Born in the rugged wilderness of Agania Province some 115 years before, the legend of Emils Pertinaks begins with the formation of the White Stripes resistance movement. Long credited as being his idea, Emils spearheaded the guerrilla operation against Imperial Ashland’s forces. Known for his determination, charisma, and fearlessness in battle, Emils’ name soon became synonymous with the White Stripes’ cause. In the present, his legend lives on in the form of cultural veneration for what a “real man” looks like.

Perhaps even more than Modris Valerins, modern-day Ashlanders willfully gloss over Emils’ complicated legacy–none more so than his methods of guerrilla warfare, which earned him the fearsome nickname “Čakste” (“butcher bird”) amongst his contemporaries. While little of his written correspondence survives, extant letters between other members of the White Stripes paint a portrait of a hothead determined to eradicate every last member of the ruling families and all those sympathetic to the status quo–no matter the human cost to get there. 

Oh, Emils. Initially created in 2015, “Raivo” (renamed “Bruno” shortly afterward) was a Lithuanian whose family worked alongside the Latvian Forest Brothers resistance group during World War II. Ever the stereotypical American gunslinger, Bruno was brusque and short-tempered, and used the tragedy of his brother’s death at the hands of the secret police as motivation to fight. In this respect, his character hasn’t really changed.

Bruno was cast as Sviats’ right-hand man almost from the beginning. Hence, much of his subsequent development has been in respect to this relationship, and the ever-widening gap between his personal philosophy (the ends justify the means) and Sviats’ more emphatic, humanitarian approach. Research conducted between 2017 – 2020 into the Latvian struggle for independence during World War II, proved particularly helpful in understanding the political and moral climate Bruno grew up in–not to mention the types of violence much of the Latvian resistance suffered at the hands of the Russian NVKD. These major character traits and beliefs have since followed Bruno (renamed Emils in late 2019) upon being instituted as one of Ashland’s war heroes for the Haunted comic strip.

Emils Pertinaks’ name was intentionally chosen as a subtle commentary on his personality. The name “Emils” derives from the Latin word, aemulus, meaning “rival”. In same vein, “Pertinaks” derives from the Latin Pertinax, meaning “persistent, stubborn”.

Emils used to have a doll (back when he was Bruno), made by my aunt in 2016. His doll was repurposed as Aaron’s doll in 2023.

Songs whose lyrics and/or melody call to mind scenes involving Emils; character development and beliefs; or general moods and themes from over the years.

Modris

Sviats