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 caused a serious diplomatic incident in 30AC, Argrave called upon Law, a former deity, to act as her mentor. She was taken to a secluded area, where she remained quiet for three

turned toward breaking up unrest. She would soothe the anger of those dissatisfied with the lack of progress in the war. She would

Prince Elimar of

Born 13 AC

In 31AC, on his eighteenth birthday, he attempted to join the imperial army as a common soldier.

son, and I love you, but Enrico was almost too much for this family to bear.

rebuke, Elimar was persistent. When rumor began to spread that the emperor was denying his son the right to be a soldier in the Blackgard Union, the mere idea provoked a public protest in

Royal Road. If you

the flame inside of him. He was passed over for promotion many times, but bore no resentment. By the end of his first year of training, he had become a man of tremendous

was notable. In 36AC, 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

the Age of Revolutions, serving as second to one of the

Prince Vincent of

Born 15AC

patch with a ruby over his empty socket most of the time. His disabilities, magical or physical, never seemed to bother him.

imperial politics. Elenore 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 for stabbing him in the heart.’ Petty insults and attacks meant nothing to him. He

only one who could motivate him to action was Sophia, whom he had a lasting connection with. Some claimed his interest was romantic, but Vincent vehemently refuted that, saying that she ‘has always been

35AC he defused a largescale attack on Veidimen refugees by suggesting the offenders beat him

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

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

Theodore of