Esik I ve Sherkoz

The Eshva of Ikhan (c.1997-present)

Esik I Vahram ve Sherkoz (*𐱃𐰃𐱁𐰅 I 𐰴𐰀𐰲𐰺𐰀𐰢 𐰅𐰢 𐰨𐰆𐱃𐰲𐰅𐰐;* born 7 April 1971) is the reigning Eshva and the nominal Head of State of Ikhan. He acceded to the Nikai Katran *(literally "Dragon Throne")* on the 9th of August, 1997, following the death of his father, Arkan V, passed away. He is the 32nd traditionally recognized Eshva of Ikhan (the emperors between Arkan I and Khorai II aren't recognized) and a direct descendant of both Arkan I and Arkan IV ve Sherkoz as well as a descendant of Eshva Khorai I ve Hailun, the first Emperor of Ikhan.

## Name

In Ikhan, the Emperor is, except by members of the Imperial Family and close friends, never referred to by his given name. Rather, he is referred to formally as "His Majesty, the Emperor" (*𐰅𐰲𐰃𐰬 𐰀𐰢𐰐𐰅, Eshva Khirē*), which may be shortened to "Emperor" (*𐰀𐰢𐰐𐰅, Eshva)*. In writing, he is referred to as the "Reigning Emperor" (*𐰃𐰀𐰲𐰅𐱁* *𐰀𐰢𐰐𐰅, Eshva Serai)* in most (but not all) cases. The exceptions to this rule are: 1.) In the case that it is written by the Emperor himself OR 2.) it is written in a historical context regarding events of the Emperor's life. Works written outside of Ikhan that mention him are also permitted to be published in the Empire with his given name.

## Early Life

Esik was born on 7 April 1971 at 7:16 a.m. in the Imperial Household Agency's hospital in the Imperial Palace of Ikan. His father was, at the time, Crown Prince Arkan, son of Emperor Erel VI and Empress-Consort Esha ve Riak. His mother, Crown Princess Misha ve Khasa, daughter to Prince Ashot Ikir of Clan Khasa and Vira Khiras. His younger brother, Ashot, would be born roughly three years later in 1974.

It is reported that the young prince's early life was "happy", enjoying such activities as mountain climbing and learning a variety of instruments. However, if there was one moment that defined his childhood more than any other, it was when his grandfather, Emperor Erel VII, died at age 60 as a result of a severe heart-attack. From this point onward, he would be taught with the understanding that he would, one day, serve as the Emperor of the Murai. At the age of 18, he was conferred the title of "General", as is traditionally given to the Crown Prince upon reaching said age.

## Education

At the age of four, Esik was enrolled in the Tsavakt School System, a prestigious school initially for the children of the nobility established in the 1890s. By the time he attended, however, it had been open to the public since the 1960's. In upper secondary school, he was a member of a sports club.

Esik graduated from the University of Khoros with a Bachelor's in History before proceeding to work towards a PhD in history, eventually earning it in 2001.

## Personal Life

### Marriage and Family

Esik first met Misha ve Hikai while studying at the University of Khoros in 1991 while he was studying for his Bachelor's in History. Over the next few years, they would enter into a relationship, marrying in 1993. Together, they had three children, Princes Arkan (1995) and Ikos (1996) as well as Princess Misko (1997).

## Emperor of Ikhan

All throughout his father's reign, it was well-known among the Imperial Family that Emperor Arkan V wouldn't reign for too long. After all, just a few years after his enthronement, the Emperor was diagnosed with a terminal case of pancreatic cancer. Despite this diagnosis, the news would not be broken to the nation as a whole until much later. In the meantime, as his illness progressed, Esik began to take on more and more of his father's duties, eventually being forced to serve as his regent in the last two years of his life.

Then, on the night of July 9th, 1997, the unthinkable happened. Emperor Arkan V... was dead. Over the course of the next month, the government made a transition to account for the new Emperor. Esik was enthroned as Emperor Esik I Vahram ve Sherkoz on the 9th of August, 1997, a month to the day after his father's death. In the years that followed, he would go on to fulfill the duties set before him by the constitution of the Empire of Ikhan.