Hierophant Elkrin I

Heirophant of the Redeeming Flame Elkrin Ujralik

Elkrin I is the Hierophant of the Redeeming Flame, holy leader of the Sarakan faith and the Sacred State of Nalastra. He is an older prism, taller and more slender than most, who is most often seen in swirling red robes and a large ruby crown illuminated with magical light. He is fairly quiet much of the time, preferring to listen and observe rather than speak, but his voice is a booming synthetic drone that commands attention.
Elkrin is a charismatic man, known across the Sarakan world as fair legalist and a merciful personality. He is a fairly learned theologian, a competent administrator, and a skilled politician and military commander - an all-around effective Hierophant who is likely to be remembered as one of the better ones. His reign has been short, though, and dogged by questions of his legitimacy. He was something of an emergency selection who was installed as a response to attacks on the Nalastran state and confirmed by the Arshas (who are supposed to select Hierophants) afterwards. He is well aware that his position is shaky, and has prioritized finesse and caution over bold moves or radical policy shifts.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Elkrin Ujralik was trained for greatness since the day he was born. He was the great grandchild of Ujrik the Reborn, the lieutenant of the Sarakan prophet Oriska the Redeemer, and as such he grew up groomed to lead. He was never the most ambitious child, and while he excelled in his studies he never pushed ahead of his siblings and cousins for control of the Ujralik clan. So, while his peers raced ahead of him in the Nalastran administration, he took his time working in mid-level positions within the Sarakan temple. 
His skill as a diplomat and administrator first really got to shine in 1863, when he was chosen by his cousin to serve as ambassador to Zoseto. The situation in Zoseto was looking grim: attempts to assert trade and political control in the region had deteriorated, and the militaristic Kingdom of Anashtra was on the verge on invading. Elkrin worked relentlessly to delay the war and thaw relations, and by 1870 the potential invasion was hopelessly mired in infighting and diplomatic entanglements. By 1880, Anashtra and Nalastra were on the friendliest terms since Anashtra's founding and Zoseto was firmly within Nalastra's sphere of influence without a single battle.
From 1880 to 1930, Elkrin was a leading diplomat of the Sarakan temple, sent into save any impossible situation of foreign policy. He was tossed from fire to fire, and was not always successful - sometimes he ended up having to play military commander or justice of religious law rather than diplomat. In 1931, he was made Chancellor of the Heirophant's Court, in charge of the diplomatic corps. After two decades of this, he seemed ready to retire - he was a competent administrator, but he was ready to retire to a nice study somewhere in his beloved Zoseto. 
Unfortunately, he never had a chance to retire. One problem always led to another, and the wars with Igristal and resulting nomadic conflicts generated an endless pile of work. And then, in 1957, Nalastra was invaded by a massive nomadic army. Elkrin, being a reserved person with little reputation for ambition and a big reputation for efficiency, was kept in charge by the conquering nomads. And when those nomads dissolved three years later, Elkrin was the highest-status individual with experience in both nomadic and pre-nomadic administrations. For the first time in his life, he actually stepped up to demand a leadership position he did not want; in his eyes, he was the only candidate that wouldn't cause either nomads or Nalastrans to riot.

Alignment

Lawful Neutral

Species

Prism

Currently Held Titles

• Hierophant

Year of Birth

1829 ME 191 Years old

Pronouns

He/Him

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Jet black with soft white crystals

Height

7'