7/27/24: Enzo received 8 more points from All Levels Reward. Earth foci, Corsair, and Duelist foci dropped. Tactician, Cavalier, and Weapon Master foci picked up. Foci rearranged and all maxed out.
5/18/24: All Level Rewards Loot redeemed. Enzo received: 8 mastery points, a rare shift (fire serpent), and a stable of 3 dracolisks: sharp tail, abyssal hang-tooth, blue river bane (two dracolisks were swapped for the rare pet reward).

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Antonius Vincenzo Pavus was born a first son into the prominent Pavus family in Tevinter. Only… he was not born TO a first son, and so it seemed his star would only rise so high. The boy, known as Enzo to those few he called friends, had the peculiar struggle of growing up in the shadow of his younger cousin. Dorian was the first born of the first born of house Pavus, and his parents’ hopes for him were astronomical. Comparison could not be escaped. Indeed, it seemed Enzo’s father Hadrian was obsessed with measuring Enzo’s success to that of the family’s heir, even though they resided in Minrathous and Dorian was growing up all the way across the sea in Ventus.

Enzo, who showed early signs of magical ability, was pushed all the harder when news of Dorian’s talents arrived. It seemed that, no matter how much his tutors praised his progress, Hadrian was not satisfied. When word of Dorian’s duel with another high born at the Circle in Carastes arrived, Enzo was sure that his father would relent, but it only seemed to spur the man on all the more. Hadrian coveted his brother’s station, and was convinced Halward was unworthy of it. Enzo, therefore, would have to be perfect. He would have to be ready for the day he might become the heir.

In spite of his father’s obsessions, Enzo’s childhood was not without its happy times. The privileges of an Altus family provided ample time for leisure, and Enzo grew to enjoy the arts and the elaborate galas put on by the upper echelons of Tevene society. And he was fascinated by the military history of their nation. This was, in fact, an area of connection he and his father shared. Hadrian himself had a storied military history, full of tales of skirmishes with Qunari raiders, that he enjoyed sharing with his son.

As was common among Altus families, Enzo was betrothed before he’d said his first words. The girl, Sabina, was five days younger than he. Their mothers, having been close friends since childhood, had long ago agreed that they would wed their children if ever they got the chance. Sabina was a constant presence in his life, and an unwelcome one at that. In his earliest years, he did his best to ignore the girl. She never wanted to play soldier and she cried about everything. As they grew older, her disdain for everything only seemed to worsen. Enzo came to believe that there might not be anything in the world that Sabina actually liked. And, if he was honest, there was nothing that he liked about her. She was not ugly, exactly, except that her nose was always curled as if she smelled something foul. She was not unintelligent, but she cared not for reading, history, or the arts. Her way of being simply stole any attraction that he might have otherwise developed toward her.

And so, from his early teenage years, Enzo found himself looking elsewhere to learn what it might mean to love. Those first years were confusing for Enzo, who seemed to fall in love with anyone and everyone. There was some shame in this, seeded by offhand comments from his father and other older men who seemed to look down on deviation from traditional couplings. But what difference did it make? He was destined for a loveless marriage, what did it matter if he claimed what happiness he could, from wherever he could, while he was still young? He would learn that it did matter. Because, while it was easy for Enzo to fall into love, it was not always so easy for him to pull himself back out again. “What might have been” was a thought that would plague him for years.

When his compulsory service was complete, Enzo dreaded the idea of returning home. There was only one logical step in his life’s path if he did, and he was not ready to marry Sabina. Luckily, a rash of Qunari attacks along the coasts provided an excellent excuse for the young arcane warrior to continue his proud service to the Imperium. And his father could hardly object. He began to build a name for himself in the service, employing dazzling feats of arcana and fire magic to great effect against his enemies. For the next two decades, Enzo was known as a fierce warrior and stern but fair instructor and leader to those under his command. When it came time that he could delay his marriage no longer, he returned to Minrathous, prepared to do his duty to his house as he’d done to the Imperium.

The wedding was a beautiful affair, orchestrated to the tiniest detail by his and Sabina’s mothers. But, when all were gathered for the ceremony, Enzo was left standing alone. A search for the bride to be was initiated, but only a letter was found. Sabina had run away to join the Chantry in Orlais. She apologized to her mother and father, but made no mention of Enzo at all. It was surprising how quickly the relief was replaced by the pain of it. He was glad to not have to call Sabina wife, but her complete and total disregard for him was a sharper knife than he’d ever imagined. He took solace in his friends for what time he could, but the woes of the world cared as little for his heart as Sabina had. He was almost thankful to be called to fight again. For several more years, Enzo satisfied himself with the life of a soldier.

It wasn’t until news of his uncle’s death arrived that Enzo returned home once again. The family was in upheaval with the suspicion of assassination. This was not entirely uncommon in the Imperium, but it was a shock all the same. Hadrian wasted no time in attempting to seize power for himself, but Dorian returned, just in time to claim his father’s place as a Magister. Curious that he should suddenly be so interested in his birthright when he’d spent his life running away from his duty. Dorian stepped quickly into his role and asserted his authority over the family. He’d apparently adopted foreign sensibilities in his travels and aimed to make their house an example of the change Tevinter needed to stay relevant in modern times. Hadrian was livid, to say the least, and made no effort to hide it. He might have burned the house down when Dorian informed them all that their slaves were now servants. Such things mattered little to Enzo. He kept no personal slaves while deployed and so was quite used to caring for himself. Those who did attend to him were lower ranked military personnel, with a salary. No different than a paid servant, all things considered. But the malaise of the house was impossible to ignore.

When Ventus was suddenly attacked by the Qunari in 9:44, Enzo was prepared to rush to the defense of his family’s home city. But Hadrian delayed Enzo’s departure long enough for word of the city’s fall to arrive, along with word that Dorain had been there on some personal business. Dorian did not return. Like wildfire, word spread of his betrayal of the Imperium, that he’d allowed the attack on Ventus. He was labeled a traitor and Hadrian took control of the family, though they were stripped of their rights in the senate, leaving them no better than the low houses where reputation was concerned. Could it be true that Dorian sought to ruin the Imperium? He’d certainly caused a scene with his push for reforms. Who could know how his mind might have been twisted while he was abroad. And if the rumors of him and that Inquisitor were to be believed, then Dorian’s loyalty had been compromised. He’d been careless in his pursuit of change. Pushed too hard and too quickly. And then he’d disappeared, leaving the rest of the family to wallow in the mess he’d made.

Soon after, the destruction of the Veil overshadowed the misery of house Pavus. In response, the Archon ordered the creation of the great barrier, protecting the Imperium from the terrors of the world and closing the iron grip they held over the land and its people. With no outward threat to unite against, the houses redoubled their machinations against one another, and Enzo found himself and his house easy targets for the slights and petty wars the Altus waged. He grew bitter, wishing more and more for the freedom and simplicity of his military service. But now, as the apparent heir to house Pavus, his only duty was to once again marry and produce an heir of his own. Above all else, Hadrian insisted, their family’s honor must be restored.

Unknown to Hadrian, another path toward redemption presented itself in an invitation to join the ranks of the Eyes of the Archon. Treachery was everywhere, his own uncle was proof of that. If it was allowed to fester, it would only bring more ruin. Enzo had no interest in being a spy. Such work felt beneath him. But something inside him pulled to the opportunity. The so-called high houses, and more so the low, were not innocent. They’d been so quick to disavow his family, but Enzo knew skeletons littered their closets as well. Why should they get to flourish in their hypocrisy when mere rumors nearly destroyed those he loved? These thoughts picked and picked at his mind, nearly driving him mad, until he accepted the role as an informant for the Eyes.

Enzo received training in special techniques from his contact, whom he knew only as Legatus, that allowed him to pry into the minds of others. He learned to manipulate emotion, alter perception, or even steal memories entirely from others. The more he developed these powers, the more that picking in his own mind seemed satisfied. He could take what they had, it could all be his. Enzo and Envy are patient, however. To restore what is rightfully his will take time and careful planning. Rooting out the Archon’s enemies is an acceptable path toward that end.

Father: Hadrian Pavus, Magister, younger brother of Halward Pavus
Mother: Catrin Helvia, from an ambitious lower house
Uncle/Aunt: Halward Pavus (deceased) and Aquinea Thalrassian
Cousin: Dorian Pavus, rumored traitor, whereabouts unknown
Inamorato: Tiberius Umbra, Magister, lifelong friend