Editing EternalEmpire:Arqualan (section)

=== The Emperor ===

	The position of Emperor of Arqualan was not an official, distinct post for most of the nation’s history. Although there had been a series of powerful Probites and generals who challenged the power of both their colleagues and the Optolecti, the first person historically considered as Emperor of Arqualan was Quanio Sorozino Fiovaria, named Ectin and surnamed the Great.

Ectin was the Probite of Fiovion, and his victories on Provendo against the Venjat made him tremendously popular with the people. In the course of the war, he was given the temporary Probîter of Ambieda as well as the now defunct Probîter of the South. On the basis of these factors, he claimed supreme power over the other Probites and the Optolecti, and was able to compel their assent by the loyalty of his armies. He returned to Arqualan for less than a year before departing to Otovan, where he effected a staggering series of victories that subjugated both Sarmonath and later, the Vengua, bringing almost all of the lands east of the Stadden Mountains under Arqi dominion. Ectin died in Otovan in 466 and his generals broke up this new empire and vied with each other and the Optolecton, each claiming supreme power over all of Arqualan. Alliances shifted and territories fell, but for more than 120 years after his death, there was still no new emperor. In 589, Endrino Consestus, who ruled a sub-empire based on Stanido but was aligned under the Optolecton, gained control over the other successor states either through marriage or military conquest, and then invaded Arqualan, defeating the Optolecton’s armies.  The Optolecton conferred on him the unprecedented title of ''Ponix Probîter ed Optolectony Fresix'' – the Supreme Probite and Senior of the Optolecton – making him ‘first among equals’ in the Optolecton and with superiority over the other Probites. This gave him power as chief legislator in addition to the normal military and executive powers of the Probîter. 

After Endrino’s death in 611, his son Quanio (Emperor Q. Consestus I, the Humble) only narrowly held on to his power against several challengers and assassination attempts. Fearing that his father had offended too many people by the assumption of haughty titles and expansive powers, he downplayed his superior status in public, hence his moniker. He was, however, a shrewd and calculating individual that maintained a firm grip on his power base. His successors generally proved less capable than he, however, and the fortunes of the Emperor-ship waxed and waned greatly depending upon the respective strength of the Emperor and his rivals. 

Over the centuries, the Emperor acquired new powers and titles, gradually assuming increasingly higher honors and dignities. Some additional powers and titles to be held by the Emperor were:
·	''Vîndiquon Chingolun'': “The Defender of the Chingolun.” A secular title bestowed upon Vetrin II in 704 AGA by the High Priest in commemoration of the Emperor’s generosity toward the Tylofost community and his orthodoxy. Technically, it applied only to Ventrin II, but his successors also claimed it. It presaged a greater religious role for the Emperor.

·	''Tocratiquo'': “The Sea King.” A translation of an insult originally leveled at the Arqi by the Kings of Sarmonath, implying that they were not a real power because they lacked much landed territories. It was seized upon by several Probites and later by the Emperors in acknowledgment of the Arqi control of the oceans. Militarily, it also refers to the Emperor’s status as Ponix Navigo – Supreme Admiral.

·	''Vigo Tylofostony'': “Vicar of Tylofost.” The High Priest of the Chingolun Tylofost religion. Claimed by Ludinio Calagona (Emperor Vanlin VI).

·	''Luzigodor'': Lit. “Beacon.” This title was claimed by Ionomîs the Divine in 1103 and confirmed by the Vicar of Tylofost when the Emperor commanded that the title be returned to the priesthood. This implies the role of Ionomîs as divinity and as the supreme Chingol religious authority. But rather than declaring him an all-ruling God, the title and power is more closely that of a guide and spiritual shepherd. This has been translated as Illuminarch, and is considered the highest title.

·	Împremex: Refers to the complete military and political power of the Emperor (explained in Distinction of Powers) and is the word which most closely means Emperor.

·	''Îvancor'': “Unvanquished.” A moniker attached to Ionomîs in response to his unblemished military victories, but also in reference to the Cathedral of Ionomîs Îvancor (“Unvanquished Wisdom”). 

·	''Thostetor'': Lit. “To Stand Against/Oppose.” A title first used by Emperor Vangilo to refer to his opposition to the heathen Androvi, but taken again by Ionomîs in 1159 at the outbreak of the First Hangritic War. Though originally it stood only until the cessation of hostilities, the enmity between the Hangriti and the Arqi has blossomed over the years and, considering the inconclusive course of their wars, it may become a perpetual title.