Admiral the Viscount Auda abu Iskander III

Steward of the Ayodha March and Protector of Vargo

Age: 47 / Spring 4961
Height: Just over seven and a half span
Weight: Eleven stone and change
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black, gone to grey

Naval Nickname: Iron Iskander

Device: A Star of Vergina or

Description and Personality

A one-armed man who cannot be described as tall, Iskander has short black hair and thoughtful eyes. He tends to alternate between relaxed and energetic, and has a reputation for having a furious temper that is easy to provoke.

He is a well-known lecher, and his parties are renowned for debauchery and excess - but by the same token, he has undertaken an ambitious program of political reform, returning elected councils to much of his lands, freeing his serfs and otherwise acting quite, well, Republican. The Admiral has been known to take the occaisonal drink.

Brief History

Born the son of a Criticorumi count, Iskander's father disappeared when the boy was six, and his mother moved to Istakhr to become a lady-in-waiting to a duchess there. Iskander was raised in the court of the Duke of Afid until he was twelve, when his mother bought him a midshipman's berth in the al-Malik surface navy.

He served on Istakhr in the early part of the Emperor Wars, meeting and marrying his first wife, the Lady Jasmeena, niece to Baron Afil al-Malik, the governor of Pandemonium. They had children - Auda, the eldest, and then Zahira, Aziza and Raha - though Iskander was only rarely at home, having advanced in the navy and been sent to Madoc to serve in the al-Malik fleet there.

In 4986, he was captured by the Hazat in a naval engagement, just as his wife was struck by the cholera. His captor took a political risk and released him, allowing him to return to his wife before she died - and then he was back at sea.

Iskander was a commodore by 4990, commanding part of the line at the Battle of Sunval Bay, a naval clash taking place off the coast of the far more famous battle of Sunval. He lost his arm fighting a Don Furio there, his arch-enemy, but carried the day and was made a Viscount in reward.

The end of the Emperor Wars saw Iskander back in the Duke of Afid's court, commanding an offshore squadron and raising his family until he was promoted Admiral - but an admiral without a squadron, left on half-pay because Istakhr sons filled all the worthwhile berths. He went to Vargo, there to make his fortune.

...and on Vargo he did. He quickly became a senior advisor to the Lady Scarlett, the al-Malik marquessa, and when - heartbroken over the loss of her lover - she retired from public life he stepped to the forefront. A canny politician, the Admiral manuevered to have himself elected Lord Protector, and then successfully lobbied the Emperor to have his term made permanent.

Still, it's clear that Iskander's ambitions do not end on Vargo - it is a stepping stone to something greater, evidenced by the court he has gathered around him, his frequent trips offworld and his clear focus on some still obfuscated prize.

Friends, Family, and Associates

Auda - Iskander's son is perhaps his closest ally, but someone with whom he has a sometimes turbulent relationship. Often, it seems as if the elder Auda feels the younger does not live up to his expectations - and there have been well-publicized rumors of shouting matches, even physical violence between the men. At the same time, however, father and son defend each other unflinchingly in the public eye.

Arie - One of Iskander's chief vassals, Arie is also the commander of his armies. She was once the vassal of Lord Devante, but was 'poached' by Iskander. Iskander seems to invest a great deal of trust in her, even if he sometimes mislikes her war-mongering ways.

Isra - Iskander's ward, Lady Isra seems to bear a resigned dislike for her guardian - and Iskander, for his part, is saddened by the rift between them. Still, he seems to take an interest in her welfare, and she comes frequently to his lips in conversation.

Haroun - Grand Vizier of the March and Iskander's chief advisor, Haroun is a secretive man, close-kept. It is said he and the Admiral knew each other from the wars, and Iskander tends to send Haroun when he needs something done right.

Sauda - Sauda's father was a war buddy of Iskander's, and the marriage between her and Auda arranged. She does not seem to be pleased, and levels much of her dislike for this at Iskander himself.

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Aysel - This courtesan was once mistress of Iskander's seraglio and reputedly one of the Admiral's lovers. Now she is no longer employed in the Serai, but still seems to reside there despite a visible awkwardness between her and he.

Porter - A frequent resident of the Serai, Porter is perhaps Iskander's closest friend and common drinking buddy. Through Porter, Iskander also knows Carnait and Pura, though he is not as close to them.

Alois - The chilly, logical Chancellor is a political ally of Iskander's, though they cannot be said to be friends. It is not clear if anyone is Alois' friend.

Tamara - The Masquer is a common enough visitor to the Serai, though she does not appear to be in Iskander's employ.

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Devante - The Hazat viscount is presently Iskander's Lord Privy Seal, running the planet on a day to day basis - but he is no toady, though he gained that office through al-Malik support. Past and present conflicts give the two's relationship an uneasy cast, though there seems to be public friendship and respect as well as an acknowledgement that both need the other.

Skye - One of Lord Devante's vassals, Lady Skye is a frequent guest, and one that Iskander seems to pay particularly friendly attention to.

Kosar - His son's friend, Kosar is a common enough visitor to the Serai and seems to enjoy a friendly relationship with Iskander.

Shiraku - The Li Halan count, Shiraku is reclusive - but Iskander speaks highly of him, and defends him publically whenever he is slandered.

Euan - The young Lord High Justice has become a sort of protege of Iskander's, a common resident of the Serai and a fixture at court.

Michael - Once, the Viscount Southern Reaches was among Iskander's closest friends - but no longer. Iskander publically calls Michael no friend of his, and though there are purely political connections between them the two have not spoken for months. It is said that Lord Caius is at the heart of this rift.

Caius - Lord Michael's chief vassal, Caius tried to set himself up as ruler of Vargo when Iskander was offworld - and when the al-Malik lord attempted a rapproachment, Caius spurned him. Now, Caius is unquestionably in the crosshairs of the Protector, though political circumstances force a level of dialogue between them.

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Alane - One of Iskander's subjects, Alane has risen far in the service of the Vargen people - but since she was shot, she and Iskander have not spoken once. The distance is curious, and worth remarking upon.

Charese - Iskander's pathfinder, Charese serves as a general thief-taker in the al-Malik lands and lives in the Serai. Her association, however, is clearly far more with Auda than his father.