only three days a knight when we first met? Ha! Now I am Captain of the Lord of Tides & Master of Driftmark’s Guard.”

He smiled and shook his head still in disbelief, before pressing on.

“So tell me can I look forward to seeing you in the lists at the next tourney? Oh you must tell me when you are competing I shall come and put money on your opponent…I will make a fortune.”

He prepared to defend himself from another slap and laughed.

Read more: remnantsofanempire.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=applications&action=display&thread=3#ixzz1xV3QiE00

[Dorcades]

Appy rooved. This guy is bawesome.