Arshu, King of Kings
Shashan Xšayārša none unknown (a.k.a. Arshu)
Arshu is ruler of Iranshar, a warlord whose powers are near-absolute, limited only by the powerful judiciary of the Magi of Iranshar. Arshu is supreme commander of Iranshar's military, and his whim props up nobles and deposes them as easily. The Iranshar Magi are devoted to him, holding him as sacred due to his nature and their belief Fire represents the Mind of God.
Arshu first appears in court transcripts, where he is accused of corrupting the Mind of God itself with blasphemous fire magic not seen since the efreeti ruled the City of Brass. His trial was interrupted by an invasion by a three pronged attack by Iranshar's neighbors, an attack Arshu quickly rallied to repulse. His actions gained him aquittal, as well as the position of Commandeer-in-Chief until the military crisis was ended.
He has used his position to establish an academy for mages mastering Circle Magic and incorporating them into the nobility and military of Iranshar, giving the country a reputation for exotic magic and terrifying strategies, though Iranshar has never successfully expanded it's borders under Arshu's reign.
Arshu is greatly feared and respected outside Iranshar, for his mastery of fire magic and terrifying armies of efreet and fire elementals apparently at his beck and call. He has repelled every attack at his borders, but never expanded them.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Arshu is Xšayārša, Sultan of the City of Brass in Iranshar. His winter palace of Ecbatana houses the Scholars of Warfare, educators of Iranshar’s autocratic nobles, while the City of Brass is where Xšayārša decides foreign policy with the Magi, the formidable judges who control Iranshar society.
Arshu appeared long ago, first found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death, his execution was stalled by an invasion from Endingir, which he fought off single-handedly, getting his sentence commuted and elevating to the office of Shashan(King of Kings), which the Empire calls Sultan. He fought off Endingir, then decreed the Scholars of War at Ecbatana. Although he is often at odds with the courts, he is still the best defender of the land and even the magistrates yield to him on matters of national security and protection, with all the power of the Peacock Throne behind him. For their part, the magisterial magi continue to maintain public service but insist on controlling the courts, leaving Arshu effectively powerless outside of military matters.
For his part, he has decriminalized arcane magic, and even opened an academy that produces his own mages (Red Wizard prestige class) who command Iranshar forces as officers. Arshu has created nobles to head his military, enjoying wealth and privilege as officers, yet still bound by the law as interpreted by the Magi.
Arshu was in the bloom of health when he fully embraced his efreet nature and became an elemental force, a powerfully built but graceful figure with a mane of orange flames on his shoulders and clad in ornate white regalia. His elaborate and decorated turban conceals antlered horns curving over his skull and hides the white flames that replaced his body hair while his veil hides all but brilliant golden flames set in dusky red flesh.
Education
Although the founder of the Ecbatana Academy of Warfare and creator of Circle Magic, a bizarre group practice modifying ritual magic and enhancing and empowering it, Arshu is not believed to have been educated nor even received tutorials from any Iranshar educator. His instinctive grasp of his abilities seems instinctual, though he obviously reads the ancient tomes of Iranshar Magi fluently.
Morality & Philosophy
Arshu is defiant and determined to establish Iranshar as the preeminent power on Terra Antiqua. He is King of Kings and expects to extend his borders to the four corners of the earth. Haughty and proud, he is incapable of admitting fault in his schemes nor can he accept miscalculations, giving him a problem as Iranshar actively hunted down it's sorcerors, warlocks, and wizards prior to his establishing the Academy at Ecbatana. Numbers work against him, and the Magi tend to execute arcane casters before Arshu discovers them and ushers them into the protection of his academy.
Children
Gender
male
Eyes
Blue-white flames set in deep eyesockets
Hair
White flames adorn his scalp and body where hair would be on a person
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Dusky red
Height
6'
Weight
240 lbs(muscular)
Aligned Organization
Ruled Locations
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