Jackal Among Snakes

Princess Elenore of Vasquer

To be frank, I was hesitant to pen this profile. Prince Garm, however, has given me assurances, and wishes for Elenore to receive some recognition after all these years.

“The simple truth of the matter is that we’re Elenore’s instruments, not the other way around. What she tells us to do, we do. We get all of the accolades, all of the recognition, but most of the essence comes from her. It’d be a shame if that wasn’t precisely the way she prefers things. I almost feel bad when someone credits me for a plan of her design, but then I remember how rich she is.”

The previous quote comes from Emperor Argrave, allegedly, but very few are willing to substantiate it. Regardless of its veracity, the truth in the statement is undeniable. The Prime Minister of the Blackgard Union made a grand total of two major public appearances in the first twenty-five years, and both were alongside Argrave and Anneliese. Despite that, every governor that I’ve spoken to has cited Elenore as the true architect behind governance.

During the Age of Reclamation, she lived a very humble, low-key life in Blackgard. She had one child with her husband, the King of the Scorched Sands—a girl whom they named Therese. I was unable to find a date of birth, but given Garm has memories of her as a child, they were likely similar ages. Theirs was a small, happy family, sometimes separated given the necessity of Durran’s presence in the Burnt Desert.

In effect, though, their family was much larger. Elenore expended great effort to establish orphanages to manage children that had lost their family after the calamity. A great many of these children were hers in all but name, sharing house and home with her own daughter. Prince Garm recalls playing with these children in her home, and can distinctly recall them calling Elenore ‘mom’ and receiving no refutation. These orphans received excellent educations, and many went on to achieve significant things in their own right.

That kind image stands in stark contrast to the government established, which was tremendously anti-corruption and ruthlessly meritocratic. Embezzlers and corrupt officials were executed in gruesomely creative ways, sometimes by trial and other times by suspicious incidents. Governors had great freedom, but the Prime Minister remained an incredibly powerful moderating force with near-total control of the imperial army.

In 1AC, the only ‘administrators’ around were the remnants of nobles. By 25AC, Elenore had established a robust civil service selection process that all officials—including governors—were mandated to pass. When her husband failed a civil service exam, she revoked his governorship with the same indifference she had with any other. The officials in the empire are fiercely anti-corruption to this day. It’s said that a civil servant would sooner hang himself than steal a pen—but then, they’re paid well enough they don’t need to.

Her incorruptible administration facilitated sweeping changes. Using the Three Principles drafted before the calamity as a foundation, she created a robust legal system. She facilitated trade and commerce, and in 24AC began to introduce state-secured credit with the aim to gradually transition from minting coins to paper currency. Her personal stake in businesses around the country was large, yet much of her personal profit went directly into the nation’s treasury, funding the various needs of state.

Perhaps the only thing Elenore can’t reasonably claim some of the credit for is the army. Its architecture wasn’t of her design, though she did undoubtedly provide the materials for its construction. But though Elenore was endlessly competent, she couldn’t have achieved what she did without working with people of the same caliber. To that point, some persons stick out above others.

Governor Nikoletta of Monticci

Governor from 1AC to 23AC

Raised to be an heir of a dukedom that relied heavily on mercantile endeavors, Nikoletta proved to be one of the most able administrators of the age. She received harsh criticism for having no children, yet that steadfast commitment helped dissolve the persistent sentiment toward a necessity of nobility and lineage. She proved vital for reestablishing magical education, and endeavored thoroughly for a solely meritocratic selection process in the new system.

Governor Vasilisa of Quadreign

Governor from 2AC to 27ACn/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

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The northern reaches of Berendar suffered terribly after the calamity. It had faced the most severe population drop of any region, and its people bore some resentment toward the crown for the death of Archduchess Diana and subsequent dissolution of its noble house. Exotic insects plagued the region for many years even despite the frigid cold, bringing with them diseases unimaginable.

Vasilisa, who thought herself entirely inadequate for the role, nevertheless thrived in it, aided by the black flame that was the heritage of their house. With the help of her niece, who—as Quadreign’s heir—formally dissolved the archduchy in 3AC, they transformed the region entirely.

In 17AC, her attempt at secession from the empire proved to be a bold yet successful gamble that earned their region aid from the imperial court. This aid proved substantial enough to build infrastructure that could sustain countless settlements in areas once thought unlivable, and further earned the crown the respect of its people. Today, the north remains the single most industrially productive region in Vasquer because of Vasilisa’s efforts. The northern coast in particular received great settlement from Veidimen.

Myriarch Ghan

Governor 7AC to 48AC

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After the end of the calamity, gods returned to being mere mortals. Ghan was the result of one such devolution—once patriarch of the elven gods of the Bloodwoods, he became the eventual leader of the elves in the Bloodwoods. They were already a protectorate of the Blackgard Union, but formally dissolved it at Ghan’s insistence, joining the Bloodwoods with the empire.

The Bloodwoods themselves—a remarkably inhospitable place before the calamity, and still somewhat so after—were declared a nature reserve by the crown. The majority of its redwoods had resisted the calamity entirely, and in a few years, it became unrecognizable the region had even been marred.

Elves of the region maintain it to this day, keeping with their old traditions (with the notable exception of now actually welcoming visitors). Unlike other governorships, theirs was an elected position from its inception, and maintains the name of ‘Myriarch.’ The only building persisting is an estate built by Onychinusa, of which little is known. By Garm’s word, it’s a haven for exotic animals and creatures, including the emperor’s own Brumesingers.

Governor Therese of the Scorched Sands

Governor 20AC to 35AC

Unlike her brother the emperor, Elenore wasn’t opposed to her children following her footsteps. Durran’s governorship was revoked in 15AC, during which time another reigned ably. In 20AC, however, his daughter assumed his old post. Ties between the Burnt Desert and the rest of Berendar remained tense. The Age of Fury likely helped bring them into the fold—one positive of that otherwise unpleasant time.

Therese proved to possess her mother’s genius, and according to Elenore, ‘her namesake’s demeanor.’ Some criticize her for not allowing old tribal allegiances to persist, but all told, her governance managed to totally integrate the oft-considered ungovernable desert into the Blackgard Union. She was aided by a large number of childhood friends from the orphanages Elenore established.

She received great honors from the imperial crown in a ceremony. This event, held at the beginning of 24AC, was one of the two times Elenore made a public appearance in the Age of Reclamation.

Governor Julio

Governor 1AC to 24AC

An exemplar of merit, Julio stood as the most prominent example of a common man made great. Twenty-two after the end of the calamity and a crippled soldier of the army, he rebuilt his home city of Relize. Patrician families of that city proved to fight him tooth and nail to retain their distinctive monopolies over certain industries, and despite staggering bribes offered, his single-minded focus was the progress of his governed region.

In his twenty-three years of governorship, he not only reestablished Relize as a tremendously populous trade hub, he also established the single largest independent bank in the country. He would become one of the main proponents for a central bank in the future. He was a fierce advocate for equality in all its forms, noted for outlandishly flamboyant declarations and an extremely complicated romantic life which involved a lunar dragon and a score of others immortalized in the play, ‘League of the Spurned.’

Emperor Argrave once publicly deemed him ‘a little insane, but a mostly good person.’ Prince Garm adds that the emperor may have levied threats toward the philanderer, because Julio consistently denied the existence of any of the emperor’s daughters in mocking deference.

Dario: Registrar of Mines

Once a member of the subterranean communes, Dario was appointed to oversee mining efforts throughout the whole empire. Bizarrely, the automatons of his people ceased to function after the Last Calamity. This fact bred some distrust in the populace—distrust that Dario quickly did away with by pivoting his people toward the development of mining tools in concert with the dwarven people.

With the entire continent’s mineral reserves disturbed, he proved an invaluable prospector. His partner, Melanie, proved adroit at facilitating the proliferation of these resources throughout the continent. Details on their precise relationship are unclear, but after a while, the two of them retired to obscurity, leaving the country with reserves of resources that are drawn upon to this day.

Raven: Maestro, Imperial Physician

Raven was the first to earn the title of Maestro—an honor granted by the prime minister, emperor, or empress to honor achievements in magic. This fact is often overlooked given the fact no ceremony was held, but Prince Garm confirmed it. Raven provided a vast quantity of knowledge used to revolutionize the healing arts. With Raven’s knowledge, things like lost limbs or gouged eyes were no longer permanent afflictions. Cancer could be stymied, or even removed altogether. Countless such advances exist, affecting every ailment one might think of.

In a few decades, Raven’s work proliferated, transforming the Blackgard Union into an incredibly medically advanced nation compared to its predecessor. In tandem with significant funding from the crown, a tax system mandating medical saving, and considerable charity efforts, population growth was further buoyed beyond comparable nations. Raven was the primary figure that made that possible.

Many claim that far more sinister studies were kept quiet; the creation of false humans, surgeries that could modify the body to reach greater heights, and other such tales. Some of that is verifiable—Argrave himself testifies to Raven’s aid. Furthermore, all of the imperial family, even the non-spellcaster Elenore, don’t demonstrate any signs of degeneration from age. Prince Garm refrained from commenting on the subject, but did add he can’t remember any procedures done on him.

All said, there’s likely some validity to more advanced knowledge kept out of the public hand. However, rumors that Raven has a lab on the moon where he’s welcomed as consort to the leader of the lunar dragons are likely superstition.

Artur: Grand Architect

Artur is commonly said to have been burdened so much by his creative genius that the world saw fit to make him small to balance. The man himself seems entirely unaware of the gravity of his achievements, constantly driving forward to the next project. Though a crafter of weapons in the previous age, in the Age of Reclamation he was an unrelenting builder responsible for beautiful, practical cities and countless great works of art within them.

He earned the title of Maestro twice over—the first for his enchanting advancements, and the second for his subsequent mastery of earth magic. The latter was achieved during the Age of Fury, however. His greatest achievements have yet to come, but even in this age, he was a boundless fountain of ideas well worth noting.

The next and last section of this Age of Reclamation shall serve as a fitting prelude to the beginning of the Age of Fury. The imperial army became the final step in the transition to a permanent army. Even its predecessor—the standing army serving the Kingdom of Vasquer—cannot be compared to the sheer ability and discipline of the Blackgard Union’s protectors. Moreover, a true navy took to sea, defending the burgeoning trade routes opening up all along the coasts.

I eagerly look forward to discussing the army alongside my own personal experience serving under two legends, Galamon and Orion.