Ari El'Benazar

From The Wiki of the Sun
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Ari El'Benazar, The Great Lion, The Brightest One, The Master of Hosts, The Lightbringer, or simply The Lion (500—467), was the first ruler of the Celestial Empire (in the present-day state of Tovakizar in the Celestial hegemony) and later religious leader and prophet of the Asharan religion. Ari is known for unifying the Tovak states, spreading Asharism, defeating the Northern Horde led by the Dragon Emperor, and fighting the twin brothers, Caius and Taius.

Ari was found by Barbar, the Malik (king) of the second largest Tovak kingdom, after he investigated a meteor crash on the edge of his domain. Barbar found a baby Ari lying in a crater cuddled up with a lion cub. Barbar took this as an omen of the gods, mainly the lion God, and brought the child and the lion back to their Fortress-Monastery and named him 'Ari El'Benazar' which means Lion, Son of Fire.

Barbar became Ari's adoptive father to him, and taught him much of tactics, strategy, and diplomacy. Even after he discovered he was not blood-related to his "father," Ari held his memory in high value; he kept a fur-edged robe that had belonged to the man and slept with it on his bed every night. Barbar's own son, Akhir, became a brother to Ari and the two were known to be inseparable.

Ari becomes a Sahlik (Prince) of his own minor kingdom as does his brother. The two become great leaders in their own right but as they gain more power, a rift forms between the two. Both have aspirations to become a leader of a unified Tovakzar but differing ways of achieving this. Ari, being born of an unknown origin, believed in merit being a key factor in determining one's position in society while Akhir, who was born of noble birth, believed it to be heredity. These two conflicting ideologies grew as Akhir began seeing Ari more as a servant than as an equal. The tipping point was finally reached when word came that their father, Barbar had died. Akhir declared himself Malik and announced that Ari would only receive a minor castle while Akhir would take the palace. Ari, humiliated and angered, took his army and left in the middle of the night. Ari took not only his men, but those of low noble birth from Akhir's who saw Ari as a way to advance to society.

Ari settled his people at the place of his birth, the crater known as Sunfall. From here, Ari formed a new system of government based on merit and skill. Akhir, feeling threatened looked for a justification of war against his former brother. He found it when a drunken dispute between one of Ari's followers and a distant relative of Akhir resulted in the death of latter. Akhir, with his larger and better equipped army, immediately retaliated against Ari. While Ari managed to escape, his fledgling town was sacked and a member of Ari's circle was captured. He was beheaded while the seventy other prisoners were boiled alive.

While this was a military victory for Akhir, it was a political one for Ari. Akhir's brutality horrified many within his camp, causing an exodus of many to join with Ari. Ari established a new camp in the northwestern border within the ruined mountain fortress of Gods Fist. It was here that he grew his power through a clever mixture of diplomacy and warfare. Those who joined Ari and remained loyal were awarded with great gifts however those who betrayed or opposed him would be met with no mercy.

In the east, Akhir consolidated his power among the aristocrats, killing those of father's court who did obey him. Akhir declared himself the Universal Ruler, a challenge that Akhir accepted. The two met on Field of Fire, and it is said that the the chosen day of battle was the hottest seen in years. So hot, that the dry fields caught fire. Both sides attributed this to Ari, causing Akhir's followers to have their resolve shaken.

The battle itself was fierce and bloody, lasting all day. It was here that Ari was struck with a poison arrow however the Akhir's forces were unaware. Despite this, Ari's forces win the battle. Akhir and his army retreat back to the capital. Ari follows, laying siege to the capital and his former home. Once through, Ari and his son, Lionheart search the fortress for Akhir. Lionheart finds Akhir first and the two fight, Akhir killing him. Ari enters to see his blooded son lying dead on the floor and Akhir standing over him, blood still on the blade. Ari, now convinced that there is no convincing Akhir fight. Ari wins and imprisons him.

Labors[edit | edit source]

Slay a Winged Demon

Receive the Mark of Ashar

Obtain the Sword of Eternal Fire

Tame the Winged Lion

Fast for 30 days and 30 days in the Desert

  • Resist the temptation to eat
  • Resist the temptation to lay with another woman other than your wife
  • Resist the temptation to attain power through evil

Obtain the Crown of the Sun Radiant