Empress Ihn
“Please afford me the respect my throne merits. I do know sarcasm when I hear it.
Her Imperial Majesty Ihn, Empress regnant of the Empire of the Dragon, is a direct descendant of the Canthan imperial family founded by the first Canthan emperor Kaineng Tah. She is also the half-sister of Yu Joon. Ihn cares a lot about the Canthan people and wants the best for them.[1]
Biography[edit]
Early years[edit]
Ihn was born to the Imperial Family of the Empire of the Dragon as the daughter of Emperor Taejeong.[2] Following her father's passing, she became the second empress regnant of Cantha after her great-grandmother Empress Haebaragi.[3] Ihn would soften some of her father's policies, choosing a more openminded and diplomatic approach to solving conflicts as she understood that change was inevitable to ensure Cantha's progress and welfare in the future.[4]
Ihn also learned that the innovator and head of Xunlai Jade, Yu Joon, was her half-sister from the emperor's extramarital affair with the potter and jade trader Yu Dal-Rae.[5] Despite some tension between the half-sisters as Joon's influence and power began growing due to her company's amassed wealth, Ihn and Joon appeared to get along thanks to the innovations Joon had provided to Canthans with her jade tech.[2] However, Ihn would sometimes remind Joon to show her proper courtly respect as empress.[6]
| Just like her father and grandfather before her, Ihn learned the secret that the imperial court advisor Navan was actually the legendary saltspray dragon Kuunavang in disguise.[7] When the construction of Xunlai Jade's Yong Reactor was complete and the inspection was scheduled, Joon revealed its true purpose to Ihn and the highest ranking ministers in the Canthan government: the reactor was being retrofitted to house the Elder Dragon Soo-Won, who had once saved Cantha from the Great Tsunami, to siphon magic off of her into Joon's dragonjade tech with the Elder Dragon's consent. This knowledge was quickly compartmentalized and classified by the Ministry of Security, in coordination with the Ministry of Intelligence and select members of the government and the Imperial Family.[8] |
End of Dragons[edit]
Act I[edit]
.jpg)
In 1845 CC (1335 AE), the Aetherblades suddenly appeared over Seitung Province to spread chaos with their air raids, followed by the arrival of the Elder Dragon Aurene and two Tyrian trespassers—the asura Gorrik and the Pact Commander—who had washed ashore amidst Aetherblade airship wreckage. While the pair were detained for questioning in Seitung Prison, the Imperial Court began considering how to respond to the incident. Realizing the opportunity as a pivotal time for the empire, Joon argued in favor of opening Cantha's borders to foreign visitors, eventually persuading Ihn and the court to her side.[9]
Ihn sent a message to Kryta informing the northern kingdom about Cantha reopening its borders and inviting Kryta to reestablish diplomatic relations. The empress also used the opportunity to inquire the Krytan throne about foreign airships appearing in Canthan skies as well as the arrival of a dragon and two foreigners on Seitung's shores. Queen Jennah sent a delegation headed by Ambassador Kasmeer Meade to enter negotiations with the Imperial Court and assure them that Kryta had nothing to do with the Aetherblade invasion. The delegation flew an airship to Cantha, getting past the Unchained Risen armada patrolling the Sea of Sorrows by cloaking themselves with Kasmeer's mesmer spell.[10]
Kasmeer was eventually invited to meet Ihn in the Royal Court and was accompanied by the asuran researcher Taimi and the Commander. The trio witnessed a heated exchange between Joon and Minister Li Ha-Eung about Xunlai Jade's latest jade mechs and if they were safe to use in front of the imperial throne. Ihn took her half-sister's side in the argument, reminding Li that Joon had been pivotal for Cantha's progress and had earned the empress's trust. However, she also made sure to remind Joon of her place in the hierarchy.
Moving her attention to the delegates, Ihn began with courtly etiquette wishing Queen Jennah well although she was also quick to point out the problem the Aetherblades posed to Cantha while wondering if Kryta was involved in the incident in any way. Minister Li interrupted the exchange, trying to sway the empress to see his point of view that Tyrians could not be trusted and had ulterior motives for visiting Cantha. Ihn took Joon's suggestion to have Joon and Li continue their debate in an adjacent chamber in private so the empress's conversation with the delegates could proceed without further interruptions.
Kasmeer formally introduced one of the former prisoners of Seitung in her company as the Commander, making Ihn inquire more about the title until the imperial advisor Navan informed the empress of the Commander's relation to the Pact which Ihn had heard about. Ihn accepted Kasmeer's proposal that the Tyrian delegation would repay the Imperial Court's mercy by handling the Aetherblade threat for them with the Ministry of Security's help, and told the delegates to speak to Minister Li about the details of this collaboration. Having said her piece, Ihn concluded the meeting and retired to her chamber with Navan.
Act V[edit]
Following the border reopening and the death of Soo-Won, Empress Ihn began planning her first trip abroad to visit Queen Jennah in Divinity's Reach in Kryta. According to Mi-Rae's holonews report, Ihn would be accompanied by Krytan Ambassador Kasmeer Meade and Acting Minister of Security Cho Min who had temporarily taken the position of the deposed and imprisoned Minister Li who had been found guilty of high treason. After learning how former Aetherblade leader Mai Trin had sacrificed her life to save New Kaineng from a Void outbreak in the terrorist attack at the Yong Reactor, Ihn bestowed her the posthumous title Hero of Kaineng for her exceptional display of bravery.[11]
Story involvement[edit]
End of Dragons story[edit]
- Act I
Gallery[edit]
- Screenshots
Imperial court with Kasmeer Meade, the Pact Commander, Navan, Ihn, Joon, and Minister Li in the Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons Gameplay Features trailer.
Joon looking at a painting of her half-sister Ihn in the Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons Gameplay Features trailer.
Image from Guild Chat - Episode 116.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
- Concept art and other
Outreach loading screen with Navan, Ihn, the Pact Commander, Taimi, and Kasmeer Meade.
A render of a painting of Ihn.
Empress Ihn's banner, as displayed around the Royal Court.
Related achievements[edit]
End of Dragons: Act 1: All Due Respect — Follow Kasmeer's lead to be a model of court decorum. (1
)
Trivia[edit]
- Ihn is voiced by Tina Huang.[12]
- In development, Ihn was named Empress Yin.[12]
- Ihn, alternatively spelled In and Yin 印, or 인장 also means "mark" or "seal" in Korean.
- Ihn does not wear shoes, just like Queen Jennah.
- Ihn is referred to as The Most Radiant Empress Ihn in legal documentation.[13][14]
- In the time of Guild Wars Factions, the title of "empress" was bestowed only through marriage and had little real power in the patriarchal Canthan society.[15]
- The only other Canthan empress whose name was originally known until the release of Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons was Tahmu.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Guild Chat - Episode 116
- ^ a b From the Ascendant's Shadow
- ^ New Kaineng Zoning Record 0039
- ^ Outreach
- Navan: The ambassador was perhaps referring to the unsanctioned arrival of her colleagues on our shores.
- Empress Ihn: Ah. Yes. In my father's day, that might've started a war. Even now, it doesn't exactly inspire trust.
- Empress Ihn: But in the modern era, Cantha now handles these matters with a more delicate touch.
- ^ Weight of the World
- Vase: This is one of the vases made by Yu Dal-Rae. While most of her life she only had access to simple materials, Xunlai's success allowed Joon to gift her many new crafting tools.
- <Character name>: Joon was clearly a devoted daughter.
- ^ Outreach
- Empress Ihn: This woman is transforming our empire, Minister. Please afford her the respect her achievements merit.
- Empress Ihn: And Joon: please afford me the respect my throne merits. I do know sarcasm when I hear it.
- Empress Ihn: Madame Joon knows her business. She has served our empire well to this point; I see no reason to doubt her now.
- Joon: Imperial Majesty.
- ^ Fallout
- Kuunavang: The empress knew my identity, as did her father before her, and his father before him.
- ^ Yong Reactor (book)
- ^ Outreach
- Minister Li: A moment ago you were apologizing for it! Majesty, the outsiders are liars, warmongers—as your father well knew!
- Minister Li: And your sis— Madame Joon has invited them to our doorstep. She doesn't see the threat!
- Joon: I see the opportunity. [...]
- Joon: Shame some people can't see this as a pivotal time for Cantha. Even the Imperial Court agreed. With a little persuasion.
- Lady Kasmeer Meade: I...did not realize you'd advocated for us. I assure you, it won't be in vain.
- ^ Old Friends
- <Character name>: I still don't understand how you got here...
- Marjory Delaqua: Highly implausible string of events. Out of the blue, a message from Empress Ihn—
- Lady Kasmeer Meade: First official communique from Cantha in over a century. Inviting Kryta to reestablish diplomatic relations—
- Lady Kasmeer Meade: —oh and by the way, do we know anything about foreign airships appearing in their skies and crashing on their beach?
- Marjory Delaqua: Imagine Jennah's face. Imagine everyone's face.
- Lady Kasmeer Meade: When it got to the part about a <character race>, an asura, and a dragon, we put two and two together with Taimi and Caithe.
- Marjory Delaqua: Next thing you know, "Ambassador Meade" has a new portfolio, and an airship to take her and a delegation to Cantha.
- Lady Kasmeer Meade: Didn't know what to expect with the Risen armada—no one has dared travel this far into the sea in over a century.
- Marjory Delaqua: Luckily Zhaitan's death seems to have left them a bit disorganized. We managed to slip past them on an airship.
- Marjory Delaqua: Handy having a mesmer aboard.
- ^ Canthan holonews with Mi-Rae
- Mi-Rae: In light of recent events, Empress Ihn is planning her first trip to Kryta following the border reopening.
- Mi-Rae: She will be accompanied by Minister Cho and Ambassador Meade, and will be staying at the queen's estate in Divinity's Reach. [...]
- Mi-Rae: Mai Trin, a pirate-turned-hero, sacrificed her life to save Kaineng in the terrorist attack at the Yong Reactor.
- Mi-Rae: Empress Ihn has bestowed on Mai Trin the title Hero of Kaineng, for her exceptional display of bravery.
- Mi-Rae: Yu Joon will be erecting a statue in her honor at the repaired reactor in the upcoming months.
- ^ a b Tweet by Tom Abernathy, Twitter.com
- ^ A Wrinkled Legal Document
- ^ Legal Document (Outer Terrace)
- ^ An Empire Divided
- The emperors of Cantha represent the longest unbroken line of ancestral succession seen in the world. The first emperor, Kaineng Tah (after whom the capital, Kaineng City, is named) was said to have fathered over two hundred sons and daughters both with his wife and thirty favored concubines. This means that although the throne has not always passed directly from father to son, it has always gone to one of royal blood—at most, a first cousin (as seen in several well-documented cases).
- Though it is hardly egalitarian from an Ascalon point of view, the empire has always been ruled by the previous emperor's nearest male relation. The title of "empress" is bestowed only through marriage and has little real power in the patriarchal Canthan society.
