[✗] Abdasterium

[Xergarok 811]

Lairs

 

Lair Leader MC Name: Xergarok

 

Lair Leader Character Name: The War

 

Lair Name: Abdasterium

Primary Lair Color: Gray

 

Lair Members: Xergarok, Hawkeye_Gough, Simonicorp, xo31, SchismLover, Sparkpowder, tantuni445, Ratvarr, Phantuhm, NLThomas, Skelepathic, swgrclan,

MouseMousington, chaotikal, familiar_nobody, minth_11, axelu, verumlupis, Niko, jack, turntable, tuggishere, crowzon, pcswift, rathat

 

Proposed Lair Locations (Highlight/draw at least three on the map):

Preference #1: Floodlands 1

Preference #2: Cherry Blossoms 1

Preference #3: Desert 17

 

Lair Lore (supply link to an existing creature or other lore if being used as basis for this lair) (1000 words minimum):

Lore

Recent History

The City-State of Lumbridge. Whilst the settlement stood, it was known as the Seat of Xion [1] itself and embraced Xionists and interested outsiders and allies alike. After it was renovated by its undead legions it became a landmark known to all, drawing many eyes to its hallowed Cathedral. Here the Four Ways of Xion converged as shrines were raised to the Old Lords, statues of previous Barrowlords decorated the streets, and candles were lit for the dead and the living. Home to the Sixth Synod it was the headquarters of the largest group of mystics on the continent. Lumbridge can be considered the successor of a number of lairs which came before it. Lumbridge embraced all those of occult and undead origins. It was here that the Abyssal Gate was raised because it was a public and open place which could be reached by those who sought to contact the Abyss. All who resided or frequented these halls suddenly found themselves without the sanctuary this place offered when it was destroyed by Thalandir the Dragaar and his followers. Fortunately, Barrowlord Khôr had foreseen the destruction of Lumbridge many moons ago when the Shogunate of Koyo-Kuni had vowed to eradicate the entire settlement as a retribution for the Koyo-Kuni Massacre [2] by members of the Sixth Synod. Even in those days, when Lumbridge was raided numerous times by Dragonkin, Inferi, and Templars alike, the Synod would have an ace up their sleeve in case of the inevitable destruction of their home. Many years would pass before this came to pass, and when it did Lumbridge went out in glorious fire that pierced the Northern skies. 

 

The Monolith of Szarekh

Before the ascension of Khôr as a Wight and Barrowlord, the still mortal Adunian had made a bargain with the Lich-Drakaar Mordring, the King Beneath, master of the Abyss. In exchange for carrying out an important task, the Adunian would be gifted an Abyssal Fortress akin to those seen during the ancient days of Aegis. Made of the Abyssal metal Morion, this wicked monolith would appear in the sky at the command of its new owner. As times changed and Lumbridge was destroyed, the time had come for the wayward Synodians to employ what would henceforth be known as the Monolith of Szarekh. The Monolith itself appears to be a mixture between a tower and a ziggurat. It is designed to house a center of knowledge and research as well as the Amakites who live there. A throne for the King of Nothing, laboratories and workplaces to brew potions and to breathe life into constructs of metal and flesh. 

 

Akin to its predecessor, the Monolith would welcome Brothers and Sisters of Xion into its halls. However, there were many mistakes made in the past to be learned from. No longer would this sanctuary be presented as the Seat of Xion. Instead Szarekh will introduce itself to the world as an order of esoteric scholars who seek to study the cosmos, welcoming those who are interested to visit and those who can pass their rigorous trials to join their ranks. The base of the ziggurat allows Szarekh to present new mechanical products which they can sell to the broader public, whilst entertaining visitors with scholastic and ideological content.

 

Compared to Lumbridge and Xion they would become something new, recognizing the flaws in the Xionist scripture. The Way of the Primeval Man would remain as a foundation for a new ideology, but the times had changed the people that would now become known as Szarekhites. 

 

To Chart a New Course

Those loyal to the Barrowlords would chart a new course, embracing the idea of cosmical exploration and innovation, as is propagated by the Way of Dark, which they would employ in their quest to liberate the mortal souls trapped in the Ebrietaes. This one goal of liberation and vengeance would remain, persisting and characterising the Szarekhite beliefs. Xion has no Kings but, taking a page from someone else’s book, the Szarekhites have grown to believe that akin to Devirad they are best guided by a singular individual. This King of Nothing rules over naught but the Szarekhite lands within the mortal realm. Instead it is believed that anything beyond the mortal realm is free for the Szarekhites to claim. The endless expanse of planes is called the Dearth, a puzzle ready to be explored and conquered. Tinkerers, alchemists, necromancers and mystics alike combine the occult crafts with technological advancement in order to achieve their goals. Tinkerers make constructs and form a front as merchants, selling their creations. Alchemists focus on faux-life and homunculi while brewing potions to stock up on and sell. Mystics free souls and combine them with machinery while gleaming into the Ebrietaes to use souls of the dead to obtain insights and knowledge. Necromancers, who became a growing part of Szarekh in comparison to the Sixth Synod, are valued for their plaguecraft and their occult rites. 

 

Aside from this belief, constructs play a large role in the Monolith of Szarekh. Flesh, and even certain forms of undeath, are considered weak and unstable, and thus constructs are praised for their individual strengths. To house souls within constructs so they may be given a new life with a new vessel is one of the ulterior goals of Szarekh. A specific branch based on Sorvians is called the Assimilates. When the end of all things is nigh, it is believed that the Aspects and the Daemon Widukind, who are considered enemies of Szarekh, will employ trees as their agents to sabotage the efforts of Szarekh. To prevent this from happening, Assimilates are tasked with  deforestation and pruning as much as possible. Azhl has a symbolic value for them given its anti-Fae properties and its blighted origin. Symbolism retains an important function for Szarekh. 

 

Today the Szarekhits continue to fight for the King Beneath. Thanks to their Palelord, the Stake of Mordring has been planted within the Sleeper’s Marsh upon Aevos. A foothold, then, of the Abyss in the mortal world. They work together with allied mystic and necromancer covens to do the will of their Lord. Szarekh employs subterfuge and infiltration and prefers these methods, yet when required they will unleash the products of their research unto the world. 

 

Awaiting new orders from the King Beneath, the Szarekhites slowly plot in the shadows as they prepare for the coming of the Monolith of Szarekh…

 

Existing Links:

[1] Xionist forums and main Xion lore:

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/forum/2009-xionism/

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/139531-xionism-the-way-of-primeval-man/

[2]  Koyo-Kuni war declaration and Synod reply: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/241736-koyokuni-direct-coming-soon-mystic-hyperwar-for-the-nintendo-ds/#comment-2069160

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/241781-synod-lotuses-and-lost-souls-war/#comment-2069579

[3] General Related Lore

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/192726-%E2%9C%93-magic-lore-mysticism/

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/190109-%E2%9C%93-playable-ca-race-event-creature-phantoms-apparitions/?pagecomment1763563=4

 

Lair Build and Infrastructure (photos required, give dimensions):

51x51

 

 

 

 

 

Why can this group not fulfill their roleplay niche in an existing settlement or nation? (Give a detailed answer and examples of how this has not worked in the past.):

Even when we successfully present ourselves as an esoteric cult of scholars, due to the nature of the lair we will be found out sooner rather than later. Staying under the radar is wishful thinking. Still, when we’re uncovered it’s safe to assume we’ll be evicted. A lair provides protection, allowing us to stand our ground once we’re discovered. As Xionists, mystics, and inhabitants of Lumbridge we are publicly shunned. At times mortals even aided Inferi to kill our paleknights, this serves as indication of how hostile the world is against our ideology. Our ideology also makes some non-mortals our enemies, further expanding the list of enemies and reducing the likelihood of settling down. We would also refer to additional reasons listed in the lair applications for the Sixth Synod as they still apply. 

 

How does this lair add to the greater world around it? How will its existence benefit its roleplay group and the server at-large?:

Akin to its predecessors (Lumbridge and the previous lairs of the Synod), the Monolith of Szarekh serves as a visible mark on the map. Floating and sky-piercing it becomes a recognizable landmark which invites interaction. The purpose of this ziggurat is indeed to allow visitors to enjoy our cult on a surface level; certainly for them to get to know the innovation and unique takes on life. To get deeper, you would have to interact more. The goal is to keep as much of the mystique intact. For the inhabitants it provides a new home which has a strong foundation in lore and RP (the tower did not just appear, it was gifted by Mordring and is meant to replace a previously existing lair). Lumbridge has often invited hostile interactions, it is quite likely for the Monolith of Szarekh to befall a similar fate should it be uncovered. If handled well, this can benefit Szarekh to fulfill the role of antagonists.

 

 

[xo31 3979]

2 minutes ago, Xergarok said:

Lumbridge was destroyed

dont remind me.

+1 though Long Live Lumbridge

[lemonke 6014]

I think lair apps are closed rn

[Xergarok 811]

 

5 minutes ago, lemonke said:

I think lair apps are closed rn

 

Yeah, some miscommunication led me to believe we could still post it. We'll see...

[Fleeperpriest 1484]

...

[Xein000 264]

If not here, we got the next map.

[MysticalWeasel 910]

Please change the font color, I cannot read at all.

[squakhawk 14038]

Application denied.