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Alexander I, Margrave of Farland

His Honor, Alexander I, Margrave of Farland and Lucernya, first Margrave of the House of Manticore. Was born Alexander Manticore on 4 Epsulon 2756 (Old Imperial Calendar) to Sir Jairus Manticore, the Scion of an old knightly family and Ishara Leuwin, a daughter of a prominent Grellen landowner. Manticore was born in Orienburg on the Kratka, a small town in the Northwestern District, south of Seporin, where his father was the district Arkhon.

Early Life

Alexander of Manticore's mother died shortly after giving birth to him, and he was raised Althek, a nurse who was a full-blooded Grellen. In later life, the future Margrave of Farland would credit his love of folklore and mythology to his nurse's stories of the lore and traditions of his native land. Sir Jairus Manticore also paid for the tutoring services of a then-obscure scholar, Armethius Sabedoria, (Future Master of the Imperial University at Imrhaven) who would instruct the young Alexander, in history, mathematics, and the sciences. Sabedoria would later note that the young Manticore was an apt student, who worked hard and was filled with boundless curiosity. While Sir Jairus' duties as the local Arkhon took time away from his son, he remained a presence in his life, and as soon as he became old enough, would take him on long rides through the Valley of the Kratka, from which the young Alexander would later claim he gained his love for Geography in general, and the geography of Farland in particular.

Rumors of Parentage

Alexander of Manticore was born some 6 months after his parents marriage in 2755, shortly after his mother's hasty return from the Imperial Capital of Thoriana, where she had been studying dance. The unnaturally short pregnancy, combined with the absence of Sir Jairus from Thoriana during his son's conception, suggests that he was not the father. While no definitive proof has been offered, later rumors suggest that Ishara Leuwin was one of several victims of Prince Vladimir Ballantin, a patron of the Imperial schools of dance, whose rapacious nature was notorious during the period. As Ballantin was also notorious for forcing the abortion of any potential bastards he sired, (with the potential silencing of the mother as well through "complications") Leuwin's flight back to Farland may have been seen as an act of preservation, not only for her child, but for herself as well. While Sir Jairus Manticore never openly discussed the situation, it appears that he was well aware of the situation, and willingly agreed to marrying Ishara, his childhood friend, in order to protect her honor and her child. Despite Alexander's uncertain parentage, Sir Jairus was, by all accounts an attentive and loving father, who was idolized by his son. Indeed, it was Sir Jairus' distinguished record in the Armies of the Northern Star (the Military forces of the Old Empire's Northern Viceroyality) that inspired Alexander to enroll in the Imperial Academy at the age of sixteen.