From the Front Page of the Lussuth 2nd, 1463, edition of the /Imperial Gazette/: *Empress Yzara IV of Thalsedon, Dead at 73* Palace Mount announced this morning that Her Majesty, Empress Yzara IV of Thalsedon, died in her sleep last night of pneumonia at the age of 73. Her last official act, signed and sealed yesterday afternoon, was a proclamation granting members of the Exquaestio and Millati faiths the privilege of openly practicing their religions. Her Majesty was born in Thalsedon in 1389, the only child of Emperor Arden XX and Empress Maria. Following the untimely death of her father in 1406, she was enthroned at the age of 17, the youngest Empress in Sedonian history. Her father's half-brother, Duke Yarrow of Caladyn served as her regent until she turned 18. During the early part of her reign, Empress Yzara oversaw the reintegration of Selaria, Vizinia, and Tirmar into the Empire. She also lent troops to the Grand Alliance during the Sinari War, but due to miscalculations and failures of intelligence, a large Sinari force was able to penetrate the border and put Thalsedon to sack. The Empress was rescued from the Sinari by agents of the High Lord of Vraa'al, who took her to Arelcar, wher she had three children with the Master. Her absence, along with the failed invasion of Tanimbar, was one of the factors that led to the Sedonian Civil War. She remained on Arelcar until 1455, when the High Lord was deposed by his councillors, and she returned to Thalsedon. The last years of Her Majesty's reign have seen a return of prosperity to the Empire, the expansion of the Fleet and the Legions, the partition of Taltheran, and the retaking of Zelkor. Empress Yzara is survived by her sons, HRH Prince Barnardus of Casovia & Kajir (41) and HM Emperor Arden XXI of Sedonia (37); her daughter, HRH Princess Irinia of Tirmar (35); her grandchildren, HRH Crown Prince Yarrow of Thalsedon (8), HRH Princess Yzara of Thalsedon (3), HRH Prince Tomas Niotrosa of Tirmar (2), HRH Princess Anna Rentra of Tirmar(2), and HRH Prince Ahlgren of Casovia (6 mo.); her aunt, HRH Princess Alanna, Dowager Duchess of Tirroth (89); and her cousins Duke Harald of Caladyn, Duke Roger of Tirroth, Empress Agatha of Sedonia, and Count Tomas of Lusapont. After Her Majesty was pronounced dead at about the third hour after midnight, the Members of Parliment in the city were summoned to Palace Mount where they officially recognized Crown Prince Arden as Emperor Arden XXI of Sedonia. Following Imperial tradition, the Emperor has scheduled his formal enthronement for Midsummer's Day, when the six-month period of official mourning comes to an end. Empress Yzara's memorial service and cremation will be held at the Temple of Coron in Thalsedon on the 9th of Lussuth, after which her ashes will be interred in the Imperial Mausoleum at Tirroth. ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
