Jackal Among Snakes

Epilogue 2.3: Noticed Imperfections

The governance of the Blackgard Union, and the imperial family as proxy for it, was as much a product of excellent circumstance as it was excellent governance. Without the Last Calamity as a foundational event, it’s highly unlikely that such sweeping and effective changes could be implemented. It was a great reset of the board, leaving behind a power vacuum that was taken advantage of for positive effect.

In the Age of Fury, cracks in the foundation began to show themselves. These cracks were even apparent in the imperial family, who reeled after learning of Prince Enrico’s death. It affected their largely blissful lives deeply. The necessity of controlling the situation in the Great Chu meant that their parents weren’t as present as they normally were, and this generation of the imperial family grew up differently because of that.

Third Princess Rose of Vasquer

Born 10AC

As the eldest, Rose was least affected by the Age of Fury. Named either for a birthmark on her neck or after the daughter of the former House Parbon, Rose has proven to be her mother’s daughter in more than appearance alone. She is a scholar of some acclaim, a magic researcher, and a curiosity-seeker who remained largely uninterested in other people during the whole of her childhood and most of her adulthood. She and her father were quite close before the Age of Fury, but its events put some distance between them.

During the Age of Fury, she was the one to discover and publicize the cause of Prince Enrico’s death—specifically, a poison that targeted the magic within the imperial family’s black blood. That finding further stoked the flames of rage prevailing in the country at the time, because it meant it was a deliberate attack on the imperial family. Garm claims that she expressed regret for publicizing this fact, as it only added fuel to the fire.

Beyond her own work, she patronized institutions that discovered great things under her direction. Most notable among these discoveries is the printing press, black powder, the microscope, and most of all what would become the foundation of the form of power vital in the Age of Revolutions.

She took little credit for each of these discoveries, claiming her father’s stories had inspired the majority of them.

Fourth Princess Lieselotte of Vasquer

Born 11AC

Much like her older sister Rose, she and her father were quite close before the Age of Fury. Lieselotte took after her father the most of any of the children. She was mischievous, deceptive, but nevertheless good-natured. Prince Garm claims the other children called her ‘lies a lot,’ playing off her name. Father and daughter fed off each other’s humor, bringing an air of levity to the imperial family.

tutors, and generally causing trouble at important functions. When her actions nearly

she had become quieter and more restrained, even if her fundamental nature was still intact. One hundred percent of her effort turned toward breaking up unrest. She would soothe the anger of those dissatisfied with the lack of progress in the war. She would communicate with governors upset by the lack of manpower. Though never involved in governance,

Prince Elimar

Born 13 AC

older brother, Enrico. His death impacted the then twelve-year-old child immensely. The boy, described as a clumsy giant, became very staunchly militaristic as he grew. In 31AC, on his eighteenth birthday, he attempted to join the imperial army as

but Enrico was almost too much for this

in the Blackgard Union, the mere idea provoked a public protest in Blackgard. The imperial court’s hand was forced, and Elimar became a soldier

been stolen from Royal Road. If

extremely harsh commanders, perhaps in hopes their strictness would cause him to return home. Their training, however, only fed the flame inside of him. He was passed over for promotion

at the age of twenty-three, he achieved his A-rank ascension. He had inherited the ascension of his mother, who was less opposed to his dream of military life. There was always some conflict between Argrave and Elimar, but Anneliese kept them bridged, understanding both her boys often better

of Revolutions, serving as second to one of

Vincent of

Born 15AC

his missing eye as his body had simply developed without it, and he made little effort to correct it even as he aged. Instead, he merely wore a patch with a ruby over his empty socket most of the time. His disabilities, magical or physical, never seemed to bother him. Some regarded him as a cursed child, but his parents and siblings were fiercely protective of him all the same. This attitude only increased

thought highly of him, and eventually, by Prince Garm’s words, ‘roped him into managing some of her business interests.’ He also said that Vincent was ‘incapable of feeling anger,’ and would ‘readily forgive someone

Some claimed his interest was romantic, but Vincent vehemently refuted that, saying that she ‘has always been my sister, now and forever.’ Indeed, she eventually pushed him into a marriage with the daughter of Lorena, leader of

he defused a largescale attack on Veidimen refugees by suggesting the offenders beat him instead, and is claimed

Blackgard Union. I’ve done far more deserving of a beating, even if none

of polygamy, which was the primary cause of the upset. Prince Garm claimed he loathed the reputation, and often said that ‘one wife is too many,’ and that ‘he never would’ve bothered if it meant getting so much attention.’ Regardless, his actions helped integrate Great Chu

Prince Theodore of