Anthony al-Osman
Known in certain circles as "Fat Tony", Anthony al-Osman was the Lord Proprietor and Captain-General of the Regiment of the Blackfriars', landlord of the Blackfriars' Redux, and was of noble Raspurid stock.
Born in 1652 AN to Ardashir Malik Mirza Khan al-Osman (1622-1712) and an unknown native woman of Tiegang, Anthony al-Osman was one of the Babkhan disaspora whose ancestors had come to south-eastern Apollonia in the aftermath of the 1598 Babkhan Holocaust.
Noted for his corpulence, Anthony al-Osman was of scant notoriety on any other account prior to his acquaintance with the Society for Benevolent Investment, a relationship only uncovered after the leaking of the Iron Harbour Papers. The society was believed to be the silent partners behind the pub management company operating the Blackfriars' Redux, where Anthony had inherited the position of landlord from his father in 1712 AN.
In spite of his gargantuan frame, Anthony somehow made it to the age of eighty before succumbing to a massive heart attack whilst listening to a pub concert by the Filthy Barstools. His eldest son, Ahmed al-Osman, was named as the principal beneficiary in his will.
Biography
Anthony al-Osman was born in Tiegang and grew up in a small village on the outskirts of the city. His father, Ardashir Malik Mirza Khan al-Osman, was a noble Raspurid who had been exiled from Babkhan following the 1598 Holocaust.
Education and early life
As a child, Anthony was educated by tutors who were hired by his father to teach him the ways of the Raspurid nobility. He learned the history and culture of his people, as well as the martial arts and other skills necessary for a member of the ruling class.
Despite his privileged upbringing, Anthony was not a particularly accomplished student. He struggled with subjects like mathematics and science, and preferred to spend his time playing with his friends or indulging in his love of food.
As he grew older, Anthony's father became increasingly disappointed with his lack of progress. He began to fear that Anthony would not be able to take over the family business and maintain their status in Tiegang society.
In an effort to toughen him up, Anthony's father enrolled him in a military academy in Tiegang. But Anthony's lack of discipline and tendency towards laziness made him a poor candidate for military service, and he was eventually expelled from the academy.
Feeling like a failure, Anthony returned home and began to work in his father's pub, the Blackfriars' Redux.
In the family trade
After his expulsion from military academy, Anthony al-Osman returned to Tiegang and began working at the Blackfriars' Redux, the pub owned by his father. At first, he was assigned menial tasks like cleaning and serving customers, but as he grew more comfortable with the work, he began to take on more responsibilities.
Over the years, Anthony learned the ins and outs of running a successful pub. He learned how to keep the place clean and well-stocked, how to handle difficult customers, and how to keep the books. He even developed a knack for cooking, and would often prepare meals for the customers himself.
Despite his growing competency, Anthony's father remained skeptical of his abilities. He was afraid that Anthony would not be able to take over the pub and maintain their family's standing in Tiegang society.
His father's fears were not wholly without foundation. Anthony, who was known for his love of food and drink, comtinued to indulge in his vices a little too much. He would often drink to excess and eat too much, and this began to take a toll on his health.
As he grew more and more overweight, Anthony's father became concerned about his son's well-being. He tried to intervene and get Anthony to take better care of himself, but Anthony rebelled and continued to indulge his cravings.
One night in 1687, after drinking too much, Anthony stumbled into the wrong part of town and ended up in a seedy tavern. There, he met a young woman named Yuan Mei, who was known for her beauty and her scandalous reputation.
Mei, who quickly sized up the elephantine bulk of Anthony as an easy mark, began to seduce him. She flirted with him, flattered him, and eventually convinced him to go back to her room.
The next morning, by his own subsequent account, Anthony woke up in Mei's bed, naked and with a terrible hangover. He quickly realised the gravity of the situation, and tried to leave without being seen.
But it was too late. Someone had seen him coming out of Mei's room, and word quickly spread throughout Tiegang. Soon, everyone was talking about the scandal, and Anthony's reputation was in tatters.
His father was furious, and threatened to disown him if he didn't clean up his act. Anthony, who was ashamed and humiliated, vowed to change his ways. He stopped drinking, and worked harder than ever to prove himself to his father and to regain his lost respect.
But as time went on, Anthony began to prove his worth. He worked hard and showed a keen understanding of the business, and gradually won his father's respect and trust.
To avoid any further scandals and restore his family's reputation, Anthony al-Osman's father encouraged him to marry a suitable woman from a respected merchant family.
Anthony, who was still feeling the shame of his earlier scandal, was hesitant at first. But he knew that his father was right, and that a good marriage would be the best way to restore his reputation and secure his future.
He began to look for potential partners, and eventually set his sights on the daughter of a wealthy Jingdaoese merchant. The girl, whose name was Mei Ling, was a beautiful and accomplished young woman, and Anthony was immediately smitten.
But wooing Mei Ling was not an easy task. She was from a prestigious family, and her father was not keen on the idea of her marrying a man from a junior branch of a Babkhan family.
Undeterred, Anthony set out to prove himself worthy of Mei Ling's hand. He worked harder than ever at the Blackfriars' Redux, and began to build up a substantial fortune. He also made sure to attend every social event and function that Mei Ling and her family were present at, and made a point of being charming and attentive.
Slowly but surely, Anthony began to win Mei Ling over. She was impressed by his dedication and his work ethic, and began to see past his earlier scandal.
In the end, Anthony's persistence paid off. Mei Ling's father agreed to the marriage, and the two were wed in a lavish ceremony in 1692 AN. Anthony was overjoyed, and knew that he had finally earned his father's respect and regained his own self-worth.
After their marriage, Anthony al-Osman and Mei Ling settled down in Tiegang and began to build their lives together. They moved into a spacious and well-appointed home, and Anthony continued to work hard at the Blackfriars' Redux to provide for his new family.
Mei Ling, who was an accomplished seamstress, began to work on creating beautiful and intricate garments for herself and her new husband. She was also an excellent cook, and would prepare delicious meals for Anthony and any guests they might have.
As the years passed, Anthony and Mei Ling were blessed with children. They had two sons and two daughters, who were all raised to be respectful, obedient, and well-educated.
Despite the challenges of raising a family and running a business, Anthony and Mei Ling were happy and content. They worked hard and supported each other, and their love grew stronger with each passing year.
Their family life was not without its challenges, but Anthony and Mei Ling faced them together, and their love and devotion to each other never wavered. They were a strong and happy family, and were respected and admired by all who knew them.
As the al-Osman children reached the age of nine years old, Anthony and Mei Ling made sure to prepare them for the notoriously rigorous entrance exam for the prestigious School of the High Inquisitor of Tiegang.
The School of the High Inquisitor was known for its strict academic standards and its rigorous curriculum, and only the brightest and most gifted students were accepted into its ranks.
To prepare their children for the exam, Anthony and Mei Ling hired tutors to help them with their studies. They also made sure to provide them with the best education possible, and encouraged them to work hard and strive for excellence.
The children, who were all intelligent and dedicated, took their studies seriously. They spent long hours studying and practicing, and did their best to impress their tutors and parents.
In the end, all four of the al-Osman children passed the entrance exam and were accepted into the School of the High Inquisitor. Anthony and Mei Ling were overjoyed, and proud of their children's achievements.
The children went on to excel at the school, and became known for their intelligence, their dedication, and their hard work.
Association with the Society for Benevolent Investment
The Blackfriars' Estate Management Group LLC was set up by Anthony al-Osman's father in partnership with the Society for Benevolent Investment in 1687 AN. The company was established to manage and operate the Blackfriars' Redux, the pub that had been owned by the al-Osman family for generations.
The Society for Benevolent Investment, which was established in 1681 AN, was a fraternal organisation and club for corporate interests in the Raspur Pact's economic sphere of influence. The society sought to encourage the propagation of small and medium enterprises through funding by venture capital, and had a reputation for supporting and investing in promising businesses.
As a member of the society, Anthony's father was able to secure funding and support for the Blackfriars' Estate Management Group, which allowed the company to expand and grow. This helped to secure the future of the pub, and ensured that it would continue to be a successful and thriving business.
As the costs associated with putting his four children through the expensive fee-paying School of the High Inquisitor began to eat away inexorably at his savings, Anthony was tempted to turn to the Society in an effort to obtain favourable loans with which to fund the four sets of tuition fees that he was paying by 1708 AN. He knew that the society was known for providing favorable loans to its members, and was hopeful that they would be able to assist him.
After discussing his situation with the society's members, Anthony was granted a loan to help him pay for his children's tuition fees. The loan came with a favorable interest rate, and allowed Anthony to continue to provide his children with the education they deserved.
Despite the financial challenges he faced, Anthony was determined to do whatever it took to ensure that his children had the best education possible. With the help of the Society for Benevolent Investment, he was able to continue to support his children's studies, and was grateful for the assistance the society provided.
Although the Society for Benevolent Investment presented itself as an ethical investment society, there was a darker side to its operations. Behind the facade of benevolence and support for small and medium enterprises, the society was actually serving as a vehicle for the Raspur Pact in neutral countries such as the International Mandate.
The society's members, who were all influential and wealthy business leaders, were actually working on behalf of the Raspur Pact to further its interests in Tiegang. This meant that the loans and investments they provided to businesses in the city were not always made with the best interests of the companies in mind.
In some cases, the society's members would use their financial power to gain control over businesses, or to manipulate them to serve the interests of the Raspur Pact. This often put the businesses and their owners at a disadvantage, and could have negative consequences for the economy of Tiegang.
Despite this, many of the businesses that received loans and investments from the society were not aware of its true purpose. They were grateful for the support they received, and were not aware of the hidden agenda behind the society's actions.
For Anthony al-Osman and the Blackfriars' Estate Management Group, the society's true purpose remained hidden. They were grateful for the financial support they received, and were not aware of the hidden motives behind the society's actions.
In 1697, the Society for Benevolent Investment had prevailed upon Anthony al-Osman's father to sponsor the raising of the so-called "Blackfriars' Regiment". The Regiment of the Blackfriars' was formally established as the Worshipful and Honourable Company of the Blackfriars' Regiment, and was a mercenary regiment raised in the International Mandate.
The regiment was notorious for relying upon impressment and kidnapping to fill out its ranks, which were otherwise filled with the denizens of the Blackfriars district's other institutions, such as schools, asylums, and dubious drinking establishments. This reputation for relying on questionable methods to recruit soldiers earned the regiment a negative reputation, and made many people wary of its activities.
Despite this, Anthony's father had agreed to sponsor the raising of the regiment, which was seen as a way to gain favor with the Society for Benevolent Investment. This decision had far-reaching consequences for the al-Osman family, and would come to have a significant impact on their future.
As the years passed, the Regiment of the Blackfriars' became increasingly involved in the military affairs of the Raspur Pact. This put the al-Osman family in a difficult position, as they were seen as being associated with the controversial and often ruthless actions of the regiment.
By accepting the generous loans of the society, Anthony had placed himself in their debt even whilst the pub remained under the name of his father. In this way the society ensured that it's influence would continue even after the pub eventually passed into Anthony's hands.
Despite this, Anthony and his family continued to support the Regiment of the Blackfriars', and were proud to be associated with the mercenary unit. However, their association with the regiment would ultimately have negative consequences for their reputation and their standing in Tiegang society.
Landlord of the Blackfriars' Redux
Despite his early struggles, Anthony eventually learned to manage the pub effectively, and inherited the position of landlord from his father in 1712 AN. Mei Ling supported him in his new role as landlord, and together they continued to run the pub and raise their family.
Despite the challenges he faced, Anthony was able to maintain the unique character of the Blackfriars' Redux. He was proud of the work he had done to keep the pub thriving, and was grateful for the support of the Society for Benevolent Investment, which had helped him to achieve his goals.
As the years passed, Anthony continued to work hard to ensure the success of the Blackfriars' Redux. He was committed to providing the best possible experience for his customers, and was determined to keep the pub thriving for generations to come.
After taking over as landlord of the Blackfriars' Redux, Anthony al-Osman finally began to understand some of the machinations that had been going on behind the scenes.
For decades, the pub had served as a gathering place for Babkhan exiles and the descendants of the diaspora. These individuals would congregate in the pub to scheme and organize their long-standing plan: an invasion of Eura to restore the fallen Kingdom of Babkha.
The pub provided a safe and discreet location for these individuals to meet, and allowed them to plan their invasion without drawing too much attention to themselves. The Society for Benevolent Investment, which had a hidden agenda to serve the interests of the Raspur Pact, was aware of these activities, and used its influence to support the Babkhan exiles in their efforts.
Although Anthony was not initially aware of these activities, he eventually came to understand the significance of the Blackfriars' Redux and its role in the plans of the Babkhan exiles. He was shocked to learn of the covert operations taking place in the pub, and was unsure of how to respond.
Despite his concerns, Anthony ultimately decided to continue supporting the Babkhan exiles and their efforts to invade Eura. He was committed to helping them achieve their goals, and was willing to take the risk of being associated with their controversial plan.
As the years passed, Anthony remained an active supporter of the Babkhan exiles, and continued to provide them with a safe and discreet location to meet and plan their invasion. Despite the challenges and dangers he faced, he was determined to help them achieve their goals and restore the fallen Kingdom of Babkha.
Captain-General of the Blackfriars' Regiment
In addition to becoming landlord of the Blackfriars' Redux, Anthony al-Osman also inherited the position of Captain-General of the Regiment of the Blackfriars' from his deceased father.
The reasons behind the Society for Benevolent Investment's desire to raise a regiment were now clear to Anthony. The regiment provided a convenient cover for the Babkhan exiles and their plans to invade Eura, and allowed the Society to use its influence to support their efforts.
Despite the questionable reputation of the regiment, the position of Captain-General came with another unexpected benefit for Anthony. By contributing, even in a theoretical sense, a garrison to the defense of the city, he was rewarded with a seat on the council of the ruling International Mandate regime.
This position gave Anthony a great deal of influence and power, and allowed him to use his position to further support the Babkhan exiles and their plans for invasion. He was careful to use his new position wisely, and worked to ensure that the interests of the Babkhan exiles were protected.
As the years passed, Anthony continued to serve as Captain-General of the Regiment of the Blackfriars' and as a member of the council of the International Mandate. He remained committed to supporting the Babkhan exiles.
Between 1714 and 1718, the Regiment of the Blackfriars' was contracted by the Hurmu Peace Corps for security duties in Keltian Hurmu. For all that he supported the Babkhan exiles, Anthony al-Osman was relieved that their invasion of Eura was not scheduled to commence imminently.
During this time, the regiment performed its duties with efficiency and professionalism. Despite its reputation for relying on impressment and kidnapping to fill its ranks, the regiment was able to provide effective security in Keltian Hurmu, and was well-regarded by the Hurmu Peace Corps.
For Anthony, this period of relative calm was welcome. He was able to focus on his duties as Captain-General of the regiment and as a member of the council of the International Mandate, and was able to put the plans of the Babkhan exiles on the back burner for the time being.
As the years passed, Anthony continued to support the Babkhan exiles, but was content to wait until the time was right to launch their invasion of Eura.
Other interests and activities
In addition to his duties as landlord of the Blackfriars' Redux and Captain-General of the Regiment of the Blackfriars', Anthony al-Osman is also rumored to have some involvement with the cabal of pub patrons who own the Blackfriars Stadium.
The Blackfriars Stadium is an old and dilapidated football ground, sandwiched behind the back of the Blackfriars' Redux and the local asylum. It is a run-down and neglected venue, but still holds a certain charm for those who remember its heyday.
Anthony is rumored to be one of the key members of the cabal of pub patrons who own the Blackfriars Stadium. It is unclear exactly what his role is, or what he does to support the cabal, beyond not actively restricting access to the grounds.
Since 1714 AN he has been an investor in the Lycurgus Club.
Later life
By 1715 AN the rise of Anthony al-Osman in Tiegang had been such that he had come to the attention of the genealogical investigators of the Order of the Holy Lakes, raising the prospect that he might be inducted as a Knight of the Holy Lakes and thereby made an elector for the Senate of Hurmu.
He received an unexpected boost to his standing when, on 15.XV.1716 AN, he received the news that his youngest daughter, Zara had been matched to Kamran al-Osman, the eldest son of Jamshid-e Osman by the N&H Future Leadership Programme. With the wedding not scheduled until 1718 AN, he would have four years in which to put together a suitable dowry, appropriate for payment to the son of an Archon. The wedding, which occurred during the thirteenth month of 1718, proved to be an opulent, decadent, and riotous affair in equal measure, with the influence of the Honourable Company and the Society for Benevolent Investment in Tiegang now becoming a source of hostile comment amongst the common folk of the city.
Honors and Awards
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Issue
With Mei Ling:
