Laethis Soanis
King Laethis Soanis of Urtheon is doubtlessly among the most controversial historical figures in Leanor's history. Though Laethis is considered rather villainous by most, some look up to him as a powerful King, a brilliant military leader and a successful conquerer. Today, he is mostly known for his exploits during the Great War, his biggest military campaign, which he started right after being crowned King of Urtheon. However, Laethis's political influence didn't start there, but instead grew throughout his entire adult life up to that point.
Laethis grew up under his grandfather's strict and harsh but fair rule. As the then Crown Prince's son, Laethis was always expected to be on his best behaviour and study a wide variety of subjects. Whilst he was hardly interested in things such as music, art and science, he became an excellent swordsman and was fascinated by history and military strategy. He was particularly interested in the humble origins and highly successful conquests of the old Acadean Empire.
His grandfather died when Laethis was fourteen years old, passing the throne to Laethis's father, making him the direct successor to the throne. Laethis soon realized that he had an ability to influence his father's rule, which he used to shape the development of the kingdom of Urtheon. Having been brought up within the ranks of the urtheonian army, Laethis took leading positions in the military at quite a young age, which further increased his political influence.
Over the years, Laethis became more and more aware of Urtheon's political standing in relation to the other kingdoms of Leanor, which he considered far from satisfactory. Specifically the situation between Urtheon and Eleonis regarding the resources in the Silver Mountains struck him as inadequate. A compromising contract had been drawn up between the two long ago, which either side had grudgingly adhered to since. In Laethis's opinion, it was high time to change things. During his father's reign, he repeatedly tried to convince his father to do something about it, but this was the one thing he wouldn't be convinced of.
In 1108 CE, Laethis's father died, giving him the opportunity to take matters into his own hands as the new King. Though officially the old King was said to have died of the Fever, rumour has it that he was actually poisoned, possibly at the command of his own son. Since the urtheonian army was much smaller and less well-trained than the eleonian one, Laethis first went north and east to conquer other countries to increase his manpower. Only after that did he march on Eleonis but was intercepted in Lupear by the Southern Alliance between Eleonis, Lupear and Aguilear. A string of battles ensued, but neither side could best the other, so Laethis suggested a duel to decide the war. The duel ended when eleonian General Riarcos Angeleos killed Laethis. This campaign later became known as the Great War.
What had started as an attempt to expand the borders of Urtheon into what could well have become a new Empire spanning all of Leanor and the regions north of it, ended with the kingdom losing a considerable amount of territory and the resources that came with it. To this day, Laethis's descendants hold a grudge against the southern kingdoms, Eleonis in particular, for killing Laethis and ruining their best attempt at considerable power. In Urtheon, Laethis is seen as more of a tragic hero, whilst most other peoples in and around Leanor consider him a conquerer with delusions of grandeur who was defeated by their own group of tragic heroes.
Laethis grew up under his grandfather's strict and harsh but fair rule. As the then Crown Prince's son, Laethis was always expected to be on his best behaviour and study a wide variety of subjects. Whilst he was hardly interested in things such as music, art and science, he became an excellent swordsman and was fascinated by history and military strategy. He was particularly interested in the humble origins and highly successful conquests of the old Acadean Empire.
His grandfather died when Laethis was fourteen years old, passing the throne to Laethis's father, making him the direct successor to the throne. Laethis soon realized that he had an ability to influence his father's rule, which he used to shape the development of the kingdom of Urtheon. Having been brought up within the ranks of the urtheonian army, Laethis took leading positions in the military at quite a young age, which further increased his political influence.
Over the years, Laethis became more and more aware of Urtheon's political standing in relation to the other kingdoms of Leanor, which he considered far from satisfactory. Specifically the situation between Urtheon and Eleonis regarding the resources in the Silver Mountains struck him as inadequate. A compromising contract had been drawn up between the two long ago, which either side had grudgingly adhered to since. In Laethis's opinion, it was high time to change things. During his father's reign, he repeatedly tried to convince his father to do something about it, but this was the one thing he wouldn't be convinced of.
In 1108 CE, Laethis's father died, giving him the opportunity to take matters into his own hands as the new King. Though officially the old King was said to have died of the Fever, rumour has it that he was actually poisoned, possibly at the command of his own son. Since the urtheonian army was much smaller and less well-trained than the eleonian one, Laethis first went north and east to conquer other countries to increase his manpower. Only after that did he march on Eleonis but was intercepted in Lupear by the Southern Alliance between Eleonis, Lupear and Aguilear. A string of battles ensued, but neither side could best the other, so Laethis suggested a duel to decide the war. The duel ended when eleonian General Riarcos Angeleos killed Laethis. This campaign later became known as the Great War.
What had started as an attempt to expand the borders of Urtheon into what could well have become a new Empire spanning all of Leanor and the regions north of it, ended with the kingdom losing a considerable amount of territory and the resources that came with it. To this day, Laethis's descendants hold a grudge against the southern kingdoms, Eleonis in particular, for killing Laethis and ruining their best attempt at considerable power. In Urtheon, Laethis is seen as more of a tragic hero, whilst most other peoples in and around Leanor consider him a conquerer with delusions of grandeur who was defeated by their own group of tragic heroes.
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