Emperor Mathados IV

**Emperor Mathados IV**, also known as **Mathados the Just** and **Mathados the Tyrant**, was the founder of the Nesarian Empire and the first Nesarian to bear the title of Emperor (*Regatu*). Initially styling himself as the King of Ascaria, he launched a revolt against the Republic of Nesaria in the Republican War, and declared the Empire in 58 BC upon his victory.

Though regarded as a despotic tyrant by most contemporary aristocrats, he was widely beloved by the people for returning to them many rights and liberties that had been stripped under the Republic; in a twist of fate most historians regard as highly ironic, the autocratic Mathados established a more democratic political system than had existed under the Republic. Mathados is also fondly remembered by Mortian Orcs; in return for their support in the Republican War, he granted them full legal equality and restored much of the land that was stolen from them in the Mortian Genocide. It remains disputed whether Mathados truly cared for the Orcish cause, or whether this was simply opportunistic pragmatism.

Though widely considered a fine soldier, with even his enemies recognising his martial prowess, Mathados is not regarded as an especially brilliant military commander. Historians attribute several early setbacks to Mathados's operational blunders, after which he gave military command to Rasan Malos, a more experienced general. What Mathados lacked in military leadership, he made up for in civil leadership; Mathados was an excellent orator and negotiator who was able to quickly garner widespread support for his cause, and he was a competent administrator who effectively overhauled the political and judicial systems of Nesaria.

## Origins

Mathados claimed descent from King Faltas I through the line of Merion vi Capera, a bastard son born of Faltas's pre-marital affair with a native servant named Eadda Fenra (her surname likely being an Elvic corruption of FenRann, "child of Rann"). Though Merion was Faltas's firstborn, he found it politically impossible to give Merion anything beyond a minor estate in Cafania - let alone legitimising him as the true heir.

The descendants of Merion - who took on the family name of Meriesca, lit. "Merion-child" - mostly kept their heads down as the generations passed, understanding that the Capilus dynasty would not permit them rise from obscurity. Upon the failure of the Capilus line with the early deaths of King Faltas II and his three heirs, the aristocracy made clear that they would not tolerate the Meriesca dynasty to claim the throne, asserting that a bastard had no right to inherit and heavily implying that any attempt to take the crown would be violently resisted. The Meriesca family did not make the argument that they could actually legally claim the throne - as Ascarian law does permit bastards to inherit if there are no legitimate successors - as they understood the practical reality of the situation.

Though denied the crown, the Meriesca dynasty was no longer constrained by the watchful eye of the Capilus dynasty. Some of its members became politically successful, and they eventually sold their estates in Cafania to purchase land in Merilia, along the border with Mortia. It was in this environment that Mathados was raised, coming from a land-owning and moderately successful aristocratic dynasty in the Lowerlands. He was educated in the skills that a Republican aristocrat was expected to master; oratory, mathematics, martial arts and history.

Mathados took a special interest in history - not only of his own family and the Kings of Ascaria, but also the other realms of Nesaria, including the Chiefdom of Mortana. This, combined with the fact that he likely met several Orcs in his early life due to his family's proximity to Mortia, is likely what made Mathados willing to treat Orcs as equals, and his understanding of and empathy for the Mortians would become key factors in their support for him later on.

The Meriesca dynasty never forgot their kingly lineage. The family made sure to stress to its children that they were of royal blood, even if the rest of Nesaria refused to recognise it. Mathados's father, Rigos, was an especially strong believer in this fact; not only did he frequently remind his son that they were "secret Kings", but he became infamous across Nesaria for making comparisons between the Republic and the old Kingdom and condemning Republican elites for abandoning the rights and traditions of Ascaria. Rigos gained the respect of populist politicians for his vigorous rhetoric, but earned the undying emnity of the elites - and Rigos soon found himself dead, perishing from no obvious cause a few hours after eating his dinner. Mathados was certain his father had been poisoned, but the culprit had left no traces.

Though Rigos loudly proclaimed his distaste for the Republic, Mathados remained strategically silent. His long-held worry that his father was being too reckless were proven right when Rigos was poisoned, and Mathados came to recognise that the Republic could not be defied by one man alone. However, that did not mean he had no desire to defy the Republic - on the contrary, his father's death only convinced him that the Republic had to be destroyed.

Having learnt of the decay of the people's rights under the Republic and witnessing its violent corruption first-hand - as well as being utterly convinced of his own right to rule - he swore in the name of Yacela and Acras that he would take the throne, vowing to construct magnificent temples for them if they granted him victory. All that remained was to covertly build a network of allies and carefully wait for the right moment to strike.