King Malaky XVI

King Malaky XVI

King Malaky XVI, full title King Malaky the Sixteenth of the Rislandian Kingdom, was the reigning monarch of Rislandia during the events of For Steam and Country, The Blood of Giants, The Fight for Rislandia, The Iron Wedding, and The Steam Knight. He bore the epithet "The Tested" and ruled through some of the most turbulent periods in Rislandian history. His reign was used as the kingdom's primary dating system, with log entries and official documents recorded by year of his rule. He died only a few weeks before the events of The Crystal Conspiracy, after which his daughter ascended the throne as Queen Reina I.

Description

In For Steam and Country, King Malaky XVI was described as having deep brown eyes and a pale face with wrinkles on his forehead. He wore a heavy burgundy cape with a white ruffled fringe and sat upon a throne bearing the Malaky crest carved into the backrest. He drank wine from a goblet and was noted for his composed, direct manner of speaking—he did not ramble in tangents, a quality Zaira von Monocle contrasted with the Iron Emperor's style. He observed conversations carefully, often picking at his food and seldom commenting during meals, but leaned forward with evident interest when matters of strategic importance arose.

In The Blood of Giants, he was described as being about the same age as Baron Theodore von Monocle. He had graying hair and a salt-and-pepper beard, and a warm face said to match his personality. He wore intricate crimson shoes with gold laces and a thick velvet cape, the latter described as lifting in the air as he turned, giving a regal sense about him. He was noted as caring deeply about his subjects.

In The Steam Knight, he was described as tall, towering over others, with dark brown, kind eyes and few wrinkles on his forehead. His eyes were noted to twinkle similarly to Princess Reina's. He did not wear his crown when visiting Cid's office in person. He placed a hand on James Gentry's shoulder during their meeting, and clenched his fist when speaking of his father's death. He was described as a man of peace who did not want war.

In The Iron Wedding, his health had visibly deteriorated. He appeared gaunt, with sweat beading on his brow and a pale sickness about him. His hair was thinner and grayer than Zaira remembered. He insisted on being present at a strategy meeting despite his illness, coughing during the proceedings, and required a servant's help to stand from his throne before exiting through a curtain behind it to rest. He sat upon his throne on a raised dais in the main audience chamber of his palace. Despite his frailty, he remained engaged in matters of state until the end of his life.

Reign and Calendar

The Rislandian calendar was reckoned by the years of Malaky XVI's reign. Baron von Monocle's log entries and official chapter epigraphs in For Steam and Country were dated to the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Years of Malaky XVI's Reign, spanning the full course of that novel's events. In The Blood of Giants, log entries were dated to the 1st, 2nd, and 5th Years of King Malaky XVI's Reign, reflecting the earlier period covered by that book. The phrase "under the laws of the land of Rislandia under the stewardship of King Malaky XVI" appeared in formal legal contexts. His Crown also appeared as a symbol on military pins worn as part of the Rislandian military uniform.

The Crest of Malaky was worn by Rislandian soldiers as a gold pendant over the right breast, depicting a gear, a crown, and wings. In The Steam Knight, journeymen were noted to wear pins of the Crest of Malaky on their tunics. See also: Rislandian Royal Symbols.

Early Life and Ascension

Malaky XVI ascended the throne after his father, King Malaky XV, was assassinated by Wyranth agents during the first major invasion. See also: Assassination of King Malaky XV. The territorial dispute between Wyranth and Rislandia dated back to before his reign and his father's reign. Before ascending, he was a great friend of Baron Theodore von Monocle—the two were described as having been "nearly inseparable" and as having grown up together, with Baron von Monocle described as his best friend more than just a subject. He was also an old friend of Matthias du Gearsmith. Both he and Baron von Monocle lost their wives to a terrible disease that passed through the kingdom; in The Steam Knight, it was confirmed that his wife died in a cholera epidemic ten years prior to that book's events. See also: Cholera Epidemic, Liliana von Monocle.

He held a profound affinity for airships and, in an act of policy, commanded each airship captain to name their own vessel in order to bond with it, and granted each captain ownership of their ship. He later stopped flying on airships and commissioning new ones on Matthias du Gearsmith's advice.

He appeared in a family photograph alongside Zaira's mother and a young Zaira, and was present at Zaira's name day ceremony, indicating a long personal connection to the von Monocle family. He stood for truth, courage, and self-determination, according to Baron von Monocle.

In The Fight for Rislandia, a chapter epigraph described him as Zaira's dear friend who would soon ascend as King Malaky XVI. At that time, he did not wish to ascend until the new year and until the Wyranth were completely driven from the land.

Reign

Malaky XVI was a thoughtful, pragmatic leader. His first act upon ascending the throne was to declare a defensive posture—refusing to invade Wyranth for vengeance following his father's assassination, instead choosing to fortify borders and seek peace. In The Blood of Giants, his restraint in not further pursuing the death of his father was noted in Baron von Monocle's log, and his early reign was associated with a new positive outlook for the world. He was known for valuing counsel, particularly from military leaders like Baron von Monocle, and was said to never say no when the Baron was excited about something.

He performed the wedding ceremony of Baron Theodore von Monocle and Talyen von Cravat. He commissioned diplomatic and exploratory missions, including sending the crew of the Liliana on a mission to Zenwey to explore trade with foreign nations, and approved a mission across the Golgmarsh Ocean. He held a warehouse of parts for the Liliana and was described as very protective of his subjects' private property. Classified matters remained classified until he personally authorized their disclosure.

In the 19th year of his reign, James Gentry was sent to guard him and Princess Reina at their retreat.

He was considered the kindest king Zaira could have imagined, and was loved by most Rislandians.

Role in The Fight for Rislandia

In The Fight for Rislandia, Malaky XVI appeared in the period immediately preceding his formal ascension to the throne. A chapter 30 epigraph described him as Zaira's dear friend who would soon ascend as King Malaky XVI. He did not wish to ascend until the new year and until the Wyranth were completely driven from the land, reflecting the same cautious and principled character that would define his reign.

Role in The Blood of Giants

In The Blood of Giants, Malaky XVI appeared during the early years of his reign. At the time of Chapter 2, set in the 1st Year of his reign, he was described as the new king, with the crew of the Liliana uncertain of what to expect from him. He wanted trade relations and peace in this early period. He sent the crew on a mission to Zenwey to explore trade with foreign nations, and the crew's mission was carried out in his name. He held a warehouse of parts for the Liliana, which the crew considered fortunate. Log entries in the book were dated to the 5th Year of his reign. Zaira noted that she had manipulated him to allow a particular mission, and intended to tell him what had happened at Portsgate.

Role in For Steam and Country

In For Steam and Country, Malaky XVI played a significant role in the events surrounding the Wyranth incursion and the search for Baron von Monocle.

When Zaira and her group arrived at his palace, he had already eaten breakfast with his daughter, Princess Reina, before receiving them. He ordered Zaira and her group to rise and be seated, and laughed at the elaborate poofy attire his servants had dressed them in, noting the costumes were originally meant to humiliate audiences. He told Zaira, "You look just like your father, it's incredible," and spoke of Baron von Monocle with evident sincerity and sadness.

When the question of rescuing Baron von Monocle arose, Malaky XVI declined to authorize a formal rescue mission, deeming it too dangerous and fearing that sending a team into the Wyranth Empire could legitimize the Iron Emperor's invasion. He stated, "I would risk my life for Barn von Monocle, but I can't risk this kingdom." He mentioned having visited Wyranth Castle during diplomatic talks and noted that the Iron Emperor had changed suddenly. He introduced Zaira to General Carwell and planned to speak with him about the Wyranth incursion. He was also planning an assault on occupying Wyranth forces in the northern provinces and wanted to strike hard at the Wyranth and send a message at the Border River.

He allowed Zaira to join Captain von Cravat's crew, though he later ordered the Liliana to remain grounded. When Zaira and her crew defied his plans, Zaira was aware they would have to face him afterward. He was initially angry that she had not followed his orders, but said he should have expected it from a von Monocle. He dispatched James Gentry and the knights immediately to back Zaira up.

After the mission, Zaira woke in his palace. At the subsequent banquet, he warned that violating his explicit orders would normally constitute high treason, but decided not to follow the letter of the law given the extenuating circumstances. He promoted Talyen von Cravat to Commodore of the Grand Rislandian Air Force. He was too busy with an earthquake crisis to personally see off the Liliana on an earlier occasion, instead sending a message recommending its departure. He also wept at news reported by Captain von Cravat.

Role in The Steam Knight

In The Steam Knight, Malaky XVI was described as tall and towering, with dark brown, kind eyes and few wrinkles on his forehead. He was cranky in recent days due to the Wyranth discovering Rislandian troop movements. He visited Cid's office personally and without his crown, praised James Gentry for providing intelligence on the Wyranth, and referred to the "fabled luck of the von Monocles." He formally recommended James Gentry for knight training and ordered the mission to capture Lou, authorizing the allocation of an aether-powered rotary gun for the mission and assigning two Grand Rislandian Army soldiers to accompany Ethan von Lantern and James. He noted that most personnel were allocated for rebuilding efforts and retaking land near Plainsroad Village. He placed a hand on James's shoulder during their meeting. James had previously met him as a civilian at a formal audience.

He was evacuated from Rislandia City by the Grand Rislandian Army during the crisis. He motioned for everyone to follow him and asked when the Atreblan ambassador was set to arrive. He said he wished he had been stronger when they killed his father, clenching his fist as he spoke. He conversed with Matthias du Gearsmith in low tones before the ambassador arrived and introduced Dr. von Breech to the knights. He selected James to demonstrate the aether-fueled auto-electrocuter and sat at the head of the banquet table, preferring to turn in early after dinner.

In negotiations with Atrebla for military support, he told Ambassador McRose that Rislandia was on the verge of losing Rislandia City and asked Atrebla for food, supplies, and troops. He mentioned missing the annual gathering in Edmon. He confirmed that Baron Theodore von Monocle was on a mission. He considered offering Princess Reina in marriage to Atreblan Prince Gregor but stated that Reina was not his subject but his daughter and equal. He opposed giving Atrebla airship technology but considered offering inventions—including the auto-electrocuter—to the Atreblans as an alternative. He sat with his face in his hands after Ambassador McRose announced she was leaving. He paced to the fire after the Atreblans departed and spent the rest of the day alone planning with Reina. He requested a private dinner with Matthias du Gearsmith and Dr. von Breech.

He was skeptical of relying on superstition for the kingdom's survival and was unwilling to give up airship technology. He viewed James as a peasant boy who distracted his daughter, told Reina to stay away from James, called James a commoner, and dismissed him from the room. He furrowed his brow disapprovingly at James and assigned him to stand in the corner with the other guards. He did not want James at the retreat.

He was the target of an assassination attempt at Lake Avily by Knight Handley, who entered through his bedroom window while the door was locked from inside. He rolled behind his bed to avoid Handley's shot but was struck in the shoulder. He survived the attempt, attended by Dr. Bruce. Upon waking, he requested to speak with James Gentry first. He then gave his blessing for James to court Reina, described James and Reina as the future of Rislandia, and said Reina's joy and love was more important than airships, Atreblans, or himself. See also: Assassination Attempt on King Malaky XVI.

Later in The Steam Knight, it was noted that the king's health had taken a turn for the worse, that no one was sure what was going on, that a specialist had been brought in to see to him, and that the palace was sealed off, apparently related to his condition. Zaira von Monocle said she was sure he would be fine and that stress had probably gotten to him.

Role in The Iron Wedding

In The Iron Wedding, Malaky XVI appeared in a significantly weakened state. The war had taken a visible toll on his health: he was gaunt, pale, and sweating, his hair thinner and grayer than Zaira had previously seen. Despite this, he insisted on being present at a strategy meeting attended by Zaira and her father, coughing during the proceedings. He sat upon his throne on a raised dais in the main audience chamber of his palace and required a servant's help to stand before exiting through a curtain behind the throne to rest.

He received the Wyranth ambassador Andrei Zelezo—who was in fact Ivan, the Iron Emperor, disguised by a changeling net—in his court. He agreed that the airship and ending the fighting were of utmost importance. He wanted Zaira to pursue marrying Ivan in order to retrieve the airship plans, but never commanded her to accept the proposal, though he clearly hoped she would. He told Zaira that the kingdom valued her and that her name would be revered in Rislandia. He refused to force her to accept the marriage proposal.

Due to his poor health, he could not personally see Zaira off. Marina du Willet was sent back to Rislandia to report to him. Zaira also intended to inform him about the Wyranth Underground Resistance and the automaton army upon her return.

Notable Events

• Described as Zaira's dear friend on the eve of his ascension, unwilling to take the throne until the new year and until the Wyranth were fully driven from the land (The Fight for Rislandia)
• Ascended the throne following the assassination of King Malaky XV
• Performed the wedding ceremony of Baron Theodore von Monocle and Talyen von Cravat
• Sent the crew of the Liliana on a mission to Zenwey to explore trade
• Formally recommended James Gentry for knight training (The Steam Knight)
• Ordered the mission to capture Lou and authorized an aether-powered rotary gun for the mission (The Steam Knight)
• Survived an assassination attempt at Lake Avily by Knight Handley, who shot him in the shoulder; saved by James Gentry (The Steam Knight)
• Upon recovering, gave his blessing for James to court Princess Reina (The Steam Knight)
• Led Rislandia through the Second Wyranth War and the Nightmen invasion
• Declined to authorize a rescue mission for Baron von Monocle, citing risk to the kingdom (For Steam and Country)
• Promoted Talyen von Cravat to Commodore of the Grand Rislandian Air Force
• Received the Wyranth ambassador Andrei Zelezo (Ivan in disguise) in his court while visibly ill (The Iron Wedding)
• Refused to compel Zaira to accept Ivan's marriage proposal, though he hoped she would (The Iron Wedding)

Legacy

In A History of Rislandia

Reign Dates and Age at Ascension

According to A History of Rislandia, Malaky XVI reigned from Year 492 to Year 520 of the Rislandian calendar—a span of twenty-eight years. The sourcebook states that he became king in his mid-twenties during a crisis, making him notably young at the time of his ascension. The novel-based account on this page does not specify his age at ascension or provide absolute calendar years for his reign; the bible's figures are therefore additive rather than contradictory on those points.

The sourcebook places the Second Wyranth War as beginning in Year 508 (the 16th Year of his reign), the Second Battle of the Border River and the capture of Baron Theodore von Monocle in Year 509 (the 17th Year), and the liberation of Rislandia City by Zaira von Monocle in Years 511–512 (the 19th–20th Years). It also records that a hurricane struck Portsgate in Year 507 (the 15th Year of his reign) and that Wyranth forces invaded Portsgate in Year 511 (the 19th Year).

Circumstances of Ascension

According to A History of Rislandia, Malaky XVI was with the army and had not yet been crowned at the time his father was assassinated—a detail the sourcebook emphasizes twice. He chose not to be crowned immediately after King Malaky XV's death, wishing instead to wait until the new year and until the Wyranth were completely driven from Rislandian soil. The sourcebook notes that he was younger than his father had been when he took the throne and that he had already been tested in battle before his coronation. His 1st Year of reign is described as beginning with a coronation marked by both triumph and mourning.

This account is broadly consistent with the novels, though the bible's explicit statement that he was physically present with the army at the moment of his father's assassination is a detail not previously recorded on this page.

Key Events by Year

The sourcebook provides a more structured chronology than the novels alone supply:

• Year 3 of his reign: Baron Theodore von Monocle visited the Islands of Fae and made a bargain with the Fae.
• Year 5 of his reign: Seeva showed Baron von Monocle the book about giants.
• Year 15 of his reign: The Tragedy of Liliana's Death (the cholera epidemic in which both the king's wife and Liliana von Monocle died). A hurricane also struck Portsgate this year.
• Year 16 of his reign: The beginning of the Second Wyranth War; Wyranth forces attacked Plainsroad Village.
• Year 17 of his reign: The Second Battle of the Border River and Theodore's capture; the king wept at the news of Theodore's loss.
• Year 18 of his reign: The king ordered the Liliana to remain grounded.
• Year 19 of his reign: The king was evacuated to an estate on Lake Avily; the assassination attempt by Joshua Handley occurred; he was also evacuated to the King's Retreat in the Oler Mountains during the Wyranth invasion. Wyranth forces invaded Portsgate this year.
• Day 14 of the Month of Kings (year unspecified): The king personally awarded Baron von Monocle and his crew medals bearing the royal crest.

Spoiler: The Steam Knight 2Click to reveal

The Coronation Address and Atreblan Heritage

According to A History of Rislandia, Malaky XVI's coronation address referenced Rislandia being built by Atreblan refugees—a statement the sourcebook uses to illuminate the historical relationship between Rislandia and Atrebla. This detail does not appear in the novel-based account on this page.

Offer to Baron von Monocle

The sourcebook records that following Zaira's successful mission, the king offered Baron Theodore von Monocle the position of Chief of Foreign Relations. This is not mentioned on the novel-based account on this page.

Alliance with Wyranth Against the Nightmen

According to A History of Rislandia, Malaky XVI formed an alliance with Wyranth against the Nightmen. The novel-based account on this page does not record this alliance as a distinct act of his reign; the bible's framing presents it as a notable diplomatic achievement.

Death

Character Assessment

The sourcebook describes Malaky XVI as young, tested by war, diplomatic, pragmatic, and compassionate. It emphasizes his belief in engagement with the wider world as a departure from his predecessors, and credits him with commissioning the Liliana for diplomatic and exploratory missions. It records that he valued the counsel of those who served him, particularly military leaders like Baron Theodore von Monocle, and that he was known for his willingness to listen to advisors.