Marilag Kuchta

Middle child of Emperor Kythran Carroll and Daved Kuchta. Marilag, like her siblings, was raised primarily by her father and the extreme members of the Bubs party, which favored all-out war with the Patalanian Union.

Marilag was a mild-mannered child who was totally devoted to her younger brother, Kidlat. It was never expected that she would inherit the Throne. She was 8 years old when her mother became Emperor, and her chief preoccupation during Kythran's reign was trying to shield Kidlat from the influence of the extreme Bubs. As she grew, Marilag came to resent her mother for bringing her and Kidlat into the center of the political maelstrom.

Marilag was 15 when her older brother Jonn ascended to the Throne and she was named Imperial Heir. She watched in horror as the tragedy of Jonn's short reign played itself out. She passed her adulthood tests immediately after Jonn's ascension, and several times in the next year she attempted to flee the Palace, with or without Kidlat in tow.

In January 469, Jonn died and Marilag found herself Emperor. It was made plain to her, though, that she was only a figurehead -- the real powers behind the Throne were her father, Daved Kuchta, the other extreme Bubs, and -- surprisingly -- her brother Kidlat, who revealed a real interest and aptitude for government.

As the Empire's death-sprial continued, Marilag turned more and more to Kidlat to find comfort. At last, after a year and seven days on the Throne, Marilag was found dead in bed on the morning of 6 February 470. A container of poison was found on her nightstand, and the story was put out that Empress Marilag had killed herself in despair.

Marilag was succeeded by her brother, Kidlat Kuchta.