Edward Solomon

Edward Solomon was a pivotal figure in the First Uhekian Mage War, becoming a hero and the first and most famous member of the new Uhekian Council.

## Early Life

Edward Solomon was born in the Uhekian capital, Gartaca on Caesan 20 **410PR**.

Not much is known of his early life, other than he was a very religious man because of his father, a priest in the Novus Church.

At the age of 16, Solomon joined the Templars as a recruit. Quickly rising through the ranks for his expert skill, strong will and strong work ethic. Being seen as an actual Templar, as most were simply Mage puppets.

## Career

In **430PR**, Solomon was appointed as the Templar Commander. Something that was met with heavy criticism for being so young.

It didn’t take long for the other Templars to see the mistake of the Mage Council though, as Solomon was beginning to reform the Templars training and regulation, making them an effective police force for other mages and a dangerous fighting force.

In **435PR**, Solomon removed most of his competition in the Templars, privately revealing their connection to the Mages Council. This secured his position as Templar Commander for the long-term.

By **440PR**, Solomon had the respect of all the Templars under his command. Making a branch in Sheland, he began increasing the influence and power of the Templars with new recruiting measures.

Solomon continued to garner influence through the Templars and amongst the populace, using the nations mismanagement by the council to his benefit in **442PR**. Though this caused the council to become harsher, removing some power from the Templars.

The execution in **447PR** enraged Solomon, who now did everything in his power to make the councils lives much harder, removing a lot of ways that they could communicate with him.

Another execution in **449PR** pushed Solomon over the edge. He now knew that the Mages would eventually kill everyone who stood in their way, eventually wiping the Templars out. So, secretly, he began gathering together his own council, discussing in code to stop any onlookers from understanding.

At the start of **450PR**, Solomon’s preparations were successful, with a swell in numbers for the Templars with the recruitment of a lot of regional-folk. He also made sure to hurt the mages reputation every chance he got, giving very passionate speeches in response to the executions of some of his men.

In Caesan **450PR**, Solomon declared a surprise war on the Mages Council, initiating it with a night-time raid on Hosmer College.

## First Uhekian Mage War

### Hosmer College Raid

The Hosmer College Raid was conducted on Caesan 10 **450PR**. Solomon lead the rage on the facility, taking 100 of his most trusted Templars with him, though most only defended the exit rather than contributed in the raid.

Through the raid, Solomon was able to kill some of the prominent mages with the surprise, and force the rest outside of the campus and into the city. The reason for the raid was to not only gain an early advantage in kills, but to show the populace that the Templars could win in combat.

### Willmer Estate Skirmish

The Willmer Estate Skirmish was ordered by Solomon, but other than that he didn’t participate in the battle or the commands. Only afterwards when he claimed it as a victory for his order.

### Abandonment of Gartaca

Solomon and his Templars continued winning skirmishes within the city, though he was upset with the amount of civilian life lost to the Mages. Thus, he ordered a new directive, that protecting the populace was the number 1 priority.

Seeing that the mages were losing troops and influence over the city, Solomon came to the decision that they may try for an escape. Notifying his council, Solomon sent Division 3 to protect the gates, giving them experience, and send Division 1 to protect the teleportation circles, where he figured the mages would make their break for it.

### Siege of Sheland

With the Mages out of the city, Solomon realised that he couldn’t leave them elsewhere for too long, as they could build their forces and gain more power if left alone.

So, he made preparations to take the city.

In Septim 2 **451PR**, Solomon and the Templars marched on the city. Once again he chose to leave Division 3 behind, as green people during the siege could only cost their lives.

#### First Assault

Solomon and his troops attacked the city, with siege towers along the walls.

Once his troops had captured the walls, Solomon personally went up.

#### Over the Walls

Solomon didn’t contribute much in this stage, simply making the civilians the top priority like before, even if that meant Hosmer and his mages could escape.

#### Attack on Hosmer College

With a clear way to the college, Solomon led the charge into the building, similar to the raid that started the war. Any soldiers meant to block him were slaughtered by the Templar Commander, who had a renewed anger from the amount of civilians that had been killed by the Mages already.

Cutting his way through, he finally reached the circle. Only to see Hosmer leaving, ensuring the destruction of the circle in the transition.

Angered and watching Hosmer get away again, Solomon and his troops finished off the remaining mages left in the college.

### Battle of Raoul Peak

Defeating the mages yet again but still not getting Hosmer kept the war going. Though it was only a matter of time.

Eventually on Janu 18 **452PR** Solomon and his Templars cornered the Mages on Raoul Peak.

To inspire his troops, Edward marched out in front of them, delivering his famous speech before returning to man the HQ, using messengers and flags to give out orders to his soldiers. It also gave him the ability to enter the battle at decisive moments, not being distracted by any battles.

#### Quince's Counterattack

Solomon watched the counterattack with interest, he could see that it would be effective but he needed to know how first. He never ended up doing so though, sending some reserves under the command of Helen Rowe and James Engel to block him. Hoping either they’d block him or a moment would appear.

#### Decisive Charge

With Trevarthen’s push on the right and Quince’s maneuver on the left, the centre of the mages were weak.

Gathering cavalry and light infantry, Solomon hopped on his own horse and charged the centre.

The charge worked as planned, the weak centre had nothing for them. Solomon smashed through their lines, immediately routing the others. Cutting off both sides of the attack, he kept charging at the enemy HQ, sending some of his light infantry to aid Trevarthen.

#### Hosmer

When Hosmer was in sight, he began throwing all types of spells to try and kill Solomon and his Templars, only somewhat working. Solomon kept pushing with what was left, charging the Archmage directly. He was initially worried that he might miss the clean attack, but when he saw Hosmer freeze up in fear, he knew the battle was done. With a single swing of his longsword, the Mages head was cleaved from his body.

#### Slaughter

The moment Hosmer’s head hit the ground, the rest of the mages at the HQ surrendered. With a moment of mercy, Solomon chose to capture them. During the process of arresting the mages, he was unable to see or stop the slaughter happening behind him.

The 200 mages at the HQ were the only to survive, as when the Mage reserves tried to surrender they were promptly surrounded and killed to the last as well.

## New Uhekian Council

With the war won, Solomon and his Templars returned to the capital, Gartaca. There he entered the Templar compound and placed his sword in the centre. Officially ending the war.

Having no council leading the nation, Solomon and his other members took control. His first action was to use Council funds to make a large shrine dedicated to the Templars that lost their lives during the Mage period, including the ones executed before the war.

Most of Solomon’s time in the Council was acting as a public figure for the people, giving many speeches stating a new era for Uhek, one of prosperity and peace. While some citizens were suspicious of the claims, believing them to just be hot air, Solomon kept to his word and soon life in Uhek grew better, increasing the general happiness of citizens.

As Templar Commander, Solomon also made many reforms to the Templars. The Templars replacing the general military force that Uhek had. He ensured that a minimum of two Templars were at every town, overseeing the general guard and garrison there. Training was also changed, which set such a standard it is still used in current Uhek, with the 3 year long camp. With his popularity, the Templar numbers and reputation both increased, letting them to garner the influence they needed. As his final act, he set up a command structure for the Templars, still in use today, only with the addition of the Navy and Templar Special Forces.

In **470PR**, Solomon stood down as Templar Commander at the age of 60, choosing to prioritise his position in the Uhekian Council. He left the position to Trevarthen, a good friend of his and trusted ally.

## Personal Life

In **435PR**, Solomon met Elise Mayoh. The two soon became a couple, falling in love. She is said to be his rock, and kept him focused during some of the toughest times in his life. The couple married in **438PR**, where they would stay married until Solomon’s death, Elise never remarrying.

Edward and Elise welcomed their first child into the world in **440PR**, a son who would become Edwards' close friend later in life.

The couple welcomed two more children in **442PR** and **444PR**, another son and a daughter. Careful of Mage attacks and threats, Elise kept close watch of the children, homeschooling them and only letting them out in public with disguises. This caused a strain on their relationship, but in the later years it strengthened their bond.

When the war began in **450PR**, Solomon was mostly away from home, letting Elise take care of the children. Though he did try and visit them whenever possible.

His first child, with the public name of Dirk, joined the Templars in **460PR**. When Solomon stood down as Templar Commander in **470PR**, he gave the position to Trevarthen under the condition that he take Dirk on as an apprentice, to later lead the Templars.

Later, the other son, named Joseph, also joined the Templars. While their daughter, with no name in the public records to keep her safe, is believed to have married into the Trevarthen family.

## Later Years

After Solomon stood down as Templar Commander, his public appearances became shortened. Now only major events and festivals did he arrive, giving a speech every now and then. Some of these major events included the Templar initiation ceremony, keeping close ties with the organisation.

In **482PR** he was welcomed to a new ceremony, watching his son, Dirk, be initiated as the new Templar commander.

The rest of his time was taking a much needed rest, stepping back from his public duties as a council member, and simply watching the new Uhek prosper with what he had built. Dirk was also very close with him at this stage, getting advice as a Templar Commander and even having festivals dedicated to the hero.

## Death

In Janu 1 **494PR**, Solomon died, surrounded by his family, with his children, grand-children and great grand-children. It was said he was very peaceful in his death. Exclaiming he was happy with what he had done for Uhek, leaving it to the new generations.

## Legacy

With his death, the Templar Compound in Gartaca was re-named Solomon Temple. His body was also taken and entombed within the Compound, allowing for the Templars to pray and protect him from all harm.

He was also awarded with a statue for his honour in every major town and city in Uhek, paid for by the council.

Solomon is seen as a pseudo-deity in Uhek, saving them from the harsh nature of the mages and bringing in a new prosperous order that saved the lives of many.

5 generations later, it was Adrian Solomon who took up the honour of the family name, becoming a hero and legend in the Second Uhekian Mage War.