Isur King
From Mizahar Lore
 King Aronis Izurus Sultros | |||||||
| Race | Isur | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 389 AV (aged 134) | ||||||
| Title | King of the Isur | ||||||
| Skills |
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The Isur King currently reigning over the Kingdom of Sultros, home of the Isur is, King Aronis Izurus Sultros, the great grandson of King Isengir Izurus Sultros, the Kingdom's Founder. Born 200 years after the death of Isengir, Aronis was destined to become King just like his father and grandfather. However, unlike his father and grandfather, he was the first to be challenged by Lord Vlados Slythe Pitrius, the current Lord of the Pitrius Clan for the position. Aronis, from an early age, had always been relatively tolerant of non-isur in the Kingdom; a trait that Vlados found to be quite distasteful. Vlados thought Aronis' tolerance would have the potential to increase the threats outsiders, more specifically, humans, posed to the Kindgom and its people. With his challenge to the throne came one of two options. Either Vlados could challenge Aronis to a wrestling match with the winner taking the mantle of King or he could leave the decision to a vote among the Council. Vlados knew well that in a fair fight, he stood no chance against Aronis and the idea of "cheating", while acceptable among the Pitrius Clan, was grounds for a death sentence in the case of ascending to the throne. So, Vlados went with the voting option and used his influence, along with a few behind the scenes deals, to gain the support of Lady Terras. With his vote counting as well, that left Vlados with 2 votes for him. Aronis, then Lord of the Sultros Clan following his father's death, had the support of Lord Coglias which led to Lord Vizerian holding the tie-breaking vote. Lord Kylonir Ironsoul Vizerian understood Vlados' concerns and to some extent empathized. However, when it came time to cast his vote, Kylonir voted for Aronis with the belief that the Kingdom was not ready for a King not of Izurus' bloodline. With that, Aronis was presented to the people as the new King of the Isur and granted his great grandfather's divine hammer, Nauglimir, the symbol of the King.
King for over 50 years now, Aronis has led the Isur with a strong, consistent hand. Rather quickly, and with the help of Lord Kylonir, he became a master of the political arts. It is this mastery combined with the near unanimous support of clans Coglias, Sultros and Vizerian, that he has been able to keep the growing unrest among clans Pitrius and Terras from exploding into all-out civil war.
The Djed Storm of 512 AV
The single most significant event of Aronis' reign came with the release of Ivak from the prison designed by Izurdin himself. In the events leading up to Ivak's release, those who were responsible for it faced the newly ascended Goddess of Fear, Ssena. Ssena would surely have destroyed the group if not for one of the Isur's greatest prophecies coming true. King Isengir was restored to life by Izurdin to stop Ssena from killing the group and thus allowing her to tear down Ivak before the newly freed god was able to realize his fully restored power. Such a thing would have meant unimaginable fear and horror being unleashed upon the world. Although Isengir was struck down by Ssena, it was enough for Ivak to emerge and Ssena was driven off. The Djed Storm that followed slammed into the Kingdom's Citadels and the force of the magical blast would have destroyed the citadels and perhaps even the cities themselves if not for the Isengir having originally decreed upon the founding of the Kingdom that all structures were to be imparted with Izentor, Izurdin's Gnosis, upon their construction. When the storm washed over the Kingdom, the marks on all of the buildings ignited at once creating a divine shield that deflected the storm's rage.
The second death of Isengir, the storm and the divine shield were but one part, albeit a big one, of the greatest challenge faced by any king since Isengir. Next came the Vision. Many Isur baring at least 2 gnosis marks of Izurdin and every one of Izurdin's priests, received a vision that revealed the final events leading up to Ivak's release. They saw a small group of humans saved by Isengir's sacrifice. They saw Isengir standing toe to toe against Fear itself in defense of those not of his blood. For those of clans Sultros, Coglias and Vizerian, this was seen as a message from their savior king that for too long, the Isur lived in fear of the outside world. It was time for them to take a stand against their fears and help the outside world heal from its post-Valterrian wounds.
Unfortunately, many of those belonging to clans Pitrius and Terras saw the vision a different way. They saw it as their most beloved king and savior standing up against fear in place of the weak, selfish, fragile humans. They watched as Isengir died once more just so the humans could pat themselves on the backs for freeing the god who destroyed the Old Kingdom; the god who nearly decimated the entire Isurian race in his hatred for humanity.
These two competing interpretations of Isengir's message led to a severe political divide among the ruling Council. Aronis made a decree that all Border Posts, Trading Posts and the Citadels themselves would be open to those outsiders who wished refuge from the Djed Storm and its long-lasting effects. It would be an attempt at reintroducing Isurian influence to the world in a way that could be seen as supportive and accepting; a strong arm for others to lean on in times of need. Lords Coglias and Vizerian supported Aronis' decree though Vlados denounced it as a death-sentence to the Isur. He believed that by opening their doors to outsiders, they would be opening themselves to untold dangers. Already the Zith were exploding in numbers and threatening Posts and Cities alike. Allowing outsiders further into the Kingdom would divert much needed attention from the Zith. Eventually, Vlados convinced Lady Terras of his concerns and the two formally challenged Aronis' decree.
With the Council sorely divided on the issue, 3 to 2, the challenge was waved and the Terras and Pitrius clans accepted their loss. Though they backed away from further challenges, they did exercise a political power granted to them by the the Council's Foundation Laws created ages ago when the Council was ten instead of five. The Foundation Laws state that, while each clan must pay allegiance to the King and obey his wishes and the wishes of the Council majority, each clan also maintains the right to protect themselves from outside threats. Although the Foundation Laws were meant for a time when the Kingdom was much larger and there were more clans participating in the Council, the Laws were unchallengeable unless done so by the whole of the Council. Thus, clans Pitrius and Terras closed off the main tunnels leading into their cities and posted heavy guard at the entrances. While travel to and from these cities to others was still allowed, those entering Pitrius or Terras City were only allowed to do so under armed escort. This holds true for lands above ground that have been claimed by those two clans as well. Humans found anywhere near Pitrius territory are killed outright while non-humans may only fare slightly better. Those outsiders entering Terras territory can expect slightly less severe treatment including a single order of "turn around and leave". Failing to obey means immediate attack.
After the Djed Storm to Present
With the Council divided, the Kingdom is divided. Aronis has been able to avoid further degrading of the political climate by limiting outsider interaction within Isurian territory along with his ability to stand face-to-face against Vlados' own political mastery. This is the key to Aronis' and Vlados' rivalry. As much as Vlados wants to hate Aronis for being a weak, short-sided fool and as much as he disagrees with Aronis on nearly everything to some degree, he still maintains a strong amount of respect for the young king. Nobody is able to so masterfully counter Vlados' political sculpting like Aronis and for a Pitrius such as Vlados, such a thing is worthy of great respect even if he doesn't like the man.
Aronis has also directed Izurdin's Hammer, the King's Elite Guard and Military Force for the Kingdom, to garrison the Border Posts where outsiders are most likely to be encountered. He has allowed Sentinels from the Silver Tower to also hold influence at the Posts. This heavy hand of security has also helped maintain some order amidst the conflict in the Council and has quite possibly kept Vlados from going further, at least for the moment, with his partial separation from the Council.
The Man, The King, A Legend
Aronis was quite young when he became King. It is this youthfulness that has helped to influence his reign as king. Unlike those of his parents and grandparents time, he is more open to new ideas and new directions for the Kingdom. He often speaks of his desire to return the Isur to a position where the other races of the world look to them as teachers, protectors and innovators. He is impossibly calm. Even when the Council gets heated over a particular issue and Vlados begins poking and prodding in hopes of finding some weakness in the King, Aronis keeps his cool and pushes right back with more direct, forceful points. He is quite humble as well. He understands full well the importance of his position and the fact that so many look to him for guidance and support yet he never lets it go to his head. Any successes that may be attained due to his efforts are always put back onto the people as if it were their own efforts that brought the success.
Although kind, calm and composed, Aronis is a physical giant on par with some of the largest of Clan Coglias. Although he is only five feet in height, he is on the upper edge of 250 pounds of pure sculpted muscle. It is said that even Lord Coglias can only manage a draw in wrestling matches with Aronis. Otherwise, Aronis looks much like any other of his clan although his eyes have been said to bare a wisdom that far surpasses what would be normal for one of his age. They appear kind and patient though pierce a gaze deep into the heart of those he looks upon. While this could be attributed to his great lineage, it is also said that the hammer, Nauglamir, a weapon imparted with Isengir's fourth gnosis mark from Izurdin, provides Aronis with great wisdom. The hammer is known to possess a large piece of Isengir's soul. Thus, even though King Isengir Izurus Sultros has died twice, likely never to return again, a piece of him always remains close to the current king as well as the Isur as a whole.