Petros I Reisenwulf

Petros I Reisenwulf, also known as Petros the Great, Petros the Bull, and The Bull of the Rotterhorn, was the second Emperor of Räsgard (although the first to actually hold the throne, having posthumously deferred the title of Emperor to his brother Augustin for one year). Known as a fearsome warrior, he fought alongside his brother during Augustin's Rebellion, and led the rebel forces to victory after Augustin's death at the Battle of the Aiberrun. After the war he established the Empire of Räsgard.

Augustin's Rebellion

Petros was born the second son of Ursus Reisenwulf, and was raised to be a soldier in the Arideian military. Before he had a chance to join however, the disastrous Scouring of the Westfarm occurred which led to widespread outrage. After his father's death Petros became a staunch supporter of his brother, and was instrumental in gaining much of the early support for the brewing rebellion. Petros's massive frame cut an imposing figure, and garnered attention and respect from many a soldier. During the storming of the Rotterhorn Petros was the first through the gates, and personally led the infantry to victory. Sometime towards the outbreak of the war, he began using a large black bull as his steed, earning himself the epithet The Bull of the Rotterhorn. Petros' leadership and prowess in battle made him a legend in his own time, and he won many battles throughout the war. After Augustin's death in the Battle of the Aiberrun, he took command of the rebel forces and forced the Arideian Empire into a complete surrender.

The Rotterhorn Concordat

In the aftermath of the rebellion, it needed to be decided how to address the political situation in the power vacuum left by the Arideian Empire. A great council of lords was held at the Rotterhorn, and deliberations lasted for months. Eventually, it was decided that the regions of Hildonia, the Reisenland, and Vätteroth would unite under a new empire situated around the city of Räsgard, proclaiming Petros as emperor. The regions of the Southmarch and Norretain would become independent, but swore oaths of alliance to the new empire. No representatives from the Westfarm region were present at the Concordat, as the majority of the surviving population fled after its destruction. As the region was seen as barren waste, its ownership was left undetermined. The deposed emperor Caelykolos V was allowed to retain some measure of power, and named king of the rump state of Adarna. In honor of his brother's legacy, Petros himself would delay his own coronation by one year, choosing to posthumously declare Augustin as the first Emperor of Räsgard (albeit ceremonially). In 1429, Petros was crowned Emperor of Räsgard.

Early Reign and the Fetzwald Rebellion

While the majority of lords in attendance at the signing of the Rotterhorn Concordat were in favor of a new empire, there were several who opposed the decision for various reasons ranging from a desire for full independence to simply preferring a different ruler. After the signing most dissenters begrudgingly accepted the decision, but some made a stand against Petros' rule. As such, the fledgling emperor spent the first three years of his reign putting down several minor rebellions. Through show of force and diplomatic skill, Petros was able to force an end to all but one of these uprisings without bloodshed. However, in 1430 one particularly stubborn Vätterothi lord, Count Raymond Hallworth of Fetzwald, declared his unyielding opposition to the new regime and refused to surrender under any circumstances. Feeling his hand forced, Petros led an invasion of Fetzwald and captured the countryside with only minor skirmishes, taking around 150 rebellious militia captive before laying siege to Hallworth's main castle. According to Petros' own journals, he was fully aware of the optics of the situation and took every opportunity to end the situation peacefully. Despite this, Hallworth still refused to surrender, and was killed in the storming of the castle. While a relatively minor engagement, the Fetzwald Rebellion would centuries later become a rallying point for Vätterothi independence movements.

Barratos War and relations with Kassouth

His power fully secured, Petros then set his sights on ending the rampant piracy that posed trouble for the new empire. Räsgard had to content with piracy in both the Pondir Sea in the north and Sheep's Bay in the south. After weighing his options, in 1432 Petros made the calculated decision to assault Barratos, the pirate stronghold in the Pondir Sea. An Imperial fleet made up mostly of captured Arideian ships and re-purposed merchant vessels blockaded the island while an invasion force could be put together. Later in the year a full-scale assault was launched, and the pirate stronghold was captured. Petros then leveraged this war to force the Kassothi corsairs to sign a treaty that came to be known as the Old Oath. The corsairs would be permitted to retain their independence on two conditions: firstly, that they never plunder any ship flying the colors of Räsgard; secondly, that they come to the aid of the empire if called upon. This proposal was made on no uncertain terms: the corsairs would face the same fate as their northern counterparts if they refused. This controversial ultimatum lead to the Kassothi Civil War, in which corsair captains on either side fought against each other for dominance. Eventually, one captain named Almos Korvallis achieved dominance, declaring himself Overcaptain of Kassouth and signing the Old Oath on behalf of all captains.

Petros "The Bull" Reisenwulf

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Second Emperor of Räsgard

Reign: 1429-1453 (25 years)
Predecessor: Augustin
Successor: Ludwig

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Born: 1399
Died: 1453 (aged 54)
Cause of Death: Stroke
Family: House of Reisenwulf
Parent(s): Ursus
Issue: Elios, Ekhart, Alred, Anastasia
Relative(s): Augustin (brother)