Renn Bonkus

Emperor Renn Bonkus in his early 20's

In March 1153 the young Renn Bonkus, last remnant of the Bonkus house was put on the throne by the rogue Second Knight. With the backing of the military powerhouse that was the Second Order of the Dragon, he made short work of any potential political rivals. As soon as the capital was fully in his hands the crisis of the Horny Revolution spurred him into action. The Emperor, now in his middle 20's, is known throughout the world as a ruler who shows a merciless brutality to his enemies but love for his loyal subjects. He enjoys a good reputation among the citizens of the Empire of Bonk.

## Biography

### Prebirth

The Bonkus dynasty never were a dominant player in Imperial Politics. They became a minor noble house in the Silver Era of the Holy Empire of Mythica and often sided themselves with the cult leaders rather than the Emperor. This House survived by changing between imperial court factions quickly enough before the other sides were expelled or defamed. This made it that the Bonkus family were seen as traitorous and cowards. Due to them often renouncing oaths of allegiance they did not have a large financial or military strength. It certainly didn't help that the bonkus family were not human but descendants of an old race called Star Nomads. This race were one of the first people inside of the lands of Mythica alongside the Eternal Nomads and the Wayfarer Gild. This caused a feeling of hate from the more xenophobe houses in the Empire. Towards the fall of the Empire they moved their base of operations towards the Imperial Capital of Rosira. Here they continued to survive as a minor noble house by using gangs. The head of the clan, an elder named Elias Bonkus, managed to wed his son with a bride of a noble house of more power. These would be the parents of Renn.

### Early Childhood

Many different theologists speak different tales about the birth of the Emperor. Most say that on his birth the spirit of the three first Emperor's arrived at the small mansion of the Bonkus family, paying their respect and blessing the baby. Another similar tale speaks of high members of the Wayfarer Gild blessing the child instead of Imperial saints. This might be closer to the truth as the physicians who recorded the birth speak of a baby that showed almost all traits of the ancient race, being close to a pure Star Nomad. The baby boy had bright and sparkling eyes, platinum blond hair and a strong magical aura. Renn was raised like a usual child of minor nobility. He was tutored in basic battle, magic, and empire building. All along a hefty dose of history from the house leader.

#### Darkwood Ridge Incident

In April 1142 ABD an expedition was launched by the Bonkus family towards a magical water source. They received several minor knights of the dragon order to escort them. Alongside their own forces this would be more than enough protection to the source. The party composed of all members of the minor house apart from the elder who was to sick to move at the time. At the end of the trip, the family found themselves ambushed as the Knights and their soldiers were attacked and quickly killed. The young Renn was witness to the eradication of his family as he hid himself inside one of the carts. When the attack was over the boy managed to stumble back home. He was soaked in blood. While Emperor Kristoff, a very compassionate ruler compared to his predecessor, showed much sorrow to what happened to the boy, the rest of the court were not interested. This thought the boy some vital lessons of the Imperial Court. The incident was later blamed on Imperial purist terrorists however Renn would never be able to come to terms with this explanation as he saw the skills of the attackers surpassed that of any terrorist.

### Young Adulthood

When Renn healed from the attack he seemed a different person. His powers as a Star Nomad where growing larger. His powers were permanently alligned with darker lores of magic as his appearance was often dark and filled with dread and rage. He trained with these new powers, enjoying some of the better military tutors and imperial mages. According to the notes of these teachers, Renn was a cold boy. He simply did as instructed and showed much skill and prowess in his fighting styles and battlefield tactics. He would make an excellent general.

It wasn't a good time for the young man however. His uncle was very strict. Their family had lost any prestige they managed to gain with the political marriage and now was once more of the bottom of the nobility. The uncle tried his best to keep hold of any power he had by claiming his son was saved from the ambush by the spirit for the first emperor and that he was destined for greatness. He was no longer allowed to see other people except army officers, religious figures, and tutors. His uncle forbading contact with anyone of the lower classes had a big impact on Renn as he could not find any mental help for his trauma.

### Ascension to the throne

As he became older Renn grew stronger in both power as mental control of his abilities. His family continued to be the lesser part of imperial nobility. During the crisis in the 1150's, Renn wanted to improve his imperial prowess by joining the army as an officer. However seeing that the capital was still very wary towards nomad descendant species he did not get into the proper education systems for that position. When the Second Knight betrayed the empire, the capital lost a huge part of their defences. Renn answered the call and joined the local garrison. He now had some sort of authority, altough extremely small. Renn's position as officer in the garrison quickly ended however seeing that his uncle forced him to abandon his post when the Second Knight attacked the capital as he did not want to lose his only male heir. This would continue to bother Renn for the years to come as he never managed to proof himself towards the world.

## Relations

### Knight of Fear

The person closest to Renn is his personal knight, general, advisor, and bodyguard. It was the Second Knight who put Renn on the throne and it was Renn who forgave him for his crimes against the Empire. Altough in theory the Emperor has power over all the knights but in practice this runs much more complex. The Knight often follows the orders when given but seeing that he is the Emperor's bodyguard and advisor, alongside the age difference, the Emperor usually allows the Knight to do as he pleases.

According to Imperial data the knight made first contact with the young emperor when he picked him out from the crowd of nobles to take up the title of Emperor. However a folk tale tells that the when Renn was but a child he often played with Vanessa Armani, the Knight of Vitality. The lamian knight was similar age as the young noble thanks to the long and complex maturity cycle of her species and the young age when she was adopted in to the order. The two often eplored the palaces and castle's the empire had to offer until they decided to head into the keep of skulls, the Second Knight's personal base in the capital. They were quickly caught by an enraged knight who, as punishment for the two trespassing into the classified walls and gardens where only undead linger. They were both branded on the back of their shoulder with the symbol of his army, the Imperial skull. The tale goes that from that moment, whenever the Emperor is in the presence of the knight he feels the scar burn on his shoulder. Invoking a feeling of hatred and fear in him.

## Appearance

Renn, as all other Star Nomads, changes his physical, mental, and magical powers with his emotions. With these changes his appearance also changes uncontrollably. He can be fiercely intimidating with blood red eyes and hair, or show a young joviality with white or blond accents. Most of the paintings and drawings of his Majesty show a young man in red robes and a dark unbending look at live and others.

The Emperor hasn't been seen for a long time. The only time he is seen is on the battlefield usually sporting light combat attires. These clothes are rumoured to have magical runes embraided in it to aide in conducting his magical powers. A Famous USSM Painter painted his perspective on the Emperor, it is said that the painter had seen the actual Emperor fight without his helmet. The painter would receive critique from the USSM as instead of the usual depictions of a vengeful and dark tyrant, he shown a younger warrior king. The painting showed determination rather than bloodlust.

## Trivia

Emperor Renn race of Star Nomads and their ability to change magic and appearance with emotions are based on a DnD character of Rebecca.