Commodus Bonaparte

> The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
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## Commodus Bonaparte

A sketch of Commodus's visage, as seen on a bounty poster.

## Relations

### Friends

Corvus Creedmoor (deceased)
Ralo Merit (deceased)
Ralf du Nalhard

## Early Life

Commodus Bonaparte was born to his parents Marilyn and Joseph Bonaparte II on an Aedwin Vessel. Joseph was a respected war veteran but also turned into a drunkard; which unfortunately Commodus later began to take root. Marilyn and Joseph's marriage was never stable as Marilyn was forced to marry him by her own house.

Though young Commodus always made her happy, his father would constantly verbally abuse Commodus and Marilyn during drunk tirades, making extravagant claims that god is dead and we killed him, that the world is doomed to collapse in on itself, and that all women were gutter-slut whores. His father would later end up dying under suspicious circumstances on a voyage with his family and a new crew. Following the death in the family, Commodus and Marilyn's life proceeded to struggle until he decided at the age of 16 to become a sailor for the Navy, aspiring to explore and conquer unseen lands. Starting as a poop-decker scrubber, Commodus slowly became a prominent member of the ship he had been stationed on, eventually becoming the Captain of it. Following his promotion, at the age of 18, Marilyn would pass away with Commodus by her side, telling the young Commodus to not be afraid of speaking up in what he believes in. Marilyn's death left the aspiring Captain distraught, leading into his alcohol-fueled-frenzy expeditions.

## Seafarer Career

Commodus began his early career as a Seafarer doing basic maintenance work for the ship but ended up becoming the captain of The Darwin, his own vessel. Commodus has been to a variety of locations and unique civilizations along his career, meeting Lauchette Rebels on their Isles, claiming to have had a near-death experience with a sea monster, trading with the Winterlands, ~~and raping indigenous people along the way.~~ Commodus was respected by his men but was eccentric depending on whether he was sober or not. This later led to him nearly getting lost at Sea and losing three good men along the way. Commodus would grieve the lost of his men and feel more like a failed leader than a ship Captain, having only two of his crew left. The Vessel made many stops at unknown islands along the way, mapping them out, and discovering some untouched territory along the way that would be pillaged for resources to aid their survival. Commodus, after months of getting used to the sea, thrill, and survival finally led The Darwin back to Aedwin after months since they originally set out on the expedition. Though had learned a lot, taken and traded a lot, he felt guilty for the death of his men. This is where Commodus and his drinking habits begin to get out of control.

## Debut

Commodus had returned from his expedition to a new King, being absent during the death of the previous king of Aedwin. Even with a new king, one thing was for sure; Commodus a changed man for the worst by him being lost at sea for so long, his alcohol-frenzy was at it's peak as a coping mechanism to deal with the pain of losing half his crew, eventually meeting others and openly insulting King Geoffrey, forgetting common Aedwinian courtesy. This eventually led to a confrontation outside the bar where peasants surrounded the King, leading to Geoffrey assembling Aedwin Forces and exiling a select few who followed Commodus, along with himself. Commodus, being exiled with a few others, began building a relationship with his new found companions and head to Hallengard to drink and preach about Geoffrey's claimed treachery. This led to a crowd of people fear-mongering in Hallengard which brought Geoffrey and Aedwin Guards to Hallengard in an attempt to apprehend Commodus and his followers. Commodus willingly brought himself to the Aedwinian Guards at the castle which led to him being taken to Aedwin, while his new-found followers showed unmatched loyalty to Commodus, attempting to rescue him while being told to stop by Commodus himself. Commodus Bonaparte was put on a leash and led to Aedwin by the Bishop, constantly being physically abused by Oscar on the way to determine his fate. King Geoffrey offered Commodus a second-chance to become a man of god and to listen to the Bishop, the same person who had been leading him like an animal this whole time. Bonaparte told the king to, *"Go stick that sword up yer arse, I'd rather die than be forced into submission!"*

Commodus Bonaparte was let off the leash and taken to the gallows of the Aedwin Port following the escape of the others who had followed him, making Commodus pay for the peasants running for their lives. Commodus was hung and publically executed in Aedwin...

...except no. By an unreal miracle, Commodus had survived being hung by still yet unknown means, possibly because he wasn't bound, or he willingly surrendered his weapons to build trust and could've kept something to aid his escape. Following his unexpected survival, bloody and seeking vengeance, Commodus walked into the Aedwin Bar and initiated a physical altercation with Bishop Oscar, knocking him in the face to start it. The fight spiraled outside the Bar where the two were split up, both men being clearly hurt bad. King Geoffrey would be visibly dumbstruck by Commodus Bonaparte's survival, seeing him standing before him on the land of the living. This has not been the first time Commodus has escaped near-certain death.

## New Beginnings

Commodus would sit on the street with the Bishop, surrounded by many others, relishing the blood that surrounds him. He would put his hand on his head and begin to realize what he has "*"unintentionally""* caused. Commodus Bonaparte proclaimed to the King, *"I returned from my lost-cause expedition believing it had been here that changed, but I realize it was me who has changed.."* before King Geoffrey followed up his comment with, "*We have all changed."*

Months following the events, Commodus would spend less time on seasmen expeditions and more on developing a new safe haven for settlers or those who are exhausted with living in Aedwin's capital with crummy conditions at the time. Commodus finally felt like he knew his purpose in life, developing bonds and friendships from Fort Merit, unfortunately this would all change with another significant tragedy in his personal life.

### Ralo Merit's death

Ralo Merit and Commodus formed a brother-like relationship after a competition on who could find the Holy Grail first, being stunningly defeated by Ralo singlehandedly. Ralo was discovered in a discreet storage room dead by 'suicide' by a crowd at Aedwin, notably his belongings and gold being missing. Ralo Merit's death is shrouded in eerie and endless speculation, considering this was the same time Oscar Bishop's Faith Militant was established after an angry mob that Ralo was involved in swarmed him following a public burning.

#### The Fall of Fort Merit

Commodus would relapse and his trust at an all-time low with Aedwin, this idea was only fueled further when Fort Merit was burned down by The Duchess as a result of Geoffery refusing to duel The Duchess. Commodus was grieving and very vulnerable during these times, being swayed and taken advantage of by King Adrelias during the War of Pretenders, further ruining his reputation in Aedwin. Commodus realized he had been manipulated during the waning days of the conflict, refusing to participate with Adrelias and his assault on Aedwin. During these times, Commodus heavily relied on his support group and internal trade network to finance himself for his future endeavors, developing a cult-following over the years since his failed execution. Commodus wouldn't return to Fort Merit for months until he showed up with a militant to rebuild and defend, willing to fight Aedwin if need be. After discussions between the Kingdom and redeveloped Fort, Commodus bounty was revoked.

## Resolution

Commodus and his militant is composed of former Caerdrys soldiers who defected against the Duke along with an ethnic mix of Hallengardians and Aedwinians. During his endeavors in Caerdrys, Commodus would meet a man who shared the same sense of ambition and loyalty, **Corvus Creedmore.** Commodus would trust Corvus as his successor, leaving on a great journey to rediscover himself and strengthen his foothold inside and outside The Hales by significantly increasing the amount of sister colonies Fort Merit controls. Commodus would be gone for 2-3 years, going across the world and making riches unimaginable to any humble peasant.