Richard Stirling, the son of Aldous and Laura Stirling, is the current king of Exekias. By his mistress Karen Larsen, he fathered Kai Larsen.
Severely underestimated from the start, Richard made a near-fatal mistake early in his reign. Recognizing his own limits, he relied on two of his closest friends, John and Gorrister, to advise him.
As king, his primary concern was in maintaining balance and peace with the Mercurians. However, troubles at home led many of the nobility to doubt his capabilities, leading to conflict and, eventually, civil war.
Biography
Richard is the eldest surviving child of King Aldous and Queen Laura. Upon his birth he was immediately named heir to the throne of Exekias.
Raised at Spiderweb Castle, he became close to John, who he loved as a brother. Richard defended John from other children, and in return John was his constant companion and protector. On the other hand, he and his sister were rivals, teasing and provoking each other. Once, Richard dared her to walk across a frozen lake; she fell through the ice and nearly drowned, but was saved by John. While John convinced Eleanor not to tell their parents what had happened, Richard was so stricken with guilt he eventually confessed to their mother.
Laura died when Richard was nine. As Aldous began plotting to get rid of John, Richard feared for his brother's life and tried to convince him to run away, but John refused to leave them. Aldous eventually decided to imprison John.
Over the next fifteen years, Richard grew into a young man. When he was eighteen, he began a relationship with Karen Larsen, a noblewoman who intended to become a councilor. Aldous intervened to prevent them from marrying. Nonetheless, Richard fathered a son, Kai, by Karen.
Richard legally ascended the throne upon Aldous' death. However, spurred on by Eleanor, the Council convinced Richard to name Eleanor as next in line. Richard signed a document agreeing to this, unaware of the consequences.
Only after he had signed it into law was it revealed to Richard that he had forbidden himself from marrying Karen and legitimizing Kai. Hoping to reverse the effects of the law and to prevent future problems, Richard ordered the release of John and gave him a position on the Council.
Description
Richard is short and thin, with bronze skin, tousled dark hair and amber eyes. He bears a strong resemblance to his father, King Aldous, and is considered handsome.
Richard was known for neglecting his studies, and claimed he was too impatient to sit and read. As a result, he was often mocked by others for his ignorance.