Petr Engarden

**Petr Engarden** was a Sevician politician, statesman, senator, and general who served as the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Sevician Army from 655 to 689 A.S, making him one of the longest holders of the office in Sevician history. Known as one of Sevicia's greatest commanders, Engarden led armies across Sevicia in a career that spanned more than six decades before his death in 691 A.S.

## Background

Petr was born in the year 607 in the city of Galadael in the Heartlands region of Sevicia to Freda and George Engarden, two nobles and leaders of the illustrious House Engarden, one of the oldest and most important houses in Sevician history. He was the older brother of Myrine Engarden, a renowned painter and socialite who was perhaps best known as the long-term lover and partner of Sevician Imperator, Cloe of Ida.

Engarden's early life showed a young boy destined for the military. A notoriously poor student who refused any attempts at studying or proper discipline, he developed a fascination for the everyday life of the soldier on the march and soon asked his father if he could join the army. George Engarden had served himself for a number of years and, seeing an opportunity to instill a sense of authority in his son, allowed Petr to join the Heartlands regiment of the army in the year 628, at the age of 21. It was clear to all that Engarden's true calling was in the military, and he soon rose through the ranks.

## Career

Petr was promoted to the role of Captain in 630, the same year he became a senator and moved permanently to the Sevician capital of Morosea. Within eighteen months he had risen to the rank of General and placed in command of several battalions within the XX Legion. When his father George died of the weeping terror in 633, Petr spent a short time looking after his younger sister, Myrine, when she moved to the capital that year.

Engarden showed excellent promise as a leader of men. He was given command of two legions in the mid-640s and proved decisive and swift in suppressing small civil uprisings and revolts over a number of years. In the first war with Duscador in 648, Engarden was among the leaders whose efforts were praised even when the war proved a failure. Following the retirement or death of a number of prominent generals in the early-650s, Engarden was promoted to the role of Supreme Commander in 655. That same year he married his second wife, Julia.

During the Anaean Wars of the 660s, Engarden led Sevicia's combined forces to victory against the rebel Anaean League, with personal command of more than three legions. For his service he was awarded the Grand Eagle with Wreath Cross and Crest, the highest attainable honour in Sevician military society. He became the only person in more than a hundred years to be awarded with it. Engarden's influence was enormous, and he carried with him an aura that many would often describe as that of "a man who believes the world must shape to his liking and no other's." Petr was famous for never removing his military regalia, including his medals and honours, wherever he went.

## Later life

He continued in his role as Supreme Commander for a further two decades before relinquishing the office in 689. At the time he was 82 years old, the oldest general in Sevician history. He passed away in 691, at the age of 84, and was remembered with a statue in the square of Galadael, not far from his house's royal home. He was survived by his wife, Julia, and five children, the eldest of whom - Arla - is the current leader of House Engarden. His life and career is chronicled in the writer Cyppian's *Annals of Sevicia.*

## See also

Imperial Army of Sevicia

House Engarden

Myrine Engarden