St. Tetrimon

St. Tetrimon (born Inire Ardishapur in 21346 AD, died 21460 AD) was an Amarr martyr and the namesake of the Order of St. Tetrimon. The grandson of Emperor Zaragram II, the Mad Emperor, Inire assassinated his own grandfather after Zaragram II's religious heresy grew too much to bear. He famously shouted the words “a manu dei e tet rimon” before striking, from which he received his epithet.

Early Life

Inire Ardishapur was born to the Ardishapur Family in 21346 AD, the grandson of the family leader, Zaragram Ardishapur. Zaragram had only a single child, a daughter who had suffered through several miscarriages prior to successfully delivering Inire. Healthy and full of life, Inire was a blessing to the family and seen as a good omen.

Indeed, several months after his birth, the Amarr Emperor died. Zaragram held enormous sway over the Council of Apostles, as the Ardishapur Family was never more powerful than it was in those days. He easily became the new Emperor and was enthroned later that year as Zaragram II. Zaragram named a nephew as the new Ardishapur heir, but held a special regard for Inire, whom he considered to be a good luck charm. He attempted to have the child brought to the Imperial Palace, where he could learn at his side.

His mother refused, however, believing a strictly religious upbringing would serve the child best. As soon as he was old enough, she sent Inire to study with the Speakers of Truth.

Years of Study

Inire proved to be a highly pious and devout student. His teachers marveled at his ability to understand the finer points of Scripture. Even as a teenager, he made insightful commentary on a number of pieces of Scripture, often surprising even the Speakers with his wisdom. Many thought he would one day become a priest, and many pushed for him to join with the Speakers once he became of age.

Inire, however, knew his duty was to his family above all else. As the grandson of the Emperor, he would be expected to lead the next generation of Ardishapurs to greatness. He remained with the Speakers for a number of years, however, even after he had finished his education, in an effort to learn the finer points of Scripture. He often professed a desire to memorize the Scriptures in their entirety, though that was known to be virtually impossible, even discounting such difficulties as the massive Book of Records.

In 21403 AD, Inire's mother passed away from complications with another childbirth. At this point, Inire knew his family needed him, so he left the Speakers to resume his life among the Amarr royalty.

Return

Inire returned to his family and took over his mother's title and duties as a Holder. However, he found the world quite different than the one he had left. The Speakers had shielded him from the goings on of the Empire while he studied with them, so he was completely shocked by the changes Zaragram II had implemented.

Before he could truly investigate what had happened, however, he had to deal with his own estate. As he had spent decades away, he had little knowledge of his duties as a Holder. He spent many years learning from family advisors, earning their loyalty and respect. Once he had accomplished this, he spent several further years traveling across his domains, speaking with commoners and Holders alike, hearing their thoughts and learning their concerns.

He was shocked to discover many of them speaking of his grandfather almost as if he were God. Many prayed directly to Zaragram for forgiveness and favor and worshiped him above all else. Believing this to be some sort of mistake, Inire traveled to the Imperial City of Dam-Torsad to see the truth for himself.

What he found shocked him. Zaragram II was nothing like the doting grandfather he remembered. Inire confronted Zaragram, but was harshly rebuked by his grandfather and ejected from the palace.

Plot

Inire knew that his grandfather's corruption of the Amarr religion could not be allowed to continue. However, Zaragram had been thorough in his usurpation of the Scriptures, and the people of the Empire were firmly in his side. Additionally, much of his own family approved of Zaragram's actions, as it promised to keep them the dominant force in the Empire for generations to come.

Though he discovered sympathetic voices among the Council of Apostles, none were willing to stand against the Emperor. Inire resolved that he must act on his own, else see the Empire lose its soul forever.

Inire spent the next several years slowly ingratiating himself back into the good graces of his grandfather. Through subtle flattery, insightful words, and favorable actions, he painted a picture of himself as a man who had fully embraced Zaragram. On more than one occasion, he turned over those who had spoken ill of the Emperor to the inquisitors, often betraying friends in the process.

Finally, as Zaragram was ready to journey to his City of God, Inire's work paid off. He was one of the few invited to join Zaragram at the City's opening in 21460 AD.

Assassination

Inire traveled to the City of God ahead of his grandfather and entered the Imperial Palace. He secreted a dagger inside his robe and prostrated himself upon the floor of the throne room. When the Emperor and his guards entered the room, they saw Inire kneeling, his head down. Zaragram approached his grandson and asked why he was there.

Inire said nothing. He sprang to his feet and drew the dagger. With one swift motion, he slashed Zaragram's throat. As Zaragram's horrified guards fell on Inire, he raised his hand and called out “a manu dei e tet rimon”, which meant “I am the devoted hand of the divine God” in an ancient Amarr tongue.

Legacy

The Council of Apostles quickly went about reversing Zaragram II's edicts and erasing his name from the history. His name was struck from the Book of Records and all paintings, statues, and other idols were eradicated.

Reversing his changes to Scripture were much more difficult. Zaragram had changed many parts of it and had those that contradicted his words destroyed. Much of the Empire's Scripture was feared gone forever. In an effort to recover what had been lost, the Council formed a new religious order dedicated to restoring the Scriptures to their old form. This order was composed of the greatest scholars in the Empire and they traveled to remote monasteries, seeking out fragments of Scripture that had not been altered by Zaragram II.

Inire was beatified by the Council for his actions. However, in an effort to contain the truth, that an Emperor had descended into heresy and been slain by his own grandson, they could not call him by name lest undesired connections be made. Instead, he was named St. Tetrimon, after his final triumphant words. The religious order founded to restore the Scriptures were named in his honor.

See Also

• Amarr people
• Historical Royalty
• Chronicle: City of God
• Chronicle: The Cult of Tetrimon