Emperor Mapidere
Emperor Mapidéré of House Xana was the ambitious and ruthless conqueror who first unified the Seven States of Dara into an empire. His reign, known as 'One Bright Heaven,' was marked by both grand, unifying projects and immense cruelty, planting the seeds of the rebellion that would ultimately lead to his dynasty's downfall.
Appearance & Personality
By the start of the series, Mapidéré is a gaunt and fearful old man, his authority masking a deep-seated vulnerability. This was shockingly revealed to a young Kuni Garu during Luan Zya's kite attack on his procession, where he was seen not as a god, but as a wrinkled, fearful man.[TGOK-1]Mapidéré was a ruler of immense ambition, driven by the belief that only a unified Dara could achieve lasting peace. However, his methods were brutal and tyrannical. He was deeply paranoid and possessed a streak of profound cruelty, as shown when he murdered his chatelain's lover and child for a perceived betrayal. This act turned his closest friend, Goran Pira, into a secret enemy dedicated to his dynasty's ruin.[TGOK-11]
History
The Grace of Kings
Emperor Mapidéré's reign is depicted in its final years, as the consequences of his tyranny come to fruition, leading directly to his dynasty's collapse upon his death.
A Failing Reign
Mapidéré's reign is introduced through the spectacular but terrifying Imperial Procession, which is violently interrupted by Luan Zya's kite attack. The assault shatters the Emperor's aura of invincibility.[TGOK-1]Years later, aging and terminally ill from failed alchemical immortality treatments, he has a powerful dream where the gods of Dara debate his legacy and prophesize a new war.[TGOK-5]On his deathbed, his trusted friend Goran Pira and Prime Minister Lügo Crupo conspire against him. They forge a decree, usurp the throne from the true heir, Crown Prince Pulo, and install the pliable Prince Loshi as Emperor Erishi, setting the stage for the empire's implosion.[TGOK-5]
The Wall of Storms
Long after his death, the full, disastrous consequences of Mapidéré's actions are revealed to have reached far beyond the shores of Dara.
The Lost Expedition
Mapidéré's secret expedition to find a fabled Land of the Immortals was not lost at sea as believed. The fleet was captured by the cunning Lyucu people, who feigned submission.[TWOS-49]After years of absorbing Dara's advanced knowledge, the Lyucu slaughtered the expedition and used the stolen technology to build their own city-ships. Mapidéré's obsessive quest for eternal life ultimately provided the means for a foreign power to nearly destroy the very empire he had built.[TWOS-47][TWOS-49]
Biographical Information
- Aliases:
- The Unifier
- Occupation:
- Emperor of Dara
- Place Of Birth:
- Xana
- Status:
- Deceased
- Gender:
- Male
- Relatives:
- Crown Prince Pulo (son), Emperor Erishi (son)
- Affiliation:
- House of Xana, Xana Empire
- Nationality:
- Xana
- First Appeared:
- The Grace of Kings
- Last Appeared:
- The Grace of Kings