Sarpedon, son of Zeus and king of Lycea, fought on the side of the Trojans in their war against the Achaeans. He was one of the highest ranking heroes in the Trojan war, and in legend, fought alongside his cousin Glaucus in their attack on the Achaean encampment. His story in mythology ends at the hands of Achilles' close ally Patroclus.
Before Sarpedon's death, his father Zeus debates whether to save his son, but decides not to intervene. Fortunately, you are a much better guardian than Zeus (the bar is admittedly very low) and so, under your expert tutelage, Sarpedon will survive the coming wars and lead the Lycian people to glory.
Sarpedon will gain advantages through trading and stockpiling treasures and resources. Your network of trade will steadily expand as your influence increases, and you can butt in on other factions' trade agreements to secure favourable deals for yourself. You're the only faction who can obtain White Granite, Celestial Iron, and Minoan relics, which give you various bonuses when you have enough to distribute across your empire to better help you fight alongside your Trojan allies - and possibly reclaim your people's ancestral home of Crete.
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