Avus IV (pronounced AH-vus) of the Salonius dynasty was the king of Viridia from Y9351* until his death in Y9402*. Trained as a paladin of Iomedae before taking the throne, Avus became known as the Sun King for his religious devotion and ambitions in making Viridia into the cultural and political center of the world. He is best remembered for his ambitious campaigns to expand Viridia's territories by sending the legions into Ishtar and north around the Phiora Sea.
Reign
Avus' military campaigns were a massive success, and the legions quickly brought Ishtar and Razgovir, the nations that would later become Izgrev, Koritan, and Talam Galta, into the folds of the Dominion. Though actual governance was often tenuous as best, the legions kept control of these regions until shortly after Avus' death from old age.
Besides his military endeavors, Avus also sponsored efforts to turn Ilirnas into a capital city that would be the envy of the world. The public works projects, grand temples, and Palace of the Kings he ordered built are some of the obviously visible results of this goal, but physical achievements was not its only aspect. Painters, sculptors, writers, and more from far and wide were given patronage if they relocated to the city, and much of Viridia's enduring artistic legacy can be traced back to these artists.
Avus sent Iomedean clergy to the lands he conquered in an attempt to bring them into the folds of the predominant church of the Dominion. This had mixed success, as many considered the priests to be in league with the legions.
Legacy
Despite his own devotion to the goddess, the church of Iomedae began to distance themselves from Avus later in his reign. The often forceful and aggressive methods that the legions deployed abroad were seen by many as running counter to their goddesses' values. Avus began to be viewed as having forgotten the tenets of righteous and just rulership, with many seeing him as too focused on short-term material gains. Though the church never officially broke with Avus or the monarchy, the closeness they once enjoyed has still not yet been regained.
Avus is remembered far better in Viridia than he is in the places that were briefly subjugated under his rule. Most Viridians see in Avus a great leader who grew the empire to new, lofty heights that many dream of one day reattaining. In Ishtar and the nations around the Phiora Sea, and especially in Koritan, Avus is instead considered a tyrannical invader who attempted to sweep away existing, thriving societies in favor of his own.
After his death, Avus was succeeded by his daughter Vita.