Editing Wulfden the Fourth

{{character
|titles={{tag+|Wyrn}}, Emperor of [[Fjorden]], Prophet of [[Shu-Dereth]], Ruler of [[Jaddeth]]'s Holy Kingdom, Regent of All Creation
|abilities=Precognition{{wob ref|2226}}
|residence=Widor
|nation=Fjorden
|world=Sel
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]
}}
{{for|Wulfden the First|the first Wyrn named Wulfden|pre='Wulfden' redirects here}}
'''[[Wyrn (title)|Wyrn]] Wulfden the Fourth''', sometimes referred to as "Wulfden" or simply "Wyrn", is the political and religious leader of the [[Fjordell Empire]] and the [[Shu-Dereth]] religion on [[Sel]].{{book ref|Elantris|15}}

==Appearance and Personality==
Wulfden the Fourth is one of the most handsome men to become Wyrn.{{book ref|Elantris|38}} He has a proud, noble face with square features.{{book ref|Elantris|12}}

He is thought of as a brutal, domineering tyrant by the [[Arelene]]s{{book ref|Elantris|63}} and is prepared to commit genocide in Arelon and [[Teod]] if they do not join his empire.{{book ref|Elantris|3}}{{book ref|Elantris|9}} His own subjects tend to fear him,{{book ref|Elantris|48}} and he will deceive or even sacrifice them in the name of the Empire.{{book ref|Elantris|58}}{{book ref|Elantris|60}} He is impatient and does not suffer fools gladly.{{book ref|Elantris|51}}

==Attributes and Abilities==
Wulfden oversees the entire Fjordell Empire and sits atop the [[Shu-Dereth#The Great Chain|Great Chain]] of Shu-Dereth.{{book ref|Elantris|12}} His word is considered holy by his subjects.{{book ref|Elantris|3}} He is presumed to be very wealthy.{{book ref|Elantris|17}}{{book ref|Elantris|53}} He has access to [[seon]]s and uses them for communication, despite their presumed origins in the "heathen" [[Aonic]] region of [[Sycla]].{{book ref|Elantris|12}}

He controls Fjorden's military, including a relatively small defense force{{book ref|Elantris|15}} and a fleet of ships that is competent but inferior to the Teo armada.{{book ref|Elantris|60}} Although the Empire could likely conscript more of its citizens into military service if needed,{{book ref|elantris|15}} Wulfden's true power lies in his [[Shu-Dereth#Monasteries|monasteries]], where Derethi are trained to be warriors, spies, and assassins.{{book ref|Elantris|15}} Wyrn or certain delegated priests control the deployment of the monks.{{book ref|elantris|36}} The most important monastery is the [[Dakhor]] monastery, where the monks undergo incredibly brutal training and gain access to [[Investiture]] through the Dor.{{book ref|Elantris|60}} Wulfden uses the Dakhor as his favored warriors.{{book ref|Elantris|59}} He demands absolute obedience from them, even commanding them to sacrifice their lives to power a method of instantaneous travel.{{book ref|elantris|60}}  
{{quote
|How had Wyrn known that Fjon would find Hrathen here, on the streets of Teoras of all places? Fjon would probably never know; Lord Jaddeth moved in ways beyond the understanding of men.
|Fjon{{book ref|Elantris|62}}
}}
Wulfden himself has magical abilities.{{wob ref|2226}} He tells [[Fjon]] to travel to [[Teoras]] and assassinate Hrathen during the invasion, even though Wulfden should not have known where Hrathen was going to be.{{book ref|Elantris|62}} The source and extent of his powers are unknown, although his ability to see into the future may have some parallels to other temporal abilities seen in the [[cosmere]].{{wob ref|4645}} He is a follower of Dominion.{{wob ref|4682}}

==History==
Wulfden was chosen to be Wyrn around five years prior to the [[Reod]]. It is not known if Wulfden was his birth name or if he took up the name in the tradition of [[Wulfden the First]] when he ascended to the throne. He was relatively young when he became Wyrn, and was considered very vigorous. Soon after his elevation, the [[Korathi]] church felt threatened and chose a younger man named [[Seinalan]] as their new Patriarch.{{book ref|Elantris|38}} Wulfden lives in a palace named [[Zigareth]] in the Fjordell capital of [[Widor]], which is presumably also known as "Wyrn's Seat".{{glossary ref|Elantris|Z}}{{glossary ref|Elantris|W}}{{map ref|Sycla}} His image appears on Fjordell coins known as [[wyrning]]s.{{book ref|elantris|15}}

{{sidequote
|Words of [[Jaddeth]], Lord of all Creation, through his servant Wyrn Wulfden the Fourth, Emperor of [[Fjorden]], Prophet of [[Shu-Dereth]], Ruler of Jaddeth's Holy Kingdom, and Regent of all Creation.
|A selection of Wulfden's titles{{book ref|Elantris|3}}
|side=right|size=300px
}}

Early in his reign, Wulfden was already preparing to invade Arelon before Elantris fell to the Reod.{{wob ref|2236}} In the recent past, the monks of the Derethi [[Dakhor]] monastery had learned how to access the [[Dor]] to gain superhuman strength, speed, and durability, making them a deadly fighting force.{{wob ref|2236}}{{book ref|Elantris|60}} 

The Fjordell Empire continued to expand its influence after the Reod, including the annexation of [[Duladel]].{{book ref|Elantris|6}} Arelon and Teod were the only remaining nearby nations that had not submitted to Fjorden, and Arelon had been significantly weakened by the loss of [[Elantrian]] magic. Although the Empire's grip on its constituent countries was not necessarily as tight as it seemed,{{book ref|elantris|58}} [[Raoden]] knew that an invasion attempt was inevitable,{{book ref|elantris|40}} admitting that it would be foolish for Fjorden to squander an opportunity that could result in the destruction of Elantris.{{book ref|Elantris|43}} 

About ten years after the Reod, with Arelon in disarray, Wulfden set several concurrent plots in motion intending to take over the remaining Aonic sovereign nations. He was thought to be behind the sinking of some of Teod's ships.{{book ref|elantris|20}} He sent [[Hrathen]] to Arelon, tasking him with converting Arelon and Teod to Shu-Dereth within three months to prevent their destruction.{{book ref|Elantris|3}} He monitored Hrathen, and was aware of [[Telrii]]'s traitorous activities.{{book ref|elantris|50}}

However, Hrathen's mission proved to be a ruse, as Wulfden never intended to actually try and convert the Arelenes and simply wanted to destroy them.{{book ref|Elantris|58}} Hrathen was actually sent as a distraction; a disguised Dakhor monk named [[Dilaf]] was carrying out secret orders from Wulfden orders to infiltrate Arelon unnoticed. Hrathen eventually understood Wulfden's true plans and the danger of the Dakhor once the [[invasion of Arelon]] was imminent.{{book ref|Elantris|58}}{{wob ref|2186}} The invasion was halted after Hrathen betrayed Wulfden and Raoden restored Elantris, but Wulfden retained control of the Empire.{{book ref|Elantris|63}}{{wob ref|13514}}

==Trivia==
*Wulfden is mentioned in the deleted scenes from ''Elantris'' known as "The Mad Prince".{{bws ref|elantris-deleted-scenes-the-mad-prince|The Mad Prince|post=&nbsp; - ''[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]'' deleted scene|date=date unknown}}
*Since Wulfden still leads Fjorden, he would potentially play a role in a [[Elantris sequel|sequel to ''Elantris'']].{{wob ref|13514}}

== Notes ==
<references /><!-- 3, 5, 15, 38, 63 -->
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