Hakim at-Selim

**Hakim at-Selim** was a Redguard statesman.

As the Grand Vizier of Hamitas, Hakim was a leading figure in the politics of Hammerfell and even beyond.

## **Biography**

### **Early Life and Career**

Hakim was born on 21st First Seed 3E 258, under the sign of the Lord, in the home of his grandfather Marwan. His father predeceased his birth by half a year, leaving him without any personal inheritance.

Hakim early life was a time of anxiety in Hamitas: the King's uncle Imad took power as regent in 3E 257, but proved ineffective and was forced to resign the same year Hakim was born. His replacement, a council led by Afdal al-Qamaris, petitioned the Elder Council for an Imperial substitute; Hamitas received an *Imperial Governor*. Significant annual tributes were paid to the Imperial City for the next decade. The largest of these, sent to celebrate the accession of Uriel V, triggered the Governor's murder and outright rebellion by Hamitas.

In 3E 278, Hakim's grandfather was killed in a battle at sea and he, aged twenty, became the sole inheritor of his home, his wealth, and his ships. Hakim gifted the last of these to the crown in a small but recognised gesture.

Hakim spent the next decade serving the Grand Vizier Ferhan at-Cemal, performing various duties as his principal secretary. He spent some years studying in the House of Erudition, empowered and accelerated by letters of recommendation given to him by the Grand Vizier. Hakim held Ferhan in high honour, treating him with filial respect. These feelings were mutual and the Grand Vizier treated Hakim as though he were his son. On one occasion, shortly prior to his death, Ferhan remarked that he should formally adopt Hakim. Nothing came of this and Ferhan died soon after in 3E 292.

While on his deathbed, Ferhan was visited frequently by the King. He became better acquainted with Hakim during these visits. The dying Grand Vizier continued to give King Temur counsel. In these final words, he gave Hakim one last gift: Ferhan asked the King to appoint Hakim Grand Vizier after his passing. Temur assented and a week later fulfilled his promise.

### **Grand Vizier of Hamitas**

Hakim began his tenure as Grand Vizier by completing his predecessor's work. He led the diplomatic effort with the Kingdoms of Rihad and Taneth, bringing their rulers to meet his own in 3E 293. Negotiations took place in the city of Hamitas, finally concluding with birth of the League of Three Cities.

The King charged his Grand Vizier with diverting the necessary resources towards restoration efforts in both Rihad and Taneth. Hakim worked to this end diligently, personally organising large timber shipments. With these shipments, he sent a small force of five hundred soldiers drawn from the royal army. These troops were to be stationed in Rihad, captained by men of Hakim's own choosing, to aid in its defence in case of attack by Imperial forces.

#### **The Pious King**

Unlike his predecessor, who did not feel there was much benefit to be drawn from the sometimes grating piety of the prayerful King Temur, Hakim made great efforts to spread his Prince's reputation as a pious man. He instructed servants of the King to record the content of his prayers; this he then had copied and publicised. Many clergymen encouraged the King's subjects to pray as he did. The pious, priestly, praying King of Hamitas grew to be a popular idea in the rest of Hammerfell.

## **Family**

Hakim belonged to a family of sailors and ship captains. His grandfather Marwan was a corsair who pirated the Abecean Sea from 3E 220 to 224. Following his capture at sea, Marwan was presented with the option of service to King Sharukh of Hamitas; the alternative was summary execution. The pirate agreed to the terms given to him, submitting himself as a privateer for the Hamitasi king. It was customary punishment in the reign of Sharukh for such a privateer to have one joint removed from their fingers for every Hamitasi ship they attacked. Marwan confessed to attacking a dozen vessels from Hamitas and so lost four fingers from his left hand.

Marwan proved an especially effective captain in King Shahrukh's service. After just one year, he was given a small but lavish estate and settled in the city of Hamitas. He married the daughter of a merchant captain, the subject of some humour as Marwan had seized one of the merchant's ships just a few years earlier. His first child, Hakim's father Selim, was born in 3E 228.

1. ↑ Hakim's ships and sailors would likely have been impressed into royal service. By preemptively surrendering his vessels, Hakim gained some royal favour.