Arkan IV ve Sherkoz

Photo taken upon his enthronement, 2072

Arkan IV Ikir Erelnik ve Sherkoz (2053-2132), better known as simply "Arkan IV", was the Emperor of Ishan from 2072 to 2132, ruling over the nation for sixty years. His reign saw the Murai civil war and the First Great War, as well as periods of great progress and prosperity. For that reason, he is fondly remembered in History as one of the greatest Emperors in the nation's history, standing alongside his ancestors, Arkan I and Khorai I.

## Early Life

Arkan was born on the seventh of Arkan'i, 2053, in the Imperial Palace of Ikan. The son of the reigning Eshai-va, Erel V ve Sherkoz, he was the second-born child of him *and* his wife, the Lady Eira, daughter of Eshai Esik ve Arkhos. His birth was during a time of great change in the Empire, with the Marshal struggling to maintain power as the lower classes became more capable of resisting his rule. This, coupled with the arrival of foreigners outside of their designated ports, would result in uprisings throughout the next few decades leading up to the civil war.

Like many sons and daughters of the nobility, Arkan was trained by the Ishitai, although due to his status, he was taught in Ikan rather than at their temple near Lake Riak. As a result, he was privy to overhearing the many meetings between his father's advisors and the Military Government of Ishan, as well as a few involving foreigners from such far-flung lands as Ekros, Rumas, and even Keshor. In time, he would be allowed, though in a restricted capacity, to take part in such activities.

Much about the young prince's childhood is unknown and often contradictory, with some accounts claiming that he was filled with fear the first time he heard a cannon fired, all the while other, contemporary sources deny such a claim. Some writings from the time claim he was in peak physical condition, while others call into question such claims. Nonetheless, it can be inferred, based on his training, that he was *at least* in moderately good health at the time.

By the end of the 2060's, it was evident that his father's health was failing, as well as that, soon enough, a new Emperor would be on the throne. The only question left on people's minds was such: *How might the new Emperor rule?*

## Reign

### Unrest

In the month of Imir'i, 2072, his Imperial Majesty, Erel V Ikir Ikosnik ve Sherkoz passed away. At the age of nineteen, Arkan was enthroned as the new Eshai-va, ruler over all of the Murai. While many hailed the new emperor as a chance to overthrow the Marshal's regime, said Marshal viewed the Emperor with great suspicion, given his more liberal political views than his predecessor. In the first of *many* attempts, a series of revolts in the provinces of Arkhos, Khaenun, and Okhen were launched to end their regime and restore the Emperor as the *true* master of Ishan. These revolts failed, however, but there were some rumors that His Imperial Majesty had taken part in planning such revolts, but no concrete evidence is known. Then, as he entered his second decade of rule, war was brewing within the Empire.

### The Civil War

Though initially, his involvement in the Royalist movement was limited, he was certainly involved via his brother, Erel, who, alongside three others, was a member of the "Imir'i Four" group of insurrectionists. Over time, however, he would gradually be fully swayed to their cause, *especially* after the Battle of the Khasatai Canyon proved that their forces were truly capable of attaining victory. As he had training in military strategy, even as a formality, he would make an effort to flee the city of Ikan and join with his followers, successfully doing so on the night of the ninth of Khor'i, 2086. Over the next two years, he would serve as a leading figure within the Royalist movement, which also led to the installment of a new Eshai-va, Jishek I, by the Grand Marshal's regime.

Eventually, however, the war came to a close, with the Royalists attaining victory as a result of superior tactics and heavy aid from the Ekroi and Nodriketi. In time, under his reign, the nation *would* heal, and not only that, it would expand well beyond it's borders at the time.