Elias Rembrandt Johanna Evasdottir
Emperor Johanna Evasdottir
Emperor Rembrandt II took the name of her great uncle upon ascension to emperor of the Saltkrigere Empire. The decision was reasonable, given her relation to the man was the main reason for her consideration in the first place. While she was a member of Emperor Harald's council, her family's relocation to Fjordstrond in prior decades should have barred her from selection. Ultimately, Johanna would convince the court that her family would serve the realm best by tying Fjordstrond and Shellbay into a stronger alliance. The main matter that convinced the court would be her assertion that she could get Caripreet to join the Saltkrigere Empire without violence.
While Emperor Rembrandt II would strengthen the Consilium in Eldurgrund and improve ties with Fjordstrond, the assimilation of Caripreet would be a colossal failure. While the plans were sound, promising to return the Nadlewood Strip to the city and implementing a cunning opium trade plan, all imperial action became impeded by cherry wine blight. In exchange for Elduri opium, the empire desired cherry wine grown natively in Caripreet. The cherry plantations of Caripreet were infested with a blight before the opium trade could be stopped (in hopes of weaponizing dependence). The infestation was nearly undetectable and shipments in the tons were made it to Saint's Maar before anyone realized the batch was contaminated. Consuming the wine would rarely result in minor stomach poisoning, but continued consumption would see the drinker infected with stomach rot. The disease had a survival rate of 79-83%, though the emperor would fall into the unlucky few that perished.
The conclusion of the 10 year reign saw the mantle passed on to her daughter, who furthered the plan to assimilate Caripreet. The plan ultimately failed until Emperor Rembrandt's grandson implemented a drastic trade embargo on the city.
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