Kariim I Shiroko
Emperor Kariim I Shiroko
Born in 645, Kariim I was never meant to inherit the throne. Svante II and his older brother Ilya V never had children and instead Svante II adopted Kariim I. Upon his sudden death in 667, Kariim ascended the throne. His paranoia around the Ilyannoi led to him lashing out against them. He was killed only a few months into his reign after attacking one of the creatures. This news was never made public outside of the royal family and the public was told the creature went mad. Kariim is called 'the Unworthy' in private among the family.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Neither Svante II Shiroko nor Ilya IV Shiroko had children. This caused the line of succession to move. Instead, Svante II's adopted his first cousin, once removed. Kariim was the son of Svante II's cousin, Olha, and his great-grandfather was Ilya III Shiroko, meaning that he was still a direct descendent of Ilya Shiroko and thus able to inherit the throne and learn to make the Ilyannoi by the Doctrine of Dea-an Heritage.
Before 663, Kariim was raised as a typical member of the royal family, although not one who was destined to rule. All believed that Svante II would eventually have children and thus there was no need to teach others of the royal family how to rule. However, with his adoption, he was suddenly thrust into the role of tajanji (high prince) at 18. Most in his position would have been taught since birth how to rule an empire. He was chosen as he was both the oldest of his generation and, as per the results of his Attunement Test, could perform light magic, which was necessary for the creation of the Ilyannoi.
Due to his late start, he was pushed extremely hard in his studies. With Svante II fighting sea battles, Kariim learned mostly from his adopted mother. He quickly grasped military history and strategy, both of which Svante II insisted he learn. Along with this, he studied international politics, the empire's history, culturally important rituals, and other such things under family members in the governmental departments.
The stress and fear made him paranoid and he was constantly afraid he was unworthy of his position. His terror led him to believing that the previous generation of Ilyannoi would never accept him and he avoided many of them, even the tsirin Svante II had left in the Gandenye to protect Kariim.
Upon Svante II's death in 663, Kariim was abruptly thrust into the role of baejan (emperor) at the age of twenty two. Like all baejans before him, he created his own tsirin and this became the only member of the Ilyannoi that he trusted fully. He would spend most of his time with it and refused to make any more. His younger brother, Liviu had also been taught to make them alongside Kariim and Kariim absolutely refused to have anything to do with those made by Liviu.
After his coronation, marriage was quickly discussed so as not to have another situation in which the ruler had no children. In the end, it was decided that he would marry his younger sister, Siira. However, before a date for the marriage could be set, his paranoia and fear would put that into freefall.
His fear of the previous generation's Ilyannoi and his overwhelming idea that they would never accept him led Kariim to try to instill fear in the creatures in order to control them. The Ilyannoi were willing to obey and grew extremely confused as to why they were being hurt. No member of the Shiroko Dynasty had ever attacked them in the ways Kariim did. Only his tsirin was spared from his wrath and protected him from the growing rage of the Ilyannoi. Most of the creatures instead flocked to Liviu, which only further convinced Kariim that they were going to go against him.
One day, only a few months after he had taken the crown, he was found by Liviu screaming at a panther-like Ilyannoi for some perceived infraction. Kariim struck the creature with his sword and it attack in an attempt to defend itself. The result was a deep gash in Kariim's stomach. Liviu attempted to defend his brother and calm the creature, calling more Ilyannoi to the scene. The offending Ilyannoi backed down from Liviu in part due to its genetic obedience and in part because it liked him. Other humans arrived and it was clear what had happened.
Kariim was taken to a medic but died several minutes later.
Liviu and the other members of his family were quick to tamp down on the story leaving the palace. Any hint that they had lost control could severly undermine the family's authority. Instead, Liviu gathered the Ilyannoi of the palace together, along with the court, and the story was given that the panther-like creature had gone mad and attacked the baejan. Liviu killed it as justice dictated and demonstrated the loyalty of the other creatures through orders and their own friendly gestures back. Only Kariim's tsirin was hesitant, but eventually complied, feeling its own shame for being unable to defend its master. Liviu promised that it had done nothing wrong and it was given a place next to the one he would make.
After this was complete, Liviu was coronated and succeeded his brother. The public was told of the mad creature and of the assistance the others had given in subduing this single isolated incident. Kariim was publicly honored as previous baejan had been, but was not buried with the rest of the family. Instead, an empty pot was placed in his slot in the mausoleum and his true ashes were kept in his birthplace at the family mansion. Within the family itself, he is known as 'the Unworthy'.
Relationships
Life
645
667
22 years old
Circumstances of Death
killed by the Ilyannoi
Birthplace
Place of Death
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Eyes
slightly slanted down, violet
Hair
long, very light blonde, almost white
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
pale, pink undertone
Height
5'11"
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