Hagen II

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*"A good Emperor is no sword, but a scalpel to cut out the rot."*

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Hagen II is the current Emperor of the Holy Human Empire. He is the son of Goswin I, and the grandson of Hagen I.

### Early Life

His father, Emperor Goswin I, gave him an ascetic and martial upbringing. Goswin I, son of Hagen I, was raised as a scholar and a noble of refined culture, but had always felt emasculated in comparison to Hagen I, the Warrior-King. Goswin I's ineptitude in the War of the Alliance created a great deal of internal frustration and self-loathing, exacerbating an already melancholic temperament, and he resolved thereafter to ensure that his own son, the Crown Prince Hagen, would not be at the mercy of warrior-nobles and advisors in the pursuit of foreign policy.

The Crown Prince Hagen, happily, took to the instruction with great eagerness and skill. Because of his skill at horsemanship, grappling, and longsword fencing, and in contrast to the low level of martial proficiency displayed by Goswin I, Crown Prince Hagen was often referred to as "His grandfather's son". Goswin I took great pride in his son's martial prowess. After the death of Goswin I's wife, the Empress Linde, Goswin I entered a period of mourning that never lifted, and a year later, took his own life. Hagen, having lost his father and mother within a year of each other, ascended to the throne with a coronation ceremony of minimal pomp, being crowned by the Ecclesiarch of the Deodatic Church before the magnates and high nobility of the Empire.

### Reign As Emperor

Emperor Hagen II has pursued in general an active and aggressive foreign policy, in accordance with his late father's wishes. He relies heavily on mercenaries and his personal retinue, which allows him to engage in wars of an expeditionary scale, rather than requiring national levies. This has made Hagen II popular, as his wars bring national pride to the hearts of the people without bringing much of the terror or cost of war to them or their families. His most unpopular act thus far has been the imposition of a luxury tax, and the lifting of several sumptuary laws; many of the wealthier noble families resent both the removal of the exclusivity of their luxuries, and the increased cost imposed on them.

### Personal Life

In private affairs, Hagen II remains an active hunter, fencer, and rider, despite entering his 54th year of life. He holds some appreciation for music and poetry, but cares little for reading, preferring to have poems recited. He does not much care for prose, and regards attending to matters of administration as a necessary evil. He is active and social, but neither loud nor talkative; he is an attentive listener and a sly and subtle flatterer. He has a certain confidence and charisma that many find alluring.

### Family

Emperor Hagen II sired two legitimate heirs before ascending to the throne. All his legitimate issue since ascending to the throne have been daughters or stillborn. His two sons, Konrad (the elder) and Siegward (the younger), are infamously contentious, and there is concern that upon Hagen II's death, Siegward may attempt to press his own claim. Hagen II is reasonably dedicated to his wife, the Empress Gunthilde, whom he calls his 'Morning Star', and has only sired a handful of bastards over the course of his life.