Triumvir Aula Eppia
| Name | Aula Eppia |
|---|---|
| Title | Triumvir |
| Date of Birth | 16.11.31065 |
| Planet of Origin | Umbria |
| Affiliation | Triumvirate |
Triumvir Aula Eppia is the physical embodiment of the Republic's soul. Having served as Triumvir for more than thirty years, Eppia has been a steady and responsible voice in the Republic's political discourse, ever determined to prove to the people of the Umbrian Republic that their government continues to work for their best interest.
Eppia had a modest upbringing in the middle reaches of the Republic's capital of Perugia. Her father was a banker, while her mother was a school teacher. They raised their daughter to be civic minded, exposing her to both the best and worst of the Republic. Visits to the Umbrian Academy of Science were mixed with service events helping the capital's poor.
The stark contrast between the glitz and glamour of the Republic's institutions and the grimy conditions that prevailed in the poorest parts of the city would have a profound effect on the future Triumvir.
Seeing a path in politics as the best way to achieve meaningful change, Eppia would earn herself a degree in political science before joining the staff of Senator Claudia Ravilla. Ravilla was known as a fierce advocate for the Republic's underclass, and the Senator found the youthful energy and enthusiasm that Eppia brought to her office to be much needed.
The two women would grow close as the years progressed, with Eppia seeing the older senator as a mentor, role model, and surrogate sister. Through Ravilla, Aula would learn the ins and outs of the Senate's inner workings. Especially good at sifting through the extravagant discourse to find politicians' true positions, Eppia would prove herself to be a natural.
Despite not holding an elected office of her own, Eppia succeeded in creating a reputation for herself amongst the senatorial class. It was broadly understood that when Aula Eppia recommended a particular proposal, she was speaking with the full backing of Senator Ravilla.
By the time Aula had reached her mid-thirties, it was clear that it was only a matter of time before she would earn her own seat in the Senate. This would come in the elections of 31099, where Aula won her race for senate by a wide margin, representing the people of Perugia itself.
Her victory would be bittersweet however, as she never had the opportunity to serve with her mentor. Senator Ravilla succumbed to a terminal illness only months before she took her seat in the Senate.
The newly minted Senator Eppia had little time to mourn however, as a number of issues demanded the Senate's immediate attention. Recent attempts to reform the Colonial Affairs Commission had made significant strides in rooting out corruption and cronyism in that organization. However, with success came a lessening of pressure from the Frontier.
Some senators sought to quietly role back some of the reforms, but Aula immediately saw this as a threat to the improvements that had been made in relations between the newly established colonies and the more developed worlds in the Republic's core.
Galvanizing the handful of senators representing Frontier worlds, Eppia would go on the attack, using her connections both within the senate and outside of it to pressure the body to abandon its deregulation efforts. Damaging stories began to appear in both reputable publications like Republic News Today as well as in the Republic's gutter press.
Shocked by the ferocity of Eppia's defense, the Senate withdrew the proposal. When asked what had motivated her to such forceful extremes, Aula is said to have responded by simply stating "the Senate serves the Republic, not the other way around."
That simple sentiment would guide the rest of her political career. In 3115 she would run for Triumvir and win, becoming the first executive to come from more humble origins in a generation. She brought the same mentality of pragmatism and servant leadership that had been a hallmark of her career in the Senate to the Triumvirate, and she would quickly establish herself as an independent and fair minded leader.
Decades of experience in public service would be put to the ultimate test with the arrival of the Ascomanni.
It would be during the initial shock and uncertainty following the start of hostilities where Eppia would truly shine. Using every ounce of her cached goodwill and public trust, Eppia would rally the people of the Republic, urging them to be self-confident in the midst of trying times.
The effects were profound, staving off panic and cementing Triumvir Eppia's place as the lodestone of the Republic.