Prince Arman Velenosa
One method of manipulation is to inoculate individuals with the appetite for personal success. I feel however this method is not to be looked upon with disfavor. Seeing your personal objectives are met while equipping another with the guidance and confidence to achieve their own goals is hardly a matter of deception. Merely one of mutual gain.
Description: Arman Velenosa is tall and stately; he was quite obviously handsome once, years ago, and his youth has settled into gravitas. He cuts a foreboding figure for he is tall and towers over most people. Arman is fastidiously neat, as careful in his appearance as he is in his words. When he smiles, it never quite seems to touch his eyes. When Arman enters a room, he does so softly - but is no less intriguing for it. Eyes seem drawn to him, but as he favors shadows, he is never quite fully seen.
Personality: Arman Velenosa is calm, cool, and collected. He tends to be eight chess moves ahead of nearly everyone he knows and is an oily kind of intelligent. He prefers quiet, studying a situation for a long while before speaking, acting, or otherwise making his involvement known. But Arman most definitely is involved. If there is intrigue, he is not far behind. He may offer smiles and pleasantries, but there is always something lurking under the surface of this man. He has a somewhat feared reputation - after all, one word from him could send other, lesser Lycene houses tumbling. Arman sees the world in grays -- he is neither a good man... nor a bad one. He does what needs to be done, the ends justify the means, and he is not afraid to do what needs to be done.
Background: For as long as he can remember, Prince Armando Velenosa, or Arman as he prefers to be called, has been responsible for keeping a gentle pulse on all of the Lycene houses. That, as one can imagine, is quite a task. Arman was born into a branch of the Velenosa house that prides itself on its intrigue work ? not spies, no, never call them spies! But they are close to the crown and they are close to all the other houses. It's imperative that the other houses of the Lyceum kowtow to Arman and his branch; after all, one word from Arman and the other houses are subject to repercussions from House Velenosa. And no one wants that.
He was brought up to take over the family business, which he dutifully did, and Arman found he very much enjoyed it. Early on in his career, Arman earned a reputation that follows him to this day. The circumstances remain shrouded in mystery; all people know is that one humid summer night, a coordinated assassination sting took place all over the Lyceum. Commoners and nobles alike never made it to morning. One notable nobleman was arrested and brought to Arman himself. After several days, the noble was mysteriously found in a seedy part of town with a vacant stare ? he never spoke again. Not long after these events, Arman announced his engagement and the Lyceum began to tremble at the very mention of his name.
He married for duty and Miranda gave birth to son after son, but only one lived: Theo. Arman took that child under his wing and raised a fine young man who carries on the family tradition. Arman would never say as much, but he is proud of Theo.
Then Miranda became pregnant again. Arman had his son and the boy had lived into his teens; there was no danger or need for another. Miranda died shortly after the birth and left Arman saddled with another baby. The daughter, Saoirse, was shuffled off to nannies and never wanted for anything, but Arman had bigger things to do than raise another child on his own.
He and Theo poured themselves into their work in intel; they have a good system, where Arman commands behind the scenes and Theo runs contacts as sort of "boots on the ground". And now they've uncovered something ? it is time to head to Arx.
| Name | Summary |
| Anisha | The Heavy Hand of Lenosia is in every respect the elder Lycene statesman you'd expect. And I mean that as the highest of praise. Considerate, thoughtful, tactical. A man whose intelligence lights up any room he enters, and whose gaze will judge your every merit and flaw. Pray that he finds you worthy. |
| Apollo | I was told he's a true statesman, and having met him, I think there's no question about that. I've much to learn from him. |
| Ariella | The Silver Fox of Lenosia. If that's not what they call him, they should. He makes me laugh, and if I were a couple decades older... |
| Brady | He's an old man, but still has his wits about him and hasn't lost his curiosity. Still, that old, who would have thought! |
| Calista | The rumors are true. The man may be known as the Heavy Hand of Lenosia, but he is as smooth as silk and as dangerous as Lycene poison. I look forward to continuing working with his Highness. |
| Caprice | I do enjoy listening to His Highness talk. A silken noose. |
| Caspian | You'd never know he is a prince by the easy way he talks and welcomes others to talk with him. Insightful and easy to listen to, i hope i am able to speak more with him. |
| Cassiopeia | His intelligence, strength and resolve are striking. I do not doubt that I will learn a lot from this man. Perhaps it might even be mutual. We shall see. |
| Celine | A man of composure and grace who speaks as well with commoners as he does with his peers. With age, comes wisdom. |
| Cesare | Arman has lived up to his reputation in every interaction I have had with him. I look forward to our continued work together |
| Dacian | The Prince of house Lycene, and a man that is very comfortable in the role. Seeker and giver of Knowledge, he seems welcoming to those even without noble title and is a very welcoming individual to those that even seem uncomfortable. |
| Daria | Keen eye on detail and information. I feel a partnership with such a man would be of benifit. I do hope in time I shall earn his trust. |
| Desma | He knew me but didn't realise who Zoey's sister was. Old age is selective with what it remembers |
| Ember | Thoughtful, inquisitive, appreciative of small details. All the ingredients of a nobleman who you should truly hope is on your side, because he would be quite dangerous against you. |
| Erik | Elder Statesman that seems to suffer from a intermitted curse to the mind. He has an eloquence that can only come with the years, slipping with ease into the role of a favorite uncle. |
| Esme | We have crossed paths before in life. In his /many/ years. However, I am always fond of my friend when our paths cross and our discussions start. |
| Evaristo | Nice to see the prince again - he hasn't changed. Maybe he's immortal! Either or, he's always so easy to talk to, which I suppose is the whole point of someone that likes gaining information... He's clever, that one. |
| Giorgio | The Patron of Cassiopeia and one of the Velenosans. He seems to be a wise man, though I would expect nothing less. I'll be interested to learn more of him. |
| Grazia | He is dignity personified. I am so glad that we can rekindle our friendship. His charm and wit has been missed. |
| Ian | He's given me insight into some things about Raven I didn't used to understand. Still, I probably shouldn't have said 'for fuck's sake' at him. |
| Ilira | This is my third path crossed with Prince Arman, and from all I've gathered, he seems a warm and genuine elder. Kindly for his years, but not without that Velenosa wit and bite. There's a distance to him that I sense lessens the more one spends favorable time in his company. |
| Isabeau | What a pleasant prince to converse with and he didn't bring up my brother once. |
| Katarina | The wisdom of the elders comes in knowing where to find the best baked goods~. Priorities, priorities~. |
| Keely | Prince Arman Velenosa is the epitome of everything I admire about the Lyceum, and he is responsible for the existence of one of my very favorite people. I am grateful for his warmth and kindness, and look forward to our every visit. |
| Lore | Arman Velenosa. HIs name can make many tremble in fear, but it will always bring a smile to my lips. He is one of a few that I would drop everything for to respond to a request. I hope I can continue to work with him into the future, I've missed his keen mind and sharp wit. |
| Lucita | Compassionate, charming, dignified, a Prince to whom one can look up. |
| Mabelle | The wise beyond his years Prince Velenosa. If only the younger lords of the city were as well seasoned. |
| Mailys | To know him more is to delve into entertainment and enlightenment, and dive into envy for his treasures and insights. |
| Martino | Elder Statesmen is often quickly used to describe people but, truly, the Prince Arman is the embodiment of it. Wise words, calming voice. Eyes that have seen and experienced the world and still he gives to us. An utterly refined Prince of Lenosia. |
| Medeia | The prince is kind and wise, both of which are of benefit to me, but theybare also boons to the Lyceum. |
| Nazmir | Prince Arman is nothing like what I would expect a Velenosian Prince to be .. but maybe that's a good thing, for it keeps one on their toes. Either way, this man seems to have his head about him in a cool and calm fashion. |
| Noah | Prince of Velenosa. Not sure how I feel him. That's probably good. It probably means that he's well liked by the masses. |
| Pasquale | One of the pillars of the Lyceum. |
| Quenia | I fear I was not at my best today. Buttons were pushed and then pushed again. And then a question was brought up that took me off guard, after experiencing something still so fresh in my mind when he asked it. Still, Prince Arman seemed a patient man, willing to listen and maybe even continue to talk, for which I am grateful. Hopefully, I come off better the next time we meet. |
| Raymesin | He asked good questions, and didn't laugh me out of the room. Here's hoping I see more of him. |
| Savio | My cousin seems to have a wise and thoughtful Prince for her patron, one who makes the effort to show support for the things that are important to her. Royals like this restore my faith in the Compact. |
| Serena | His Highness is a treasure that should be treasured. Don't let anyone say different. |
| Silvio | The uncle whom I've always wished was my father instead. A man who embodies the very idea of familial duty and could remain unruffled, even in the face of a raging hurricane. One can't help but admire and adore him. |
| Thea | The prince is back. I'm glad to see he's is healthy and hale. It's like nothing has changed... |
| Vitalis | Our brief encounter was too brief; I would like to remake acquaintance of the cleverest of Velenosa's foxes. |