Konstanos Dragases

Eliana Dragases

*"I stand at the precipice. Either I will be known as a good leader, or I will be forgotten as another would-be Emperor. I will not be a page in a history book."*

## History

On the ashes of kings and generals stand the senate. From birth Konstanos grew around and adapted with his soon-to-be inherited wealth. The power his family held was nearly unparalleled. Though many nobles were sent to lead battles, or to be forgotten in the far reaches of the Empire, Konstanos remained prominent.

The son of a noble family, Konstanos was expected to uphold aristocratic normalcy, as well as integrally participate in an outgoing affair of political bribery and eventually military servitude as either an officer. Raised by the most literate of bishops, specifically one part of the Council of Clerics, he took faith with more emotion than reason. Romanticizing mystery, he was a boy who asked many questions, while also expecting no soul to answer.

Inevitably he came to the realization of being an only-child. Eventually another boy would be brought into his home, and to the young and assumptive Konstanos, it was a direct challenge of what he believed to be his inheritance.

Mehamos was the adopted child, a less fickle and more ignorant creature. Before Konstanos could assert his position within the family, he was sent to Myzaea. Though wielding little recognition beyond the souring position his family held in the senate, he committed to his duty.

Though gaining little enjoyment in debates against the growingly powerful liberal senators, he was eventually tasked by Emperor Heraklion Kamanos with more administrative duties. His competence allowed him to soar as Heraklion's protégé.

Konstanos would lead a mildly successful campaign against the Styrians in the Lakoni-Styrian Wars, but he would be summoned back to the capital to tend to political matters. Only weeks after, the Third and final Styrian War would end.

Though Heraklion grew older, his wives did not. Three wives he went through, and the last was as mischievous as those who deviously plot with toga and parchment. Konstanos was never trusting of the woman who had married his Emperor, and before he could spend time unearthing a growingly potent coup, he was sent to the city of Prolesia to recover artifacts.

The menial task revealed the old identity and the new congruent on a path of torment and disgust. Konstanos wrote extensively during this period to cover his sanity, yet the stench and unholy creatures overwhelmed him, yet slayed those unable to comprehend.

Upon his return to the Empire a new leader ruled; a Georgios Lekepanos. Rumors of Emperor Heraklion's death alongside the massacre of a dozen senators present gave fruit that fueled his rivalry against the self-proclaimed Empress Rhynesa Kamanos.

Though praised for his return, he was silently offered the role of general under another self-proclaimed Emperor; Darios Nerras. Refusing, he petitioned against these tyrants using the code of law established generations prior.

His support rocketed. Georgios Lekepanos would perish at the hand of Darios Nerras, and with another Emperor gone, one more would be required to restore order. Due to his speeches exacting revenge against Rhynesa, and the tyranny of Darios, he would be unanimously elected Emperor of Myzaea.

Without a completely unified military, he marched west to battle Darios Nerras, and rid the contender. With exhausted army, and children alongside his adopted brother, he was able to seize a victory at the Battle of Lefkada. The death of his firstborn would shake his world, however he would continue his ruthless campaign by preparing to sail east.

This one-two punch campaign ended abruptly, as Rhynesa's armies were found north near Myzaea. The exhaustion swept through him, and though sleepless he persevered. The rough nights he clung tightly to a diary documenting his toils, speaking of mortality and the religion he fervently believed in -- yet its requests he failed to meet.

The Battle of Myzaea saw the bloodiest fighting and most diverse fighting in Edafosian History. From boarding actions to naval invasions, to a siege and sally, then to a route and cavalry charge. Konstanos saw his brother within the thickest of the fighting, and soon so would he. The Emperor's regalia shown through the night, accompanied by the steel of foreigners bought to protect him, and though his life would almost be taken he had miraculously survived.

With victory he expected total surrender, yet Rhynesa's legions reorganized across the strait, and licked what wounds were manageable. Though a victor at Myzaea, and Lefkada, the people he governed and administered began to starve. With fewer troops willing to serve, his army is growingly untangable, and the only defense is the strait.

The policies Konstanos vehemently defends allows his enemies to be more flexible. The moniker "Iron Emperor of Myzaea" is both a praise, and a mocking gesture. Unbreakable in battle, but unbendable in diplomacy. Emperor Konstanos is at the precipice of his life, and will either be destroyed and forgotten as an upstart reformer, or restore what many would view the heart of civilization.