Epilogue 1.3: Unsung Heroes
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.