Adonis Carto

Adonis Carto was the fifth Emperor of the Carto Empire. His reign is mainly known for him beginning the War of Revenge, a fight against Ilaka. He is seen as a good Emperor and popular among both historians and current Cartons.

## Early Life

Adonis was the last child of Emperor Aktis Carto and Queen Marcia. He was born in **558PR** after the couple continued trying to have an heir for the Empire.

He spent a lot of his time as a child in schooling, learning how to become a capable leader and understanding why the previous Emperors worked so well. By his side was his sister Iris, a potential heir to the throne herself. Iris and Adonis got along well during this period, despite the age difference between the both of them. A lot of their time was spent closely by their father, Aktis, showing them the ropes.

In **574PR** Adonis went and studied at Carreiro College, helping build the relationship between Gonarundu and the Carto Empire. He completed his course in **577PR**, returning to the Carto Empire and his position as Prince. He quickly became loved by the people, joining the movement against Ilaka, wanting revenge for the Helicules War and everything that led up to the Carton War. While his father tried to deter him, he kept to his resolve.

## Reign

In **578PR** Emperor Aktis had a fall, hitting his head on a door handle and sustaining a significant brain injury. While he was still able to remain as Emperor, his condition was rapidly deteriorating. His final words were affection for his children, upset he couldn’t see them take over.

After a small amount of confusion about who would get the throne, Iris came out in public support of Adonis, letting him rise to the throne.

With his popularity it was an easy transition, putting most of his siblings in respective roles. While they were females, a stigma at the time, their royal blood and support of the Emperor removed any problems.

In **580PR** Adonis began discussions with Gonarundu about opening up a military alliance. It was finalised in **581PR**, presenting a unified front against Ilaka. He began building up and training the military soon after, bringing even the general foot soldiers up to a good level of experience.

In **582PR** he sent spies across the border into Ilaka, looking for any information about the Ilakan army, believing it would be weak after the reign of Pelias. When he heard they were recruiting members of the Northern tribes, he bribed what remained to refuse the Ilakans.

On Mak **583PR** Gonarundun forces led by Prince Daniel Fidalgo crossed the Kunan River and were welcomed into Carton territory. Adonis rode out with his own army to meet them, before the two nations marched across the border into Ilakan territory, starting the War of Revenge.

### War of Revenge

*See: War of Revenge*

On Mak **583PR** Gonarundun forces led by Prince Daniel Fidalgo crossed the Kunan River and were welcomed into Carton territory. Adonis rode out with his own army to meet them, before the two nations marched across the border into Ilakan territory, starting the War of Revenge.

In their first course of action, Adonis and Daniel proceeded to go through and clear the Ilakan fortifications that had been built on the border. Initially they found success, defeating the fortresses slowly and taking little casualties. Partway through is when the trouble began, their lines harassed by King Aetios’s Ilakan tribal members. While losses were minimal and they successfully fought them off, valuable supplies were transported to the forts, allowing for more time to be wasted.

By next year the fortresses had fallen, allowing Adonis and Daniel to finally face Aetios in their attempt for a decisive victory. While they ended up losing the Battle of Kulak, an embarrassing result for the Emperor, he was able to win a political victory in the Battle of Lonan.

After the Battle of Lonan, things returned to normal. Again, Aetios and his tribal men raided the supply lines of the allies, slowing down their movement immensely. This time, the tribal men were used as bait, luring the allied forces into ambushes. Adonis and Daniel tried many different tactics to deal with it, but it was only until **586PR** when Adonis finally relented, placing heavy infantry all along his supply line. With little options and mounting pressure, Adonis and Daniel moved on Ayteran, a major city in Ilaka. This ended up resulting in the Battle of Ayteran, a major victory for the allies. Yet, at the same time, one of Aetios’s generals won the Battle of Newell, bringing it back to a stalemate.

#### Treaty

Exhausted from fighting, Adonis, Aetios and Daniel eventually signed a treaty, ceding the lands taken over to Adonis in exchange for a hefty sum of money. As Gonarundu got no land in the exchange, Adonis used what little wealth he had left to pay him, along with giving him private benefits behind the scenes.

### Domestic Policy

With the war finished and his legacy secured, Adonis chose to maintain the relative peace and prosperity of his people. During his time, he held only one major Domestic Policy. The policy, enacted in **596PR** made all individuals from the newly acquired land in Ilaka as citizens of the Carto Empire. This was met with immediate backlash from his own council and people, refusing to accept their previous oppressors as their own.

Yet, Adonis was too stubborn to have his mind changed, instead he visited the new citizens and gave a speech, welcoming them into the Carto Empire as brothers and sisters. While the people at home were not completely swayed, it went a long way to help.

### International Relations

With the military relationship between Gonarundu and the Carto Empire coming to an end, Adonis made an effort to remain very close to newly crowned King Daniel. Their relationship ended up benefiting both nations greatly, creating free trade agreements alongside free immigration and discounted port usage. It was later made solid with marriages between children.

### Succession

In **604PR** Adonis started grooming Aktis II to become the next Emperor, teaching him his own ways and sending him on more major events. To help with the change in the public, Adonis officially crowned Seo Fidalgo as Princess, noting the two were the next generation.

By **608PR** Adonis and Aktis II came to an agreement, allowing the son to officially succeed his father as Emperor, allowing Adonis to return to a reserved life.

## Death

In **622PR** Adonis came down with a severe illness. Believing it was his time, he refused any medical treatment, instead believing he should act like any other old man rather than a former Emperor. For the rest of the year he was mainly bedridden, unable to leave for too long without fainting.

In early **623PR** Adonis passed away in his sleep, happy with the final moments of his life. An investigation from the Aliquam Guild into the disease or illness was offered, but was denied, letting him have his peace.

During his funeral, he was met with a large audience, all saying farewell to the beloved Emperor.

## Personal Life

In **575PR** Adonis met Cincia Anullina during his stay at Carreiro College. A lovely Nirvan girl, the two quickly became a couple, spending most of their time together. When he completed his course in **577PR** he chose to marry Cincia, bringing her back to the Carto Empire with him.

In **579PR** the couple had their first child, a boy named Aktis II, named after Adonis’s father who passed away in **578PR**. The couple would have another child, a girl named Clodia in **582PR** after many tries.

Adonis always tried to make time for his family, which was made easy when he wasn’t making any major reforms. As well as a good relationship with his children, Adonis and Daniel remained close, talking regularly in both a formal and friendly fashion.

In **602PR** Aktis II and Seo Fidalgo got married, falling in genuine love without any family interference. Adonis was overjoyed by the celebration, caring deeply for the happiness of his child.

In **608PR** Adonis stepped down as Emperor, allowing himself to become a mentor for his son instead, and spend more time with his wife and daughter Clodia.