Luther Hessen

Luther Hessen (Codename: Aeolus) was an agent for the Second Republic during the Wars of May. A defector of the Armed Forces of the First Republic, Luther Hessen would be instrumental in intelligence gathering and espionage during the first half of the Social War. Following the discovery of his identity by Patrician forces, Luther Hessen would go into training the Gendarmerie, the Second Republic's elite intelligence agents. His contributions to the art of intelligence gathering would make him a key reformer of the Revolutionary Intelligence Forces during the second half of the Wars of May. His post-war legacy is well remembered in his memoirs and adventure stories, many based off his wartime experiences.

Vital Statistics
Name: Luther Jerome Hessen

Birth: 8 February, 335 in Altia

Peerage: None

Allegiance: Altian (Revolutionary) Army

Rank: Colonel

Early Life and Education
Luther Hessen was born on the 8th of February of 335, in Auvergne. The son of a clerk and a school teacher, Hessen's early life would be relatively unremarkable. While he excelled in school, his distinct intelligence initially seemed to indicate a career in arts and sciences rather than any particularly martial fields. Still, the boy's personal interest in military affairs were such that, against his parents' will, he would enlist in the Altian military at the age of 16, scarcely on the eve of the Revolution. Following training, he would immediately be dispatched by the Patrician Republic to break up revolutionary insurrections, a job that Hessen would later describe as 'half-hearted, sloppy, radicalizing and thus - all good fun.' Unsurprisingly, Hessen would be among the many soldiers who followed their officers in siding with Revolutionary Forces upon the outset of the Wars of May.

The Wars of May
The Wars of May would see Luther Hessen rise rapidly through the ranks. While a professed liberal, his moderate views were not sufficient to reduce his personal charisma and shrewdness and, through good connections, skillful political maneuvering and most of all, a proven record of effectiveness, Hessen would progress from his enlisted rank to Adjutant (roughly the equivalent of Sergeant First Class) before being nominated for a slot at Officer Candidate School. In spite of the relatively brief duration of his commissioned service to that point, the enormous demand for a competent officer corps would see Hessen rapidly promoted through the ranks of the Revolutionary army. After being promoted to the rank of major, he would take the unsual step of volunteering for the newly formed Calvi Institute of Irregular Warfare in Aure. Following completion of his training, he would serve as a ranger officer in a light infantry regiment, organizing reconnaissance and the handling tactical information.

It would be his service in such a capacity that would influence Hessen's philosophy on the information war, and his belief that current methods were woefully inadequate given the technological and political circumstances.