From one of my last posts

Awrelias Severus Tigius - Father of the Republic
Two years into the cataclysm, (5839 ED) the senate took a risky move by deposing Junias Metellus. Junias had served as a general in the military for 25 years and done much for the empire as emperor for the past five years. He was noted for capturing the Ikan lands, as well as destroying a great Sook threat in the south. During his brief reign, he built roads throughout the border territories and began to allow Ganarii traders in the common markets. However, due to overwhelming military losses from attempts to retain the eastern reaches of the empire, the soldiers did not object to his removal. The republic was restored and Awrelias Severus was made consul. Awrelias had also served in the military mostly by fighting the Siptidrans (humans) in the northern frontiers. In areas where he encountered magically augmented forces, he developed a system of strategic retreats and razing the land as they left. This allowed them to retain some territories in lands where magic is possible while creating a barrier between to protect his outmatched forces. History also records a gambit whereby he tricked the Siptidrans into believing that he had mastered certain magical abilities combined with an inventive use of archers and cavalry. No doubt that Awrelias displayed some kind of military ingenuity, diplomacy, and cleverness to retain territory against a vastly superior foe.

As Awrelias took the consulship, the Senate wisely passed many of his reforms quickly without much debate. This allowed the fledging republic to quickly respond to various threats and begin to establish order.

The new consul first created the Awrelian Demarcation. Using various concrete columns bearing the inscription “gafe nekorum” (beware of magic) the ‘boundaries’ of magic were quickly marked and discovered. Continuing his tactics from the northern frontiers, he also instructed military commanders to make strategic retreats to the demarcation line along the eastern front. Having successfully defended the northern boundaries years earlier, the military could focus on the eastern boundary. Special units on horseback sent messages quickly up and down the eastern line allowing troop movement to areas of greatest need. Five years after the cataclysm, the bulk of the fighting ended except for periodic skirmishes in the southeast. This allowed Awrelias to move to promote stability and realign Hesberia in the face of a new reality.

He had increased the grain dole when he first took office, but after five years reserves were rapidly depleting and the current level could not be maintained. Rich farmland in the east was no longer available and the western lands could barely meet the demand. However, the northern lands he had been able to retain continued to increase their harvest. The grain was not considered to be as good as grain in the southern lands, but the increasing volume met the need. He instructed the governor of Tecia in the north to investigate the increase and in short order, a new system of fertilization with the use of adamite was developed. This advance averted a widespread famine, though areas of the west experienced local famines of their own.

Spending reserves of the empire, he created several large building projects throughout the empire. He encouraged slaves to become a part of these projects promising citizenship and soldier’s pay in return for five years of service. This helped to quell the small slave revolts and artificially created demand for important goods and services. More roads were built under this program than at any other time in the empire. Temples to the Old Gods were created in many cities - this sated the superstitious belief that the Old Gods were punishing the empire for ignoring them. Awrelias’ minister of Religion and minister of public morality also actively suppressed “Eastern” ideas seen in many religions dedicated to the so-called New Gods.

In 5851, the Bredurium guard, the personal protectors of the consul, attempted to assassinate Awrelias. The empire had lost much of its former glory. A plague the year before along the eastern border discouraged some of the generals in the military. In addition, many soldiers were involved in construction projects - this was seen as shameful to the soldiers and to their commanders, especially Lysias Cosas. Lysias had led unauthorized raids into the east with modest success. He began to build support amongst the other generals under the belief it was time to reclaim the lands that were lost. The senate had begun to slow down reforms and were seen by citizens as needlessly quarreling and corrupt.

The story goes that Awrelias, himself, fought off the attack and killed his would-be assassin with his own blade. Cutting off the assassin’s head, he carried it to the Senate where he made an impassioned speech “for the glory and people of Hesberia”. He declared that he was not too weak to defend himself and neither was the empire. He then spoke against the slowness of the senate and demanded that the senate stop vying for position and start caring for the people. He declared that a politician was the most destructive of assassins.

Lysias, not knowing that the assassination was foiled marched into the capital leading a procession of plunder, strange beasts, and prisoners. Upon hearing the trumpets, Awrelias marched to greet him. As the senators held their breath, Awrelias publicly congratulated Lysias on his military success and love of the empire. Awrelias claimed victory on his behalf and held the first public games in several years. To thank Lysias, Awrelias promoted him to his cabinet in a position that took him far away from the capital and the eastern front. Lysias passed away in his sleep two years later while returning to the capital. (It is said he was struck by lightning).

For the rest of his reign, Awrelias spoke of restoring the glory of Hesberia. He expanded his various construction projects and even discovered new lands across the seas to the southwest in 5867. The discovery of these large islands brought in much needed resources and materials and goods. In 5870, Awrelias died of a fever. His successor, Rufus Quintus Livius appointed by the Senate, was another military general that had served as a young soldier under Awrelias. In 5875, Awrelias was deified and a temple to him was built. Rufus took the name of Cajus (Kai-us) Tigius on his appointment.