Worldlord (Second)

Wordlord

The particular Worldlord who first enslaved the Emperor and then became his ally.

Physical Characteristics

Larger than the average Chatcaavan, with an impressive breadth of chest and wings of a size. His face has the blunted end of a traditional axehead, but unlike the Admiral-Offense he lacks the slope of the ideal. Confident without being brash. He has golden eyes.

He is more relaxed in his position as Second than he was in his position as Worldlord.

Known Shapes

• human (from Andrea). His voice is deeper in this shape.

Biography

Something here about how he came to end up the Worldlord of Apex-East.

Then a summary of the events of Only the Open.

Was surprised--and disconcerted--to be tapped by the Emperor to serve as Second, given their history. "I knew him as a slave. A slave who didn't return to punish me for the indignities he suffered at my hand."

After killing the Lord of the Marchward Flight, he inherited that fiefdom and passed it on to his eldest son, who was due to inherit something larger than the holdings from Apex-East.

Supposedly the last time he woke up in a gel tank prior to his fight for the second pillow was 'some two decades ago.'

Family

Has at least four sons and at least six grandchildren and cares about them. One of those sons is now the Knife. Another has a several estates on the Apex-East world, including one on the southern continent with a lucrative gem mine.

Second and Simone

“I told you what I believed to be the truth,” Lisinthir said. “And discovered that in your own slave annex you had the expertise to confirm my suppositions.” When the Worldlord stared at him, mouth working, Lisinthir finished, “In your own slave annex. If you had allowed Andrea to minister to her immediately, you might have delayed her death.” “No,” the Worldlord whispered. And then, firmly, “She is a pet.” “She is a person.” “She is a pet!” “She is a person,” Lisinthir said again. “Or your fondness for her is unnatural. Which sin would you prefer to embrace, Worldlord? Would you be a pervert, for nursing feelings for an animal? Or a heretic, for admitting that aliens are people?” “Dying Air!” the Worldlord exclaimed. “Neither!” “The choice of a coward.” The Worldlord gaped at him. “A coward,” Lisinthir said. “And I know you are not one, Worldlord. From our speech I have guessed you to be a male of unusual moral fiber, perspicacity, and insight. That male would not cavil from ownership of his own feelings, no matter how uncomfortable the paths they might lead him onto.” He looked toward Simone. “You know better.” “I—” “You know better,” Lisinthir repeated. “Or why would you have accused me of attempting to inspire guilt? There can be no guilt if you did not feel shame.”

Quotes

• "Conquered populaces are only useful if they stay conquered. Somehow I doubt these will. And then they will tie up significant resources as we keep them pacified."

• "But where there is life, Dainty, there is hope of change. If nothing else this is something Chatcaava know and aliens would be well to learn."

• "What else? You are challenging, and only a weak male fears a challenge."

• "Asking incredibly uncomfortable questions seems to have taken you all the way to the highest echelons of our empire. I could do worse than to emulate you."

• "That was the way of the court. I am the way of the court now, and I follow my Emperor's lead. And in that court, loyalty is rewarded, and no one is disposable."

Trivia

• calls Deputy-East/Hand 'huntbrother'
• swears by the Dying Air
• drinks tea-wine
• spoke badly accented Universal even before he met Lisinthir and the Emperor
• Has a thing for Karaka'An ballet dancers.