Malaking (ma.laˈkiŋ)
Pangkalahatan of the Tagápulo Empire
"Pangkalahatan Malaking holds as much power as Emperor Ariwara or the Malika of Saba, and has more direct control of military forces than either. He's much more powerful than the emperor he supposedly serves."
Malaking is the Grand General of the Tagápulo Empire, with absolute command over the Empire's military forces. In Pananalita, his title is Pangkalahatan, and he has held his position for over thirty years. During the time he has ruled the military he has progressively isolated it from the Imperial government, keeping it nearly autonomous and separate from the Emperor's whimsical rule. Many believe that Malaking could easily seize the throne but chooses instead to wield power from the shadows.
Early Life
Very little is known of Malaking's early life. He first appears in the historical record as a footsoldier of the Empire, helping pacify the rebellious Ipugao of Pulo's mountains. He showed particular brilliance and cunning, and was given commendations and promotions rapidly during his early career. He also gained a reputation for knowing everything about both his enemies and his allies, and there were rumors that he gained some of his advancements by blackmailing his superiors. When he was directly asked about his childhood, he claimed to be the son of an impoverished carpenter in Mynilad, but there has been no verification of his account.
His success in the field brought him more important assignments, and when he was still a young officer he was given command of the fortresses guarding the Bay of Mynilad, on the islands of Pulo Hukom and Pulo Kabayo. This position put him in close proximity to the capital, and he quickly showed that his strategic aptitude applied to political maneuvering just as well as it did to military campaigns. He used an anti-piracy campaign to gain more funds and prestige, and steadily rose in position until he achieved his current exalted rank at the age of 44.
Pangkalahatan Malaking
As Pangkalahatan, Malaking has continued to increase his power and influence. All of the high officers in the Tagápulo military today are his appointees and are personally loyal to him. Several years after becoming Pangkalahatan he used a scandal to justify taking over the city guard of the capital, and now his soldiers are the primary enforcers of the law within the Empire. Some people whisper that he engineered the downfall of the former city guard - but not where any of the soldiers might here them.
He also managed to fold the palace guard into the army. Only the Tagapangalaga ng Aten, the personal guard of the royal family, are independent of the military and the Pangkalahatan. In many ways he was aided in his consolidation of power by Emperor Matatag himself, whose focus on hedonism to the exclusion of governing provided both pretext and permission for Malaking's actions. While he has never taken any action against the Emperor, neither has Matatag done anything to hinder the Pangkalahatan's plans.
For the last several years, Malaking has occupied himself with the war against the Kingdom of Lahat. He spent over a decade preparing for this conflict, which has th potential to make the Tagápulo Empire the largest nation in the Great Ring. So far, the Mekongga of Lahat have managed to hold off his attack, but they have lost several of the islands that lie in-between the two nations. Observers believe that the empire has the advantage in this way, and many expect that Lahat will face a land invasion very soon.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
What an interesting character. I wonder if the Emperor will ever have cause to regret being so permissive/lax about his rise to power...
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The Emperor, probably not. He likes that he is free to do as he wishes and doesn't need to bother himself with such details. They have a relationship that suits them both. But depending on who succeeds him, that may be a different deal.