Pallix Arterius

Pallix Arterius, along with his brother Castus Arterius, was one of the twin sons of Quinteia Arterius, the infamous rebel biotic who became the Hierarchy's first cabalist at the culmination of the Unification War. After his mother's incarceration, he and his brother were raised by Aurelion Aurelos, as per his agreement with Quinteia - her imprisonment in exchange for the safety of her sons.

Following Aurelions' death, Pallix ascended the Aurelian Throne to become the first Primarch of Palaven. He was the first ruler in over a thousand years not to inherit the throne on the basis of blood. Thus, the line of imperators was forever broken. Due to the length of Aurelion's reign, Pallix was only able to rule for twenty years before his death. During that time he reinforced Aurelion's meritocracy, enshrining it in law in the hopes it could never be undone or corrupted. He was succeeded by his highest-ranking duarch; a system which endures into the modern-day.

Pallix is the forebear of Desolas Arterius II and all his descendants. His is the last remaining line of House Arterius, Castus' line having died out in the late 8th Century CE during the Krogan Rebellions.

## Biography

### **Wardship**

At the age of six, Pallix and Castus were taken from their mother to be made wards of Aurelion, who was proclaimed their legal guardian. Both boys were raised by him as a part of his household, with Pallix growing to love him like a father. Pallix shared Aurelion's love of music and was personally taught how to play the kyrix by him.

### **Marriage**

#### Negotiations

After Pallix had turned eighteen, Aurelion began to draw up plans on how to consolidate the power and influence of his family through matrimonial ties. He summoned Pallix and Rea, who was then twenty-seven years of age, and proposed that they be wed to one another to maintain control of Rea's imperial blood ties and keep her out of the hands of any who would use her for political gain. Pallix, willing to do his duty, agreed to Aurelion's terms. Rea however was more reluctant, for she was in love with Pallix's twin brother, Castus. Aurelion granted Rea some time to decide whether or not she would agree to the proposal.

Pallix had only ever viewed Rea as his adopted sister, someone whom he had known and looked up to throughout the majority of his childhood. He found the idea of marrying the woman he treated as the older sister he had never had strange, even though he knew they were not related in any way. Despite his misgivings, Pallix very much idolised Aurelion and wanted to serve his vision in whatever way that he could, to repay him for adopting and raising him like a son.

Pallix confided in his twin brother about the match, seeking guidance. Castus was very dismissive of the idea, telling him that Rea was completely out of his league and that he would be better off marrying a Thracian woman. Pallix was oblivious to his brother's attempts to derail his union with Rea, not privy to the fact that Castus and Rea were secretly in a relationship already. Feeling disheartened, Pallix sought counsel from Aurelion, speaking with him of Castus' dismissal. Aurelion told Pallix that he intended for Castus to marry Flavia, Rea's younger sister, but that if Castus was unwilling he would not press the issue further, provided Castus did not marry another without first obtaining permission.

Pallix returned to Castus and told him of Aurelion's plans, expecting his brother to be happy. He was confused when Castus reacted with anger. He followed Castus when he went to confront Aurelion, trying to diffuse the situation and calm his brother down. Castus told Aurelion that he would never marry Flavia, or anyone Aurelion told him to for that matter. Aurelion did not raise to Castus' anger, choosing instead to simply accept Castus' decision. When Castus began making demands about Pallix's marriage, demanding that he wed a Thracian woman instead, Aurelion immediately denied his request, telling him that only Pallix and Rea could make that choice themselves. Castus stormed out of Aurelion's chambers, Pallix obediently following him. When he tried to put a hand on his brother's shoulder, Castus roughly shrugged him off, telling him that Aurelion was just using him for an end game that was not in Pallix's best interests. Pallix protested, expressing his belief in Aurelion as a loving father figure, a role which didn't conflict with his dual status as their Imperator.

*"I trust him. He's trying to make the galaxy a better place, for all of us. That includes both of us, Cas. We might not have his blood but he loves just as much as he loves his biological children. And if he thinks that me marrying Rea is for the best, then who are we to argue?"*

Castus was incensed by his brother's blind loyalty.

*"He's using you, Pal. It's what he does. If he can use you, he'll buy your loyalty with flattery and false promises. And if he can't, he'll destroy you, burn you to the ground, like he burned Moesia. Don't you remember? The shells. The smoke. The smell of blood and burning flesh... How could you ever love a man who killed your people and subjugated your planet, stole you from your mother and put you on a gilded leash, like some exotic pet?"*

*"He gave the rebels a chance to surrender and those who did he treated fairly. Those who refused to surrender clearly felt no remorse for their crimes. The rebels weren't heroes, Cas. They were responsible for the murders of innocent people - including other Thracians - the people they claimed to be fighting for in the first place. As for Mother... Because of her, we were denied a normal childhood. She raised us on a battlefield. We never had a real home for more than a few months. We lost our real father. Aurelion saved us; he gave us a family, a home, a life beyond anything our mother's machinations could have ever given us. So yes, I am loyal to him. I love him. And you should too."*

*"Then you're a fool. Mother always said you always were too trusting, too idealistic. Just don't say I didn't warn you when you get burned."*

The brothers parted ways on bad terms. Castus went immediately to Rea and tried to convince her to deny her father his wishes. Rea did not want to marry Pallix but felt she had no choice in the matter.

*"I love Pallix but that love is purely fraternal. The love I bear for you is different. But this is my father's will. I cannot defy him."*

#### Relationship with Rea

Pallix and Rea had a difficult start to their marriage. Unbeknownst to Pallix, Rea was having an affair with his twin brother, having chosen to continue their relationship behind her husband's back. Both of them struggled to comprehend the concept of having children together. Pallix still viewed Rea as a sister, while Rea was infatuated with Castus, secretly cursing herself for not having the courage to defy her father and marry her lover instead. Despite looking identical to his brother, Pallix was nothing like him. To Rea he came across as quiet, methodical, and bookish, taking much after Aurelion in his mannerisms. Castus, on the other hand, was outspoken, spontaneous and a thrill-seeker, traits which made him stand out in the Imperial Court and strongly attracted her to him.

In the first year of their marriage, the pair only lay with each other once; on their wedding night to officially consume their union. Further attempts were made in the following months but were ultimately unsuccessful. Pallix appeared to be completely uninterested in the prospect of bedding her, something which brought Rea's much confusion. While she did welcome his abstinence, she began to wonder if he was even attracted to women at all. Despite their lack of chemistry, Rea and Pallix possessed strong mutual respect and shared a warm friendship. Rea began to feel guilty about her adultery the longer it went on.

### **Ascension to Primarch**

Pallix became Primarch very late in life. When Aurelion died in 254 BCE, Pallix was already 78 years of age. Many preferred his adoptive nephew's claim to the throne; Auri was younger, more charismatic, and was the son of Aurelion's only legitimate child, Trebia. Pallix, in contrast, was old, socially awkward, and the son of a condemned traitor. His only claim to his adoptive father's throne was an imperial decree written by Aurelion, stating that the Right of Merit now superseded the Right of Blood for all matters of succession.

While Auri himself had no desire to claim his grandfather's throne and readily swore fealty to his adoptive uncle, Pallix grew increasingly paranoid of him. Rumours continue to persist that he even considered assassinating Auri and his heirs to secure his claim, although the existence of the plot itself can neither be confirmed nor denied. When these rumours reached Carthaan, Markus doubled down on his son's security. He also sent Pallix a threatening message, stating that he would protect his son whatever the cost. This created a dangerous schism within the Imperial Family, one which only further exacerbated Pallix's paranoid delusions.

Pallix's wife, Rea, attempted to act as a liaison between both sides. As Conjux Domina, she was firmly in her husband's camp. However, she was also Auri's aunt by blood and his designated *parrigogus* andwanted no harm to come to her nephew. As Aurelion's daughter, she also had Markus' trust. She successfully convinced Pallix not to have Auri killed, on the condition that he come to Palaven in person to publicly forfeit his claim to the throne. Markus outright refused, believing it to be a trap. But Auri agreed to Pallix's terms, trusting that Rea would ensure no harm came to him. Markus insisted on accompanying his son, leaving Carthaan in the claws of his loyal advisors.

When Auri and Markus arrived on Palaven, they were given a proper imperial reception by Pallix and Rea, Pallix capitalising on the ceremonial grandeur as a display of his power and authority as Primarch.

#### Imperial Family of Pallix Arterius

* Pallix Arterius and his wife, Rea Aurix
	+ Elia Arterius and her husband *Pallix's 'daughter' and son-in-law*
	+ Nereia Arterius and her husband, *Pallix's daughter and son-in-law*
		- Drusilla Arterius - *Pallix's granddaughter (left House Arterius to marry Septonian Abrudas and join House Abrudas)*
	+ Castian Arterius and his wife - *Pallix's son and daughter-in-law*

* Quintus Arterius - *Pallix's nephew (granted special membership status and dispensation to wear purple, in honour of Aurelion)*