Ignavia

Emperor Ignavia 'The Sybarite' was the 107th Emperor of Baz, and the last to hold that title without dispute. While Ignavia receives much of the blame for Baz's fall, giving the events leading up to the collapse the name 'Ignavia's Disgrace', Emperor Ignavia was actually one of the most beloved emperor's in Baz's long history for most of his 24 year reign to some, particularly the commoners. A famous hedonist, patron of the arts, and voice of the times, Ignavia seemed possessed by an unparalleled charisma which fascinated his people, but came with an equally unparalleled impetuousness which infuriated much of the imperial nobility. His whole reign was marked by a constant struggle between Ignavia's thirst for life and love versus his adviser's desires to rein in his recklessness and preserve the dignity of his office. Common imperial shenanigans included: The constant use of imperial funds to throw lavish parties of a city-gripping scale, typically reserved for major celebrations of imperial significance, in honor of minor nobility, exotic foreigners, or even interesting commoners who caught his attention for their art, words, or fortune; appearing at events far beneath his station without warning, often in disguise (occasionally as a woman); promoting commoners to nobility on a whim (along with an assignment of title and property or salary); radical increases in funding to all forms of entertainment and public art, including gladiatorial tournaments, theater, architecture, and schools for the arts and humanities; appearing at schools for the arts without warning, often in disguise, to attend or teach classes and debate masters; innumerable affairs with nobility and commoners alike, single and married alike as well, and men and women also; appearing personally in negotiations far beneath his concern or involvement, occasionally with outright enemies of the empire, without warning, never in disguise, to settle disagreements with staggering success.

Eventually, after over two decades of effort, his advisors, senators, and family finally succeeded in convincing Ignavia that his conduct was inappropriate for an Emperor of Baz, however, rather than change his behavior, Ignavia simply abdicated his throne, without warning, launching the Empire into its collapse. Ignavia himself remained rather passive throughout 'Ignavia's Disgrace', taking no side and leveling little influence in the civil war between his brother, Cnaeus, and cousin, Junius. When the Arch-Heirophant attempted to hand him back the reins of the Empire, assuming this chaos to have been Ignavia's intention to prove himself the necessary and right ruler of Baz, he refused without a given reason.

Ignavia was in Thedra during its sack by the marshlanders, though his fate is unknown, he has been presumed dead.