Drosios

Emperor (Drosios) Neretzes Appears in Official Information Faction Calradic Empire Monarch Formerly Title Emperor (formerly) Reign Unknown - 1077 Culture Imperial Calradian Clan Neretzes Character Background Home Saneopa (formerly) Background Second-to-last emperor before civil war Gender Male Age Deceased Spouse Unknown Children Penton Drosios Neretzes was the second-to-last undisputed Emperor of the unified Calradic Empire and the former leader of clan Neretzes. He was the father of Archon Penton. Contents 1 Background 2 Politics 3 Battle of Pendraic 4 Legacy Background[] His reign was tainted by the Battle of Pendraic, his last action and failure as Emperor, also mockingly known by the commons as 'Neretzes's Folly'. Despite this one significant blunder, Drosios' emperorship may have once seemed very promising, with the Empire's prospects resurfacing after generations of lost territory to Battanian and Sturgian incursions, as well as near-total capitulation to Vlandian forces, which strong-armed the Empire since the days of Osric Iron-Arm. Neretzes bore the monumental burden of reclaiming these lost lands and the Empire's pride — a fateful burden of which he would never surpass. Politics[] As the Neretzes clan were staunch supporters of the senatorial class, Drosios Neretzes would have disfavored the strong centralization or populist reforms, which would eventually characterize the divisions of the Calradic civil war. Istiana mentions her decade of service under Neretzes as his de-facto spymaster, naming him a "stubborn but disciplined man", though also passingly refers to the many assassinations she ordered on his behalf. Not much else is known about Neretzes beyond his severe blunder at Pendraic. What is known are the opinions of those around the emperor. Senator Lucon Osticos sympathized with Neretzes, while Garios Comnos, who was a lieutenant during the critical battle, had nothing but disdain for the Emperor. Battle of Pendraic[] According to Penton Nereztes, the Sturgians had begun raiding the Empire and Emperor Nereztes had no choice but to respond with force. Before setting his plan to action, Neretzes secured mercenary support from the Khuzait and Aserai, while calling on the Empire's alliance with the Vlandians. Altogether, Neretzes was comprehensive in his preparations for the war, winning over a majority of Calradia's factions to join him in the campaign. The Empire and its allies took note that the Vlandians were reluctant to reply to their oathbound call to arms. Neretzes then demanded the support of the Vlandians and shamed them as cravens if they failed to honor the Imperial alliance. This decision is likely what led to the failure at Pendraic — but although the Vlandian commanders were enraged at the Emperor's insolence, they made preparations to betray the Imperials. The Imperial host gathered alongside Aserai and Khuzait mercenaries near Pendraic Castle and began to marching through a wooded mountain pass. The battle began when the Battanians under High King Caladog launched an ambush, wherein they were initially routed by Aserai forces. However, in striking Battanians, the Aserai had been lured into the open where King Derthert of the Vlandians launched his surprise assault. Vlandian cavalry rode down the cornered Aserai mercenaries. This betrayal by the Vlandians brought a sudden end to terse alliance between the Empire and Vlandia, which had lingered uneasily since the time of Osric Iron-Arm. As the Vlandians broke through the Aserai, they continued to charge towards the Imperial army itself, but the Khuzait mercenaries under Solun Noyan of the Khergit clan managed to repel the Vlandians. Amidst the fighting, Solun and the male members of his family were slain. As the cavalry fought, Sturgian forces under Grand Prince Vadinslav launched a direct assault against the Imperial forces. Emperor Neretzes led a counter-offensive himself, but was defeated and forced back to his camp. The reminder of the Imperial host was surrounded and slaughtered, including Neretzes himself. Influential survivors of the battle, such as Garios and Arenicos, barely escaped with their lives. Legacy[] Neretzes would forever be remembered for this decisive moment in the Calradic Empire's history. His aims for imperial reconquest would be forgotten — his careful preparation and planning of the Empire's rebirth lost to time. As the Empire's military, aristocracy, Senate, and common people were left more divided than ever after the loss, the battle paved the way for the Calradic civil war that would pit every faction of the Empire against itself in the hopes of preventing another ruler like Neretzes — or, perhaps, the Neretzes they remember, not necessarily the one that truly existed. Although it was typical for an emperor's son to succeed him, favor for the Nereztes family had diminished and the Senate voted for the imperial diadem to be given to Arenicos Pethros.