Astacos Carto

Astacos Carto was the seventh Emperor of the Carto Empire. He is the shortest reigning Emperor, being murdered within the first year of his reign. He is known for being a stubborn and spoiled individual.

## Early Life

Astacos Carto was the son of Prince Aktis Carto II and Princess Seo Fidalgo. He was born in Ralom, Gonarundu, during the couple's visit in **604PR**.

From an early age, Astacos began to show behaviors that would make him unfit to be a King. He was incredibly selfish and narcissistic, never caring for his three sisters, 2 of which were older than him.

In his childhood, he remained homeschooled, taught by his mothers because he couldn’t last in any schools. Tutors were brought in to help on more specialised topics.

His selfish and narcissistic behaviors were only enhanced by his father, Aktis, who spoiled the children with gifts.

Astacos was not seen much in public during his teenage years, always remaining within the palace in Helicules or attending large noble parties. Outside of the aristocracy, Astacos was seen as a horrible man, stories from his middle-income servants revealing him to be a violent man, who viewed everyone as beneath him.

While the people loved his father, Aktis, and even his elder sister, Maia, Astacos was hated

## Reign

In **621PR**, Aktis II suddenly died from chest pains, leaving the Empire without a leader. With such an unexpected death, the advisors which made up the government feared a power vacuum, especially with the army so close to the city. So, in a quick succession of events, Astacos was made Emperor, placed on the throne by the end of the year.

Astacos was quickly seen as a horrible leader, something which did not surprise the public. Rather than host a period of mourning, Astacos already had projects lined up about the construction of his statue, placing one in every city within the Carto Empire. This angered the people greatly.

Always having a spoiled life, Astacos was unable to relate to the people and instead insulted them in his public speeches, stating they were beneath him and that he would lead them to the new era. With Nilus and the army still near the city, the royal advisors tried convincing Astacos to change his attitude and lead rather than rule. Believing it an insult, Astacos instead fired all the advisors who went against him, leaving him as the sole member of government.

Fearing a Carton version of Nasos, the people and advisors turned to Nilus to bring back the monarchy, claiming him as already a hero of the Carto Empire. While Nilus was willing to overthrow Astacos, having no love for the man, he feared future consequences and chose to march off instead with the army, sending them back home.

## Death

Hearing about the potential assassination, Astacos grew furious, claiming that the people had betrayed their Emperor, ‘their god’ and that they did not deserve the peace he provided. So, during the night, he began plans for a series of murders, hoping to kill any opponent that could stop him.

After he had written his plans, he left for bed, excited for the next day where he could begin his new initiative. But instead, just as he reached his room, Astacos was stabbed by his servant, angry about the abuse she suffered by his hand. When he tried to fight back he was stabbed again, this time in the neck. With blood filling his mouth, Astacos was unable to say any final words, instead drowning on the floor of his room, becoming the first murdered Carton Emperor.

### Succession

With the Emperor dead, the royal advisors returned to their position, seeking a new candidate for the crown. Since Astacos had no children, and Aktis II had no other sons, the title of Emperor was given to Aktis’s sister, Clodia’s son, Alexios. This was the first time the title of Emperor had deviated from the direct line.