Henry Cassian

Henry Cassian
Cassian in a National Assembly hearing, 1710 AN
Full name	Henry Cassian
AKA	Henry Sidney Cassian
Physical information
Species	Human
Race	Aerlan
Gender	Male
Eye color	Grey
Skin color	White
Biographical information
Father	Andre Cassian
Mother	Samantha Mayville
Spouse	Catherine McDonough (m. 1682)
Children	Alfred (b. 1691), Morgan (b. 1695)
Date of birth	1657 AN
Place of birth	Syrenea
Date of death	1729 AN (aged 72)
Place of death	Noursala
Residence(s)	Noursala, Aerla
Occupation	President of Aerla (formerly)

Henry Cassian (Commonspeak Spelling: Henrë Caßian) is an Aerlan politician who served as the first President of Aerla from 1709 AN to 1720 AN. Born in Syrenea, a suburb of Noursala. Obtained a Doctorate in Law from the University of Noursala. Much of Cassian's early political career stems from his time as a judge in Noursala, where he worked to expand the legal system within the once near-lawless society of the city. Upon the formation of Aerla, he was selected by members of the National Assembly to become the first President of the nation.

Upon becoming President, he began several programs to modernize the nation. He decreed the construction of factories and roads throughout the nation, and sponsored the military to better secure nation from bandits and tribal incursions. He formed a pseudo-personality cult among many Reformist Bloc politicians known as the "Cassianites". He was, and still is, seen as the face of Aerla by many within the nation.

Retirement

The killing blow to Cassian's political career was his involvement in the Public Relief Board v. Massy et al. court case. Due to his choice to defend Robert Massy, the worst offender of the financial crimes that were perpetrated by those on his staff, led to Cassian's public image being ruined. Many smear campaigns were run on both local and national television painting Cassian as a "apologist for corruption" and as guilty of the same crimes brought up against Massy.

Facing growing pressure from this, along with calls from those in the National Assembly, Cassian announced he would step down as President. He stated that elections would be called within 3 months.

Post-scandal Life

After his resignation, Cassian retired to his country estate in the Wildwood municipality. He has denied numerous interview requests. In 1724 AN he published his memoirs, titled I Built Aerla. The book was panned by both critics and the general readers. One critic described the book as "a dry and vain 300+ page defense of his actions during and around the Public Relief Scandal".

Cassian's son, Alfred, was arrested a day after his 33rd birthday for illegally discharging a firearm. He was sentenced to 6 months in prison and had his firearms confiscated. His youngest son, Morgan, is currently attending the University of Noursala Medical School for Neuroscience.