Perhaps his ancestry fueled his prowess in combat, but nevertheless, he completed the Trials and became Lord Icaghor’s personal bodyguard.
Physical Description
Apparel & Accessories
Titus Publicius Encratis is a man whose physique tells a tale of a life lived on the edge of a sword. His robust, muscular build is a testament to years of rigorous training and combat. Standing at an imposing height, he carries himself with the gravitas of a seasoned warrior. His skin, fair enough to allow him a semblance of passing as Human, bears the subtle scars and marks of countless battles. Yet, it is his face that captures immediate attention, serving as a canvas for his complex heritage and personal history.
The Flamboyant Mustache and Hidden Tusks
Dominating his facial features is a flamboyant mustache, meticulously groomed and styled to perfection. This mustache is not merely a nod to current fashion trends on the mainland; it serves a dual purpose. Beneath the elaborate facial hair lie tusks, a telltale sign of his half-orcish lineage. The mustache, therefore, acts as a clever disguise, allowing Titus to navigate social circles where his orcish heritage might otherwise be a point of contention.
Apparel
The Uniform of Distinction
Titus is most commonly seen in the uniform of a Tatharian naval officer. The attire is a blend of functionality and grandeur, designed to withstand the rigors of naval life while exuding an air of authority. The uniform is adorned with various insignias and medals, each a silent witness to his accomplishments and rank. The deep blue fabric, punctuated by gold trimmings, complements his fair skin, creating an image of regal authority.
The Belt of Storm Giant Strength
An Artifact of Power
Draped around his waist is the Belt of Storm Giant Strength, an ancient artifact awarded to him by Lord Icaghor. This belt is not merely a decorative accessory; it is a potent magical item that significantly augments his already considerable physical and magical prowess. Made of intricately woven materials that seem to shimmer with an inner light, the belt stands as a symbol of his unique abilities and the high regard in which he is held. The belt reportedly holds a deeper reserve of power connected to the Stars of Power, which Titus has so far deliberately left dormant rather than risk unleashing amid their re-ignition.
Additional Accessories
While the belt and uniform are his most notable pieces of apparel, Titus often carries other specialized equipment suited to his role as a naval officer and ruler. These may include a ceremonial sword, a set of navigational tools, and various magical trinkets, each serving a specific purpose in his diverse set of responsibilities.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Early Life and Ancestry
Titus Publicius Encratis was born in the year 1472 PE in Tatharia Capitolina. His lineage is a blend of Human and orcish ancestry, a fact that is subtly concealed by his flamboyant mustache, a fashionable trend in the mainland. This mustache serves a dual purpose: it not only hides his tusks but also allows him to pass as human, albeit not entirely convincingly upon closer inspection.
Rise to Fame
The Bellatorius Tournament
Titus first gained widespread recognition during the Bellatorius Tournament in Tatharia. Unlike most participants who enter as part of a team, Titus faced the challenges alone. He battled through increasingly difficult waves of monsters, each more bloodthirsty, skillful, and intelligent than the last. His solo victory in the tournament is considered legendary, and it was this feat that caught the eye of Lord Icaghor, the then-ruler of Tatharia.
Service to Lord Icaghor
Impressed by Titus’s combat prowess and latent magical abilities, Lord Icaghor appointed him as his personal bodyguard. During this period, Titus was awarded the Belt of Storm Giant Strength, an ancient artifact with a mysterious past. This artifact significantly augmented Titus’s already considerable strength and magical talents. After a month of service, Titus transitioned into an officer’s role in the Tatharian Navy, where his moxie, determination, and grit became legendary.
Marriage and the Encratis-Kang Regime
Titus’s marriage to Bramanda Kang was orchestrated by the Starfinders, a group working towards reigniting the Stars of Power. Initially, the Starfinders had planned to use a love potion, converted into a mist by their Artificer, Daren Tor, to influence the couple. This was to prevent a war between Bramanda’s criminal enterprise in Palm Harbor and the Tatharian Empire. However, upon their first meeting, the two were immediately attracted to each other, rendering the potion unnecessary. Their union led to the formation of the Encratis-Kang Regime, a vassal state under the Tatharian Empire that rules Palm Harbor.
Rule of Palm Harbor
Palm Harbor is a significant trade port where ships from three continents intermingle, situated in seas infested with dangerous monsters and pirates. Under the combined rule of Titus and Bramanda, the city and the island have flourished. While Titus imparts his wisdom and experience to his men and country, Bramanda continues to have significant investments in the criminal underworld, adding a layer of complexity to their governance.
Social Impact and Legacy
Until recently, half-orcs like Titus were looked down upon in the Empire. However, a combination of a popular play and Titus’s own fame has begun to shift public opinion. Furthermore, the revelation of various non-human races across the world has contributed to this change in attitude.
Involvement with the Starfinders
Though a footnote in the grand adventures of the Starfinders, Titus’s role is fondly remembered. His marriage to Bramanda prevented unnecessary loss of life and gained the Starfinders a pair of powerful allies.
Later Years and Wisdom
Titus’s life has been a tapestry of combat and danger. His physical and mental resilience has not only kept him alive but has also made him a beacon of wisdom and leadership for his men and his country.
Relationships
Bramanda Kang
Titus is married to Bramanda Kang, with whom he jointly rules Palm Harbor as the Encratis-Kang Regime. The Starfinders arranged the match to prevent a war between Bramanda’s criminal enterprise and the Tatharian Empire, and the love potion they had prepared for the purpose went unused when the two proved immediately attracted to each other at their first meeting. The marriage spared countless lives and gained the Starfinders a pair of powerful allies. Under the couple’s combined rule Palm Harbor has flourished, though Bramanda’s continued investments in the criminal underworld add a layer of complexity to their governance. The marriage carries a quiet asymmetry: Titus is forthright with his wife, while Bramanda continues to run her criminal enterprise without his knowledge, a concealment that carries no intent to harm him.