Hakan II

"I detest violence. Guards, I will leave this matter in your hands."

- Hakan II, ordering the death of Leah

Hakan II was the emperor of Kehjistan during the End of Days. He became the host of Belial in the mortal realm.

As an infant, Hakan was described as a "sweet child."

Origins
"I bring news. A seer has had a vision, one that will please you. There will be...a birth, in the east! A boy emperor shall come to Caldeum!"

- One of Belial's servants

The boy who would be called Hakan II was born in the mid-1270s. His birth, and role as future emperor of Caldeum, was noted by Belial's demonic servants. Sensing an opportunity, Belial made his plans...

Within the mortal realm itself, the boy was born somewhere in Sanctuary's north, living an impoverished life. To the south, however, Kehjistan had lost its emperor. The Zakarum conducted a series of elaborate rituals (a charade for their followers) and declared that the youth was Hakan I's spiritual successor. Once the rituals were complete, the faith employed the Iron Wolves to retrieve the boy. They dubbed him Hakan II and installed him on the throne despite his scant years. Kohin was a servant who cared for the infant, and continued to remain at his side.

The Child Emperor
"All this pain and suffering! This is what happens when you let a child sit on the throne!"

- A noblewoman

As soon as Hakan II took the throne, Caldeum entered a decline. Hakan's reign was ineffectual &mdash; poverty worsened, tensions between the Zakarum, Mage Clans, and Trade Consortium Council rose, and there was apparently nothing Hakan could (or would) do to stop it. At some point, Hakan was either possessed by Belial, or impersonated by him.

By 1285, the situation had become dire. Hakan was acting increasingly paranoid. He ordered all of his staff to leave the city, and threatened to throw them off the walls if they refused to obey. At this time, the town of Alcarnus was destroyed by the Coven, and its inhabitants slaughtered. After this, Hakan sealed the city, created a new Imperial Guard to carry out the task, and left the Iron Wolves to deal with the growing refugee problem. After fighting their way through both the Khasim Outpost and Alcarnus, The Nephalem was granted an audience with Hakan. He stated that he had been informed that The Nephalem was behind the massacre at Alcarnus, and revealed that the Imperial Guard had captured their 'spy,' Leah. He left the Guard to deal with The Nephalem as he left, stating that he detested violence.

When The Nephalem went in search of Zoltun Kulle's remains, Emperor Hakan communicated with them via a magical projection (he would later claim that he was using a Vizjerei ambassador's amulet) in the city's sewers. Hakan apologized for his earlier treatment, explaining that it was a necessary ruse to prevent Belial from learning that the emperor was onto him. He promised to find where Belial was hiding and deliver him to The Nephalem. He contacted them again via projection as they explored Caldeum's aqueducts. He told them that he hadn't yet found Belial's identity, but instructed them on how to navigate their way through the aqueducts. The Nephalem was becoming skeptical of Hakan's ability to find Belial, and as they made their way through the aqueducts, Leah sensed that Belial had been there before them.

Hakan appeared to The Nephalem for a third and final time when they entered the Archives of Zoltun Kulle. He told them that he had found Belial's identity, and would lead them to him. He told them that Belial had noticed their actions and was growing nervous, but in the meantime, The Nephalem was to focus on the Black Soulstone.

The Nephalem confronted Hakan inside his palace after making their way through Caldeum and the fire Belial had rained down on it. When Hakan asked to see the Black Soulstone, The Nephalem said that they had figured out that Hakan himself was Belial's host. Belial let himself be known to the world and battle ensued. In the end, Belial was sealed in the soulstone.

Hakan either survived Belial's possession, or, if impersonated, was found soon afterwards. He remained emperor.

In-game
Hakan appears as an NPC in of Diablo III.

Trivia

 * The process used for selecting the new emperor seems to be based on the process used for selecting important lamas in Tibetan Buddhism. Religious officials scour the land in search of a child who is the reincarnation of the previous lama. Unlike the Buddhist monks, however, the Zakarum believe Hakan II to be the appropriate successor rather than the literal reincarnation of Hakan I.


 * Whether Hakan was possessed or impersonated by Belial is left ambiguous. Furthermore, that he survives Belial at all is only revealed in some class dialogue/quest logs, and not others.


 * As well as being a popular Turkish name, "Hakan" is a Turkish title for a sovereign or military ruler. The title is derived from the old Turko-Mongol title for sovereign ruler, Khan.