Line Aylis
Line Aylis /'laɪne/ was the ruler of Loodon, having succeeded the title from her husband Tavol Aylis whose murder she had ordered in a fight for power.
| Line Aylis | |
| Ruler of Loodon | |
|---|---|
| Reign | 1947-1952 SR |
| Predecessor | Tavol Aylis |
| Successor | Potus Aylis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | unknown |
| Died | c. 1952-1953 SR |
Early life
Almost nothing is known about Line's early life due to the Overpol clan being extremely secretive about their private life. It is speculated that her ambition for power was not recognized by her family, which led to her ruthless tactics later in life, but there are many opponents of that theory who refuse to put blame on the rest of the Overpols, noting that many of them were pragmatic, but also quite ethical rulers by their time standards.
In 1947 SR Line conspired with the tlaxian faction to overtake power, and when one day Tavol came back to Tlax from his usual stay at Dav, Line's guards beheaded Tavol in his sleep, killing him in the same manner as he killed his older brother, Vantral. Several of Tavol's older companions from the original group of Vantral's assassins who held positions in the Tlax Chamber had been murdered with their families, to prevent the threat of familial revenge.
Ruler of Loodon
Having assumed power, Line Aylis immediately set up high taxes for all the cities of the former Overpol Expanse, which she officially named the Overpol Region. This reignited the independence movement that had started in many of these cities against Earmont Overpol decades earlier and which had been responsible for the proclamations of independence following Tavol's overtake of the Expanse. Led by Ton Overpol, the movement instigated several unsuccessful attempts at seizing power in Loodon and was a constant threat to Tlax until the end of the second revolution.
She also called off the grandiose construction of the Temple of Gods of Mercy. Many records also suggest that she declared Gods of Mercy to be a false religion. This seems somewhat implausible given how theocratic Loodon had been and that the whole power structure of Tlax was based on the religion of Gods of Mercy, but records of this period are scarce, especially tlaxian records.
Calling off the construction of the Temple, however, is well documented and created a conflict with Dav, which was the second pillar of Loodon's power and had developed a strong theocratic government of its own. It had also quietly accumulated quite a bit of wealth, since its own population was heavily taxed, and although it made the government highly unpopular, the situation was stable due to the strong royal army, which had suppressed several riots in 1943-45 SR, while granting special privileges to certain parts of the population.
Dav's military commander, General Ynorie Trunt, /'waɪnɔːri/ ruled alongside Potus Aylis, Tavol's cousin. Potus was the religious leader, known informally as Masut, which was a religious title granted to the top cleric of the Gods of Mercy religion. The exact meaning of the word has since been lost, but it is believed to have meant "a bridge to Gods" or "a friend of Gods". Potus was the most powerful religious figure after Tavol himself.
When Tavol was killed, Potus was expected to travel to Tlax to assume power, but as Line Aylis declared herself to be the Loodon ruler, as well as denouncing the state religion, the situation developed into a fight for power.
Eastern Loodon, which was enjoying a state of relative independence, now saw Line's rule as a threat, especially as she sent messengers, setting up taxes and demanding full submission to her rule. This played into Potus's hand, who began to unite the Overpol Region under his own banner. By the end of the 1940s SR Loodon had officially entered into a civil war, as Ynorie's and Line's forces clashed near the Taverda river.
For the next several years the west and east of Loodon would be fighting a bitter war, while at the same fighting off the growing threat from a number or Teamatian tribes.
Eventually, west Loodon lost the war, with the last battle taking place mid-way between Tlax and Dav, and Ynorie's forces crushing Line's army in a definitive victory.
Line's ultimate fate is unclear, as documents exist that report her being killed in the last battle, as well as being executed by Potus after the battle. The only thing that's clear is that she was dead by the time Potus assumed the role of Loodon's ruler in 1953 SR.
Legacy
In spite of questionable accomplishments and opportunistic behavior, Line Aylis is a famous historical figure in several countries, including Leykaron, Mantareia, Leykhane and Yammoe. She also became known in the west at the end of the 9th century TR thanks to the traveling troupes of the famous Dantala Theater.
Completely unknown outside of Loodon during her reign, her rise to fame came posthumously, when royal painters Davi Glorn and Kamilo Haidyl created the first ever recorded panoramic painting, depicting Line Aylis and her army before what would become Line's last battle. A copy of a part of the painting with Line proudly sitting on her horse, her blonde hair fluttering in the wind and eyes fixed on what is probably the opposing army in front of her, became a sensation in Yammoe, then in Gantolia (present day Leykhane). The original painting was called "Eyeing Victory" and was eventually lost, with only a single copy surviving. However, the original copy of the part of the painting did survive and is known as "Line Forte" or simply "Forte".
Many myths about Line's personality, life and talent as Loodon's leader have been created, although modern historians agree that almost none of them have any basis in fact. Nevertheless, Line Aylis became a symbol of a strong leader who never wavers, even when faced with immeasurable odds. Ironically, although a record of her opportunistic behavior is apparent, in the popular account she is depicted as being noble, principled and overwhelmingly loyal.