Grand Duke Arttu I
Grand Duke Arttu Ilkitala (a.k.a. Grand Duke Arttu)
Arttu was the firstborn son of the well-loved king, Tapani VII, who had named him after the famous Maijalan grand duke Artturi who had fought and won the independence of the Grand Duchy from the old Brynic Empire. Due to this and being the heir, much expectation and strain were put upon Arttu in his younger years, further compounded by the comparatively lax upbringing of his younger brother Tuomo received. First of his name to ascend to the throne of the Grand Duchy, Arttu I would be judged harshly on his rulership following his death. His early reign proved to be rather successful mostly due to having succeeded his father, Tapani VII "the Old", who was a much-beloved monarch. The first few years of his reign amounted to little of interest, little but minor changes within the court and several diplomatic missions to the Duchy's traditional allies. He was however a monarch who wished to be remembered, travelling widely, holding tournaments, commissioning chapels and bridges. This desperation to be admired was unfruitful, even causing many contemporary writers and poets to scorn Arttu’s insecurity. However, after several years of the economic downturn within the Grand Duchy, Arttu had proven himself to be aloof and a poor governor. This did very little to endear him to the populace. He looked to improve his situation through a propaganda campaign against western neighbours Aijia whom he claimed had caused the depression within the Grand Duchy due to tariffs and their control of trade downstream from many centres within Doria, he claimed that the city of Asjaer was in fact of Doric origins and had been conquered by the Brynish millennia beforehand. This was the prelude to war, one that ended in disaster for the Grand Duke. He died a mere few years after its end, his reputation in tatters.
The war with Aijia, known as the Doric-Aijian War would be the disaster that set in motion Arttu's declining health in his last years. Many believe that the conflict was brought about purely by the Grand Duke's wishes to whip up fervour and loyalty amongst the populace, to distract them from the poverty that had crept across Doria. The Eakinhake Incident was the final catalyst that set the war in motion, the start of which was very favourable for Arttu and his army. He quickly crossed the Bryn River near Wheatash and continued south towards Asjaer. The siege would continue for nearly a year before dwindling supplies and outbreaks of disease within the besieging camps forced a retreat. The Doric forces would be pushed back all the way to the Yarrow River near Pilkala where an eventual peace would be made.
Arttu's health continued to fail him after the war, it is noted during the infamous Procession at Ingus that he coughed incessantly during the entire ceremony. As he had done before, Arttu continued to travel across the Grand Duchy, trying to endear himself to a now even colder noble audience. Post-war, Arttu had refused to make amends with Surcount Eerikki of Rydant, whom he still held largely responsible for his loss to the Aijians, never once visiting the Surcount's south-easterly domain. That was until the winter of 7665, after seemingly being convinced through recent correspondence with his nephew, Duke Urho of the Dales, Arttu set out for Rydant to finally settle matters with the stubborn bear. It was, however, a very cold winter and the travel was a great burden on the Grand Duke. It would be in the waning days of Joula's month that the Grand Duke's household in travel would reach the town of Kattori, taking shelter with the Proviss there, intending to stay for the festival of the Last Fire. Arttu passed in his sleep on the 20th night.
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Ethnicity
Date of Death
20th of Joula
Life
7599 PA
7665 PA
66 years old
Birthplace
Place of Death
Spouses
Amalia Annanhart
(spouse)
Siblings
Children
Gender
male
Suolija
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