Yman Ailad

Yman Ailad (//) was a Hudrelan officer of the Tetrarchy of Mezlagob's Navy and the last being to officially serve as Supreme Commander of the Tetrarchy military.

Ailad spent much of his naval career harrying pirates and developing useful connections with the Tetrarchy government, which ensured his continued promotions despite his relatively limited combat service. He served as a military attache to the governor of Baes while a captain; his success in this role, and the governor's favor from the Tetrarchs, secured Ailad a transfer to Ommol and promotion to Rear Admiral as a staff officer.

In time, Ailad was transferred to Mezlagob, the Tetrarchy's capital, and served as a senior staff officer in the Navy Policy Bureau. In 98 ABY, Mezzel officer Dithiar Minum was transferred to Ailad's command, and the two became friends; Ailad put some work into helping Minum develop connections to advance his own career. When the Great Liberation began in 100 ABY, the commander of Mezlagob's Home Fleet was transferred to the Xoquon sector to combat the new threat, and Ailad was given the Home Fleet command. He made Minum his executive officer.

As the war progressed and the Tetrarchy's prospects of victory dimmed, Ailad and Minum had several frank discussions about the reality of the situation. After the death of Supreme Commander Garyth Quorr and the capture of the Vall`to sector, the surviving Tetrarchs promoted Ailad to Supreme Commander. When the Empire began a push into the Mezlag sector, Ailad met with the Tetrarchs to discuss the possibility of an organized surrender.

Though Ailad had hoped to preserve some aspects of Tetrarchy society, as well as his own wealth and status, in a new world under the Golden Empire, the Tetrarchs were less than receptive. Accusing him of treason, they had him put to death and promoted Minum to command of the Home Fleet.

Minum accepted the position to protect his own family, but was deeply embittered by the loss of his mentor. During the Battle of Mezlagob, he allowed some ships in his command to surrender, belayed the Tetrarchs' orders to fire on the defecting craft, and ultimately surrendered the entire fleet.