Millennial King - Revision history

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2023-06-22T12:55:41Z

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2023-06-19T02:44:05Z

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2601:4C3:4000:40E0:AC87:A3A1:2934:A3F8: /* Founding of Arran'ak */

2017-03-03T23:58:02Z

Founding of Arran'ak

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:58, 3 March 2017
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	Then we got the message. Guilder and Florin conspired and invaded. The whole of the militia was slaughtered. Myrhan's family was being held hostage. We were to return, negotiate the surrender of the entire royal family so that everything was nice and official and they'd let them live a nice little life exiled somewhere. I smell a trap. So does he. But what else could we do? It was worth a shot. He promised me that if I fell defending him, he would bring me back. I told him it would be a snowy day in the seven hells before I'd ever stop protecting him.		Then we got the message. Guilder and Florin conspired and invaded. The whole of the militia was slaughtered. Myrhan's family was being held hostage. We were to return, negotiate the surrender of the entire royal family so that everything was nice and official and they'd let them live a nice little life exiled somewhere. I smell a trap. So does he. But what else could we do? It was worth a shot. He promised me that if I fell defending him, he would bring me back. I told him it would be a snowy day in the seven hells before I'd ever stop protecting him.

	we went back home and made record time. He brought everything with him that he possibly could, just in case, though the scholars didn't know any better. For all I know they still don't. All I brought with me were my shortswords, but the two blades had been passed down from my great-great grandfather to his sons. Just my luck that my uncle couldn't sire children and I inherited both. We showed up and nobody expected us, and we saw firsthand just what had happened. Everyone was hiding in their homes because no one was allowed to leave the village. The militia was slaughtered outside the manse that Myrhan's family lived in, and their bodies had been left out to make an example. I never expected to see Guilder infantry and Florin archers standing side by side, and it turned out they weren't. The news was a little wrong, but it was being played the right way by them. He was not any happier, but if anything it made him more determined, instead of scaring him off. Kid had big brass ones.		We went back home and made record time. He brought everything with him that he possibly could, just in case, though the scholars didn't know any better. For all I know they still don't. All I brought with me were my shortswords, but the two blades had been passed down from my great-great grandfather to his sons. Just my luck that my uncle couldn't sire children and I inherited both. We showed up and nobody expected us, and we saw firsthand just what had happened. Everyone was hiding in their homes because no one was allowed to leave the village. The militia was slaughtered outside the manse that Myrhan's family lived in, and their bodies had been left out to make an example. I never expected to see Guilder infantry and Florin archers standing side by side, and it turned out they weren't. The news was a little wrong, but it was being played the right way by them. He was not any happier, but if anything it made him more determined, instead of scaring him off. Kid had big brass ones.

	We snuck into the manse, but we weren't able to find his family. A few generals from either side were talking, so we made our presence known to them. And they laughed. They were talking about an armistice -- they'd been fighting and this was the only village that hadn't seen any civilian casualties because everyone surrendered outright, and they considered it neutral ground at the moment. Turned out that Florin snuck assassins in, killed all of Myrhan's family and was trying to rule in his name. The militia wasn't that stupid and rose up to fight them off, so Florin made an example of them, and posted guards throughout all the villages, declared martial law, all of that. Well, Guilder didn't want to let something this valuable slip through their fingers either, and the nobles of both sides knew this was turning out to be a pretty nice trade hub and didn't want it destroyed. Guilder invaded, and the fighting here was bitter, but they didn't break out into full blown war. Just a little one here, where we were. Nevermind the fact that they'd killed his parents, and they'd killed his sister, who he'd almost never been away from until he went off to study.		We snuck into the manse, but we weren't able to find his family. A few generals from either side were talking, so we made our presence known to them. And they laughed. They were talking about an armistice -- they'd been fighting and this was the only village that hadn't seen any civilian casualties because everyone surrendered outright, and they considered it neutral ground at the moment. Turned out that Florin snuck assassins in, killed all of Myrhan's family and was trying to rule in his name. The militia wasn't that stupid and rose up to fight them off, so Florin made an example of them, and posted guards throughout all the villages, declared martial law, all of that. Well, Guilder didn't want to let something this valuable slip through their fingers either, and the nobles of both sides knew this was turning out to be a pretty nice trade hub and didn't want it destroyed. Guilder invaded, and the fighting here was bitter, but they didn't break out into full blown war. Just a little one here, where we were. Nevermind the fact that they'd killed his parents, and they'd killed his sister, who he'd almost never been away from until he went off to study.

2.139.177.140: /* Crime and Punishment */

2015-10-22T10:30:03Z

Crime and Punishment

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:30, 22 October 2015
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	Marren was led through a series of opulent halls as wide as boulevards and up several seemingly-interminable staircases. The walls were hung with exotic fabrics and lush tapestries, and the cloying scent of myrrh hung thick in the air. Though night had fallen, the cavernous expanses were well-lit by regularly spaced braziers. As Marren was beginning to tire, the captain led him into a palatial sitting room. As the Sentinels moved to flank the door, he said, "Wait here," turned on his heel, and strode out of the room.		Marren was led through a series of opulent halls as wide as boulevards and up several seemingly-interminable staircases. The walls were hung with exotic fabrics and lush tapestries, and the cloying scent of myrrh hung thick in the air. Though night had fallen, the cavernous expanses were well-lit by regularly spaced braziers. As Marren was beginning to tire, the captain led him into a palatial sitting room. As the Sentinels moved to flank the door, he said, "Wait here," turned on his heel, and strode out of the room.

	Marren, unable to control his impulse, was magnetically drawn across the room to the bookshelf that lined an entire wall, floor to ceiling. Such a huge number of volumes dwarfed the entire catalog of the library back home! A very few he recognized, a copy of the primer he'd stolen from his brother among them. Some of the remainder had unpronounceable titles, or were in a foreign script altogether. He reached out his hand to run his fingers down their spines when someone quietly cleared their throat behind him. He spun around quickly, stuffing his hands in his pockets; a figure in the robes of an Acolyte had entered without him noticing. In a barely audible tone, the Acolyte said, "His Majesty will see you now.		Marren, unable to control his impulse, was magnetically drawn across the room to the bookshelf that lined an entire wall, floor to ceiling. Such a huge number of volumes dwarfed the entire catalog of the library back home! A very few he recognized, a copy of the primer he'd stolen from his brother among them. Some of the remainder had unpronounceable titles, or were in a foreign script altogether. He reached out his hand to run his fingers down their spines when someone quietly cleared their throat behind him. He spun around quickly, stuffing his hands in his pockets; a figure in the robes of an Acolyte had entered without him noticing. In a barely audible tone, the Acolyte said, "His Majesty will see you now."

	The Acolyte led Marren a short distance away, into an enormous vaulted chamber. The entirety of his village could be contained within, with room to spare. The pillars seemed to be holding up the very sky itself. They continued forward across this vast expanse, the Acolyte stopping before a raised dais topped with two ornate thrones, one of ebony and one of gold. From the darkness off to their left, a voice like the grating of bones spoke up: "Is this the one they spoke of?"		The Acolyte led Marren a short distance away, into an enormous vaulted chamber. The entirety of his village could be contained within, with room to spare. The pillars seemed to be holding up the very sky itself. They continued forward across this vast expanse, the Acolyte stopping before a raised dais topped with two ornate thrones, one of ebony and one of gold. From the darkness off to their left, a voice like the grating of bones spoke up: "Is this the one they spoke of?"

108.19.132.11: /* Acolytes */

2015-10-08T04:03:53Z

Acolytes

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:03, 8 October 2015
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	=== Acolytes ===		=== Acolytes ===

	The Millennial King realized that, as is kingdom grew, he would not be able to manage the entirety of the Risen on his own, so he founded an order of Acolytes to tend them in his stead, and to ensure that necromancy performed in Arran'ak is held to rigorous standards of ethics and competence. The Acolytes operate out of temples located in major cities and towns; these temples function as barracks for storage and maintenance of their region's Risen, hospitals for the region's living residents, and academies for necromancers-in-training.		The Millennial King realized that, as his kingdom grew, he would not be able to manage the entirety of the Risen on his own, so he founded an order of Acolytes to tend them in his stead, and to ensure that necromancy performed in Arran'ak is held to rigorous standards of ethics and competence. The Acolytes operate out of temples located in major cities and towns; these temples function as barracks for storage and maintenance of their region's Risen, hospitals for the region's living residents, and academies for necromancers-in-training.

	Those with talent are offered the opportunity to become an '''Initiate''' at one of the kingdom's temples, where they will study the theory of necromancy, perform basic maintenance duties on the Risen stored at the adjoining barracks, and assist with lower-level ceremonies, like the reanimation of Conscripts or simple medical procedures.		Those with talent are offered the opportunity to become an '''Initiate''' at one of the kingdom's temples, where they will study the theory of necromancy, perform basic maintenance duties on the Risen stored at the adjoining barracks, and assist with lower-level ceremonies, like the reanimation of Conscripts or simple medical procedures.

1d4chan>FatherDuke: Copied the text from suptg to the article, for posterity sake, and to fill out the stories section.

2014-02-23T16:47:25Z

Copied the text from suptg to the article, for posterity sake, and to fill out the stories section.

Show changes

1d4chan>Not LongPoster Again: Some editing.

2012-11-10T02:24:44Z

Some editing.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:24, 10 November 2012
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	=== Risen ===		=== Risen ===

	The '''Risen''' are the legions of undead that labor in Arran'ak. Most are incapable of independent thought, and are employed for menial, repetitive tasks, like mining, farming, and building, which leaves the citizens of Arran'ak free to pursue skilled trades. Most citizens permit their bodies to be ~~re-animated~~ as Risen; after all, their King serves them after his death, so they feel obligated to do the same (and it's not as if they need their bodies after they're dead). Because flesh decays, Risen are reduced to skeletons before they are employed, though they wear bronze masks with a semblance of a face. Some Risen wear a small trinket donated by their living relatives, as a sort of memorial to the person they once were.		The '''Risen''' are the legions of undead that labor in Arran'ak. Most are incapable of independent thought, and are employed for menial, repetitive tasks, like mining, farming, and building, which leaves the citizens of Arran'ak free to pursue skilled trades. Most citizens permit their bodies to be reanimated as Risen; after all, their King serves them after his death, so they feel obligated to do the same (and it's not as if they will need their bodies after they're dead). Because flesh decays, Risen are reduced to skeletons before they are employed, though they wear bronze masks with a semblance of a face. Some Risen wear a small trinket donated by their living relatives, as a sort of memorial to the person they once were.

	Executed criminals and enemy casualties are ~~re-animated~~ as '''Conscripts''', and form the backbone of Arran'ak's military. They are unadorned except for their bronze armor and porcelain masks, and are identically equipped (for their designated function), for the people of Arran'ak hold that all are equal in death. Even their bodies are still treated with respect; after a Conscript is rendered unusable by damage or age, the remains are interred in the Spire and sanctified so that they cannot be ~~re-animated~~.		Executed criminals and enemy casualties are reanimated as '''Conscripts''', and form the backbone of Arran'ak's military. They are unadorned except for their bronze armor and porcelain masks, and are identically equipped (for their designated function), for the people of Arran'ak hold that all are equal in death. Even their bodies are still treated with respect; after a Conscript is rendered unusable by damage or age, the remains are interred in the Spire and sanctified so that they cannot be reanimated.

	Arran'ak's law enforcement and military are led by '''Sentinels''', living officers who direct the undead. When they die, extra rituals are performed on their bodies to imbue them with a more advanced intelligence than most Risen. Both living and undead Sentinels wear similarly-decorated armor, though the undead Sentinels always leave their helmets on.		Arran'ak's law enforcement and military are led by '''Sentinels''', living officers who direct the undead. When they die, extra rituals are performed on their bodies to imbue them with a more advanced intelligence than most Risen. Both living and undead Sentinels wear similarly-decorated armor, though the undead Sentinels always leave their helmets on.
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	The very finest Sentinels, both living and undead, form the '''Chronus Guard'''. Under the command of Chronus himself, this elite force protects the Spire and serves as a covert intelligence agency and security service throughout the kingdom. The training undergone by the Guard can literally be longer than a lifetime.		The very finest Sentinels, both living and undead, form the '''Chronus Guard'''. Under the command of Chronus himself, this elite force protects the Spire and serves as a covert intelligence agency and security service throughout the kingdom. The training undergone by the Guard can literally be longer than a lifetime.

	Those people who do not wish to become Risen are interred in the Spire. This keeps their remains secure against unscrupulous necromancers, and also acts as a tremendous reserve of bodies to be Conscripted should the Millennial King deem it necessary. Some citizens are so deeply opposed to the idea of their body being ~~used or potentially~~ used by the King that they will have their bodies cremated; this ~~so-called '''Cremationism'''~~ is not illegal, but is highly frowned upon~~; it~~ is most widespread among people who have no contact with the Risen, like artisans whose industries are not suitable for Risen to assist. Some of the more extreme Cremationists will actually desecrate and destroy the Risen, thinking that they are freeing the souls of the Risen (though extreme caution is taken in the ~~re-animation~~ ceremony that the soul is not trapped in the body).		Those people who do not wish to become Risen are interred in the Spire. This keeps their remains secure against unscrupulous necromancers, and also acts as a tremendous reserve of bodies to be Conscripted should the Millennial King deem it necessary. Some citizens are so deeply opposed to the idea of their body even potentially being used by the King that they will have their bodies cremated rather than interred; this is not illegal, but is highly frowned upon. The so-called "Cremationism" movement is most widespread among people who have no contact with the Risen, like artisans whose industries are not suitable for Risen to assist. Some of the more extreme Cremationists will actually desecrate and destroy the Risen, thinking that they are freeing the souls of the Risen, though they are almost always mistaken in this, as extreme caution is taken in the reanimation ceremony that the soul is not trapped in the body. Some suggest that the Cremationism movement is partly funded and manipulated by countries seeking to bring about Arran'ak's downfall; the Chronus Guard and Acolytes (see below) are vigorously investigating this possibility.

	=== Acolytes ===		=== Acolytes ===

	The Millennial King ~~cannot~~ be ~~everywhere (even with teleportation)~~, so he ~~organized the~~ Acolytes to tend ~~the Risen. Those with talent are offered the opportunity~~ to ~~become an~~ '~~''Initiate''', where they will study the theory~~ of ~~necromancy at one~~ of ~~several~~ temples in ~~the country, while performing basic~~ maintenance ~~duties on the~~ Risen ~~stored at~~ the ~~adjoining barracks~~ and ~~assisting with lower~~-~~level ceremonies, like the re~~-~~animation of Conscripts or simple medical procedures~~.		The Millennial King realized that, as is kingdom grew, he would not be able to manage the entirety of the Risen on his own, so he founded an order of Acolytes to tend them in his stead, and to ensure that necromancy performed in Arran'ak is held to rigorous standards of ethics and competence. The Acolytes operate out of temples located in major cities and towns; these temples function as barracks for storage and maintenance of their region's Risen, hospitals for the region's living residents, and academies for necromancers-in-training.

	~~After completing their studies, Initiates become '''Adepts''', and~~ are ~~apprenticed~~ to '''~~Masters~~''' ~~(who were once Adepts themselves). Adepts and Masters specialize into~~ one of ~~several tracks. The iconic specialization is that~~ of ~~the classic necromancer; Adepts and Masters~~ on ~~that path actually perform~~ the ~~rituals of re-animation to create~~ Risen (the ~~task of creating Conscripts is left to the Adepts~~, ~~while laboring Risen are created by the Masters~~ with ~~their Adepts' assistance). A similar proportion specialize in healing~~, ~~using their knowledge of~~ the ~~human body to help the sick who visit their temples. A few serve as magical law enforcement, investigating possible cases~~ of ~~unlicensed necromancy and assisting victims of such wicked~~ or ~~misguided individuals, or as diplomats to other nations, both to counter stereotypes about Arran'ak and to fight evil necromancers abroad~~.		Those with talent are offered the opportunity to become an '''Initiate''' at one of the kingdom's temples, where they will study the theory of necromancy, perform basic maintenance duties on the Risen stored at the adjoining barracks, and assist with lower-level ceremonies, like the reanimation of Conscripts or simple medical procedures.

	The '''Sacrificed''' are, aside from the Millennial King himself, the most powerful necromancers in the nation. They willingly sacrifice their afterlife to remain and serve their fellow citizens even after death, and the Millennial King takes a major role in selecting them, before personally performing the ritual to bind their souls to their bodies. They advise the Millennial King and perform some of the most advanced rituals the kingdom requires, like creating Sentinels and releasing the souls of those unwillingly bound in undeath (like the victims of unscrupulous necromancers). All temples in the kingdom are headed by a Sacrificed, often one who graduated from it.		After completing their studies, Initiates become '''Adepts''', and are apprenticed to '''Masters''' (who were once Adepts themselves). Adepts and Masters specialize into one of several tracks. The iconic specialization, that pursued by nearly half of all Acolytes, is that of the classic necromancer; Adepts and Masters on that path actually perform the rituals of reanimation to create Risen (the task of creating Conscripts is left to the Adepts, while laboring Risen are created by the Masters with their Adepts' assistance). A similar proportion specialize in healing, using their knowledge of the human body to help the sick who visit their temples. A few serve as magical law enforcement, investigating possible cases of unlicensed necromancy and assisting victims of such wicked or misguided individuals, or as diplomats to other nations, both to counter stereotypes about Arran'ak and to fight evil necromancers abroad.

			The '''Sacrificed''' are, aside from the Millennial King himself, the most powerful necromancers in the nation. They willingly sacrifice their afterlife to remain and serve their fellow citizens even after death, and the Millennial King takes a major role in selecting them, before personally performing the ritual to bind their souls to their bodies. They advise the Millennial King and perform some of the most advanced rituals the kingdom requires, like creating Sentinels and releasing the souls of those unwillingly bound in undeath (like the victims of unscrupulous necromancers or the thankfully-rare botched reanimation). All temples in the kingdom are headed by a Sacrificed, often one who graduated from it.

	== Characters ==		== Characters ==
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	=== Myrhan, the Millennial King ===		=== Myrhan, the Millennial King ===

	Myrhan began as a noble son studying magic, but the invasion of his homeland forced him to put his education on hold. When he arrived, he found he was the last surviving member of all of Arran'ak's noble families, and he wielded his magic to raise an army of the dead to ~~re-take~~ his homeland -- and its conquerors, as well.		Myrhan began as a noble son studying magic, but the invasion of his homeland forced him to put his education on hold. When he arrived, he found he was the last surviving member of all of Arran'ak's noble families, and he wielded his magic to raise an army of the dead to retake his homeland -- and its conquerors, as well.

	On the final day of his campaign, Myrhan confronted his sister's killer, the Florinese count who had masterminded much of the invasion, but was wounded by his opponent's cursed blade; though he was able to bring both the count and the prince of Florin to justice (by dissolving their bodies and souls), he succumbed shortly thereafter. Fortunately for Arran'ak, he was not unprepared: over the course of a year and a day, he became a [[lich]] and returned to life (or un-life, as it were). After rising from his grave, Myrhan raised the Spire over his old home, and he has ruled Arran'ak from there as the Millennial King ever since.		On the final day of his campaign, Myrhan confronted his sister's killer, the Florinese count who had masterminded much of the invasion, but was wounded by his opponent's cursed blade; though he was able to bring both the count and the prince of Florin to justice (by dissolving their bodies and souls), he succumbed shortly thereafter. Fortunately for Arran'ak, he was not unprepared: over the course of a year and a day, he became a [[lich]] and returned to life (or un-life, as it were). After rising from his grave, Myrhan raised the Spire over his old home, and he has ruled Arran'ak from there as the Millennial King ever since.
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	=== The Dawn Queen ===		=== The Dawn Queen ===

	The reincarnation of Myrhan's sister (named Anyen?). Where Myrhan has tremendous necromantic power, the Queen seems to have some connection to positive energy: harvests tend to be more bountiful and summers tend to be warmer when she reigns, and even the distant Millennial King is warmed by her presence.		The reincarnation of Myrhan's sister (possibly named Anyen). Where Myrhan has tremendous necromantic power, the Queen seems to have some connection to positive energy: harvests tend to be more bountiful and summers tend to be warmer when she reigns, and even the distant Millennial King is warmed by her presence.

	When the reincarnated Dawn Queen comes of age, Myrhan is able to sense that his sister has returned to the Material Plane. His Acolytes search the kingdom for the woman (she usually belongs to one of the Noble Houses, though some Dawn Queens have been commoners, much to the nobles' consternation). After she has been found, she undergoes the Rite of Dawn, a ceremony that infuses her with some of the memories of previous Dawn Queens, tempering her with the wisdom of many generations of rulers (though she will have been carefully screened and tested beforehand, as it is not an easy weight to bear). After this, Arran'ak enters a year and a day of celebration, during which she tours the kingdom, both to let the memories sink in and to become familiar with her subjects. Though her "persona" is immortal (she promised she wouldn't leave him "while he walked the earth", which is looking to be forever), her body is not; the death of the Dawn Queen is marked by year and a day of mourning, and for the next few decades (until the Dawn Queen is reborn), Arran'ak endures colder, deeper winters, and the Millennial King grows bitter -- though both he and his Acolytes are noticeably more powerful during these so-called "Long Winters".		When the reincarnated Dawn Queen comes of age, Myrhan is able to sense that his sister has returned to the Material Plane. His Acolytes search the kingdom for the woman (she usually belongs to one of the Noble Houses, though some Dawn Queens have been commoners, much to the nobles' consternation). After she has been found, she undergoes the Rite of Dawn, a ceremony that infuses her with some of the memories of previous Dawn Queens, tempering her with the wisdom of many generations of rulers (though she will have been carefully screened and tested beforehand, as it is not an easy weight to bear). After this, Arran'ak enters a year and a day of celebration, during which she tours the kingdom, both to let the memories sink in and to become familiar with her subjects. Though her "persona" is immortal (she promised she wouldn't leave him "while he walked the earth", which is looking to be forever), her body is not; the death of the Dawn Queen is marked by year and a day of mourning, and for the next few decades (until the Dawn Queen is reborn), Arran'ak endures colder, deeper winters, and the Millennial King grows bitter -- though both he and his Acolytes are noticeably more powerful during these so-called "Long Winters".

1d4chan>Not LongPoster Again: /* Characters */ Slight reorganization.

2012-10-31T05:38:00Z

Characters: Slight reorganization.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:38, 31 October 2012
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	== Characters ==		== Characters ==

	; Myrhan, the Millennial King : Myrhan began as a noble son studying magic, but the invasion of his homeland forced him to put his education on hold. When he arrived, he found he was the last surviving member of all of Arran'ak's noble families, and he wielded his magic to raise an army of the dead to re-take his homeland -- and its conquerors, as well.		=== Myrhan, the Millennial King ===
	: On the final day of his campaign, Myrhan confronted his sister's killer, the Florinese count who had masterminded much of the invasion, but was wounded by his opponent's cursed blade; though he was able to bring both the count and the prince of Florin to justice (by dissolving their bodies and souls), he succumbed shortly thereafter. Fortunately for Arran'ak, he was not unprepared: over the course of a year and a day, he became a [[lich]] and returned to life (or un-life, as it were). After rising from his grave, Myrhan raised the Spire over his old home, and he has ruled Arran'ak from there as the Millennial King ever since.
	: Presently, the majority of the Millennial King's time is spent managing the legions of undead that serve the kingdom, either directly or through the state-sanctioned necromancers known as Acolytes. Occasionally, he diplomatically engages dignitaries from other nations (though he generally defers to the Dawn Queen on such matters) and may intervene personally when dealing with a powerful invader, rogue necromancer, or undead creature.

	~~; The Dawn Queen : The reincarnation of~~ Myrhan's (unnamed?) sister. Where Myrhan has tremendous necromantic power, the Queen seems to have some connection to positive energy: harvests tend to be more bountiful and summers tend to be warmer when she reigns, ~~and even~~ the ~~distant Millennial King is warmed by her presence.~~		Myrhan began as a noble son studying magic, but the invasion of his homeland forced him to put his education on hold. When he arrived, he found he was the last surviving member of all of Arran'ak's noble families, and he wielded his magic to raise an army of the dead to re-take his homeland -- and its conquerors, as well.
	~~: When the reincarnated Dawn Queen comes~~ of ~~age, Myrhan is able~~ to ~~sense that~~ his ~~sister has returned to the Material Plane~~. ~~His Acolytes search the kingdom for the woman (she usually belongs to one of the Noble Houses~~, ~~though some Dawn Queens have been commoners, much to the nobles' consternation). After she has been~~ found~~, she undergoes the Rite of Dawn, a ceremony that infuses her with some of the memories of previous Dawn Queens, tempering her with~~ the ~~wisdom~~ of ~~many generations~~ of ~~rulers (though she will have been carefully screened and tested beforehand, as it is not an easy weight to bear). After this,~~ Arran'ak ~~enters a year and a day of celebration~~, ~~during which she tours the kingdom, both to let the memories sink in~~ and ~~to become familiar with her subjects. Though her "persona" is immortal (she promised she wouldn't leave him "while~~ he ~~walked the earth", which is looking~~ to ~~be forever), her body is not; the death~~ of the ~~Dawn Queen is marked by year and a day of mourning, and for the next few decades (until the Dawn Queen is reborn), Arran'ak endures colder, deeper winters, and the Millennial King grows bitter~~ -- ~~though both he~~ and ~~his Acolytes are noticeably more powerful during these so-called "Long Winters"~~.

	; Chronus : Myrhan's bodyguard while he was abroad, and his right-hand man during the war against Florin and Guilder. He actually died during the campaign, but was resurrected with his character intact -- and the world is very fortunate that he was, for he stayed Myrhan's hand from slaughtering the citizens of Guilder's capitol. After the war was finished, he stood vigil over Myrhan's grave for a year and a day as Myrhan became a [[lich]] (a vigil that is honored in many Arran'akian ceremonies and holidays), and was made Captain of the Sentinels after Myrhan returned; presently, he leads the elite Chronus Guard. His flesh has long since decayed away, though somehow he is still capable of drinking whiskey without spilling any through his ribcage.		On the final day of his campaign, Myrhan confronted his sister's killer, the Florinese count who had masterminded much of the invasion, but was wounded by his opponent's cursed blade; though he was able to bring both the count and the prince of Florin to justice (by dissolving their bodies and souls), he succumbed shortly thereafter. Fortunately for Arran'ak, he was not unprepared: over the course of a year and a day, he became a [[lich]] and returned to life (or un-life, as it were). After rising from his grave, Myrhan raised the Spire over his old home, and he has ruled Arran'ak from there as the Millennial King ever since.

			Presently, the majority of the Millennial King's time is spent managing the legions of undead that serve the kingdom, either directly or through the state-sanctioned necromancers known as Acolytes. Occasionally, he diplomatically engages dignitaries from other nations (though he generally defers to the Dawn Queen on such matters) and may intervene personally when dealing with a powerful invader, rogue necromancer, or undead creature.

			=== The Dawn Queen ===

			The reincarnation of Myrhan's sister (named Anyen?). Where Myrhan has tremendous necromantic power, the Queen seems to have some connection to positive energy: harvests tend to be more bountiful and summers tend to be warmer when she reigns, and even the distant Millennial King is warmed by her presence.

			When the reincarnated Dawn Queen comes of age, Myrhan is able to sense that his sister has returned to the Material Plane. His Acolytes search the kingdom for the woman (she usually belongs to one of the Noble Houses, though some Dawn Queens have been commoners, much to the nobles' consternation). After she has been found, she undergoes the Rite of Dawn, a ceremony that infuses her with some of the memories of previous Dawn Queens, tempering her with the wisdom of many generations of rulers (though she will have been carefully screened and tested beforehand, as it is not an easy weight to bear). After this, Arran'ak enters a year and a day of celebration, during which she tours the kingdom, both to let the memories sink in and to become familiar with her subjects. Though her "persona" is immortal (she promised she wouldn't leave him "while he walked the earth", which is looking to be forever), her body is not; the death of the Dawn Queen is marked by year and a day of mourning, and for the next few decades (until the Dawn Queen is reborn), Arran'ak endures colder, deeper winters, and the Millennial King grows bitter -- though both he and his Acolytes are noticeably more powerful during these so-called "Long Winters".

			=== Chronus ===

			Myrhan's bodyguard while he was abroad, and his right-hand man during the war against Florin and Guilder. He actually died during the campaign, but was resurrected with his character intact -- and the world is very fortunate that he was, for he stayed Myrhan's hand from slaughtering the citizens of Guilder's capitol. After the war was finished, he stood vigil over Myrhan's grave for a year and a day as Myrhan became a [[lich]] (a vigil that is honored in many Arran'akian ceremonies and holidays), and was made Captain of the Sentinels after Myrhan returned; presently, he leads the elite Chronus Guard. His flesh has long since decayed away, though somehow he is still capable of drinking whiskey without spilling any through his ribcage.

	== Stories ==		== Stories ==

1d4chan>Not LongPoster Again: Created page with "The '''Millennial King''' is a setting and character created by /tg/ in a thread asking why there were no good necromancers. The consensus was that, in the strictest ..."

2012-10-27T04:16:44Z

Created page with "The '''Millennial King''' is a setting and character created by /tg/ in a thread asking why there were no good necromancers. The consensus was that, in the strictest ..."

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The '''Millennial King''' is a setting and character created by [[/tg/]] in a thread asking why there were no good [[necromancer]]s. The consensus was that, in the strictest sense, necromancy was not inherently evil (depending on the setting); the evil-ness comes from messing around with corpses and binding souls without permission. People bandied around ideas for good things that necromancers could do, like use his horde of skeletons for farming and construction, and using the resulting good-will to encourage people to allow him to use their bodies after they die; things went from there, and before long, people were writing about a city-state overseen by a grandfatherly [[lich]] who looks out for his subjects with his undead legions.

== Arran'ak ==

Arran'ak is the actual city-state supported by the undead. It began as a mutual trade and defense pact among several villages, but its position was favorable to trade, so it became a minor economic power in the region. This inspired jealousy on the parts of Arran'ak's neighbors, Florin and Guilder; they warred over it, and ended up slaughtering the entire royal family (except for Myrhan, who had been away studying magic during the invasion, and his sister, who had been raped by a Florinese count and then killed) in the process. Myrhan avenged his family and fellow citizens by summoning an army of the dead (both those fallen in defense of Arran'ak, and the Florinese and Guilderian soldiers killed in the course of his campaign) and conquering both Florin and Guilder.

Presently, the nation is centered on the Spire, which is simultaneously the palace of the Millennial King and Dawn Queen, a resting place for the bodies of citizens who are not Risen, and one of several items rumored to be the Millennial King's phylactery.

=== Risen ===

The '''Risen''' are the legions of undead that labor in Arran'ak. Most are incapable of independent thought, and are employed for menial, repetitive tasks, like mining, farming, and building, which leaves the citizens of Arran'ak free to pursue skilled trades. Most citizens permit their bodies to be re-animated as Risen; after all, their King serves them after his death, so they feel obligated to do the same (and it's not as if they need their bodies after they're dead). Because flesh decays, Risen are reduced to skeletons before they are employed, though they wear bronze masks with a semblance of a face. Some Risen wear a small trinket donated by their living relatives, as a sort of memorial to the person they once were.

Executed criminals and enemy casualties are re-animated as '''Conscripts''', and form the backbone of Arran'ak's military. They are unadorned except for their bronze armor and porcelain masks, and are identically equipped (for their designated function), for the people of Arran'ak hold that all are equal in death. Even their bodies are still treated with respect; after a Conscript is rendered unusable by damage or age, the remains are interred in the Spire and sanctified so that they cannot be re-animated.

Arran'ak's law enforcement and military are led by '''Sentinels''', living officers who direct the undead. When they die, extra rituals are performed on their bodies to imbue them with a more advanced intelligence than most Risen. Both living and undead Sentinels wear similarly-decorated armor, though the undead Sentinels always leave their helmets on.

The very finest Sentinels, both living and undead, form the '''Chronus Guard'''. Under the command of Chronus himself, this elite force protects the Spire and serves as a covert intelligence agency and security service throughout the kingdom. The training undergone by the Guard can literally be longer than a lifetime.

Those people who do not wish to become Risen are interred in the Spire. This keeps their remains secure against unscrupulous necromancers, and also acts as a tremendous reserve of bodies to be Conscripted should the Millennial King deem it necessary. Some citizens are so deeply opposed to the idea of their body being used or potentially used by the King that they will have their bodies cremated; this so-called '''Cremationism''' is not illegal, but is highly frowned upon; it is most widespread among people who have no contact with the Risen, like artisans whose industries are not suitable for Risen to assist. Some of the more extreme Cremationists will actually desecrate and destroy the Risen, thinking that they are freeing the souls of the Risen (though extreme caution is taken in the re-animation ceremony that the soul is not trapped in the body).

=== Acolytes ===

The Millennial King cannot be everywhere (even with teleportation), so he organized the Acolytes to tend the Risen. Those with talent are offered the opportunity to become an '''Initiate''', where they will study the theory of necromancy at one of several temples in the country, while performing basic maintenance duties on the Risen stored at the adjoining barracks and assisting with lower-level ceremonies, like the re-animation of Conscripts or simple medical procedures.

After completing their studies, Initiates become '''Adepts''', and are apprenticed to '''Masters''' (who were once Adepts themselves). Adepts and Masters specialize into one of several tracks. The iconic specialization is that of the classic necromancer; Adepts and Masters on that path actually perform the rituals of re-animation to create Risen (the task of creating Conscripts is left to the Adepts, while laboring Risen are created by the Masters with their Adepts' assistance). A similar proportion specialize in healing, using their knowledge of the human body to help the sick who visit their temples. A few serve as magical law enforcement, investigating possible cases of unlicensed necromancy and assisting victims of such wicked or misguided individuals, or as diplomats to other nations, both to counter stereotypes about Arran'ak and to fight evil necromancers abroad.

The '''Sacrificed''' are, aside from the Millennial King himself, the most powerful necromancers in the nation. They willingly sacrifice their afterlife to remain and serve their fellow citizens even after death, and the Millennial King takes a major role in selecting them, before personally performing the ritual to bind their souls to their bodies. They advise the Millennial King and perform some of the most advanced rituals the kingdom requires, like creating Sentinels and releasing the souls of those unwillingly bound in undeath (like the victims of unscrupulous necromancers). All temples in the kingdom are headed by a Sacrificed, often one who graduated from it.

== Characters ==

; Myrhan, the Millennial King : Myrhan began as a noble son studying magic, but the invasion of his homeland forced him to put his education on hold. When he arrived, he found he was the last surviving member of all of Arran'ak's noble families, and he wielded his magic to raise an army of the dead to re-take his homeland -- and its conquerors, as well.
: On the final day of his campaign, Myrhan confronted his sister's killer, the Florinese count who had masterminded much of the invasion, but was wounded by his opponent's cursed blade; though he was able to bring both the count and the prince of Florin to justice (by dissolving their bodies and souls), he succumbed shortly thereafter. Fortunately for Arran'ak, he was not unprepared: over the course of a year and a day, he became a [[lich]] and returned to life (or un-life, as it were). After rising from his grave, Myrhan raised the Spire over his old home, and he has ruled Arran'ak from there as the Millennial King ever since.
: Presently, the majority of the Millennial King's time is spent managing the legions of undead that serve the kingdom, either directly or through the state-sanctioned necromancers known as Acolytes. Occasionally, he diplomatically engages dignitaries from other nations (though he generally defers to the Dawn Queen on such matters) and may intervene personally when dealing with a powerful invader, rogue necromancer, or undead creature.

; The Dawn Queen : The reincarnation of Myrhan's (unnamed?) sister. Where Myrhan has tremendous necromantic power, the Queen seems to have some connection to positive energy: harvests tend to be more bountiful and summers tend to be warmer when she reigns, and even the distant Millennial King is warmed by her presence.
: When the reincarnated Dawn Queen comes of age, Myrhan is able to sense that his sister has returned to the Material Plane. His Acolytes search the kingdom for the woman (she usually belongs to one of the Noble Houses, though some Dawn Queens have been commoners, much to the nobles' consternation). After she has been found, she undergoes the Rite of Dawn, a ceremony that infuses her with some of the memories of previous Dawn Queens, tempering her with the wisdom of many generations of rulers (though she will have been carefully screened and tested beforehand, as it is not an easy weight to bear). After this, Arran'ak enters a year and a day of celebration, during which she tours the kingdom, both to let the memories sink in and to become familiar with her subjects. Though her "persona" is immortal (she promised she wouldn't leave him "while he walked the earth", which is looking to be forever), her body is not; the death of the Dawn Queen is marked by year and a day of mourning, and for the next few decades (until the Dawn Queen is reborn), Arran'ak endures colder, deeper winters, and the Millennial King grows bitter -- though both he and his Acolytes are noticeably more powerful during these so-called "Long Winters".

; Chronus : Myrhan's bodyguard while he was abroad, and his right-hand man during the war against Florin and Guilder. He actually died during the campaign, but was resurrected with his character intact -- and the world is very fortunate that he was, for he stayed Myrhan's hand from slaughtering the citizens of Guilder's capitol. After the war was finished, he stood vigil over Myrhan's grave for a year and a day as Myrhan became a [[lich]] (a vigil that is honored in many Arran'akian ceremonies and holidays), and was made Captain of the Sentinels after Myrhan returned; presently, he leads the elite Chronus Guard. His flesh has long since decayed away, though somehow he is still capable of drinking whiskey without spilling any through his ribcage.

== Stories ==

== External Links ==

* [http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/9663834/ First thread], in which the idea is seeded.
* [http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/9682570/ Second thread], in which the founding and organization of Arran'ak is fleshed out.
* [http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/9697573/ Third thread], in which the present state of the country is discussed and written up.

[[Category:Homebrew Settings]]