Lura Carroll

Lura Carroll was conceived in vitro and born in 334 when her mother, Anna Leonov, was only eight years old. This was done by order of her grandfather, Emperor Alak Leonov, in order to boost morale with both troops and the Civil Service by producing an Imperial Heir for the very popular Tob Carroll.

Lura was raised by Tob Carroll and Betty Sanceau; her relationship to Anna was more that of sisters than daughter-and-mother. Lura was a shy and laconic child who spent hours wrapped up in her studies. She spent much of her time alone, and stayed aloof during family conferences and planning sessions.

Lura was 7 when Jef took the Throne; all evidence indicates that she was more comfortable with her uncle than with anyone else in the Palace. For the few years of Jef's reign, Lura was significantly more outgoing, and was even observed to laugh occasionally. When Jef died and Anna took the Throne, Lura became more withdrawn.

Lura's position as Heir was confirmed by the Imperial Council in the Succession Act of TE 348, the year after Anna took the Throne. However, a sizeable minority coalition favored Anna's sister Dana.

In 350, Lura was ed to Joe McCaffrey, a Council member from Borshall. By all accounts, it was a union of love. McCaffrey was jovial and outgoing, and to outward appearances the couple had little in common and spent little time together. Nonetheless, there was a strong bond between them, a bond that deepened with the birth of their daughter Virginia in 351.

Anna suffered a long period of illness and physical decline, beginning about TE 352 and continuing to the end of her life. During this period, Lura stayed with Anna constantly, and a strong bond grew up between the two women. Although Lura was reticent and subdued, she developed a rapport with her mother and was able to assit Anna ably. When Anna died in July 360, Lura succeeded to the Throne with no dissent.

One of Lura's first actions was the appointment of her aunt, Dana Leonov, to the High Court. Dana was a firm supporter of the Carroll agenda, and under her influence the High Court supported Lura's every move.

With the economy in a boom phase and approximately 50 new habitable worlds being added each year, Lura was able to complete Anna's reforms by completely eliminating taxation in the Empire and democratizing the government.

The start of Lura's reign marks the traditional beginning of "The High Days of the Empire," a 50-year period in which the power and culture of the Empire were at a peak.

The war with the Patalanian Union continued throughout Lura's reign. In 361, at the Battle of Karphos, Imperial forces were roundly defeated by the Union. For the rest of Lura's reign, the war was a long series of Imperial defeats and retreats.

Lura stayed strong and in command until her last day. On 22 February 375, just days before her 41st birthday, she donned the Memory Crown for her daily impression, and died of massive cerebral hemhorrage. Although a search was made for assassins, it is generally accepted that Lura's death was natural.

Lura was succeeded by her daughter, Virginia Carroll.