565 Age of Resurgence
As Emperor Kytheon Nexentrum approached old age, questions about his success ran rampant throughout his court. By tradition his eldest scion, Prince Lucius was to claim the throne, but many doubted his ability to rule. Lucius was a scholar and a diplomat, even though he was taught in the art of combat at an early age, he was nowhere near a warrior like his father. Despite this, Kytheon had made his choice. After years of military campaigns, the once legendary man had become soft in his old age, weary of bloodshed. He knew that Lucius's thoughtful demeanor could heal the wounds he had created. On his deathbed in 547 AR, Kytheon gave Lucius his blessing, but with one caveat. If Lucius were to be respected, he must prove to his people he can lead. Kytheon made his son swear an oath to him, a promise to invade Wakova and claim it under the banner of the Nexentrum Empire, a Promised War. His hope was that this would quell the lust for conquest that was so deep within every Nexari, allowing peace to finally foster among the people.
The people of Nexentrum are of strong martial heritage. Raised on centuries of war, battle was in their blood, it was their entire culture. Expansion of the Empire was not only a necessity for them, but a divine right given by the gods themselves. Veterans and noble houses profited from war; with no war they would lose power and influence. The region of Wakova had become that of a mythic enemy through propaganda spread by warmongers. The oath to invade the region was seen as a political compromise, meant to appease the warmongers and bring the people of Nexentrum together through war one last time. Some speculate that Kytheon hoped that the Promised War would give Lucius enough time to change the course of the Empire, but as of present day this remains to be seen.
Upon gaining control of the throne, Lucius was immediately bombarded with plans to invade Wakova by war hawks and strategists within his court. Every plan, every strategy was shot down by the wave of his hand. Lucius needed his own plan, and it would take years for him to develop it. Many members of the court would call Lucius a traitor to his bloodline, allowing his more pro-war younger brother to gain popularity among many noble houses. Lucius delayed the war for 18 years before civil unrest became too much for him and his court to handle. With one last plea to the emperor, the court convinced him that if he were to keep the throne, he would need to act now, or risk being overthrown. Breaking under the pressure, with the wave of his hand he ordered his court to begin preparations for the long-promised invasion of Wakova. Allowing his generals and court to take charge of the war, Lucius took a backseat, never staining his sword during the entire conflict.
Though not participating in combat himself, Lucius oversaw all operations within the campaign. He would spend days in the war room with his generals at a time, never allowing them to leave until a humane strategy was made to minimize bloodshed. The campaign only took eight years, leaving the Nexentrum Empire with decisive victory. While relieved it was over, Lucius was filled with overwhelming guilt and regret. Many would state that the emperor was no longer himself when the war started, and when it ended, he was nothing but a husk of his former self. He had fulfilled his duty, the promise he had made to his dying father, but at what cost? The war had only created a call for more bloodshed; a call Lucius could not quell even with war itself. The war had only proved that the legacy of his family would be put in the history books as ruthless conquerors.
To clear his guilty mind, he did not fully integrate Wakova into the Empire. Another controversial decision by the emperor was to sign a treaty with Aegis, and Wakova itself: the Aegis Accords. Under this agreement, the city-states within Wakova would be allowed semi-autonomy, under the assistance of Nexentrum advisors. The Aegis Accords formally ended the Promised War, ushering in a new era of uncertain peace in the region.