Perhaps the most powerful man in the Free Wastes who does not chair The Board (ostensibly), Xanthius rose to power when he orchestrated the fall of his home city, New Hope, to the Imperials. This gave them a springing point from which to take the rest of what is now the southern half of Imperial Ossiria. For his efforts, he was rewarded control of New Hope, and proved such a shrewd businessman and leader that he was eventually made House Grandius' official representative in the Wastes. Although he is now the patriarch of a powerful house and a highly influential figure in Imperial politics, he is distrusted by many, both inside and out of the Imperium. After all, he has already shown the price of his loyalty.