Nathan III

Nathan III
Full name	Nathan Luix Elijah Waffel-Paine of Drak
AKA	The Horned Child, Eli
Physical information
Species	Human-Satyr
Gender	Male
Hair color and style	Brown
Eye color	Green
Skin color	White
Other	Horns on forehead, hooves
Biographical information
Father	Nathan II
Mother	None
Date of birth	1671
Place of birth	Anmutstadt, Natopia
Date of death	23.III.1716
Place of death	Palace of Vista de Nada, Lindström
Residence(s)	Anmutstadt
Nationality	Natopian
Allegiance(s)	Natopia
Occupation	Emperor of Eastern Natopia

Nathan Luix Elijah Waffel-Paine of Drak was Emperor of Eastern Natopia 1709–1716, and the united emperor of the Natopians, 1704–1709, and the first-born son of Emperor Nathan II of Natopia. He was born at Royal Memorial Hospital in Anmutstadt, Flaventia, on 25 Blumuar 1671. He is the presumed heir to the Natopian throne. He was conceived as a clone of his father, although genetic material from his father was altered to not result in an identical clone. This also allowed for his quadruplet siblings, Vadoma, Leonora, and John to not be born as identical quadruplets. His step-father is Ayreon IV of Shireroth.

Cloning Process

Eli, as his family, nurses, and governesses affectionately refer to him as, acquired his distinctive horn and hooves as a result from "a quirk" in the cloning process. The process was developed by military scientists from Hergon, Athlon who required a way to replenish members of the Satyric Guard without introducing any more genetic material that could create unstable zygoats. The satyrs created by the Hergoni military scientists were a robust new race of goatmen, believed to be genetically stable for most of natural lifespan, but unable to procreate. The plan was to grow new satyrs in artificial wombs as existing satyrs died or grew too old. The cloned satyrs would be created from the satyr's stem cells and a goat's egg with all the goat DNA "scooped out."

Birth

The Natopian Emperor requested use of four artificial wombs to clone four children. The zygoat that would become Eli was unintentionally contaminated with satyr DNA, resulting in the baby having horns and hooves, but otherwise being healthy and human. This additional satyr DNA perhaps contributed to the zygoat being more active and vibrant than his sisters and brother, which was the deciding factor in inducing his birth first and allowing him to become the presumed heir to Nathan II.

In Popular Culture

Eli immediately captured the fascination of the public. As a gift to the Imperial family the famed Andrino artist, Gianni Bornino, sculpted a loving tribute to the two brothers being cared for by a mother goat, an allegory of the Natopian Nation. As the future emperor, he is already referred to as Nathan III. The birth of Eli also gave the Satyric Guard a much-needed bump to their public perception, the satyr guardsmen, strong and robust, fearsome and intimidating were proud to hypothesize that the new infant would inherit the strength and fortitude of the satyr, which assuaged the fears of the public that the baby was a genetic freak and oddity. Public perception quickly shifted after hearing of trouble in Shirekeep, and the idea of a strong and intimidating future leader became appealing in these uncertain times. Initial confusion and distrust of the human-satyr infant gave way to adoration as the public saw over several weeks the love and devotion given to Eli by his fathers and other family members.

The Goat Natopia with Luix and John, Gianni Bornino, 1671

School Years

Middle School

In 1863-1684, Eli, along with his two sisters, moved from Anmuststadt to Lindstrom and all began their studies at the Nathan & Elijah College Preparatory School, fall semester 1683, located in northern Lindstrom. NECPS was considered to be the most prestigious high school in the capital city. During his first year, Eli became acquainted with the children of Representatives, Secretaries, CEOs, foreign Ambassadors, and a few children of foreign royals and nobles. He was constantly surrounded by people and attention, and soon it became distracting. At the end of his first semester he was in danger of failing several classes. His father made the decision to send him to Anshin University High School, in Andiopolis. It was an historic college in a small city, and Nathan II hoped his son would thrive in a smaller, slower-paced environment.

Whereas in Lindstrom, Eli's half-satyr features were well-known, celebrated, and honored; outside of the capital his goat-like features were less-commonly shown in media. His first day at AUHS, spring semester 1684, in the middle of the school year no less, was quite difficult for him. He jumped at the chance to get rid of his baby name, and introduced himself as Eli to teachers and students at his new school. Although he was not teased (everyone knew who he was) he was avoided. Eli quickly realized that his "friends" in the capital were perhaps only being his friends because of who he was and what their relationship would get them. Eli speculated that since they were all children of important people, their parents forced them to be friends with him so that they could possibly have the future, or current, emperor's ear. Andiopolis was a nice, yet unimportant city, no one needed, or wanted, to suck up to him here.

The rest of the semester was a lonely experience for Eli. He corresponded with his sisters frequently and every so often he would get a message from his brother John. Eli was immensely jealous of John, he was fully human and already asked to become the king of the Draconians. Eli was stuck here, with no friends, going to school until he was 18. At least at that time, Eli thought, his dad would let him take over some of the day to day governing of Flaventia.

In the summer of 1684, Eli toured Flaventia with his sisters, as was required by his father. This summer he visited Myrtilis, Tassity, Ashington, and Rostock. Myrtilis was a fascinating city, founded by Anticans years ago. He had been to Tassity many times, and was forced to participate in some ceremonies for the mayor. He hated ceremonies. Because of his legs, his formal uniforms used a kilt instead of pants and he thought it looked like a skirt despite everyone telling him "kilts aren't skirts! They are very manly." In Ashington he had more ceremonies, mostly because not many people came out that far. He met his cousin, Gwyn Moonoak, for the first time, but was just some old man. In Rostock, he toured the crystal mines north of town, and found that somewhat interesting. He attended some ceremonial ship launchings at the Rostock Shipyward where his sisters christened a few new ships.

In the fall of 1684, Eli returned to AUHS. The few students who hung around him were excited to share their summers of camping, amusement parks, and video games. He was embarrassed to say what he did, and just said he stayed at home. There was a new student this year, a small, sickly-looking kid by the name of Makhmud Kalimatov. Eli began to notice Makhmud was always following him around between classes, sat at the table next to him in lunch, and tried to get a locker next to his at P.E., but never spoke to him. After a few weeks, Eli finally had enough and wanted to know what Makhmud wanted. Makhmud kept his eyes on the ground as he spoke, "M-m-master... uh... Majesty? Highness?" Eli held up his hand, "Just Eli is fine for now. And look at me when you speak to me please." Makhmud nodded, then slowly raised his head, "Eli, I can't believe I'm in the same school as you. I've seen you on TV a few times, and I think you're amazing. I- I moved here. My parents fled from Raynor Point and we were resettled here. I can't believe you're real," Makhmud looked up and down Eli, lingering on his hooves and horns, "You are magnificent."

Eli took a few steps backwards. "Ah, you're Drak-Modani? So you're a Capric-Bovic? You... you use ..ugh...goat's milk... in your religious services?" Makhmud moved closer, "Yes, it's how I was raised. The goat is a magnificent creature, I always thought it was more worthy of reverence, than say... a cow." Eli's eyes got very wide, "That's borderline heretical," then Eli thought for a second, noticing the fear in Makhmud's eyes, "But that's kinda cool too. If you stop following me, and start hanging out with me instead, maybe we can be friends?" Makhmud's face lit up and he eagerly agreed, bowing his head and thanking Eli over and over for his graciousness. Eli thought to himself that he either just gained a fiercely loyal friend, or a fanatical disciple. But he was so lonely, maybe it didn't matter.

High School

The Emperor, anticipating Eli's expanded role in governing Flaventia, ordered that Eli attend a new school each year so that he was thoroughly "Flavenized" and had a connection to each Land of Flaventia. After finishing his freshmen year at Andiopolis University High School, he was sent to Mardukhaven. He and Makmud continued to correspond.

Eli spent most of 1687 in Mardukhaven, learning about local customs and government. He toured the rest of Tas Neemia during his year too and came to know that the Tas Neemians were quite different. The Roblanders were quite distinct from the northern Tas Neemians, having been included in Ziegeland for many generations prior and consisting of people with both Babkhan and Gotzer heritage. He noted that the overworked bureaucracy of the rajastan was complicated by the fact that there were no subdivisions with legal authority. His capstone project in civics was a plan to organize the rajastan into three administrative subahs and retain the former ceremonial subdivisions as sarkars. He would keep "Robland" as Rabārṭa and subdivide Tas Neemia proper into Mūla in the west and Kūla in the east. These new subahs would have powerful Nawabs appointed to govern them and would align with the ducal governments in Ziegeland and Sororiya. Eli was so insistent on this plan that he submitted it, anonymously, to his father for approval. Eli was pleasantly surprised when during a routine update of the Faronic Constitution he saw in the amendment notes that his three Tas Neemian subdivisions were now integrated into the basic law.

In 1688 Eli left Tas Neemia and moved to Ashington where he attended the oldest school on the island, Z. Azillin Academy, named for the Alrodrian emperor who became a Natopian noble. Despite the close proximity to the core of Natopian culture on Yellow Island, Alrodey was often severely overlooked. Lindstrom City always greedily looked west towards continental domination. A brief resurgence occured when the Verionists set up here and that waned until a democratic branch of the Moonoak family relocated to the island from Hazelwood after the Great Fire. Eli was aware of discussions in Anmutstadt wanting to simply reintegrate the island back into Tas Neemia, but after several months on the island Eli knew that would never sit well with the Alrodeans--a large percentage of who actually still referred to their ethnicity as Muckapuck, the original name for the island from Z. Azillin. As fortune had it, Eli observed the Global Verionist Exile from the only Natopian area with Verionist history. Eli signed a petition and spoke publicly in favor of renaming the island. Local leaders jumped at the chance to shove off the remaining connections to Verionism and submitted a proposal to Anmuststadt to have the Island's name formally changed back to Muckapucky... and to re-annex the nearby island of Augustus which had been in legal limbo since the days of Treesia. The Faro agreed and named the two-island region as Nova Alrodria, and renamed Ashington back to Azingrad. The Faro sent a memo to his son after this second policy victory: "Well done, Son. You are making me incredibly proud. Your senior year will be in Sororiya, they have the best schools on Tapfer, the former student republic retains many of its scholastic traditions and high academic standards. The New School of Kierangrad at Aurochsburg has a college credit program for seniors, so you'll be concurrently enrolled in NSKA and Aurochsburg Central High School, so I would be impressed just maintaining an A average."

1689 - Senior year in Sororiya. Sees a need to unify the Laval Peninsula by bringing Sororiya together with Universalis. Both regions are scholar-driven and merit-based and will become a center of advanced learning and research for the empire. He convinces his dad, as emperor, to negotiate with Arboria to cede Universalis to Flaventia in exchange for Mar Sara and expanding into the de-Vanicized lands in western Tapfer.

College

As he spent every year in each part of Flaventia, he is very well liked. He attends the prestigious Nathan & Elijah College in Lindstrom, graduating in 1693 with a BA in political science. In 1696 he earns his JD in law at the Robert Davis College of Law. He spends two years attending internships at various government agencies throughout the empire. He now chooses to go by the name Nathan-Luix Waffel-Paine.

Public Service

Nathan-Luix formally entered into public service after his tenth birthday. He was designated heir to the kingdom of Ziegeland and therefore the next in line to be Faro of the Flaventia. On his 27th birthday, after years of study and practical experience, his father Nathan II formally appointed Nathan-Luix to the position of Minister-President of Flaventia, and granted his son full and total authority to govern the demesne with the hope that years of public service running Flaventia would prepare Nathan-Luix to eventually become emperor. The Flaventian public was extremely proud of Nathan-Luix, as this was the first time that the public had been able to watch an imperial heir grow up in the public eye. For the first time in several generations, the next-in-line to the throne would actually be prepared to rule.

Projects and Campaigns

During his first year as Minister-President, Nathan-Luix drew upon his years of experience residing in each of the four Flaventian lands and set into motion several projects he felt would revitalize Flaventia.

1. The Great Hazel Woods Expansion, working with his cousin, Duke Carl Starshade, to expand the Great Hazel Woods into other parts of the kingdom of Ziegeland.
2. Codification of faronic mandates and Flaventian Legislature laws into a single legal code.
3. Granted greater autonomy to the universities of Sororiya, to recreate the student-republic era.

Preparations to Rule

When his father turned 55, Nathan-Luix was included in more of the daily administration of the empire. Nathan-Luix began receiving the same daily security updates that his father received, sat in on meetings of the Imperial Council, and observed other state affairs with his father. During Nathan II's 59th birthday address, in 1703, the emperor announced plans to abdicate the day after his 60th birthday, in 1704, to ensure the empire was ruled by a young, vibrant, and energetic individual for decades. He hoped that his abdication would set a precedent for future emperors to retire before they get too old and out of touch with current affairs, he cited the many problems endured by the nation caused by his great-grandfather dieing, resurrecting, languishing, and dieing again, during the end his 152-year life.

Personal Life

After being appointed to rule Flaventia when he was 27, and finally having some stability in his life, Nathan-Luix proposed to his long-time boyfriend, Makhmud Kalimatov. The two met each other during their 9th grade years when they both attended Anshin University High School in Andiopolis. Although the friendship began one-sided, as Makhmud, a Drak-Modani raised in the small Bovic Capric-rite idolized the goatlike features of Nathan, over time the two became good friends. They kept in touch as friends after Nathan was sent to a different high school in Flaventia each year. When Nathan knew that he would attend Nathan & Elijah College, he told Makhmud his plans, who accepted a wrestling scholarship at nearby Gustav Lindstrom University. Makhmud, who was a frail and sickly child, had developed a passion for physical fitness during his highschool years and became AUHS's star wrestler. By the end of their freshman year in college, their friendship had developed into a relationship.

After graduation the couple moved to Mardukhaven, where Nathan-Luix attended law school and Makhmud opened a gym and personal training company. During the three year law program, Makhmud's personal training company becomes very successful. Makhmud remains in Mardukhaven to run his business after Nathan graduates and takes two years to pursue various internships and observations throughout the empire. During this long-distance period of their relationship they take turns visiting each other every two weeks or vacationing together in Dos Gardenias, their favorite getaway.

When Nathan-Luix was appointed as Flaventian Minister-President, the couple bought houses in the capital cities, Anmutstadt and Tassity. At Nathan's suggestion, Makhmud opened gyms in the capitals and Hazelwood City in order to have a presence in all corners of Flaventia. After a year long engagement, the couple was married in a Bovic ceremony in the Cathedral of Saint Sherrith, in Anmutstadt with an additional ceremony conducted in Tassity and a hazkisi root-binding blessing in the Sacred Glade.

In early 1703, the couple announced that they had befriended a lesbian couple from Duck Head Bay, Transegale, and would begin the process of entering into a Quadratic Marriage with the two women. Nathan II, as Avatar of the House of Waffel-Paine, advised that such a union would be beneficial for the House and granted his support to the engagement. A spokesperson for the House issued a statement: "The House of Waffel-Paine has endured for nearly two centuries by embracing diversity. For generations, the Avatars of the House have advised marriages and matings in such a way to bring about a unified Flaventian identity within Nathan II and his sister Clara. A we enter into a new century, we must look forward, towards bringing together all Natopians. It is for this reason that the Avatar has recommended that the marriage of Nathan-Luix and Makhmud join with the marriage of Sophia McHolme-Neil and Christina McHolme-Neil to form a Perfect Quadratic Marriage."

In IV.1704, eight months before Nathan-Luix was scheduled to ascend to the Natopian throne, the two couples were united into a Bovic Quadratic Marriage ceremony conducted by the Pentheros on national television at the Cathedral of Saint Sherrith in Anmutstadt.

In 1707, the Emperor emerged from a 3-year reclusive period, during which the only public appearances he made were for Natopia Day speeches, formal openings of the Frenzy, and occasional attendances at Herd. He was seldom seen with all spouses. Nathan handled his imperial duties remotely, living in Anmutstadt. Throughout the period, the family spokesperson only responded that deeply personal and private matters were keeping the family at home together. Tabloids ran wild with accusations of marriage trouble and opinion pieces against the inevitable failure of Bovic polyamory. The entire Imperial Family invited an NNN reporter to their estate in Anmutstadt, where it was announced that the family was expecting a child. It was revealed that Makhmud, Emperor-consort, was pregnant with Nathan III's child by way of natural conception. Makhmud spoke briefly about the complexities of being a trans man and wanting to bear a child, and doing it with literally the entire world watching. The imperial family reduced its public appearances during the early phases of discussions, stopping his hormones, and the pregnancy itself out of respect for Makhmud's privacy, as any public appearance would instantly out him. But as he announced on NNN, he was only a month away from his due date, so there would be no more hiding the birth of the heir to the Natopian throne! That sort of thing had to be announced. The House of Waffel-Paine released a statement after the segment aired stating its immense pride and support for the Imperial Family, also saying that "the Avatar of the House, Emperor-emeritus Nathan II, is extremely excited to be a grandfather for the seventh time."

Death

See also Funeral of Emperor Nathan III

On the morning of 23.III.1716, Emperor Nathan III was found dead in his bed by his husband Makhmud. The reason for his death was unknown and investigations began immediately, though no foul play was indicated. Immediately upon his death, in accordance with his instrument of succession, the throne passed to his sister Vadoma, who was Empress of the West at the time.

By 24.III.1716, an autopsy had found that the death was most likely caused by the emperor's body to fully function with both his goat and human DNA. It had caused an aneurysm in the brain.

Full Titles

• 1671-1672 His Imperial Highness, Nathan Luix Elijah Waffel-Paine of Drak, Prince of Natopia, Prince of Shireroth, Duke of Demonsfall, Count of Trias, Scion of the Three Peoples, Vessel of Dual Natures, Progeny of the Once-Living God, Marquis of Lükanburg, Transcendence of the Dhury, Lord in Jorvik, Heir to the Line of Drak
• 1672–1681 His Imperial Highness, Nathan Luix Elijah Waffel-Paine of Drak, Prince of Natopia, Duke of Demonsfall, Count of Trias, Scion of the Three Peoples, Vessel of Dual Natures, Progeny of the Once-Living God, Marquis of Lükanburg, Transcendence of the Dhury, Lord in Jorvik, Heir to the Line of Drak
• 1681-1685 His Imperial Highness, Nathan Luix Elijah Waffel-Paine of Drak, Prince of Natopia, Duke of Hazelwood, Duke of Demonsfall, Count of Trias, Scion of the Three Peoples, Vessel of Dual Natures, Progeny of the Once-Living God, Marquis of Lükanburg, Transcendence of the Dhury, Lord in Jorvik, Heir to the Line of Drak
• 1685-1698. His Imperial Highness, Nathan Luix Elijah Waffel-Paine of Drak, Prince of Natopia, Duke of Lochhatonia, Duke of Demonsfall, Count of Trias, Scion of the Three Peoples, Vessel of Dual Natures, Progeny of the Once-Living God, Marquis of Lükanburg, Transcendence of the Dhury, Lord in Jorvik, Heir to the Line of Drak
• 1698-1704 His Imperial Highness, Nathan Luix Elijah Waffel-Paine of Drak, Prince of Natopia, Minister-President of Flaventia, Duke of Lochhatonia, Duke of Demonsfall, Count of Trias, Scion of the Three Peoples, Vessel of Dual Natures, Progeny of the Once-Living God, Marquis of Lükanburg, Transcendence of the Dhury, Lord in Jorvik, Heir to the Line of Drak
• 1704–1709 His Most Bovic Majesty, Nathan the Third, by the Loving Grace of the Butter Cow Emperor of the Natopians, Lord of Tarsica; Grand Mayor of Lindstrom City; Sovereign of the Ancient and Secret Order of the Black Hole, of the Most Noble Order of the Yoshi, of the Honorable Order of the Palette, Triumphal Defender of All Four Quarters, Sovereign of the Natopian Order of Imperial Civil Excellence, and of the Order of St Asara Sisu; Grand Commander of the Natopian Defense Force; Heir to the Imperial Bloodline of Drak; Conqueror of Dracoheim, Uniter of the Demesnes, Protector of the Eternal Nation, Guardian of the Icons of the State, Wielder of the Sword of Sovereignty, and Scourge of Lavalon; Scion of the Three Peoples, Vessel of Dual Natures, Progeny of the Once-Living God, and Transcendence of the Dhury
• 1707–1716 His Most Bovic Majesty, Nathan the Third, by the Loving Grace of the Butter Cow Emperor of the Natopians, Emperor of the East, Lord of Tarsica; Grand Mayor of Lindstrom City; Sovereign of the Ancient and Secret Order of the Black Hole, of the Most Noble Order of the Yoshi, of the Honorable Order of the Palette, Triumphal Defender of All Four Quarters, Sovereign of the Natopian Order of Imperial Civil Excellence, and of the Order of St Asara Sisu; Grand Commander of the Natopian Defense Force; Heir to the Imperial Bloodline of Drak; Conqueror of Dracoheim, Uniter of the Demesnes, Protector of the Eternal Nation, Guardian of the Icons of the State, Wielder of the Sword of Sovereignty, and Scourge of Lavalon; Scion of the Three Peoples, Vessel of Dual Natures, Progeny of the Once-Living God, and Transcendence of the Dhury