Alistair Bakula

An image of Alistair

Alistair Bakula is the current Patriarch of Azmar, meaning he rules the city of Azmarath and the Patriarchy of Azmar.

## Appearance

Alistair is 5'11, average height for an Azmarathi, with pale white skin, blue eyes and black hair and beard. His build is relatively lean and he typically wears a crimson overcoat but does occassionally wear other outfits. He has long and curled ram-like horns that sprout from the sides of his head above his ears. Alistair looks young and youthful, though he is starting to show signs of aging as he draws near to his 30s.

## Personality

Alistair is generally regarded as a "wild card" personality, and some even claim he is borderline bipolar. Alistair often has mood swings, and acts wildly outside of official business, going from annoyed, to furious, to calm in a matter of mere minutes, and is very easy to irritate or upset. Despite this behavior, he is extremely intelligent and an effective administrator when needed, if a little harsh at times. Alistair does have a few friends he does show compassion towards, notably being his advisors such as Dahlia Szostek, even if she often doesn't return the favor.

## Early Life

Alistair was born to Azmarathi parents, Lily, and Objork in the still fledgling city of Azmarath. He was born with the relatively rare mutation of growing horns, his are slightly curved backwards and require regular trimming and maintenance to avoid them growing to a dangerous length. Though the city had been around for a very long time, it had not grown much, and neither did its population. The Azmarathi had slowly built up the city as essentially an island monastery in dedication to Aora, the only real thing they knew. The story of Aora had been passed down from generation to generation and the city had just begun construction of their first true, permanent temple to her. Lily was a farmhand working on the eastern shore of the river, and Objork was a clergyman.

## Joining the Clergy

Because Objork was a clergyman, Alistair grew up very religious and as a result also joined the clergy as a young friar. Alistair spent much of his childhood traveling with his father and working for the Cult. Alistair eventually took over his fathers position and became a fully fledged preacher, and often preached of aggressive religious policy that would eventually become a figure head in Azmar policy and religious belief. It was during this time that Alistair and some colleauges began codifying the teachings of Aora and recording the cities history and law, knowledge of which had been passed down my many generations. Alistair is one of the main signatories to the Book of Aora, the official religious text of the Cult.

## Establishing Himself

Because of his work as a clergyman and historian, Alistair became increasingly popular and began shadowing the lord of the city at the time, Norman Janowski, where he learned much about running a society, and about law, and he would use this to his advantage, often times puushing his political and religious rivals and opponents to the side by using his knowledge of all sides of the society, as well as his hand in Norman's pocket. Norman succumbed to sickness during a harsh winter and passed away in the night, the city turned the Alistair to take his place and he accepted, being named the first Patriarch of Azmar, and thus combining the clergy and the state. From this point forward, Azmarath was a theocracy. Alistairs young age turned a lot of heads but he quickly showed himself to be a capable leader of his people.

## Growth of Azmarath

Azmarath grew rapidly with Alistair at its helm, housing was tripled, the population grew, trade and connections with other cities skyrocketed, the society was organized, and Azmarath's influence grew via the sending of colonial expeditions and finding fellow Radiant cities. Azmarath began a heated rivalry with the city of Usonia after funding a revolt against them, and the rivalry has boiled since, with Azmarath even constructing Krisuvik Castle, the lands first manmade castle as a result. Under Alistair the Ilias Hall was constructed for the Ethelian Guild of Scribes, and the Bascilica of Aora was built to honor the many saints and Aora. Alistair is regarded by Arkvale as "The King of New", in reference to their own religion, The Pantheon of Trinity and how it views the Old and New Worlds.

## Dominion

Following the growth of global population, Alistair believed it imperitive to expand the cities influence across Aneon by way of conquest in order to maintain its position as a global power, Miedzi and Noregr were released as vassals, the old holdings of the Order was ransacked, the military order The Order of the Phoenix was consecrated, and the War of Aquilea was staged, citing religious crusade as the cassus belli. Alistair appointed Dahlia Szostek as the new Primate of Azmarath after the death of Trygve Asulf.

## Trivia

* Alistair is the main character of Nikilios, the servers owner.
* Alistair's personality is similar to that of Nikilios, making him an easy character to portray and remain in character.
* Nikilios chose ramlike horns for Alistair because Nikilios has an unhealthy obsession with goats and rams.
* Alistair has a secret room locked away in his study... I wonder what he's got in there...