Old Grizzly: The life of Senator Eirik Baruch

[Drew2_dude 2636]

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@Zanthuz

OLD GRIZZLY:

THE LIFE OF SENATOR EIRIK BARUCH

A Portrait of Eirik Baruch c. 294/1741 E.S.

 

As Authored by: Otto Malcolm Gant @Drew2_dude & Holly Roddam @Piov

Published by: Baruch & Kortrevich Publishing

 

Part of the series, “The Grand Haeseni Statesmen”

 

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EARLY LIFE 

The Kingdom of Haense, 1709. The era of Imperial dominion was coming to an end. Over the next 70 years, 5 monarchs and countless statesmen would reflect the kingdom's somewhat tempestuous transformation from established traditions and reliance upon imperial institutions, to its own territorial expansion of land, increased influence, and burgeoning opportunity.

 

One of those fated statesmen that aided in this transition was the eccentric firebrand, and sergeant-turned-senator, Eirik Baruch (1709). Born to the Count of Ayr, Jan Baruch and his commoner wife Lilliana Kortrevich, Eirik was the younger twin of Sigmar Baruch, the heir apparent of the House. Although he was born into the aristocracy, his early years were marked by hardship rather than privilege. As the second son of a destitute family in financial ruin and disarray, he faced a harsh and unforgiving childhood. At the time of his birth, the House of Baruch was in an abysmal state. Eirik’s grandfather had squandered the family’s wealth and abandoned his responsibilities as Count, fleeing to Aeldin and disappearing without a trace. The family’s reputation suffered even further when they lost their ancestral castle, Greyguard Hold, to the Norlandic pagans. The pagans renamed it Arberrang and used it as their stronghold to launch incursions against the Kingdom of Haense in the Third Atlas Coalition War. Eirik’s father, Jan, a young and ambitious Count, further alienated the House from the Haeseni nobility by neglecting his family and Haeseni duties in favor of titles and honors in the Imperial court.  As a result, Eirik, along with his elder brother Sigmar and younger sister Kamilla, found themselves in the care of their great-grandfather, Marius Baruch, the former Count of Ayr. A man of advanced years, Marius possessed an austere demeanor, exhibiting a stoic and cold-hearted nature that distanced himself from the children. However, amidst their parents' distant pursuits and absenteeism, Marius dutifully assumed the role of educator, shouldering the responsibility of shaping their minds while their parents' focus remained fixated on personal ambitions.

 

The War of Two Emperors (1715), an epochal conflict that reverberated across the lands of Arcas, irrevocably etched its mark upon the lives of the Baruch children. While their parents threw their lot in with Emperor Godfrey II and the Renatians, their great grandfather, a stalwart supporter of the Kingdom of Haense and Emperor Josef Marna's cause, found himself caught in a web of conflicting loyalties. Following Marius Baruch's impassioned plea to King Marius II, a resolution was reached: the Baruch children were granted clemency, safeguarding their ancestral titles, while Marius assumed the mantle of Lord Regent of the County of Ayr until Eirik’s elder brother, Sigmar, came of age. Although the children were spared the full brunt of the war’s fury, they were not untouched by its tragedies.They witnessed the grim fate of their father, Jan, who was executed for treason against the Haeseni Crown upon his capture. Yet, a more intimate terror befell them as their maternal uncle, Rodrik Kortrevich, led a daring raid deep within Haeseni lands. Their stronghold from the war, the Castle of Saint's Rest, fell prey to Emperor Godfrey’s Dragon Knights, who held them captive. Rumor has it that an unnamed Dragon Knight attempted to force the young Eirik to tend to his armor, and in an act of bold defiance the boy refused, spitting at his captor. In a fit of rage, the Dragon Knight slashed his dagger at Eirik, causing a grievous wound on the boy's hand, but rather than succumbing to fear or pain, the boy grinned and challenged the knight for another blow. This fierce confrontation is believed to have sown the seeds of Eirik’s deep-seated enmity toward Heartlanders and Orenians, a bitterness that would endure throughout his life.

 

Saint’s Rest, 1719

 

With the conclusion of the War of Two Emperors in 1721 and the subsequent capitulation of the Kingdom of Haense, a somber veil descended upon the once-mighty northern realm, as it had found itself once more ensnared within the iron grip of the Empire of Renatus, now called the Holy Orenian Empire. At this juncture, Eirik, now a young man, witnessed his brother Sigmar take up the family mantle as Count of Ayr. Amidst the prevailing resentment harbored by the Haeseni people particularly among the nobility, against their Heartland subjugators, the brothers charted divergent paths. Sigmar immersed himself in the complexities of Haeseni politics, striving to restore the family's tarnished reputation within noble circles. Meanwhile, Eirik embraced his role as Captain of the Greyguard, dedicating himself to the protection of Ayr, Haense, and his brother, becoming a formidable warrior. While Sigmar deftly maneuvered to mend the family's standing among the aristocracy, Eirik endeared himself to the common people and soldiers, forging a reputation through heroic feats in tournaments, spirited tavern brawls, and defending the Capital of Reza against marauding bandits alongside the Brotherhood of Saint Karl. Thus, a clear dichotomy emerged: Sigmar’s rise within the echelons of nobility contrasted with Eirik’s growing resonance among the commoners and soldiers, each brother leaving a distinct mark on the unfolding tapestry of Haeseni history.

 

DUMA CAREER

In 1733, a transformative chapter unfolded in Eirik’s life. With Sigmar’s elevation to the esteemed role as Lord Speaker of the Royal Duma and Sir Terrence May's voluntary withdrawal from politics after a brief and arduous term as Lord Palatine, the Baruch family's seat within the chamber lay unoccupied. This created a notable shift, ushering Eirik, previously celebrated for his martial prowess, into the realm of political affairs at Sigmar's behest. As the impartial presiding figure, Sigmar relinquished overt participation in the impassioned debates that consumed the chamber, clandestinely lending support to the Feudalist Bench—a faction he had a hand in founding—which championed noble autonomy against the Centralist Bench's push for greater aulic council authority. For Eirik, this marked an initiation into the political sphere after carving a reputation as a formidable warrior.

 

Within the venerable halls of the Duma, Eirik embraced his family’s feudalist legacy, his oratory distinguished by a blunt, at times abrasive, style that fiercely challenged opposing views. A defining moment etched in Duma history emerged when Eirik, provoked by insults hurled at his kin, engaged in a duel with Siegmund Corbish. His decisive victory not only earned him respect, but also admiration within the chambers of the Duma. Despite accruing favor among the commoners for his unvarnished discourse resonating with their sentiments, Eirik's tenure in the Duma proved short lived, as he eventually rejected his brother's entreaties to continue representing the family's interests within the chamber, echoing the disillusionment that often beset those who sought to navigate the intricate and treacherous corridors of political intrigue.

 

Map of Humanity, Arcas circa. 1724

 

MILITARY SERVICE

In the fateful year of 1740, the Rubern War, a dreadful chapter in the chronicles of Haeseni history, unfurled its grim tapestry, coinciding with Eirik's withdrawal from the political corridors of the Royal Duma. Immersed in the fervor of the war effort, he charted a remarkable course, formally enlisting in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl and rapidly ascending to the rank of Sergeant and officer. Under the directive of Lord Palatine Markus Kortrevich, Eirik was entrusted with the defense of the northern realms, including his own County of Ayr, the County of Nenzing, and the ancient Duchy of Carnatia—formerly the County of Graiswald—each governed by the venerable Stafyr and Vyronov houses.

 

Though initially assigned what seemed a peripheral duty, Eirik redefined the war's narrative through audacious raids that spanned the vast waters separating Haeseni lands from the adversarial domain of Suffonia, a formidable member of the Alliance of Independent States. His bold strategies and relentless assaults earned him the moniker "Ol' Grizzly,'' a tribute to both his family's heraldic bear and his ferocious tactics against the Archduchy of Suffonia. As the war drew to a close, Eirik’s strategic prowess had secured vast swaths of Suffonian territory, a feat celebrated with fervor by his devoted soldiers but sowing discord within Haeseni aristocracy, particularly among the Crown's aulic council.

 

Notably, figures such as the former Lord Palatine Konrad Stafyr and Lord Marshal Prince Otto-Sigmar Alimar, stalwarts of the Centralist faction, and even his former ally, the Palatine-turned Imperial Senator, Terrence May, quietly leveled allegations of ambitious insubordination by Eirik, drawing ire from the elite circles upon him. Lord Marshal Alimar, in particular, was vocal in his condemnation, asserting, “Eirik may bask in the fleeting glory of his conquests, but let us not be deceived. His actions are not driven by honor but by a ravenous greed for recognition. His insubordination and relentless ambition are a stain upon the very fabric of our realm, a testament to his ruthless desire to eclipse those who rightfully stand above him. In his quest for personal glory, he has shown himself a dangerous contender, willing to undermine the stability of our governance for his own vainglorious ends.” Despite these severe criticisms, Eirik emerged as a war hero and a beacon of adoration among the feudalist families, the commonfolk, and the valiant soldiers, further impressing his enigmatic and polarizing legacy within the annals of Haeseni history.

 

THE ELECTION OF 1750 & IMPERIAL SENATE CAREER

In the waning years of the Rubern War, circa 1748, Eirik Baruch, having briefly retreated to the peaceful confines of his ancestral home in the Duchy of Valwyck—formerly the County of Ayr—was once again drawn from his solitude. This resurgence sprouted from a grassroots movement spearheaded by former soldiers under his command and fervent supporters from his tenure in the Royal Duma, urging Eirik to contend for the coveted Junior seat in the Imperial Senate. This position, recently vacated by the retiring Senator Siguine Ruthern, was crucial for articulating Haeseni grievances against the encroaching centralization of the Orenian Empire.

 

Rumors suggested that this grassroots campaign was orchestrated in part by Eirik’s brother, the newly appointed Duke Sigmar Baruch, in collaboration with the influential Senior Senator Terrence May, though May’s public endorsement remained elusive, hinting at unresolved tensions between Eirik and the Senator. Reluctantly persuaded by his brother’s urging, Eirik embarked on a campaign meticulously orchestrated by Haeseni political juggernauts, Sigmar and May. Opposition arose in the form of Selrik of the Wick family, historical rivals of House Baruch, fostering animosity stemming from a feud over an old noble title centuries ago.

 

The contentious campaign reached a crescendo when Eirik, labeled a "bastard" and a "traitor" by Selrik Wick, challenged him to a duel—a rare display of nobility confronting a commoner, a spectacle unprecedented at the time. Wick’s refusal to engage damaged his reputation and eroded his support, propelling Eirik into the limelight as the leading candidate, culminating in his resounding victory and ascension as Haense's third Junior senator in Imperial history. Eirik’s win marked the beginning of his Imperial political journey, firmly dedicated to defending Haense’s autonomy against the tide of imperial centralization. With his election secured, Eirik addressed his supporters with a powerful oration: “I stand as the antithesis of what the Imperials deem ‘progress.’ I am the unyielding wall against which their ambitions crash, and I shall not be the one to crumble.” This bold pronouncement inspired the Haeseni audience, igniting fervent approval among his supporters and sending ripples of disdain and paranoia through the ranks of Heartlander politicians that would soon be his colleagues in the senate.

 

A portrait of the members of the Imperial Senate, circa 1752. Eirik Baruch poses in the front row on the right.

 

In the wake of his resounding victory in the election of 1750, Eirik Baruch, embarked upon his inaugural—and unbeknownst to him, sole—term as Junior Senator, found himself thrust into a sphere directly opposed to his accustomed northern environs. The Imperial Capital of Helena, a symbol of opulence and ostentation, stood in stark contrast to the austere and unpretentious air of New Reza, Haense’s own Capital. The city's vibrant pulse, replete with powdered wigs, ornate garments, and embellished speech, clashed with the raw honesty and directness he held dear. The Senate, too, proved a disparate arena from the Royal Duma, where political maneuvering, florid rhetoric, and adherence to decorum reigned supreme—a far cry from the fervent debates and confrontations that characterized the Duma.

 

Terrence May, the esteemed Senior Senator, sought to guide his junior partner Eirik into the intricate tapestry of Heartlander politics, albeit met with vehement opposition from the staunchly traditionalist Haeseni noble. Eirik's unwavering refusal to adapt to the Heartlander scene, shunning diplomatic airs and the indulgence of Helena's revelry, sowed discord among his Senate peers. His unyielding adherence to his blunt and confrontational style sparked heated disputes within the Senate chambers, alienating him from fellow senators. Steadfastly disdaining the lavish balls and gatherings, Eirik's swift departure from Helena upon the Senate's adjournment stood as a testament to his profound disconnection from the opulent and contrived atmosphere of Imperial politics, a stance that garnered resentment and scorn from the Senate establishment.

 

During his contentious tenure within the Imperial Senate, Eirik Baruch emerged as a polarizing figure, unyielding in his pursuit of policies aimed at fortifying workers' rights and advocating for the formation of unions alongside stringent child labor laws. A stalwart defender of vassal nations' autonomy, he fervently opposed Imperial taxation on Haense's personal peerage, rallying against what he perceived as imperial overreach. His resolute resistance to elven rights manifested most notably in his vehement opposition to the nomination of Valandos Elverhilin, an elf, to the exalted position of the Imperial Supreme Court, an act that ultimately led to the elf's defeat during the nomination period.

 

Despite his conservative stance on issues, Eirik found an unexpected adversary in Kaedreni Senator Arthur Callahan, their mutual enmity often erupting into threats of duels, symbolic of the deep-seated animosity between them despite shared committee memberships. His antagonistic disposition extended to the Basrid Ministry, drawing ire from prominent figures such as the kin of the Archchancellor, the Senior Senator of Helena Cyrus Basrid, along with the Junior Senator William Napier. Eirik's scathing epithets stuck Napier with the moniker "the Bulldog" for his distinctive mutton chop facial hair and large jowls. He also held great disdain for the Curonian delegation, particularly with their senior senator, Vivaca Rutledge. He viewed her politics as a product of ethnic Southeron and Curonian backwardness, tinged with what he perceived as an insufferable progressive and identity-based rhetoric.

 

During one particularly heated session in the Senate, Eirik delivered a scathing rebuke to his opponents: "Ah, the esteemed delegates from Helena and Curon, with their grandiose speeches and posh garments, ever so eager to proclaim their 'progressive' ideals. They prattle on about aiding the people, yet I wonder, have any of them ever dirtied their hands in true service? Just this week, I was out with the fishermen of Valwyck, helping to haul in their nets. Tell me, noble senators, when was the last time any of you ventured beyond your marble halls and did the same for the common folk you claim to represent?"

 

Eirik's unapologetic stance against Imperial authority and his relentless defense of Haense's autonomy fostered a contentious reputation in Helena, painted as a hardline Haeseni figure straddling the line of sedition, yet revered by his constituents—a divide that stoked paranoia and dismay among the Helena Elite.

 

His core policies coalesced around staunchly defending Haense's sovereignty, opposing vassal taxation, advocating for minimal commodity regulation, and ardently championing Canonist principles while vehemently opposing elven rights—a turbulent tenure that left an indelible mark on the fraught relationship between the Kingdom of Haense and its overlords in the Imperial Capital. His vote against tobacco tariffs, for example, reflected both a personal and regional interest. As a heavy smoker, Eirik was acutely sensitive to policies that raised prices on his preferred brand of Alpine Cigarettes, a local brand which was founded as part of Valwyck’s incipient tobacco trade economy. However, his motivation also may have stemmed from his desire to defeat legislation that he believed favored Kaedreni interests which, at the time, was a premier hub for Orenian tobacco commerce.

 

Eirik's vehement aversion towards elves was a potent undercurrent of his political tenure in the Senate. While the culture in Helena pivoted towards multicultural integration, welcoming elves into the societal fabric, the sentiment in Haense remained steeped in discomfort and, for some, outright enmity. Eirik emerged as a staunch opponent to the inclusion of elves within the Imperial government, vociferously contesting their nominations, notably in the case of the Supreme Court where he staunchly refused to approve their appointments. His vehement opposition also extended to societal reforms, notably challenging the ban on clipping elf ears—a stance that positioned him in direct opposition to his more moderate colleague Terrence May, who, in contrast, supported the measure. Despite the lack of clarity surrounding the genesis of Eirik's disdain, his unyielding stance against elf integration and his strident opposition within the  Senate solidified his role as a polarizing figure within Imperial politics, perpetuating a deep-seated rift between the diverging constituent cultures of Haense and the progressive currents prevailing in Helena.

 

As Eirik's first senatorial term drew to a close in the year 1754, the specter of re-election loomed enticingly on the horizon. Urged by his brother Sigmar and buoyed by fervent supporters, a grand celebratory feast was held in Valwyck. The festivities spiraled out of control however, prompting the brothers' stealthy departure from Valstadt Castle to seek refuge in the Ekaterinburg Palace in New Reza for the night, graciously offered by the Royal Family. Though the air was filled with jubilation, an undercurrent of political turmoil simmered beneath the surface. Eirik had incurred the wrath of both the Haeseni elite and the aristocracy of Helena—a divisive figure whose return to the Senate raised apprehension among the powerful in both camps.

 

Unknown machinations, woven in the shadows, sought to thwart Eirik's Senate comeback. Whispers abounded of the Imperial government's desire to rid themselves of the Haeseni firebrand or perhaps the influential Lord Regent, Prince Otto Sigmar Alimar, dubbed the 'Muldav Menace' by his foes, who sought a more pliable senator to bend to his will. Thus, as Eirik sought refuge in the palace, the fate of his political future hung precariously in the balance, a testament to the fraught and treacherous landscape of Humanity’s politics.

 

RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN OF 1754

The unexpected entry of Sir Konrad Stafyr, second son of the revered Palatine Leopold Stafyr, a figure venerated for his valor in the War of Two Emperors and the penning of the Nenzing Proclamation, intensified the rivalry. Sir Konrad, a figure known for his political prowess and moderate stance, stood in stark contrast to Eirik in every conceivable way. Raised among the upper echelons of Haeseni nobility, the young Stafyr was educated privately and was afforded diplomatic and historical training. Moreover, Sir Konrad’s more bookish and academic approach to geopolitics starkly contrasted Eirik’s realist views and approaches in the spheres of domestic and foreign affairs.

 

Despite lacking the grassroots fervor of Eirik's campaign, Konrad wielded substantial clout due to his family's esteemed legacy, his own service as a former Palatine and Speaker, and his alliances within the Imperial and Haeseni political spheres. The contentious election erupted into a mudslinging battle, with endorsements sought from the influential Senior Senator Terrence May, who remained conspicuously neutral. May’s detachment was mainly to the detriment of his lifelong friends in the Baruch family whom he lived with. This added to the overall tension of the race.

 

When the results were announced in favor of Konrad Stafyr by a mere two-points, whispers of corruption tainted the victory. Eirik swiftly launched a brief lawsuit to contest the election results, a move exacerbated by the refusal of the Imperial Office of Civil Affairs to grant recount requests. The discovery of unmarked ballots in the office of the deceased Prince Otto Alimar years later only deepened the suspicions of the race being tampered with by major political figures. Thus concluded Eirik's senatorial career, marred by allegations of interference and a profound sense of injustice that resonated deeply within the Haeseni populace and the Baruch family.

 

JUDICIAL CAREER

Following Eirik Baruch's contentious defeat in the senatorial race, an unexpected development occurred which sought to soothe the fractious Haeseni political landscape. The Aulic government, in a bid to placate him, nominated Eirik for a judicial seat, entrusting him with the oversight of civil and criminal matters within Haense. This appointment received unanimous approval from the Imperial Senate, despite the prevailing animosity and whispered fears and paranoia surrounding him.

 

Reluctantly assuming the position at his brother Sigmar's insistence, Eirik embarked on his judicial tenure with an unyielding and embittered demeanor. His reputation for delivering severe judgments and his predisposition to impose the harshest sentences became legendary. Operating under the belief that all were culpable until proven innocent, his tenure on the bench was marked by an iron-fisted approach to justice.

 

His tenure on the bench persisted until 1786, a pivotal juncture marked by the Edict of Separation—a historic event culminating in Haense's emancipation from the Novellan Empire, driven by years of fraught relations and the populace's fervent quest for greater autonomy. Eirik's tumultuous political journey, defined by his unyielding stance in Haeseni autonomy, played an instrumental role in paving the path to Haense's desired freedom. His resolute representations within the Imperial sphere ultimately contributed significantly to the fulfillment of Haense's yearning for autonomy and sovereignty.

 

A painting of a fisherman whaling off the Valwyck coast, 1780

 

LATER LIFE & LEGACY

Eirik’s post-independence years unfolded in a quieter, albeit turbulent, manner. Initially called upon to serve as a judge—termed Jovenaar in the New Marian vernacular—he reluctantly accepted the position following his brother's prodding once again, seeking respite from his tumultuous past. However, the mundane routine eventually wearied him, and at the venerable age of 80, he chose to retire in Valwyck, aspiring to relish his twilight years unfettered by responsibility or familial pressures. In his final days, Eirik found solace in pursuits such as whaling, fishing, and indulging in spirits, his days fading into a haze of indulgence. 

 

Yet, his reflections harbored lingering resentments, notably towards his children from a loveless union thrust upon him by political machinations orchestrated by his brother and the Duke of Carnatia, Karl Vyronov. In a startling revelation during inebriated confessions, Eirik confessed to orchestrating the demise of his wife, assuming the guise of Scyfling mercenaries—an act that he, remorselessly, never regretted. His final musings hinted at a trail of undisclosed affairs and of bastards born of women met in the tavern, their names and faces accompanying him to the grave.

 

In 1812 at the age of 103, Eirik Baruch passed away peacefully, consigned to the familial crypts, his funeral attended solely by his immediate family, his once-grand legacy fading into obscurity. A peculiar footnote adorned his service, as his pet parrot, Blabberbeak, adopted during his tenure as a Jovenaar, disrupted proceedings with an unending barrage of profanity, compelling an unceremonious removal. Eirik Baruch's legacy endures, remembered for his unwavering dedication to political and militant service, and his indomitable spirit in challenging imperial hegemony.

 

Edited August 23, 2024 by Drew2_dude

[gavyn 1362]

Siegmund Wick, of the anything but common house of Wick, once Maer of the city of Reza, Baron of Kerzenwick, nephew of Selrik, and enemy of Baruch, shakes his fist at the sky. "Curse the green eyes!" He'd shout, the published memoir crumpled up in his other hand.

[Security_ 2287]

An ancient Haeseni sat within his library, reading over the excerpt by candlelight. Closing the tome with a plume of dust, the book was returned to the fiction section where it would rest forevermore. 
 

“Where do they get this stuff?”

[yopplwasupxxx 5946]

very cool +1