Lysander II

Lysander II was the Grand Despot of the West, King of Lycurgia from 1648 until 1694. He was of the Hekarios dynasty, which had been appointed by the Samsonite Kaisers as Kings of Lycurgia to serve as a puppet government and keep the Lycurgan population content. Lysander's reign was mostly uneventful, and he was known to be quite cooperative with the Kaiser, much to the chagrin of Lycurgan nobility who were in large advocating for independence from the Empire.

Rumours existed throughout much of his reign that he was secretly a Unitarian Samsonist, rather than a Lycurgist, which further divided his court. He spent most of his reign refind to Lycurgia, occasionally taking vacations in Rothringen, but for the most part, remaining inactive and inoffensive so as to prevent any uprisings in his realm.

He was, however, an avid swordsman and practised rapier fencing regularly even into his old age. His reputation as a duelist very often helped defuse the tensions of his court, as he was known for hosting frequent feats and tournaments, viewing dueling as not simply a skill or a sport, but as ant itself. His skill in swordplay would ultimately be challenged when, in 1794, his right to rule was challenged by Andor Andravis, an outlander warrior who invoked an ancient Lycurgist tradition of trial by combat. Lysander couldn't refuse, for fear of upsetting his deeply religious court, as it would be both a transgression against Lycurgan tradition, but Imperial tradition as well to back down from aggressions from an Outlander.

Lysander would accept Andravis's challenge and meet him at the Taural Square in the early hours of August 2nd, 1694. The two conducted a drawn-out duel, both fighting with rapiers and neither one willing to risk pressing an attack. Andravis ultimately won the duel after running Lysander through with his blade. Lysander died very quickly after the blow was struck, and Andravis took the title of Grand Despot for himself.