List of Zokesian Monarchs

This list of kings and reigning queens of the Kingdom of Zokesia begins with Ezekiel the Great, who initially ruled Ward, one of the seven Zoke-Keystones-Cirran kingdoms which later made up modern Zokesia. Ward styled himself king of the Zoke-Keystones-Cirrans from about 986, and while he was not the first king to claim to rule all of the Zokesians, his rule represents the start of the first unbroken line of kings to rule the whole of Zokesia, the House of Ward.

Arguments are made for a few different kings thought to have controlled enough Zoke-Keystones kingdoms to be deemed the first king of Zokesia. For example, Krator of North Kjolsen and Eric of Bogen are sometimes described as kings of Zokesia by popular writers, but it is no longer the majority view of historians that their wide dominions are part of a process leading to a unified Zokesia. Historian Kimon Seynes states, for example, that "Krator was driven by a lust for power, not a vision of Zokesian unity; and what he left was a reputation, not a legacy." This refers to a period in the late 8th century when Krator achieved a dominance over many of the kingdoms of Zokesia, but this did not survive his death in 796. Likewise, in 829 Eric of Bogen conquered Notilian, but he soon lost control of it.

Five hundred years of minor border wars went on, until around 450 BC, Kjolsen suffered huge famines. Zokesia suffered as well, but not nearly as much because of their toughened and still mostly hunting lifestyle. The northern horde of barbarians saw this chance, and swept down on Kjolsen. The empire fought hard, but they suffered, starved, and were defeated one dark and cold winter. With the cities sacked and hunger ruling harsher as the barbarians (who retreated back to the north when they learned of the famine), Zokesians were on the brink of total annihilation. It was the dark ages, until one summer someone invented the plow. Suddenly, Zokesians could eat, settle down far more than in hunting. With this, and other inventions, Zokesia began its "Glory Years" which lasted for two thousand years. No nation, before or since, had enjoyed such an unprecedented length of prosperity, power, or peace. In the beginning of the Glory Years, Zokesia slowly built up its strength diplomatically. Its clan family were elected as royalty by the people, for holding together in the times of famine and invasion, and the first ruler, Ezekiel I, immediately sent for artisans, painters, cooks, engineers, and architects from around the world to study in the Ward College, in the capital of Ezekielgrad (named after him). He ruled for nearly 60 years, and his successors continued his legacy and put Zokesia at the forefront of the civilized world, achieving both technological, cultural, and territorial victories. Zokesian names stood out in history - King Tog II eradicated the barbarian warlords, allowing thousands of settlers into the rich lands of the north. King Debulist set in motion profound developments of peacetime technology, setting a standard of quality in living for the people of Zokesia. King Cira pushed the nation outward into previously unexplored areas, almost doubling its size, by entering lands others were too afraid to venture near.

Name	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death	Claim
Ezekiel I Ezekiel Ward (King of Zokes from 971) c. 986 – 16 September 1028 (57 years)