Sebastián Pasillas

Sebastián Pasillas
Despotes of Cognata, King of Pelaxia
Sebastián Pasillas in a 1200's manuscript
Reign	954-985
Successor	Tadeo II
Born	Sebastianus Porticus 919 Isuriana
Full name Sebastianus Porticus Castrillón
House	House of Castrillón
Father	Tadeo Serrano "Taurelin" Castrillón
Religion	Catholic

Sebastián Pasillas, born Sebastianus Porticus Castrillón, hailed from the ancient and esteemed House of Castrillón, native to the picturesque Isurian region that straddled the borderlands of the Caphirian Empire and the fertile Pelaxian valley. His noble lineage bestowed upon him not only the privileges of birth but also the weight of familial responsibility.

A heir to the house Castrillón of Albalitor he regularly visited the Caphirian imperial court in Venceia serving as a squire, cup bearer, scribe and an apprentice to jurisconsult. He spent his childhood and youth at the imperial court in Venceia where he befriended the imperial princes. He suffered a period of disgrace following the death of Drusus which forced him to return to live in Albalitor. Back in Venceia around 940, the Emperor tasked him to suppress a local rebellion in the Pelaxian valley.

Undaunted, Pasillas honed his war strategies, leveraging his knowledge of Caphirian military doctrines acquired during his tenure at Venceia. He devised a campaign characterized by a combination of calculated maneuvering, tactical brilliance, and strategic alliances with indigenous tribes sympathetic to his cause. The conflict escalated into a series of brutal battles as Pasillas and his forces engaged the Kazofort strongholds. The most renowned of these encounters was the Battle of Culebrinas, where Pasillas displayed extraordinary leadership, turning the tide of the battle with a brilliant flanking maneuver.

A process would be know as the pacification of Cognata (Pelaxia) and would lead him to become Despote of Cognata by the The Edict of Agrila of 954.

Origins and Family

Sebastián Pasillas, a scion of the illustrious House of Castrillón, was born into nobility in the picturesque region of Isaura, nestled along the border of the Caphirian Empire and the Pelaxian valley. His birthright as a member of the Castrillón family, which holds its seat of power in the vibrant Pelaxian city of Albalitor, promised a life of privilege and responsibility.

Embarked on his illustrious journey at the Imperial Court of Venceia as a young and impressionable courtier. Under the guidance of his mentor, the erudite Tiberius Valerius Vindonius, he mastered the intricacies of diplomacy and governance. With each passing day, Sebastián demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for statecraft. During his formative years, Sebastián formed enduring alliances with several influential figures at court. Notably, his friendship with the enigmatic Gaius Aelius Severus, a confidant of the imperial princes, would later prove pivotal in his political career.

Sebastian's time in Caphiria was marked not only by his political education but also by a poignant love affair that would shape his character profoundly. At the prestigious Law Academy of Venceia, he met and fell deeply in love with Livia Antonia, a brilliant and spirited fellow student. Their love blossomed amidst the hallowed halls of jurisprudence, where they often debated the finer points of law and philosophy under the watchful gaze of the law academy's venerable elders. Their companionship soon turned to love, and they became inseparable. Their clandestine meetings by moonlight and stolen moments in the city's enchanting gardens were whispered about in hushed tones by their fellow students.

However, fate would deal them a cruel hand. During a hunting trip, a tragic accident occurred, resulting in the accidental death of a dear friend, Lucius Valerius Albinus. This unforeseen tragedy cast a shadow over Sebastián's life and would haunt him for years to come.

Return to Albalitor

However, Sebastián Pasillas's promising ascent faced a tumultuous setback following the untimely death of Drusus, a significant figure at the imperial court. This unfortunate turn of events led to his temporary exile from Venceia, compelling him to return to his familial seat in Albalitor. It was during this period of reflection and introspection that Sebastián's ambitions would find new purpose.

Kazofort Rebellion and Pacifitacion of Cognata

In the year 940, Sebastián received a summons that would rekindle the flames of his political destiny. The Emperor, recognizing his potential and understanding the gravity of the situation in the Pelaxian valley, tasked Sebastián with a momentous mission - the "Pacification of Cognata." The Kazofort Rebellion, an epochal struggle for independence from Caphirian dominion, was spearheaded by a charismatic and fiercely determined leader named Hernán de Kazofort. Hailing from a lineage of Kosali families, Hernán was a man of towering stature and indomitable will.

Hernán de Kazofort, litograph of 1828

The seeds of rebellion were sown in the Pelaxian valley as a palpable discontent simmered among the indigenous warlords and noble families. Tensions came to a head when Hernán Kazofort, with his fiery oratory and impassioned rallying cries, galvanized the warlords, known as "Las Familias del Valle" or "The Valley Families," to unite under a common banner. The primary grievance of The Valley Families was the burden of incessant tributes demanded by Venceia, the imperial capital, and the relentless conscription of their sons into the Caphirian legions. Kazofort’s eloquence resonated deeply with the warlords, who had long harbored resentment toward their Caphirian overlords. In a pivotal moment, during a clandestine council at the Kazofort Estate, the lord of the castle brandishing a tattered standard bearing the emblem of a free Pelaxia, declared the cessation of tribute payments to Venceia and the refusal to send their sons to fight in distant wars for the Caphirian Empire. His call to arms ignited a fervor among The Valley Families, and they rallied behind their newfound leader.

Pasillas, arrived in the Pelaxian valley with a modest retinue of loyal soldiers. His initial attempts to establish a foothold were met with fierce resistance from the local lords, notably the formidable Kazofort family.

The rebellion's first major engagement, the Battle of Pendiente, pitted the Valley Families, led by Hernán Kosali, against the formidable Caphirian legions led by Pasillas. The Valley Families employed guerrilla tactics, utilizing their unparalleled knowledge of the terrain to outmaneuver their Caphirian adversaries. The battle culminated in a decisive Valley Family victory, emboldening their cause and prompting a series of uprisings throughout the Pelaxian valley.

As the rebellion gained momentum, Caphiria responded with ruthless determination, dispatching legions under the command of Pasillas to quell the insurrection. What ensued was a series of skirmishes and battles across the Pelaxian valley, each marked by Hernán de Kazofort’s astute military leadership and the unwavering resolve of the Valley Families. But in 953, at the climactic Battle of Torrent's End, Hernán de Kazofort met his fate in the heat of combat, valiantly leading his troops against overwhelming Caphirian forces. His sacrifice, however, would not be in vain. His legacy lived on in the hearts of the Valley Families, who continued to wage a relentless struggle for their freedom.

Ultimately, the Kazofort Rebellion exacted a heavy toll onThe Valley Families were specially decimated by Pasillas. Although the end of the rebellion meant the ascendancy of a new Caphiravian despote ruling the valley with autonomy, the rebellion's indomitable spirit would serve as an enduring symbol of Pelaxian resilience in the face of external domination. The legacy of Hernán and the Valley Families would echo through the annals of Pelaxian history, serving as a poignant reminder of the enduring quest for liberty and self-determination.

The Edict of Agrila

After years of relentless campaigning and painstaking negotiations, Pasillas succeeded in restoring order to the tumultuous region of Cognata. His crowning achievement was the "Edict of Agrila," issued in 954, which formally designated him as the Despote of Cognata. This historic decree signaled a turning point in the history of both Caphiria and Pelaxia, solidifying Pasillas's legacy as a statesman and military strategist of unparalleled repute.

Apart from the recognition he must feel towards him, The Emperor probably also saw in the appointment of Pasillas, heir to the Castrillóns but also attached to the Pelaxian valley, a factor of stability which could rid the imperial administration of the management of a territory with endemic troubles.

Pasillas clearly inherited his grandfather's splendor and his desire for recognition beyond his borders. Internally, he tried to satisfy both his Caphiravian and Kosali subjects and was divided between his religious capital, Venceia, and his “little Venceia”, Albalitor. He also undertook the major project of raising the ramparts of his historic capital and extending it to the new northern district.