Avkan ruun-Heshkari

Overview

Avkan ruun-Heshkari served as Basileus of Asgartha from 361 to 393 AC. Elected at age forty-one, he was seventy-two years old as of 392 AC when he delivered The Age of Rediscovery Proclamation. He hails from a distinguished noble lineage dating back to the founding of Asgartha, connected to House ruun-Heshkari and through it to the founding family of Bravos. His face is framed by a thick beard and bushy brows.

Background

Role

The Basileus, elected for a usual term of ten years, arbitrates the sessions of the Council. In cases of tie votes, the Basileus has the authority to decide the direction deemed most appropriate.

University Years

Avkan and Waru Toowoom met at university where they quickly became close friends and intellectual rivals. Despite disagreements and diametrically opposed views, they often gathered in evenings at a tavern in the Ruzzante to confront ideas. While Waru had a passion for history, Avkan had an interest in tales of great explorers.

For several years, certain indicators hinted at future troubles: growing population, limited resources, declining mines, rising animosities between Factions. Avkan was convinced solutions required looking beyond the Peninsula’s borders. One evening, Avkan likened Asgartha to a colony of mice that would irreversibly collapse upon itself—this analogy caused a rift, and Waru publicly slammed the tavern door. When they graduated, a chasm had irreversibly opened between them in public view.

Secret Pact with Waru

In truth, Avkan maintained secret friendship and political collaboration with Waru Toowoom spanning decades. While Waru publicly served as Avkan’s most notorious opponent, he actually functioned as Avkan’s most loyal ally working to enable the Rediscovery Endeavor.

Faction Negotiations

Convincing the Factions and various state organs to support the Rediscovery Endeavor required deploying considerable oratory and tactical skill. Bravos immediately praised his initiative. Axiom was won over by offering the opportunity to gather more Kelon. Ordis was convinced it was a societal necessity. Lyra was attracted by the prospect of rediscovering humanity’s lost children. Yzmir was interested in learning more about the secrets of the universe.

If aligned with any Faction, it would be Muna. Avkan has publicly advocated that humanity and its allies have a role to play in restoring balance to the world by restraining the Tumult winds.

Timeline

363 AC - Rediscovery Plan Development

Waru submitted Rediscovery Endeavor launch plan through official channels to Legate on Avkan’s behalf. Plan faced scrutiny identifying funding issues, budget cuts, and continuity concerns.

364 AC - Intelligence Gathering

Spy on Avkan’s payroll observed Waru’s meeting with Robin Hood at tavern. Waru deliberately stirred controversy about Rediscovery Endeavor to create controlled opposition.

365 AC - Waru’s Sacrifice

Waru was convicted of attempted corruption, threats, and kickbacks after trial. Prosecutor referenced Waru forcing Isura banking institution’s hand. Waru received immediate removal and expulsion for minimum three years, giving Avkan complete freedom to approve Rediscovery Endeavor launch while silencing protest.

367 AC - Historical Research

Waru conducted research at Sanctum and consulted with Quetzalcóatl and Thoth. He examined Baird y Idris’s logbook containing City of Scholars coordinates and translated Tumult Nomad memoir revealing the City’s significance.

368 AC - Extended Mandate and Council Ratification

Avkan requested an extended mandate to realize his grand project, having a decree ratified by four councilors allowing him to reign until the realization of the Rediscovery Endeavor. Waru theatrically opposed on auditorium floor while political allies berated Council.

386 AC - Exalt Appointment

Basileus’s seal appeared on proclamation nominating Waru as Exalt. The Frog Prince authenticated document making Waru and Mack official Exalt.

~386-392 AC - Peregrine Museum Meeting

Avkan met secretly with Waru at the Peregrine Museum. Before them stood a pre-Confluence world map reproduced on an entire wall. The two planned to replace it with a map of the current world, with Asgartha at its center, to be filled in as new territories were charted.

390 AC - Recruiting Temera Singh

Avkan personally recruited Temera Singh to lead the Expeditionary Corps. Singh’s lack of Faction affiliation was a deciding factor, as Avkan sought to ensure the Endeavor’s neutrality. The Privy Council voted in her favor among proposed candidates, and Abelen Sundström put forward her name.

392 AC - The Age of Rediscovery Proclamation

Avkan delivered The Age of Rediscovery Proclamation, announcing the launch of the Rediscovery Endeavor and declaring the beginning of the Age of Rediscovery. Over twenty years earlier, he had promised to step aside once the Endeavor was launched, and he intended to honor that commitment.

393 AC - The White Lie Revelation

Avkan met secretly with Waru in a hidden chamber aboard The Ouroboros’s potable water reservoir, a place Esmeralda had told him about. Avkan spoke of his upcoming retirement and his intent to let the Rediscovery Endeavor stand on its own. Waru expressed concern that the Endeavor was built on their joint fabrication — the “white lie” that the Source of the Tumult could be found at the City of Scholars, for which Waru had hired forgers and paid experts to authenticate supporting evidence. Avkan disclosed that Waru did not have all the pieces, and confessed that he himself had also been “but a mere executor,” indicating that both of them had been serving an unnamed higher authority. Avkan stated he suspected what lay at the City of Scholars but did not have all the information to be certain. He described the burden as too heavy to bear, at which point an Eidolon manifested above him in heavy chains.

393 AC, October 22 - Somayeh Bahman Investiture

Avkan attended the swearing-in ceremony of Somayeh Bahman as fourteenth Basilissa of Asgartha at The Asterion, formally transferring power after 32 years in office. Earlier that day, Avkan secluded himself with Somayeh in his boudoir for nearly an hour to offer final words of counsel. During the ceremony, he placed the diadem upon her head. His bedchamber at The Asterion contained portraits of Ayxas and Aysar, kept as reminders of the temptation and corruption any ruler might succumb to.

Relationships

• Baird y Idris: Historical explorer whose logbook provided City of Scholars coordinates for Endeavor research (367 AC)
• Esmeralda: Informed Avkan about The Ouroboros’s secret places
• The Frog Prince: Notary who authenticated Waru’s Exalt appointment with Avkan’s seal (386 AC)
• Hadrian: Alternative succession candidate rejected for insufficient Assembly influence
• Mack: Waru’s Alter Ego who gathered intelligence for Avkan
• Noya Kagama: Senator considered as potential successor but deemed too conservative (392 AC)
• Quetzalcóatl: University professor who showed Waru logbook advancing Endeavor research (367 AC)
• Robin Hood: Isura financier whose meeting with Waru was monitored by Avkan’s spy (364 AC)
• Temera Singh: Commander Avkan personally recruited to lead the Expeditionary Corps (390 AC)
• Thoth: Scholar who translated memoir for Waru revealing City of Scholars importance (367 AC)
• Waru Toowoom: University rival and lifelong secret collaborator spanning 23+ years (363-393 AC)
• Somayeh Bahman: Successor as Basilissa; Avkan attended her investiture and offered counsel (393 AC)
• Ayxas: Former ruler whose portrait Avkan kept as warning against corruption
• Aysar: Ayxas’s twin whose portrait Avkan kept alongside Ayxas’s
• The Asterion: Official residence where Avkan transferred power to successor
• Peregrine Museum: Gallery in Arkaster where Avkan met secretly with Waru (~386-392 AC)