Pallix Arterius

Pallix Arterius, along with his brother Castus Arterius, was one of the twin sons of Quinteia Arterius, the infamous rebel biotic who became the Hierarchy's first cabalist at the culmination of the Unification War. After his mother's incarceration, he and his brother were raised by Aurelion, as per his agreement with Quinteia - her freedom in exchange for her sons' safety.

Following Aurelions' death, Pallix ascended the throne to become the first Primarch of Palaven. He was the first ruler in over a thousand years not inherit the throne on the basis of blood. Thus, the line of imperators was forever broken. Due to the length of Aurelion's reign, Pallix was only able to rule for twenty years before his own death. During that time he reinforced Aurelion's meritocracy, enshrining it in law in the hopes it could never be undone or corrupted. He was succeeded by his highest-ranking duarch; a system which endures into the modern day.

Pallix is the forebear of Desolas Arterius II and all his descendants. His is the last remaining line of House Arterius, Castus' line having died out in the late 8th Century CE during the Krogan Rebellions.

Wardship
At the age of six, Pallix and Castus were taken from their mother to be made wards of Aurelion, who was proclaimed their legal guardian. Both boys were raised by him as a part of his household and grew to love him like a father. In fact, both of them called Aurelion father, even as adults, while Aurelion himself called Pallix and Castus his sons. Pallix shared Aurelion's love of music and was personally taught how to play the kyrix by him.

Ascension to Primarch
Pallix became Primarch very late in life. When Aurelion died in 254 BCE, Pallix was already 76 years of age. Many preferred his adoptive nephew's claim to the throne; Auri was younger, more charismatic, and was the son of Aurelion's only legitimate child, Trebia. Pallix, in contrast, was old, socially awkward, and the son of a condemned traitor. His only claim to his adoptive father's throne was an imperial decree written by Aurelion, stating that the Right of Merit now superseded the Right of Blood for all matters of succession.

While Auri himself had no desire to claim his grandfather's throne and readily swore fealty to his adoptive uncle, Pallix grew increasingly paranoid of him. Rumours continue to persist that he even considered assassinating Auri and his heirs to secure his own claim, although the existence of the plot itself can neither be confirmed nor denied. When these rumours reached Carthaan, Markus doubled down on his son's security. He also sent Pallix a threatening message, stating that he would protect his son whatever the cost. This created a dangerous schism within the Imperial Family, one which only further exacerbated Pallix's paranoid delusions.

Pallix's wife, Rea, attempted to act as a liaison between both sides. As Conjux Domina, she was firmly in her husband's camp. However, she was also Auri's aunt by blood and his designated parrigogus, and wanted no harm to come to her nephew. As Aurelion's daughter, she also had Markus' trust. She successfully convinced Pallix not to have Auri killed, on the condition that he come to Palaven in-person to publicly forfeit his claim to the throne. Markus outright refused, believing it to be a trap. But Auri agreed to Pallix's terms, trusting that Rea would ensure no harm came to him. Markus insisted on accompanying his son, leaving Carthaan in the claws of his loyal advisors.

When Auri and Markus arrived on Palaven, they were given a proper imperial reception by Pallix and Rea, Pallix clearly capitalising on the ceremonial grandeur as a display of his power and authority as Primarch.