okay so like,, I GET that Essek traded the beacons away and caused a chain reaction that led to the war. That isn't a War Crime™. It's shady and selfish, yeah, but not a crime committed DURING a war, just the final tipping point for the war. The War Crimes™ was the torturing prisoners of war, like Yeza. That was violating the rules of war.
But here's ALSO the thing that I feel like EVERYONE keeps forgetting about the Beacon debacle. Essek traded the beacons about TWO YEARS before the peace talks, as stated by him on the Balleater. The Dynasty just assumed the Empire stole them when this happened. When the campaign started, there wasn't outright war. The "shadow war" or whatever was clearly going on and threats of war were abound. But it wasn't until the Dynasty agents attacked Zadash and the Nein took one of the beacons for themselves (because they didn't know any better, they just knew the Empire definitely shouldn't have it). That was at shortest estimation, a full YEAR after Essek traded the beacons away. That's a lot of time, where a LOT can happen. And after the attack on Zadash, the Dynasty was left with 2 dead operatives and no beacons, whereas the Empire was left with 1 of 2 beacons. Theu had to of assumed the Dynasty got one back, that Essek might've gone back on the deal, or something. THAT was when the war started, and the Nein dipped with missing artifact that ignited the Official War.
Like,, yes Essek traded culturally sacred artifacts to the enemy nation for curiosity and selfish reasons. He committed treason, he is not a good person. But I've just kept thinking, idk if the Empire would've started the war if they had retained both beacons during the attack on Zadash.
Just imagine the assembly contacting Essek like "what the fuck was that??? Where's the Beacon, give it back or we'll oust you to the Bright Queen!" And Essek frantically being like "shit shit shit shit shit, idk where it is, they should have it, we didn't get any back, where is it??"