Chapter Text
Tlatoani Aemon I Targaryen, the Serene Dragon
Lived: 1460 – 1521 AD
Tepilli and Huey Tecuhtli of Dragonstone: 1481 – 1521 AD
Tlatoani of Mexihco: 1509 – 1521 AD
Calpullec of House Targaryen: 1509 – 1521 AD
Tlatoani Aemon I Targaryen, known as the Serene Dragon, ascended to the throne of Mexihco in 1509 AD at the age of 49, following the death of his father Tlatoani Maekar I. Aemon’s reign, though short-lived compared to his immediate predecessors, was a period of peace and prosperity, defined by a hands-off approach to governance. The realm was thriving thanks to the groundwork laid by his father and grandfather, with continued economic development, agricultural innovation, and a booming population.
A Peaceful Reign and Continued Prosperity: Aemon was a ruler of calm temperament, content to let the established institutions of the Altepetl run themselves. He avoided meddling in day-to-day affairs, preferring to preside over significant cultural and religious events rather than directly ruling. His reign saw the continuation of Mexihco’s prosperity, with the further introduction of crops and livestock from Dragonstone, Driftmark and Claw Isle, continuing to revolutionize life in the Targaryen-ruled Altepetl. Wheat, horses, cattle, grapes and more became ever more central to the daily lives of Mexihco’s citizens, transforming agriculture, trade and warfare.
This era of growth was marked by a population explosion, with vast areas of farmland producing bountiful harvests, and cities an towns swelling in size. Aemon’s rule ensured that the wealth of the realm was maintained and that the foundations of its prosperity were passed on to the next generation.
Though he lacked his predecessors' expansionism, Aemon arranged the strategic marriages of his children into other branches of the Targaryen family with the aim to help secure the Altepetls future stability. These alliances forged bonds of loyalty that united the Targaryen nobility, preventing internal dissent or external threats from challenging Mexihco’s dominance.
Religious and Cultural Devotion: Aemon’s true passion lay in the religious and cultural life of Mexihco. Unike his father before him, Aemon was a devout follower of Tlaloc rather then Xipe Totec and also heavily patronized his cult over that of other members of the Valyrianized pantheon. He was a regular participant in the grand festivals, especially those honoring Tlaloc. Unlike Maekar, Aemon never partook in the more gruesome rituals personally, preferring to oversee those ones from a distance. His reserved nature earned him respect for his wisdom and reverence, while his gentle demeanor set him apart from his more fiery forebears.
The Arrival of the Spanish: The latter years of Aemon’s reign witnessed the arrival of a new and dangerous force from across the sea - the Spanish. The Old World’s explosers began encroaching on the Caribbean islands, marking the beginning of European settlement and conquest in the New World. Hernán Cortés, the bold conquistador, ventured inland with the hopes of uncovering the fabled wealth of the Targaryen-ruled Altepetl.
Despite the potential threat the Spanish posed, Aemon, ever the curious and open-minded ruler, welcomed Cortés and his men as honored guests, intrigued by their tales of their distant lands and strange customs. He believed that this new contact between the Old World and Mexihco could herald an age of mutual prosperity and learning.
The Murder of Aemon: Unfortunately, Aemon’s serene nature would prove to be his undoing. Cortés, driven by greed and ambition, saw an opportunity to seize power within Mexihco. During a lavish feast held in his honor, Cortés recklessly strangled the aging Tlatoani to death, hoping to initiate a swift coup.
However, Cortés had underestimated the loyalty of Aemon’s family and court. Aemon’s eldest son and heir, Tepilli Daemon, was killed in the ensuing chaos, shot by a Spanish firearm during the coup attempt. The third-born son, Tepilli Aenys, distraught over the murder of his father and the destruction of the peace, took his own life rather than be used as a puppet ruler by the Spaniards.
Cortés’ coup collapsed into confusion as the Spanish were driven out of Tenochtitlan by enraged Targaryen forces, their attempt to control the city swiftly disintegrating. The Spanish retreated, but the damage had been done. Aemon’s peaceful reign had ended in violence, and Mexihco’s first golden age was over.
The End of an Era: Following the disastrous coup, Aemon’s second-born son, Tepilli Maegor, ascended to the throne in 1521 AD. Unlike his father’s peaceful rule, Maegor would face an era of upheaval, warfare, and disease. The arrival of the Spanish had heralded the beginning of a new, tumultuous chapter in Mexihco’s history, and Maegor’s reign would be marked by constant conflict and the spread of plagues brought by the Europeans.
Aemon’s legacy, though overshadowed by his tragic death, remained one of peace, prosperity, and cultural flourishing. His reign is remembered for the stability he maintained and the wealth he nurtured in the realm. However, the tragic events that closed his rule also signaled the end of an era, setting the stage for the chaos that would follow.
Trueborn Children of Tlatoani Aemon I
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Son – Tepilli Daemon, born 1483 AD,
Daughter – Cihuapilli Saera, born 1485 AD
Son – Tepilli Maegor, born 1487 AD
Son – Tepilli Aenys, born 1488 AD
Daughter – Cihuapilli Viserra, born 1490 AD.