Shiari Besensu-Ikaera

**Shiari Besensu-Ikaera**, Ari (Lar 19 - Havi 82) was the only son of Hange-Runec Ikaera III, *Illenari*, and Kitare Sjiin, *Ura de Miran*. While the majority of his life was unremarkable, he is notable for being the only member of the royal family to take a shan spouse. He was also heavily involved with the Shan Refugee Movement after the Cien Cleanse.

## Name Segmentation

Shiari carries the surname of Besensu-Ikaera, which follows the Miranen piruse tradition. When a male child is born to someone who does not wish to pass on the family name, they may choose to give the child a secondary last name. If that child then has children of his own, they will carry only the secondary last name and will not carry on the original family name.

## Biography

Shiari was born in the *Balai aa Hangesu* in mid Lar 19, at a time when political tensions were running high. Only a few months later, his sister Fushinara Ikaera would be appointed Ura de Miran. While most royal children would be raised with strict schooling and involvement with the Council of Leaders, Shiari grew up in an environment where the focus of both his family and the palace staff were fixed solely on his sister.

When he was two years old, his father was captured by Fushinara's personal *gopari* and thrown into the Palace dungeons. Any and all attempts to contact him from anyone other than Fushinara were forcefully prevented, effectively removing any influence Hange-Runec might have had on Shiari's early development.

Shiari's mother became sullen and withdrawn over the course of several years. When political tensions grew to the point that Miranen citizens began leaving Mi-Fe Cie to avoid the harsh legal system that had been put in place after Fushinara had taken the throne, it was no longer safe to remain in the palace. In Tehare 5, Kitare followed the advice of Fii Giriin and left with Shiari to live in one of the makeshift villages that had been established outside of the boundaries of the city, nicknamed outcast camps.

Unlike the purely Miranen population of Mi-Fe Cie, the outcast camps held a highly mixed group of people that included corran-mishu, mishu, and occasionally shan visitors. Because the camps were run and facilitated by the Order of Scripts, they were a vastly different environment from what most Miranen had experienced throughout their lives. This nontraditional upbringing suited the young Ari very well. Highly intelligent and with a strong interest in learning about other cultures, Shiari immersed himself in the community around him. He made friends easily and often served as a facilitator if two or more groups had a disagreement.

In Tehare 14, Mi-Fe Cie was visited by an embassy of High Hangesu. They sought asylum for an important member of a sister race, the Lower Hangesu, named Keraun. who was the last remaining member of the Lower Hangesu's third gender, *mir*. Their claim was based upon shared history between Miranen and Hangesu rulers, something that the Hangesu considered history and which the Miranen considered to be mostly legend due to the age of the events in question.

At the advice of Fii Giriin, Shiari was elected to act as a liaison between the Hangesu and both the Council of Leaders and Fushinara. He was able to arrange accommodations for the Hangesu representatives and Keraun within the palace and also personally relocated to the palace to continue his duties. Over the course of his work, he became very close to Keraun, and the two were married against political judgment in Tehare 16.

When Fushinara was overthrown in Tehare 17, Shiari and Keraun opted to remain at the palace. Shiari dedicated himself to re-establishing civil order within Mi-Fe Cie and assisting those in the outcast camps with establishing permanent residency either within the city or in other suitable locations.

Shiari remained in Mi-Fe Cie for the rest of his life. Despite the fact that he would have been the next in line for the throne, he never assumed the title of Enari. Instead, he focused on facilitating equitable rule that relied on both the Council of Leaders and members of the community. He was appointed Illenari in Malar 4 and retained the title until his death.

## Marriages and Children

Shiari married only once and had two children, both of which were raised in a semi-traditional Miranen style.

Keraun *(Tehare 16 - Havi 82, ended in death)*

1. Laan Besensu (Malar 6)
2. Lesphut Besensu (Malar 13)

## Appearance and Personality

Shiari was the only child of Hange-Runec Ikaera III and Kitare Sjiin, Ura de Miran, that did not carry the distinctive *mishu* coloring that their father possessed. Instead he had black hair with some natural waves and medium olive-colored skin much like his mother. He grew his hair long, often wearing it tied back. While he was raised in the outcast camps, his preferred style of dress was traditionally Miranen. He favored long tunics and nisiri pants, often with belts or jackets. He was very near-sighted, and occasionally wore glasses devised by Fii Giriin.

Personable and friendly, Shiari greatly enjoyed interacting with groups of all sizes. He was an optimist who believed that positive outcomes were possible in the worst situations.