⸻ to walk aside your favor. i'm an astuary king. i'll keep in a cave, your comfort and all. unburdened and becoming / holy roman emperor maxilian habsburg for fortuneshq . ⸻ statistics , introduction .
Experience of a certain kind lay before Maximilian, on no narrow scale; Paris was a cosmopolitan city, and its current inhabitants from every nation, and likewise varied in rank of life. His mind was a good deal bent on success - Maximilian could not bear the thought of being baffled or outwitted by the the undisciplined and indocility of lesser minds present. Wishing to get a more definite idea of his companions, whose positions seem to him insecure or overconfident, he requested them to favour him with a personal visit; they gathered now in his apartment, each come to flourish and display thier best charms. "I thank you for accepting my invitation -- I have no doubt you received numerous requests for an audience, and took great care in delegating your time." The Emperor's expectant, sober look never waned; rather, it intensified.
"I take pleasure in remarking upon the weather or the finery displayed in my hosts grand halls, but I believe us both to be above small talk; shall we be direct? I wish to speak on matters of greater importance and urgency -- my own curiosity, being the finest motivator. What is your greatest hope for this glorious summit? Is it friendship, perhaps? A quest, of a personal nature; or something else entirely, you are not disposed to readily share?"
The colour blue engulfs them, each wall and floor is lined with the carpet of French Royal blood, every corner glittering with wall hangings or bunches of forget-me-nots, bluebells and irises pinched into pouches to keep the smell of the Seine away. To someone more attuned to the ocean, perhaps one would think of the coast as the colour follows your person around the stone laden Hotel Saint-Pol — but Philip, born to the valleys of Aachen, had rarely ever been lucky enough to see the sea first hand. Indeed, though he had come to follow his father or lead squadrons within the Reichasarmee, his travels had never quite lead him to the coast — of which, within the Holy Roman Empire’s control, were few and far between unless you were to travel Southwards towards Italy, where tensions grew against the burning Kingdom of Naples.
“It is quite something —,” he remarked in French, then finding himself somewhat thankful for the tutor who had pressed upon the young Prince that if one was to succeed to his father’s own throne, that one was to learn the languages of Europa without hesitation. “They evidently know how to express such splendour to the rest of us — though I wonder if this is merely the surface with little substance. What do you think?” He asked, turning to another wanderer of those halls
"The French pride themselves on decadence and excess; without it, they would have little to offer. If such funds were diverted to matters of importance, I would mark them as true equals." The French court had for Maximilian a novelty; a peculiar and enticing charm. How much of it lay in the fineries diffused about him, he knew not; the King and his bevy of queens shone for all in their finest moods, contending animatedly with their guests, as kind to them as if they were kin. Wherever drapery hung, or cushions placed, the sole colour employed was a deep blue. The French adored their chandeliers; ablaze with stars, sparkling with facets, fragments of rainbows shivered across walls -- they hovered above the lustrous and perfumed atmosphere, a looming wondrous treasure. Maximilian owned an acute sensitiveness to his sons temperament, to what aggravated and delighted him; he looked upon his son, a well-drawn, handsome figure, disposed to goodness as any prince aught to be. "Still, we would do well to embrace our hosts, and perhaps be an example to them; but I wish to turn my eye to the delegations present, not seeking gold and men, to further thankless pursuits of the crown - China is a jewel, is it not ? We would do well to meet them in friendship."
(maximilian habsburg – john david washington – 43 – holy roman emperor) welcome MAXIMILIAN HABSBURG. you hail from THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE and have been risen to the position of EMPEROR. you are a member of the house of HABSBURG and will go down in history as the JUDICIOUS. though you are VENGEFUL & , MYOPIC you are blessed with being DEVOTED and PRUDENT. [juno – 21+ – she/her– none– gmt] ♱
BIOGRAPHY
Maximillian knew greatness would always come to him; born to strong bloodlines in the heart of the Empire, he had little doubt he would become Emperor - the election process, being a mere formality; his parents primed him for the throne from the moment he was born. Max honors his parents in all that he does -- he is superemely proud of his family and stellar lineage.
Serious and studious from a young age, Maximilian is prodigious in his biblical studies, and nearly zealous in his beliefs (a very important note that he loves his faith but in no way believes it superior; he believes himself a defender of all faith, for otherwise we would all fall to hedonism)
The empire is everything to him -- its prosperity and might, a deeply personal cause; he believes all failures and triumps, are his presonally. Max is prudent and cautious -- he does not readily leap into battle or conflict, and seeks peace above all other things; he is aware of his power, and more so, of how easily a man can lose his crown. He has watched English kings come and go -- his Empire is more tediously strung together, govening different people and cultures; should he become unpopular, his reign would be greatly challenged.
Intelligent, affable, softly-spoken to some, and an ardent quoter of scripctures and philosophers, Max is eager to share and learn from the delegations in Paris; if he had not been born a man of the Empire, born to rule, he would have happily been a scholar.
Max has a close relationship with the Pope and Rome -- he sends letters so often, the Pope undoubtedly rolls his eyes when he receives another; but the relationship on the surface, is wholly united and strong.
His sons marriage is a promising one, and his empire stands at new heights, as he enters Paris; Max believes himself at an advantageous position, one that will allow him to pick and choose alliances that greatly favor him; he wishes to forge bonds with the east, and create further opportunity for trade and friendships. He does not wish to become involved in others petty squabbles -- unless those who plead their causes, are able to to persuade him their victory, will be echoed in the Holy Roman Empire.
HEADCANONS
he loved his first wife, and conducted a prolonged state of mourning; but he was eager to be wed again, once the worst of his grief has passed -- he knows he may not father further heirs, but his second wife is as dear to him as the first. he is loyal and believes firmly in the power of marriage
max is far more involved with this son than most royal parents of the era; he has had a large hand in his sons education and tutoring, and believes his son as the divine heir to his empire
WANTED CONNECTIONS
Foreign allies, friends, etc - diplomacy aside, max is an engaging figure, and seeks to make the summit a personal success, as well as a political one; he deeply hopes to form friendships with likeminded figures ; perhaps they both enjoy archival work, share notions on god, religion, etc or eat cakes and vibes
trade partners, diplomatic ties -- the empire has vast and has a lot to offer; likewise, there is plenty they lack, and max wishes to strengthen the HRE through new diplomatic ties
enemies of the empire - for whatever reason, your character detests the empire; being the figurehead, it is impossible for it not to lead back to disliking max; he is a patient man, but would bristle at those who oppose him
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