Si Ling

Introduction

Si Ling, first to bear that name, of unknown descent but verified to be of the Imperial Nenyar Bloodline by the ancient Imperial Surgeons Guild, was the first Emperor of the now defunct Empire of the Eternal Dawn. He ruled for only one year, coming to power January 5th (now referred to as Foundation Day) and laying down his rule the following January, allowing the Imperial Sword to pass to his daughter, borne by his Queen, Bao Ling. This daughter is none other than the current Empress, Rialla ux-Rihad II.

Si Ling I - The Nenya, The Emperor, The Warrior

Si Ling - The Nenya

Si Ling cannot be described as either a good Nenya man or a bad Nenya man; he simply was and is. Many of his actions were perceived as exceptionally heavy-handed during his 'rule' as Emperor, and, indeed, it is likely that he was heavy-handed. Yet his policies lead a relatively insignificant South Atlantic power to become the stellar power that it is today, with trade links reaching to many nations all around the Earth - and far beyond.

Yet how will history look upon this man who was many things to many people in many ways? It is that which we try to determine here.

But it is to be noted that little information can be gleaned from the earlier years of his life; he indeed seemed to 'appear' on the public stage at the very moment he completed the double-coup which he lead against the old Commonwealth of Ma-tek and the Dominion of Ax-turath; this makes depth difficult to attain indeed.

Si Ling - The Emperor

Si Ling as Emperor was either succesful indeed, or very unsuccesful. It is very difficult to make a call in either direction; as mentioned above, his decisions were indeed heavy-handed; he was and is arrogant, was sometimes violent in deed, is haughty, over-sensitive with regards to breaches of the Nenyar code of honour and lacking in tolerance for time-wasters (and sometimes foreigners, raising the question of xenophobia).

Yet he was also driven, fiercely defensive of the rights of the people, a man for the people and very much supported by his 'subjects'; a man who would have been better suited to the old days when an Emperor's power was absolute, and not watered-down by the Executive Council. He used the power of Imperial Decree only on rare occasions, and so far it appears that those Decrees (all but one) were indeed useful and perhaps one might say wise; yet he also set a precadent when he succesfully repealed a Decree under the authority of People's House and Imperial House - ending the foolish requirement that the-then Empire had set itself to deal with those who would use orbital strikes against the weak and defenceless.

One might call Si Ling an idealist and be right; then again, one might call him a cynic and still be right; it is likely too early to tell too much about a man who lives still, and no doubt still exercises no small amount of power in Iluvauromeni society.

Si Ling - The Warrior

Si Ling, following his rise to power, engaged in a great deal of activity related to fencing and swordplay.

He has won several fencing competitions in Iluvauromen, but has never (yet) had the oppurtunity to test his skills outside his homeland, and is quoted as saying that, "...it's most definitely a shame," with regards to that apparent 'failing'.

He is also reputed to be an excellent shot with a longbow, although he has not competed with regards archery; and he is known to have been at least a primary leader in the coup against the dictatorships which had replaced the Empire of the Eternal Flame following the Fall one hundred and one years ago.

He is also known to have personally directed the old IDF Ground Forces during the Iluvauromeni war with the Five Kingdoms of Melkor Unchained and their allies; but no actual engagements took place, so it is impossible to evaluate his performance as a general from that event.

Yet it is known that he personally directed the Rukemia campaign, in which not a single life was lost during the actual 'invasion' or 'liberation' (depending on who one speaks to defines the answer to which one of those two words is accurate) - but a great many lives were lost in the occupation (which was actually greeted well by the Rukemian People, who stood to gain much and were indeed gaining much during Iluvauromeni rule), forcing a pullout.

Si Ling was strongly criticized in the Iluvauromeni press for his 'weak' response to this matter, and, indeed, was often criticized in that way when he strove for a calm response; his supporters claim that this public pressure was the prime reason for his 'hard handed' tactics, but that cannot be known for sure.