Lux Voltaire

## ***Early Life***

Lux Voltaire was born on October The 11th, 1600 A.T.F in Franika. Lux grew up in the city of Versillias centered in the nation of Franika, Lux was the son of the Owner of The Eastern Franikan Trading Company, one of the largest trading companies in all of Nara. Lux received a formal education, and learned the ways of business management from his father and the numerous tutors his father would hire. In 1615 A.T.F he accompanied his father on his first trip, their objective was to secure a trade route in Chinika that would allow their ships to travel up the Yellow Imperial River leading directly to the city of Kayata. Lux's Father initially botched the negotiations, but was surprised when his son managed to broker a halfway deal, allowing for their ships to sell their trade goods to a group of select merchants who would negotiate with them at the beginning of the river.

## ***The Eastern Franikan Trading Company Reichlandian Branch***

By 1620 A.T.F Lux had become a very prominent figure within the Eastern Franikan Trading Company, oftentimes being the companies diplomat and negotiator. Lux was able to expand the companies profit margins by nearly 34%, which was the largest net income the company had seen in decades. The Company had secured trade deals and franchisees all across Orbis, Western Danika, Eirland, Acrabia, and Chinika. Although the Company was able to acquire a vast merchant empire, even rivaling the Brettish Trade Syndicate, the Company lacked any holdings in Reichland. Reichland in 1620 A.T.F was reeling down from its first major civil war, and the continent was in desperate need of imported goods and materials. Reichland was rich in raw materials but due to the recent conflict it lacked any of the facilities or workers to produce its own materials and goods.

Lux's father had noticed the unwillingness of their many rivals to fill in this large demand, later Lux's father would come to find out that the sole proprietor of all trade in Reichland was a man by the name of Barnes Barclay. Barnes Barclay was a well known Pirate King now turned Merchant Lord, he originated from the mysterious continent of Bardia with a massive Armada, and for a short time plagued the continent of Reichland as its most prolific pirate. However as timed passed Barnes quickly realized he could make twice the profit controlling a series of islands he would later name the "Spiced Islands". This small island chain on the southern side of Reichland was one of the only safe passages ships could travel to to reach the shores of Reichland. Reichlands shores were littered with Man-O-Wars and other hellish creatures that kept close to the shores of the continent preventing ships from entering, leaving the only safe route through the Southern Passage.

Barnes used his massive Armada and quickly assumed control over the Southern Islands, dispatching the small force of Norkish Colonist who previously inhabited the Island Chain at the Battle of Norks Shore in 1605 A.T.F. For the last 15 years Barnes would remain the deciding factor between who was allowed to import and export their goods outside of Reichlandia. A few smaller companies were already allowed to import and export goods, these companies were all required to join Barnes Barclays "Spiced Empire" under the contracted agreements. The two largest companies already apart of this Merchant Empire was the The Nordwind Trading Company, and Bravo Trading Company.

Lux was assigned to open up a branch of the Eastern Franikan Trading Company in Reichland, and was dispatched with 10 Franikan Warships. Lux Arrived in late 1621 A.T.F and docked in Norks Shore. He began negotiations with Barnes, at first the negotiations were one sided. Barnes had requested that the entire Eastern Franikan Trading Company come under the Spiced Empire and pay a 35% tariff. To Lux this was a ludicrous demand as the Eastern Franikan Trading Company spanned world wide, and the Spiced Empire and their vassal merchant states only controlled a mere continent. Lux and Barnes went back and forth for months neither giving any ground, eventually a deal was almost brokered to where 30% of all Eastern Franikan Trading Company's profits made in Reichland would be taken as a tariff, and the Eastern Franikan Trading Company would not be required to join the Spiced Empire. Lux almost agreed until Barnes was given an estimate of the Eastern Franikan Trading Company's profits and raised it to 45% causing Lux to decline the offer. Lux was out of luck and spent much of his time meandering in the port for the next year, until in 1622 A.T.F Barnes Barclay suddenly departed Reichland and assigned another ex-pirate hunter by the name of Jacob Brigandine to manage his Merchant Empire in his stead.

Jacob Brigandine immediately stepped forward with a new offer, If the Eastern Franikan Trading Company would join the Spiced Empire the Tariff would be set to only 5% of all profits made and the Bardian Armada left behind to manage the Merchant Empire would protect any and all Eastern Franikan Trade ships. The only conditions were, The Eastern Franikan Trading Company would provide ships and assets in any military campaign The Spiced Empire engaged in, and would pledge to defend the Spiced Empire. Lux, feeling as if this would be his last chance to secure a deal came back with one last counter offer. Lux explained he was unable to speak on behalf of the entire Eastern Franikan Trading Company, but the branch he was sent to establish in Reichland was entirely under his control. He pledged that the individual branch of this company and the assets sent too it would be willing to join, and as compensation for the remainder of the company being unable to take this pledge the tariff would be raised on the Eastern Franikan Trading Company's Reichlandian Branch to 20% instead of 5%. Jacob Brigandine accepted and on March the 4th 1623 A.T.F the treaty was ratified.

## ***A Change of Passion and The Battle of The Nova Bataar Strait***

By 1634 A.T.F Lux was now the owner of the Eastern Franikan Trading Company as his father had passed away five years earlier, Lux having spent the last 13 years in Reichland had become very accustomed to the continent and its history. Although Lux had never met many of the major figures from the previous Civil War he had known of their exploits and the pivotal battles of Goldpeaks and Axony. Lux had developed several deep friendships with Tokuda Naro, Jacob Brigandine, Krahmen Vernshina of Nordwind, and Heinrich Liecken of Dethonia. Particularly was the closest with Tokuda, upon Tokuda's arrival in Reichland 1627 A.T.F, the two searched for the Book of Dalguul together after Jacob Brigandine dispatched Lux to assist with Tokuda's quest. Over time Tokuda had grown to love Reichlandia, and convinced Lux that they both had the power to change the continent for the better. As time progressed Lux eventually began to view Reichland as his home rather than Franika, and agreed with Tokuda's sentiments.

Tokuda years prior had succeeded in his initial goals to secure the Book of Dalguul and return it to the Duvans for safe keeping. He now set his eyes on a new task. Tokuda was not interested in returning home to Chinika, the continent was divided and warn torn. The last few years Tokuda had spent in Reichland created love for the continent and its people and Tokuda's was determined to prevent Reichland from turning into was his homeland had become. Tokuda proposed the idea of a Unified Reichlandia to Lux and asked him to negotiate with Jacob Brigandine as their sponsor. Lux at first was reluctant to approach Jacob Brigandine on behalf of Tokuda, but the years spent learning about Reichlandian history and seeing the deteriorating state of the continent pushed Lux to approach Jacob Brigandine. Lux offered that if Jacob Brigandine, and the Merchant Empire, pledged their support to the Re-Unification of Reichland the newly established state would guarantee full autonomy to the Merchant Empire. Not only would the newly established state offer full autonomy, but would also pay a 40% tariff for all trade going through the Southern Passage. To Lux's surprised Jacob Brigandine immediately accepted stating "for a friend who has honored his word to me, i shall honor mine and see your home at peace. For tonight we drink and tomorrow we fight!".

With the support of the of the Spiced Empire, Heinrich Liecken, Tokuda Naro, Krahmen Vernsina of Nordwind, and Lux Voltaire began to assemble a massive Armada to ferry over an army and secure the capitol of Reichlandia from the weakened Yurak Horde. As of 1635 A.T.F the Yurak Hordes power was beginning to fade, their armies in the East failed to subdue The Lords of The East. And although the Yuraks were ruled by a fearless leader known as Jochi Khan, the Yuraks never truly recovered from the loss of Tarkhan Khan or their defeat at The Battle of Axony. Weakened from the Civil War the Yuraks had just exited, the failed Campaigns in the East, and the continued infighting the Yuraks were on the defense. Although the Eastern Sovereign Alliance possessed the strength to defeat the Yuraks, their leader Alexander Clement was consumed by greed and his realm was suffering due to miss management. The only thing preventing an army from the Spiced Empire from laying siege to Reichlandia was a large fleet of Yurak Ships under the command of Vasil Hmelnitiski, son of Ivan Hmelnitiski. The Yuraks re-militarization efforts under Jochi emphasized a great deal on establishing a modernized fleet. This was to avoid the missteps taken at Axony when the Yuraks, under Tarkhan Khan, could do little against Barnes Barclays Armada ferrying in thousands of reinforcements for the Eastern Sovereign Alliance.

The only thing standing in-between the reconquest of Reichlandia was Vasil and his fleet of 2 3rd Rates, 20 4th Rates, 10 5th Rates, 10 6th Rates, and 10 Galleys. In March of 1635 A.T.F the Forces of Tokuda numbered 140,000 Soldiers for the ground invasion, 1 steam ship, 4 3rd Rates, 30 4th Rates, 10 5th Rates ,6 6th rates, 10 Galleys. The two fleets engaged at the Nova Baatar Straight on July the 12th 1635 A.T.F, Lux was present for the battle but spent much of the battle negotiating with Krahmen Vernsina of Nordwind to commit his fleet. Krahmen Vernsina of Nordwind at the beginning of the battle refused to commit to the battle stating it wasn't apart of his contract. Lux spending several hours talking to Krahmen was able to convince him to commit, helping bring the final decisive blow in The Battle of The Nova Baatar Straight.

## ***The Reconquest of Reichlandia***

With the complete annihilation of the Yurak Fleet, and death of Vasil Hmelnitiski the Forces of Tokuda advanced upon the Capitol. Lux never was a fighter and thus stayed behind while the rest of Tokuda's forced faced and defeated the Yuraks securing the capitol. After the reconquest of Reichlandia Lux used as many of his company ships as possible and began ferrying supplies to the city to help with the rebuilding efforts.

## ***Later Life and Death***

After the conclusion of the Second Reichlandian Civil War and Establishment of The Republic of Reichlandia Lux returned to managing The Eastern Franikan Trading Company. For his efforts in the Second Civil War, Lux was allowed to move his company office from Norks Shore to Reichlandia. Lux remained good friends with Tokuda Naro and Jacob Brigandine, though his friendship never recovered with Krahmen Vernsina of Nordwind after his near refusal to participate in The Battle of Norks Shore.

In 1641 A.T.F Lux moved back to Franika, and married a Franikan Woman. Lux had two children, he named the girl Lulu and the son Naro after his good friend Tokuda Naro. Lux would quietly pass away in his sleep on September the 9th 1667 A.T.F and upon request was berried in Reichlandia. His son Naro would become the next owner of The Eastern Franikan Trading Company while his daughter Lulu would become the next Viceroy of the Reichlandian Branch.

## ***Personality***

Lux was known to be a pragmatist and a realist, he was also known to be very caring towards his friend. It was also said Lux was known to be a negotiator oftentimes staving off his anger and resorting to different tactics of negotiations. Lux was known to be determined and well respected amongst the mercantile community.

## ***Appearance***

Lux possessed white skin and stood at 5.5 Feet tall. Lux had brown eyes and short brown hair, lux possessed no mustache and was considered to be lengthy weighing only 130 pounds. He was regarded as having a slimed but well defined face with small ears and a comically large smile. Lux would wear calf-length wool overcoat with his Franikan Styled Leather Boots. In battle he would drape a breast plate over his coat, and would use a Franikan Broadsword alongside a set of Black Power Pistols.