Nicodemus

== Biography ==
Faustus Nicodemus Sirradrii Aetolicus Rex, better known as Nicodemus of Aetolia is a former Autokrator of Sirradra, diplomat, philosopher, composer, merchant, brewer, and lumberjack whose full origins are unknown. Currently, he serves as the Consul of the Autokratoria of Sirradra, the Idomis of the city of Aetolia, and Lecturer at the Royal Academy of Fortuna. 
=== Humble Beginnings ===
For many years, it has been unclear where Nicodemus was born, who his parents are, or who raised and educated him. According to Hávi Asagrim, Nicodemus physically resembled Augustine Salvay in some way, or if not, seemed to be of Silvish ancestry. However, since , Nicodemus has been considered part of the Andronikon dynasty of Regnum Fortunarii. Before settling in Aetolia, Nicodemus had been a wandering mystic and philosopher who traversed the wilds and even the Nether; he faced great danger and was welcomed nowhere. In Mistiklur of the 76th Year of Sehnay (), at the age of 26, Nicodemus was invited to settle in a tiny village then called Aetolia, before that Amaranth (and before that, Ultargila) in southern Seragon, Tovarisha, Imperial Archonal Union, where modern Concordia, Valoore now stands. He was shown very warm hospitality by its Baronet. With the Baronet's help, Nicodemus rebuilt a cottage to call his own, and the Baronet asked him to be the village priest, a role he was happy to take. In learning the ways of his new land, Nicodemus started to encounter the writings of Tovarishaya and Viodoxan thinkers, and to this day enjoys philosophical discussions. At the suggestion of Arcadia Flavia, Nicodemus applied to the Diplomatic Corps of the Imperial Archonal Union.
=== Diplomat to Plagos ===
In Carpis of the next year (), Nicodemus met then-Regent Archon Ryou Bakura, who was favorably disposed toward Nicodemus and appointed him to the post of Diplomat to Plagos and Northern Nieðen. In his early tenure as a diplomat, Nicodemus toured the Emirate of Najer, the Simulami Empire, the Avium Federation (which broke up soon after the visit), and the Plagatéan Regency. He filed extensive reports on the nations he visited, which pleased the IAU's high government, winning the praise of Lord Protector Loic himself. Of the leaders and dignitaries he met, he was most favorably impressed by then-Caliph Asdrubal, who later would become Emir of Najer. Around this time, Nicodemus also befriended Arlus Mancario, another new settler in Aetolia, as well as Bretzi of Erusea.
=== Religious and Philosophical Correspondences ===
==== Zentivar ====
In Mistiklur of the 79th year (), a few months after he witnessed the massacre at the Sword of Leythe committed by the followers of Segra and around the time of the IAU's declaration of war on the Diarchy of Paradise, Nicodemus began a series of correspondences with Mradezha Aiyurkorb. Mradezha, a priest of Zentivar and noble in Viratayn, spoke with Nicodemus concerning philosophy and religion; Nicodemus also corresponded with Carpicious concerning Kaysemithet. Nicodemus attended the Vahtah Sehnay festival marking the beginning of the Sixth Age, and has attended multiple Vahtah Sehnay festivals since; the story he told about diplomacy in Alamayn at the Eighth Vahtah Sehnay was recorded and is featured in Tales from Vahtah Sehnay, Vol. 1. Nicodemus continued to correspond on and off concerning Zentivar's metaphysics with Carpicious and Athaz for many years, but never actually converted.
==== Hukar Sharud ====
In Valenlur of the 93rd year (), Nicodemus corresponded with Seramida Audalad concerning Hukar Sharud philosophy. The correspondence touched upon numerous subjects including free will, omnipotence, and the mind-body problem. While Nicodemus was favorably disposed to the quickness with which the former Empress was able to address his questions, he disagreed with several theses. His goal was less to argue and more to understand his interlocutor, so he did not attempt to refute the theses in question, but did express some amount of bafflement.
==== Asitir ====
Circa Atis of the 117th year (), Nicodemus read Adaere Namu and was quite favorably impressed by its metaphysics and general outlook, at least relative to both Zentivar and Hukar Sharud in certain respects. Nicodemus also had a brief correspondence with the Lightbringer of Asitir, Kali Rochelle-Orne'Valerin. Nicodemus is nonetheless wary of the revealed texts of Asitir, and seems unlikely to convert in the near future, despite similarities between his metaphysical and ethical ideas and those articulated by Aldara Ellan-Déarinn in Adaere Namu.
=== Minister of Foreign Affairs ===
A pivotal moment came in Mistiklur of the 80th year (), when Nicodemus attempted a last-ditch peace effort to prevent a war between Viesten and Alamayn. While Nicodemus was a bit too late and failed to prevent the war, his dedication to the cause of peace no doubt made a strong impression on Prime Minister Kogan of the IAU, and perhaps others. And in Mistiklur of the 81st year () , Nicodemus was named Minister of Foreign Affairs of the IAU by Ryou Bakura. Later on, Nicodemus would be among the officials spared by Kogan in the Viesten Coup and retained as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sirradra.
In his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the IAU and later Sirradra, Nicodemus oversaw the negotiation of treaties with numerous nations including Alda, Avertico, Aurora, the Bardonian Soldiers' Republic, Boulderov, Burgamere, Coltmaere, Daelyria, Deca Istoka, Escharia, Galadonn, Gigantium Island, Grand Castell-Llozhar, Kirchetia, Kush, Lenoria, Lorent, Najer, Northern Valresh, the Simulami, Sironia-Carn, Solisios, Uldarash, Valdreach Consulate, and Yimmu-Audal.
In Atis of the 127th year (), at the request of Autokrator Kogan, Nicodemus composed much of the peace treaty between Sirradra and Boulderov which ended the Sirradra-Boulderov War.
=== The Razing of Aetolia ===
A terrible tragedy befell the Aetolians when in Valenlur of the 82nd year(), Exarian, Lord of Seragon, had the city of Aetolia destroyed in a fit of rage and its homes plundered: For Aetolia was being ceded to the Diarchy of Paradise as part of the peace agreement with the IAU, and Exarian hated the Paradisians. But miraculously, the day after the city was destroyed, the gods saw fit to rebuild the city as though it had never been shattered. However, Nicodemus' home had still been looted, and almost all of his possessions taken. Nearly a year later, Nicodemus brought Exarian before the Tovarishan courts to arbitrate the issue of his stolen property. However, because of Tovarisha's socialist economy and the state of emergency that had been declared, he was initially only able to argue for few concessions. Eventually, Konstantin Adrestrym, the outgoing Khadir of Tovarisha, promised Nicodemus a substantial sum in compensation for the Khadir agreeing to cede Aetolia to Paradise without the consent of the locals (which was never received). Notably, the treaty negotiations with Paradise were not overseen by Nicodemus despite his position as Minister of Foreign Affairs—he was not part of the peace delegation.
=== The Tovarishan Election ===
Almost coincidentally with the razing of Aetolia, Konstantin Adrestrym decided he would step down as Khadir early and hold elections. Before the elections began, Nicodemus proposed voting reforms that introduced a Condorcet method for elections. The Khadir and the Vilaya swiftly implemented the constitutional amendment, and Nicodemus was put in charge of helping tally the votes. To the dismay of the Aetolians, Exarian would become the next Khadir of Tovarisha, though Nicodemus and Exarian would partially reconcile soon after.
=== Chess Player ===
In Carpis of the 83rd year (), Nicodemus took second prize in the Simulami Open, which was hosted in the Eldham colony of New Jellheim.
=== Aetolia in Demiarbéz ===
Nicodemus, Arlus Mancario, and the former Baronet of Aetolia eventually found a new home in the province of Demiarbéz, where they founded a new Aetolia in Carpis of the 84th year () with the permission of Throsaere Kotudaar and Maximal Teutonicus ad Alendir. Arlus died shortly after the migration, which saddened Nicodemus. This locale did not appeal to the Aetolians, as it was deep inland and they came from a coastal region, but it would nonetheless become their new home. 
=== Nicodemus' Commercial Pursuits ===
In this Aetolia (or, in Demiarbéz record-keeping, Aetol City) in the far southeast of Rathnir, Nicodemus started a brewery and winery. While Nicodemus was abroad conducting diplomacy in Valenlur of the 86th year (), a group led by William "Elias" Shane broke into his cellar during their failed coup attempt of Aetolia and drank much of the high-quality wine and beer; they were subsequently banished from Aetolia. 
Sometime before Carpis of the 100th year (), Nicodemus created a small cheese cave and began producing several varieties of fine cheese. 
Sometime around the 121st or 122nd year of Sehnay (), Nicodemus built a small market just north of the river that traverses Aetolia, which sold various building materials and crops. The market was later moved to the city of Wordesh, where it stayed until , when it moved to Viodoxa. Nicodemus sold the Viodoxa market and its inventory to Yide Bakura not very long thereafter, in .
Nicodemus established a new market in Aetolia, just north of the fountain, in .
=== Tsaelerin of Tsaeloma ===
In Valenlur of the 89th year (), Tsaelerin Alihas dem Spheniscidae of Tsaeloma gave Nicodemus the title of Duke at the suggestion of Autokrator Kogan so that he could help govern the province. When Alihas died defending the city of Wordesh from a dragon in Carpis of the 91st year, Nicodemus was formally appointed by Autokrator Kogan of Sirradra to be the Rector Provinciae and 5th Tsaelerin of the province of Tsaeloma. Among Nicodemus' first acts as Tsaelerin was to give a speech denouncing raiders from Galadonn who had brazenly murdered Kuba Bakura and terrorized others in Wordesh and demanding justice and accountability, but not war. During Nicodemus' tenure as Tsaelerin, the city of Voitshenheiger's population steadily increased for a time before declining once again, the first with the efforts of fellow Minister Slid Zane Teutonicus ad Alendir and the second by the partial exodus of the von Wolf family back to their original home in Northern Valresh, Eldham. Additionally, in Carpis of the 92nd year (), Nicodemus promulgated a new constitution for the province. While Nicodemus was a foreigner to Tsaeloma and found rather brutish the local culture of brawling and gladiator combat, he established good relationships with the Earls, especially Jōsef von Wûlf-Ifrīldhim of Rican and Duke Andros Martillus "Loaf" Konstantinos of Wordesh, who would later prove their talents and become Ministers in Sirradra as well. Nicodemus helped finance the reconstruction of Wordesh (which had been badly mismanaged by Cassiath Bakura), and provided alcohol for a noteworthy harvest festival in Voitshenheiger in Carpis of the 97th year (). In Valenlur of the 116th year (), Nicodemus gave a perhaps controversial speech concerning religion at the cultural convention hosted by then-Minister of Culture Damocles Arcadian Palus at Lluvia Colosseum in Wordesh (formerly Hollow). And in Valenlur of the 123rd year (), Nicodemus moved his market from Aetolia to Wordesh, where it experienced some popularity. Nicodemus retired from the post of Tsaelerin in Carpis of the 128th year (), swearing in Andros Martillus "Loaf" Konstantinos as the Sixth Tsaelerin at the courthouse in the city of Voitshenheiger. 
=== Censor ===
Nicodemus gained the honorary title of "Censor" circa Mistiklur of the 116th year to reflect powers he more-or-less already exercised at the Autokrator's discretion which were not given to him by his existing titles. Nicodemus has thus far designed and conducted seven Autokratorial Sirradran Censuses, and continues to design the census and report census data. Nicodemus, in his capacity as Censor, also moderates public discourse in Sirradra.
=== Lecturer at the Royal Academy of Fortuna ===
Nicodemus became a member of the Royal Academy of Fortuna in late Valenlur of the 89th year, swearing the Julian Oath "By the immortal Athaz, Slayer of Entropy." In early Valenlur of the 91st year (), Nicodemus gave a lecture on metaethics in which he set forth arguments against non-cognitivism which appealed to empirical findings in psychology and linguistics. A second lecture followed circa Aurel of the 93rd year(), in which Nicodemus discussed thick ethical concepts and additionally the moral error theory. Eventually, circa Valenlur of the 123rd year (), Nicodemus gave a third lecture, which concerned the life and teachings of a rather obscure philosopher. 
=== Prime Minister of Sirradra ===
In early Carpis of the 117th year (), Nicodemus was promoted to Prime Minister of Sirradra by Autokrator Kogan in the wake of Maximal Teutonicus ad Alendir's resignation as Consul, taking the post vacated by Ryou Bakura as he became the new Consul.
In , Nicodemus compiled the first Sirradran law code, the Decreta Rectorum, which gathered several disparate measures which had been passed into law by the College of Rectors into one document.
=== Autokrator of Sirradra ===
==== Ascent ====
Autokrator Kogan, in addition to being Autokrator of Sirradra, was also the King-Grandmaster of Viesten and thus ruled the two countries in a personal union. When Cassius Potentia ascended to the throne of Yimmu-Audal in Mistiklur of the 136th year (), Kogan led the Neo-Carnian Revolution in an attempt to depose him, but the coalition was soundly defeated. Sirradra had stayed formally neutral during the war, and Consul Ryou Bakura became acting Autokrator. After the war ended, the Consul effectively remained the acting Autokrator for some time. Eventually, in Mistiklur of the 146th year (), Autokrator Kogan and Consul Ryou Bakura both abdicated, naming Nicodemus as their chosen successor and third Autokrator of Sirradra, and Yide Bakura as Consul. Nicodemus took the regnal name Faustus, after the legendary king Faustus III of Fortunae. And in an incredible political maneuver, Xeno Maxwell-Bakura, leader of the Aeternum Order, was named Prime Minister of Sirradra, and Aeternum was absorbed into Sirradra. Aussay, which had been in rebellion since , followed suit, and Nicodemus had thus inherited Sirradra at its greatest territorial extent since the fall of the IAU. The Knight Realm of Requiem went independent in , and Faustus Nicodemus would not dare to contest it; Xeno Maxwell-Bakura had failed to sway Hiiro to join Sirradra, and an invasion would have been suicidal.
==== Coronation ====
Faustus Nicodemus was coronated as Autokrator in Valenlur of the 150th year (). The coronation was attended by numerous citizens of Sirradra, as well as representatives from various nations including Najer, Aurora, and Viratayn. After delivering his coronation address, he received the crown from Ryou Bakura. But before placing the crown upon his head, Faustus Nicodemus tossed the crown into the air and uttered: "May the Goddess bless my reign!" Two bolts of lightning pierced through the ceiling and struck the crown, transforming it from a gilded wreath into a helm of solid gold, to the surprise of nearly everyone present. Was Nicodemus a Fortunist all along? What Goddess did he invoke? These questions are still unresolved as of .
==== Ilasakos ====
Nicodemus acquired Rostok, later renamed Ilasakos, as a private estate in , after it was abandoned by DUTY. However, with the absorption of the Aeternum Order into Sirradra, the province of Magnus Enithica claimed that the estate should fall under its jurisdiction under the Lapithos Accords, an old document dating to within a year or two of . This was contested by the province of Regnum Fortunarii. After investigating, Faustus Nicodemus ruled that Ilasakos should remain under Regnum Fortunarii's jurisdiction for two reasons. First, the Lapithos Accords were no longer valid because Magnus Enithica was now its own province, rather than a Prefecture under Regnum Fortunarii. Second, a later agreement dating to concerning the province borders between the newly formed province of Magnus Enithica and Regnum Fortunarii kept Rostok within Regnum Fortunarii's territory. Faustus Nicodemus would later bequeath Ilasakos to Tiller Rust in .
==== Hajdut ====
The High Kingdom of Hajdut declared independence from Sirradra, the province of Novoros, and the County of Kumaur in . However, Autokrator Kogan did not take military action because he believed it would be very costly to suppress the rebels. Eventually, Hajdut managed to anger both the Tengalii Ejzen Kajzerryk and the Astrokan Wandenreich Empire, the former by attempting to scam its nobles and the latter by encroaching upon Aezenfjord's territory. The TEK, the AWE, and Sirradra issued a joint declaration of war on Hajdut in . However, Hajdut sued for peace thereafter. Eventually, after multiple rounds of talks, Yide Bakura persuaded Faustus Nicodemus and the College of Rectors that war would be too risky, and a settlement was reached. Hajdut returned the land it had seized from Aezenfjord and became a vassal protectorate of Sirradra in .
==== Enithica-Novoros ====
In , Faustus Nicodemus signed a contract which allowed Luca Brizzo ad Alendir-Vulidion to inherit the Principality of Novoros from Fawkes Teutonicus ad Alendir, leading to the indefinite suspension of Novoros' Rectoral dignity and the formation of the United Crowns of Enithica-Novoros.
==== Greenwall ====
Circa , during Kogan's reign, the city of Greenwall in Silvay was illegally sold to a Galadonnian by Ceannard Cogaidh V; the city promptly declared independence as the State of Greenwall. Autokrator Kogan did not put down the rebellion, as the city was easily defensible and great effort would have been needed to dislodge the rebels. In , the Galadonnian mysteriously died, and the city was seized by a self-proclaimed "socialist" state. In , while Faustus Nicodemus and then-Consul Dānjel Āmphed von Ifrīldhim were both away, Luca Brizzo ad Alendir-Vulidion purchased the city on Sirradra's behalf from the socialists, paying a price some considered exorbitant. This move was popular with some members of the Sirradran government, but others were angered because Sirradra's official negotiations had been undercut. The city would finally be returned to the province of Silvay in .
==== Constitutional Reforms ====
Throughout his reign, Faustus Nicodemus proposed several revisions to Sirradra's constitution, the Syntagma Autokratorion. However, despite productive dialogue with the College of Rectors, the amendments were not adopted during Faustus Nicodemus' reign.
==== Abdication ====
Faustus Nicodemus abdicated as Autokrator in . The abdication was forced: A palace coup orchestrated by the provincial leaders of Tsaeloma and Enithica and a few treacherous nobles in Valron (henceforth "the Conspirators") with the assistance of the infamous leaders of the Third Empire of Escharia. The Conspirators alleged that Faustus Nicodemus was incompetent, and that the Hands were a continued existential threat to Sirradra which he had no way to defend against. The Conspirators threatened to rebel if Faustus Nicodemus did not abdicate and allow them into positions of high government. The province leaders of Silvay, Fortunae, and Valron, along with other influential figures in Sirradra ("the Loyalists"), learned of the Conspirators' plot and were mostly willing to go through with a civil war in order to punish Maximal and Luca ad Alendir. Faustus Nicodemus and Yide Bakura, rather than see another civil war on the continent given their knowledge of the terrible consequences of the Second Purple Insurrection, opted instead for a solution which appealed to the Conspirators but in truth gave them no real power. Yide Bakura became Autokrator, and retained Faustus Nicodemus as Consul. A body known as the Autokratorial Senate was created, led by Luca ad Alendir, but it would prove effectively powerless, and it would eventually be dissolved by Autokrator Sima Bakura in .
=== Consul of Sirradra ===
==== Sirradrii Renaissance ====
During the late part of his reign as Autokrator, Faustus Nicodemus began to formulate his Autokratorial Vision, a comprehensive policy agenda which would eventually be called the Sirradrii Renaissance, or De Regeneratione Sirradrae. Faustus Nicodemus published the document shortly before abdicating. Yide Bakura championed the agenda, and Luca ad Alendir also approved. However, the plan was quite demanding upon the Ministry of Culture, and it only came into full swing once Valkyrie Cornaro O'Valmen became Minister, circa . 
==== Idomis of Aetolia ====
After bequeathing (voluntarily) the March of Ilasakos to Grand Marshal Tiller Rust, Nicodemus finally inherited his home city of Aetolia in full circa . Under Nicodemus' stewardship, Aetolia became the most populous city in Sirradra, surpassing even Fjörgyien on the Ninth Autokratorial Census.
==== Adoption into Noble Dynasties ====
After he stepped down as Autokrator, Nicodemus was adopted into arguably the two most influential noble dynasties in Sirradra: The Andronikons and the Bakuras. Nicodemus was adopted into the Andronikon Dynasty (of whom Autokrator Kogan was a member) by Flavius Konstantinos circa . Nicodemus was then adopted into the Bakura Dynasty (which ruled Sirradra after Nicodemus until Iristor's comet) by Ryou Bakura in . He is the only person who is recognized as a member of both dynasties.
==== The Second Hajdut Conflict ====
Main article: Battle of Kosnograd
==== Immortality? ====
Circa , reports began to surface of Nicodemus' hair becoming fiery red, his eyes glowing purple, and his youth being mysteriously restored. However, no one seemed to question this, and it remains unclear what happened.
== Philosophy ==
=== Written Works ===
Main article: Eleutherian Humanism
==== Aphorisms ====
Circa Carpis of the 119th year, Nicodemus slowly began composing a significant philosophical treatise which he would eventually call Aphorisms. As the name suggests, Aphorisms consists of a series of short essay-like fragments on various subjects relating to political philosophy and the human condition in Rathnir. Nicodemus periodically sought comments from his countrymen in Sirradra concerning the aphorisms, especially Ryou Bakura, Jōsef von Wûlf-Ifrīldhim, and Dānjel Āmphed von Ifrīldhim. By Valenlur of the 128th year, Aphorisms was nearly complete.
==== Tractatus Humanico-Politicus ====
While Nicodemus personally enjoyed the style of Aphorisms, he realized that its fragmentary nature might hinder its popularity. Additionally, Aphorisms lacked a clear normative ethical theory. Accordingly, circa Carpis of the 129th year, Nicodemus decided to create a new work which re-organized Aphorisms into a more systematic treatise, Tractatus Humanico-Politicus. In addition to articulating a theory of virtue ethics, Tractatus includes brief discussions concerning friendship and free will, and a concluding section to drive home the most important normative implications that arise from Nicodemus' ethical stances and the conditions of human life in Rathnir.
== Music ==
Between circa and , Nicodemus composed a national anthem for Sirradra, Ýkhýzéz dem Aedýsud (Words of Unity), inspired by a poem written by Fawkes Teutonicus ad Alendir and translated into Khanzýz by Dānjel Āmphed von Ifrīldhim.
== Quotations==
=== On Asdrubal ===
=== On Zentivar ===
=== On War and Peace ===
=== On Exarian ===
=== Reflection from Damaged Life ===
=== On Cassiath and Galadonn ===
=== On Sirradra ===
=== On Free Will ===
=== On Alvara Tizoc O'Valmen ===
==Trivia & Meta==
* "Nicodemus" is a Latinization of the Greek name "Νικόδημος" (Nikodemos) meaning either "victory of the people" or "victory over the people", derived from Greek νίκη (nike) meaning "victory" and δῆμος (demos) meaning "the people".
* Nicodemus brews and sells alcohol, but does not himself drink. His original market stall in Aetolia had the U.S. Surgeon General's warning about alcohol consumption for pregnant women, plus an additional warning concerning the increased risk of liver disease and cancer associated with regular alcohol consumption.
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