Andresin Sylric: Nahir of Jin-El Aethis

Andresin Sylric, son of Elbar Sylric, took the Nahir-ship from Ulbeth Valarn in 932 AC, ending the Crisis of Usurpation started in 924 by the water elf Erlgbeth the Usurper. The unprecedented crisis had an unprecedented end when Sylric marched on Vel'A Sharan itself, ousting Ulbeth Valarn and ousting him from all elven lands under the sun. Sylric was well-received by the destitute citizens of Vel'A Sharan, whose favor Ulbeth had long since lost, and he was hailed as a hero and named the Restorer of the Kingdom. More importantly, Sylric was, and is, a military man -- High Admiral of the Western Fleet. This meant he had the much-needed support of the army, which had been little-involved in the crisis until Sylric's coup.   Soon, the new Nahir proved to be a capable leader by defeating three rival claimants to the Nahir-ship who claimed that his ascension was immoral at best, and illegal at worst. He also instituted the popular land reform programs that had been proposed by Aldreth Loren -- guaranteeing elven army veterans either a plot of farmland or a stretch of coastline under their sole ownership. This pleased the soldiers, and thus ensured the continued support of the elven navy. He also announced that he would begin ambitious public works projects to mollify the kingdom's urban poor. With the public and the army securely in his camp, Sylric turned his eye towards securing legitimacy as the new Nahir. In 935, Sylric called an emergency meeting of the High Council to formally inaugurate himself as Nahir. Until this point, Sylric had not technically been the Nahir. He avoided using the title, claiming that he sought only to restore order to the kingdom, and instead called himself a "Leader of Necessity." In reality, he had assumed the role of Nahir the moment that he exiled Ulbeth, and we all knew it.   After the High Council's formal declaration of Andresin's Nahir-ship, citizens across the kingdom began to be hopeful that the crisis was finally over. Travel between the major isles went back to normal, merchants returned to Vel'A Sharan, and faith in the elven kingdom was restored. Sylric proved true to his word, and massive infrastructure work began across the whole of the kingdom, along with the construction of dozens of massive public temples to the various elven gods, especially to Corellon and Labelas Enoreth. Sylric views himself to this day as indebted to Corellon, the god of war and protection, who seemed to favor Sylric over all others, and he places great emphasis on praising Labelas Enoreth, that he may help preserve the happiness and prosperity of elven lives (and Andresin's own reign). He also set his sight on islands near to elven-controlled territory and began claiming them in order to have enough coast and land to settle the navy veterans as he had promised. This policy of course requires a slow expansion of the empire as the population grows -- but the growth is so slow that the land can often be bought legally after the current owner dies rather than being taken by force.   Andresin has proven a capable leader, although sometimes he seems overly cold and calculating. Those who know him personally say that his demeanor seems more harsh than it is, and that he cares deeply about his people and the kingdom. His kindness cannot be mistaken for weakness, however, and he is only kind to those who do not threaten him or his kingdom. Sylric has exiled countless conspirators, upstarts, and criminals -- believing that cleansing the main islands of such degenerates is better than simply sending them to jails which they will eventually leave to/ pollute the cities once again. Even minor crimes, such as theft and assault, now carry sentences of (temporary) exile, and many of the kingdom's jails have been turned into temples, though a few are retained for holding criminals until trial. Where exactly one is exiled to depends on the severity of the crime. Petty criminals may only be exiled to the Outsider's Haven, while those guilty of more heinous crimes are often banished from all elven lands under the sun (though they can still choose to live with the Drow in the Underdark if they've the courage to do so).   In the present day, Sylric has changed little from when he assumed the throne. However, the world has a tendency of changing more quickly around the elves than the elves themselves change. Rampant piracy in the Thousand Isles had been ongoing well before Sylric took the throne, and only worsened with time. Elven merchants began having more and more trouble safely passing through the waters to the west of the kingdom, which is a problem that Sylric is now trying to solve, albeit in a controversial manner. Sylric never truly left his military role when he assumed the Nahir-ship, and he is still seen as the kingdom's preeminent general. As such, he has convinced the High Council to order the elven navy to begin hunting and destroying pirate outposts in the Thousand Isles. Though stability for elven shipping has increased, the volatility of the region has also increased, and many are afraid that a crafty warlord may rise to unite the disparate islanders against the elven interlopers. This is an outcome that Sylric desperately hopes to avoid, and has led Sylric to double down on his anti-piracy policies. Domestically, Sylric is still quite popular and performs his religious duties to perfection. It is said that Sylric wakes at dawn each day and does not rest until dusk, when he begins audiences with all who wish to see him and hear his wisdom. I have personal faith that Sylric, though severe, is the best ruler for the kingdom right now, and, being only 435, he has much time left to rule.