Difference between revisions of "Hrathen"

|booksfirst appeared=[[Elantris (book)|Elantris]]

For most of his life, he wasis a devout follower of the Derethi religion, although his devotion wasis more a product of logic than of faith.

Hrathen wasis a graduate of [[Ghajan Monastery]],{{book ref|Elantris|36}} and roserises quickly in the ranks of the priesthood. His talent for public speaking mademakes him an invaluable tool of [[Wyrn (title)|Wyrn]] [[Wulfden the Fourth]] in his attempt to conquer the world through the spread of the Derethi religion. Hrathen's particular talent laylies in destroying the kingdoms of those who diddo not convert, and he hadhas a hand in both the destruction of the [[Duladel Republic]],{{book ref|Elantris|9}} and the simultaneous invasion of [[Arelon]] and [[Teod]]. During the invasion of Teod, he camecomes to a full awareness of Wyrn's corruption of Shu-Dereth, and wasis instrumental in stopping the complete destruction of both kingdoms. Unfortunately, his efforts to save Princess [[Sarene]] resultedresult in his death at the hands of [[Dilaf]] and [[Fjon]].{{book ref|Elantris|62}} For his efforts, he wasis buried with the rest of the heroes of the battle just outside of [[Elantris (city)|Elantris]].{{book ref|Elantris|epilogue}}

== Attributes & AbilitesAbilities ==

Due to his training in various monasteries, Hrathen is a skilled unarmed combatant, capable of disarming a seasoned soldier and disabling several attackers with ease. He is also quite skilled with a sword, using it to fend off several Dakhor monks.{{book ref|elantris|61}} His official gyorn's set of full plate armor, unlike that of many of his colleagues, was fully functional, and since he wore it at all times he was in public--most of his waking hours--he was in excellent physical condition.

Hrathen's only power linked to the Dor is a bone in his forearm, the only remnant of being trained at the Dakhor monastery, although the abilities of this bone are not extensively revealed, it waspresumably showngrants tohim bestrength, practicallyas indestructiblehe andwas granted him the strengthable to break the neck of a full Dakhor monk with this arm.{{book ref|Elantris|62}} Like all Dakhor changed bones his arm is practically indestructible.{{book ref|Elantris|62}} Due to Hrathen’s place as Derethi Gyorn he received a [[Hrathen’s Seon|Seon]] from Wyrn. He rarely uses this Seon however, believing it to be heathen.{{book ref|Elantris|12}}

{{image|Hrathen by Shuravf.jpg|side=left|width=250px300px}}

Wyrn himself chargedordered Hrathen with three months to convert Arelon to Shu-Dereth, and gave Hrathen a deadline of three months orbefore the Fjordell Empire would invade.

Arriving in Arelon, Hrathen assumed control as the head of the Derethi religion there, dismissing [[Fjon]] - the previous leader - and suggesting he would find renewed faith and purpose back in Fjordell. He saw the zealousness of Arteth [[Dilaf]] and hoped to make use of it, viewing his ardour as something dangerous if left unmonitored. He proceeded to make Dilaf his odiv.{{book ref|elantris|3}}

He conducted sermons denouncing the Elantrians as Svrakissunholy anddemons, being unholy,“Svrakiss” damned by Jaddeth, working to make the people hate them. His intention beingwas to unite the people in their hatred for Elantrians and use that to convert them. He began preaching atop the Elantrian wall and this is, where he first encountered [[Sarene]]. She was ablePretending to askbe questionsignorant, thatshe wouldasked embaressdifficult himquestions inthat frontderailed ofhis the gathered nobles he was preaching tosermon. Rather than be annoyed he was actually very impressed by her shrewdness and felt invgorated by the promise of a worthy opponent.{{book ref|elantris|8}}

Despite his humiliation, several of the nobles still agreed to attend his private meeting where he offered them vague promises of power from Fjordell should they convert to Shu-Dereth. The most powerful noble among them, Duke [[Telrii]], he met in private to offer the chance to be King of Arelon.{{book ref|elantris|9}}

Wishing to closer inspect the Elantrians, he bribed the captain of the guard at the Elantrian wall to bring him an Elantrian. He questioned the Elantrian and decided that he couldn't allow the populace to actually get close to the ElantrainsElantrians and see how mundane they really were. He ordered for the Elantrian to be put back into Elantris but Dilaf instead tortured the Elantrian to madness and tried to burn it alive during one of Hrathen's sermons. Fearing retribution from Iadon, Hrathen interrupted the sermon, swayed the audience to his side and burnt the Elantrian to death later in private to end its suffering.{{book ref|elantris|15}}

At this point Hrathen began to truly question his faith. He saw his way of doing things was based entirely on cold, calculating logic whilst Dilaf had burning passion. Envious of Dilaf's speeches being more successful than his own as they connected to the hearts of the people better. In the end his attempts to make Arelenes fear and hate Elantrians was foiled by Sarene, who performed charity work in Elantris to prove they were harmless and pitiful. Hrathen accepted the Arelenes would not hate what they pitied and abandoned this plan.{{book ref|elantris|24}}

Instead, he focused on making Telrii the new king of Arelon, then pay him to convert to Shu-Dereth and hope the rest of Arelon would follow. He had Fjordell forces attack Iadon's ships, crushing his income which would make him too weak to be the ruler in the eyes of the economically-centric nobility of Arelon, whilst simultaneously offering Telrii easy deals in Fjordell to boost his profits above Iadon's. However, this was also foiled when Sarene arrange a contract between Iadon and [[Teod]] to secure the king's finances.{{book ref|elantris|27}}

Defeated once again, a shipment of potions he ordered from [[Forton]] arrived. Hrathen drank one and it simulated the affects of the [[Shaod]], making Hrathen look like an Elantrian.{{book ref|elantris|27}} For five days he was thrown into Elantris until the potion wore off and he was returned to normal. He returned to Kae, announcing that it was a miracle caused by Jaddeth, increasing the number of Shu-Dereth followers in Arelon.{{book ref|elantris|36}}

Following his release he learned Sarene had accidentally stumbled upon Iadon committing ritual sacrafice for the [[Jeskeri Mysteries]], leading to the king's arrest and eventual suicide.{{book ref|elantris|32}}{{book ref|elantris|35}} Now that Arelon required a new king, Hrathen plotted once again to put Telrii on the throne. He became aware of Sarene's plan to marry Duke [[Roial]],{{book ref|elantris|35}} combine their wealth and announce Roial as king. To prevent this, Hrathen had a Derethi assassin take one of Forton's potions and slip it to the princess before her wedding. When Sarene lifted her veil at the wedding, she appeared to have become an Elantrian and was thrown into Elantris.{{book ref|elantris|38}} Over the next five days, Telrii consolidated power and was coronated King of Arelon.{{book ref|elantris|39}}

Whilst satisfied with Sarene's removal he hoped she came to no harm and knew that the potion would be temporary. During her internment in Elantris, he contacted her father - King [[Eventeo]] of Teod - and claimed he could heal Sarene if Eventeo swore an oath to convert to Shu-Dereth.{{book ref|elantris|45}} The king did and when the potion wore off, Sarene was released from Elantris and distraught to realise her father's decision.{{book ref|elantris|47}} Hrathen tried to shake her hand as a sign of respect for her cunning but his ultimate victory but she was confused and repulsed by him. Eondel drew his sword and held it at Hrathen's throat to make him back off. Hrathen effortlessly disarmed the elderly general but decided it best to leave.{{book ref|elantris|47}}

Hrathen's plan was coming together but he forgot to account for the foolishness of King Telrii; he refused to convert unless Wyrn paid exponential amounts of money and he had Duke Roial killed.{{book ref|elantris|53}} Eondel, his sense of honor dictating that Roial must be avenged, stormed the palace with his legion of soldiers and died killing Duke Telrii.{{book ref|elantris|54}} Hrathen was witness to this and realised once again he had gone with the logical approach, not caring about actually converting Telrii's soul to Shu-Dereth and only caring pragmatically about bribing him enough to say he did, blaming his defeat on this.

Hrathen was present at Raoden's coronation and was disgusted when the Arelene nobility still accepted him as king after he was revealed to be an Elantrian, realising if he had continued his plan to make the Arlenes hate Elantrians this never would have happened.{{book ref|elantris|57}}

At this point he learnt Dilaf was actually a Dakhor monk and that several of them had infiltrated Kae.{{book ref|elantris|57}} Dilaf revealed that Wyrn never wanted Hrathen to succeed, instead sending him in as a distraction. Their enemies spent so much time focused on Hrathen and foiling his schemes to convert Arelon they did not notice the monks preparing to commit genocide, wiping out the people of Arelon and Teod to prevent any more dissent from Shu-Dereth and stopping anyone else from becoming an Elantrian.{{book ref|elantris|58}} Hrathen was horrified at this, having wanted to save souls, not cause a massacre. But before he could take any action, the monks began the [[invasion of Arelon]].{{book ref|elantris|57}}

Accompanying the monks during their assault on the city, Hrathen was in a constant state of disgust and shock. He was witness to Sarene being taken captive by the monks and learnt Dilaf's beloved had been driven mad by an incorrectly drawn Elantrian Aon causing Dilaf's hatred for Elantrians.{{book ref|elantris|60}}

Dilaf and Sarene were placed in a circle with Dilaf and several monks. A monk in the centre was burnt up, body and soul, to allow magic to transport them to [[Teoras]].{{book ref|elantris|60}}

Meeting with Eventeo under the pretense it was time for him to convert to Shu-Dereth the monks prepared to assassinate the King of Teod. Hrathen became aware that Dilaf planned to murder Sarene in front of Eventeo before they killed the king and finally realizing that his feelings of respect and rivalry with Sarene were in fact love. heHe saved her life by attacking Dilaf.{{book ref|elantris|61}}

Eventeo escaped while his guards fought the monks and Hrathen and Sarene retreated into aan alley. They managed to avoid the monks and disguise themselves as peasants. Walking among the masses, Sarene questioned why Hrathen chose to change sides. Hrathen revealed that he still followed Shu-Dereth, still prayed to Jaddeth, and still thought the Derethi teachings were correct, but said he couldn't agree with Wyrn and his interpretation of them.{{book ref|elantris|61}} At that point, Hrathen was stabbed in the chest by Fjon who had been sent by Wyrn to assassinate the gyorn.{{book ref|elantris|62}}

Hrathen diedfell in Sarene's arms, his final thoughts beingthinking: ''"Goodbye, my princess. Jaddeth be merciful to my soul. I only did the best I could."''

However, Hrathen got back up and saved Raoden and Sarene from Dilaf, using a twisted bone in his forearm, the only remnants of his time at Dakhor Monastery.{{book ref|elantris|62}} After the battle, Sarene theorized that the wounds inflicted by both Fjon and Dilaf should've been instantly fatal, but Hrathen clung to life through his Dakhor markings.{{book ref|elantris|63}}

Hrathen's body was ferried back to Elantris and buried in the memorial barrows for heroes who fell during Fjordell's invasion. He was buried alongside Eondel, Karata, Saolin and Roial with his bloodred armour stacked alongside it and his cape draped over his sword. His funeral was performed last. Sarene speaks at his funeral saying that she thought she understood the man as her enemy by his sense of duty, his powerful will and his determination to save people through religion but she had no knowledge of his internal conflict or that he'd place the lives of everyone else over his own ambitions. andShe also mentioned how if it hadn't been for him, then Dilaf would have killed both her and Raoden. She implores the people to remember Hrathen not as their enemy but as their savioursavior.{{book ref|elantris|Epilogue}}