Ivy Solarin

Ivy Solarin was a major political figure in the early 25th century. She was the second Empress of the Terran Empire and ruled as Empress-Regent for five years

Early Life
Ivy Solarin was born in 2363 on Mars, the daughter of Matildah "Tilly" Valane and Admiral Benson Warwick. Her mother was a lawyer and politician, the serving communications director to the Prime Minister. Ivy was given an expensive education, attending a top flight prep school and then attended Pyramid College, graduating with a degree in journalism

Whilst she wrote for the Pyramid college newspaper, she never became a journalist.

Imperial Marriage
In 2387 the Imperial Coup took place. To seal the new Empire, a dynastic marriage was agreed between the "Heir" to the Empire, Isaac Solarin and Ivy Valane. The two married in 2387 and settled down on Earth. Initially they were not happy to be forced to wed but in the end the two formed a great working relationship and warmed to each other

Ivy gave birth to three children:
 * Alexander Solarin (born 2390)
 * Michael Solarin (born 2392)
 * Regina Solarin (born 2394)

Imperial Princess
Ivy took to her role as Imperial Princess with ease, becoming a key figure in charities and becoming an influential and popular figure behind the scenes. She was a key part of the imperial palace, often seen at charity events, social functions and about in the capital city of Dhaka

She was also closely involved in her children's education and played a key role in their development. As Prince Isaac was elevated towards his eventual succession as Emperor, Ivy was also elevated and played an increasingly important political role, helping to keep allies on side and be the public face of the Imperial couple

Initially Prince Alexander was the defacto heir for both dynasties. However, he was eventually set aside for the more confident and martial Prince Michael

Elevation to Empress: Co Rule
When Emperor August Solarin abdicated in 2405, Isaac agreed and set out a co-ruler-ship agreement with Ivy that named both of them as equal Emperors, together. This elevated Ivy and gave her powerful executive power, power she very rarely used.

She worked to keep the Emperor's public perception and to develop support for the Emperor and his ideas. She worked closely with her brother, Admiral Benson Valane jr who was a major figure in the intelligence community, eventually becoming Director of ONI and then Minister of Communications

Empress Ivy was noted for her support for the military, her support for the development of AI and her support for social causes, especially charities that helped children and the poor. During her time as Governor of Mars, she massively improved the quality of life for the poorest citizens and she clashed with the Hansa over it

Empress Valane was also a key ally to Admiral Lucy Stargher and the two were close. She also formed a good working relationship with Lord Kreak Tancredo, Lord Maece Hammond and Lord Aldrich Collingwood.

Empress Ivy was hugely proud of her son, Prince Michael Solarin, becoming a Recon Marine and she was devastated by his death during a military operation. She mourned him and pressed to have a statue built in his honour in Dhaka

With his death, Princess Regina was the new successor for House Valane.

The Regency
Empress Ivy was elevated to sole-rule as Empress Regent after the palace bombing attack left Emperor Isaac crippled. They agreed, behind the scenes, that the two would abdicate to trigger the imperial conclave in 2430, paving the way for Princess Regina to be the "preferatti" for the Solarin/Valane dynasties.

Empress Ivy was able to place Lord Aldrich Collingwood as her Lord-Chancellor, as she did not favour Lord Joachim Brahms as her Chancellor, the two had a famously frosty relationship.

During her administration she faced push back from her opponents in the council, chief of which was Lord Albion Hawthorne who pressed that her continued rule was a loophole. However his attempts to push back against her rule did not find sufficient support

During her term she was able to pass an amended version of the Mergers and Monopolies act as well as dealing with a terrorist attack against St Lawrence. She also increased the fleet and intelligence budgets for the Empire and signed a Defence Treaty into law with the Gannid Commonwealth

in 2429, Empress Ivy and Emperor Isaac agreed to abdicate to trigger the Imperial conclave

Post Abdication
Whilst Empress Ivy had formally abdicated her power as Empress, she was still the Regent until the conclave concluded. She also intended to continue to rule as Lord-Governor of Mars (officially holding the title of Duchess).

Ivy passed away peacefully aged 95 in 2459