Arishol Septus III

"Fire, Steel, and Fury. A great red dragon laying claim to all he sees." -Author regarding Arishol Septus III.
Arishol Septus III, styled Dominus Sarreth the Crimson, Overlord of the Nirvaan, Voice of the Vokari, Kazan of the Nirvari, Matari, and Rivan Realms, the Great Star, the Sovereign Son, Supreme Commander of the Dracarum, and Lord of the Rising and Setting Suns, is the Imperator of the Nirvas Imperium and sovereign ruler of the Nirvaan peoples. Considered by many to be a demigod like his predecessors, Sarreth evokes a charismatic aura and a militant style of leadership passed onto him by his father. Profound in power and ambitious with his plans for the Imperium, his is the reign that many Nirvaan scholars claim will see the dawn of the Imperium's Age of Completion.
== Appearance ==
A tall Nirvaan of crimson red skin, Sarreth has sable black hair and amber eyes. He stands at roughly 6'9" and weighs around 260 lbs of lean muscle. His eyes are fierce and contain a glow to them akin to a pair of suns fixed into his skull, with black schlera surrounding the irises. His crest curves backward and ends with upward points resembling horns while his hair hangs down to his shoulders in a smooth blanket of pitch. His cheekbones are pronounced in sharp, spur-like ridges while his mouth is filled with sharp, powerful Nirvaan canines and ending in a chin resembling a thick spike. His nose is modestly wide but considered handsome by conventional Nirvaan standards, giving him a seasoned appearance despite his relative youth. Deep and powerful, Arishol’s voice is commanding even when calm, and can become booming and thunderous in volume when provoked. His sepra is fixed in the center of his forehead and colored a bright orange.
He typically wears wealthy raiments of armored robes made of rich fabrics and Iraketh plates. He adorns himself with a gold pendant with an emerald-green gem at the end, as well as several gold piercings on his brow ridges, crest, and bands around his neck. He wears five rings in total - his Vaes' signet ring on his right hand, middle finger, a gold ruby ring on his second middle finger on his right hand, the Ari'zon's seal - a gold band with Nirvosi runes etched into it - on his right hand's index finger, a Diamond-encrusted band on his left middle finger, and a gold emerald ring on his second left middle finger.
In public appearances, Arishol wears a series of white robes with plated pauldrons, a breastplate, and a long white cape with a black interior. Gold inlays are stitched in resembling Vaes Septus’ dragon in flight on the chestguard. His crown is a brilliant gold with the design of a dragon with rubies for eyes.
In battle, Sarreth dons a suit of armor made of refined Iraketh plate painted gold and crimson, with large, spiked pauldrons and a horned helm resembling the head of a dragon. He wears a waist-worn cape of black with red interior, and flexible chainweave beneath the plating.
== Personality ==
Born out of wealth and privilege, Arishol has wanted for nothing his entire life. While arrogant and prideful, Arishol devoted much of his younger years to studying politics and warfare, mastering the art of ruling under the tutelage of his father and uncle. This helped shaped a young Arishol into a competent military commander and leader, using the power of fear and charisma to keep his vast empire moving in the way he liked. Always manipulating his court to focus more on outplaying one another for his favor rather than attempt to usurp or assassinate him, he displays a mastery of political manipulation.
Inheriting the dream of conquest over Aeos from his father, Patras, Arishol's main goals are expanding the Imperium to twice its size or greater and keeping hold on its new strength. He believes firmly that he is the Ari'zon reborn, made to usher in the Age of Completion. While rewarding to those who are obedient and useful to him, Arishol demonstrates cruelty and malice against those who defy or openly challenge him, as demonstrated by his complete destruction of Vaes Narssa.
While he loves his wives and is fond of his concubines, Arishol is a vain man who treats sex and indulgence as a privilege afforded to him as Imperator. His quarters aboard the Arazoth is expansive and built to suit his sybaritic lifestyle, with his quarters being a spacious room fitted with a heated pool and a massive bed to fit him and his concubines. Wherever Arishol goes, he takes at least one of his wives and several of his concubines with him as "entertainment". While he treats his concubines as prizes to be enjoyed, he genuinely loves his wives. He is fond of Khaleph's voluptuous body and fertility, enjoys the fiery personality of Xhira, and treasures the wit and commanding aura of his first wife and Imperia, Nephara.
Arishol treats conquest partly as duty and as pleasure, enjoying the thrill of combat and the challenge of forcing his enemies into submission. To that end, he will sometimes take charge of certain war fronts and dedicate himself to the Imperium's victory, even fighting on the planet's surface during the Siege of Pylath. He spars with his Praetorian guardsmen and training Autons often, both for the sake of entertainment and to "keep his edge".
=== Relationships ===
==== Wives ====
Arishol has married three Nirvaan women in his life - his first wife, Nephara, at age nine, his second wife, Xhira, at age twenty-five, and most recently Khaleph, at age ninety. Collectively, Arishol loves each of his wives, and has married each for different reasons.
*Nephara Septus I - Arishol's first wife and Imperia, Nephara commands the second most authority in the Imperium. She is an authoritative presence in the Imperium's courts, and is trusted by Arishol to rule in his absence when he holds court elsewhere from Narvala. The two have loved one another since they were children, with Arishol learning everything he knows about women from her. Likewise, Nephara is loyal and loving to her husband, and tolerates his licentiousness as it is not a threat to her power or authority. Arishol treats Nephara with a level of respect unheard of with Nirvaan husbands, understanding the intellect his wife boasts and trusting her to keep the aristocra in line.
*Xhira Septus I - The second wife of Arishol he met on a hunt with the Head of Vaes Wulphen, Karnus, who bargained with the Imperator for the use of his daughter as a concubine. Through her fiery spirit and resistance of Arishol, the Imperator was mesmerized by the girl and married her the same year. For her part, Xhira hated the idea of being prey instead of predator for the first time in her life but sung a different tune when she realized she enjoyed the young Septus' company as he did hers. The two hunt often and, during extensive campaigns, Arishol will often bring Xhira with him in an advisory capacity. The Imperator notes that part of her appeal in the bedchamber is her hostility and difficulty in dominating, though the "hunt is part of the fun." Xhira loves her husband and enjoys being dominated and doted on by him, and shares feelings of sexual interest and rivalry toward Nephara. She looks down on Aleph as a whore, but respects her husband's right to a new wife.
*Khaleph Septus I - Arishol's most recent wife, Khaleph was briefly a concubine of Arishol's, similarly to Xhira, but was Arishol's "favorite" who provided him with three sons before their marriage. Khaleph is a devoted and loving wife who is often eager to join her husband in the bedchamber, and Arishol has kept Khaleph close to his side wherever he goes thus displaying a particular favoritism for her. Khaleph admires and looks up to Nephara and tolerates Xhira's antagonistic behavior, though she mostly sticks to conversing with the concubines that she is familiar with - notably Tamari and Khamir. Arishol views Khaleph as above his other concubines and dotes on her heavily, though Nephara speculates privately on whether Arishol truly loves his new wife or if he simply enjoys her sexually. She confirms that there must be something about Khaleph that drew Arishol to her, otherwise she would have remained a concubine.
==== Concubines ====
Arishol's personal harem, his collection of female pleasure girls, are some of the closest servants to the Imperator, following him most everywhere. Numbering roughly twelve young Nirvaan women, Arishol's concubines are either girls purchased from noble houses or bastards given the chance at a cushy life in the royal palace. Their purpose, beyond pleasuring the Imperator, is to bear children for Vaes Septus to supplement its ranks.
==== Elder family ====
*Arnox Septus I - Arishol reportedly did not know much of his uncle, Arnox I, but loved him as he did most of his family. On his ninth birthday, Arishol was presented a gift by his uncle, Arnox - his war glaive, Xremath, which Arnox treasured but Arishol was unable to wield until he came of age.
*Kyrath Septus II/Dominus Patras the Silver - Arishol recalls his father as strict but fair, with a penchant for teaching by actions rather than words. His philosophy on keeping others in line through fear of force rather than by force itself inspired many of Arishol's most infamous atrocities, including the Scourging of Khara-Vokk and the creation of the Arazoth. Arishol states that his father would not have allowed the rebellions plaguing his reign. He remembers that Kyrath and Xhaevor were close but grew distant with time over some unknown argument.
*Xhaevor Septus V - Arishol's closest uncle, Xhaevor has served as the Praeceptor of Arishol's father before serving as his own. A capable leader, master tactician, and veteran of the politic intrigues of court life, Xhaevor has served as Praeceptor for longer than anyone in living memory. While he finds the man personally droll and pedantic, Arishol often leaves the day-to-day rule and maintenance of the Imperium to his uncle, preferring to pursue his own private pleasures and agendas. Xhaevor finds his nephew an impractical and sybaritic ruler but a fierce warrior whose name and charismatic image suits well enough for Xhaevor to effectively rule the Imperium behind.
==== Siblings ====
*Xython Septus IV - Arishol and Xython are not by any means close, with the former having bullied the latter at a young age by his father's instruction to help mold him into the perfect warrior. The efforts succeeded but at the cost of any relationship the two might have had, with Xython viewing his older brother with scorn hidden by dutiful loyalty. Arishol, for his part, views his younger brother as just another tool to be deployed as he sees fit. He allows Xython the freedom of raping and plundering as he desires but expects prompt results when issued orders, though often Xython is deployed by their uncle, Xhaevor rather than Arishol to quell dissent and weaken enemy territory. 
*Mau Septus I - Arishol sees Mau as a blight to the family thanks to his dark skin, seen as a negative condition in Nirvaan. He does not outright kill Mau due to the stigma of kinslaying in the Imperium but has tucked Mau away in a role he feels best serves the grudging intellect of the younger brother. Mau both fears and despises his brother, but knows well enough to keep far from the Imperator's sight and reach. 
*Xhetrios Stormscale -
==== Trueborn Children ====
Nephara:
*Xim'ara Septus IV - Once Arishol's pride and joy, his firstborn child, Xim'ara, slowly became unhinged as her glory and worth was eclipsed by that of her younger brother, Aeros. As time passed, Arishol's focus on his other children and distance from Xim left her to silently seethe and allow her jealousy and bitterness to consume her. After beginning her rebellion to usurp the throne, Arishol expresses that Xim has "wounded him deeply" by her betrayal. He provided Xim a chance to surrender early on but she sharply refused, much to Arishol's fury.
*Aeros Septus II - Ever since his birth, Aeros was the golden child in Arishol's eyes and the heir to the throne. Over the years, however, Aeros has continually disappointed his father, from cowardice in battle to preferring the company of men. Aeros, for his part, both reveres and fears his father's disapproval, striving to live up to Arishol's expectations. So ashamed of his unworthy son, Arishol has considered passing his firstborn's rights over to the likes of Arathros, who better suits Arishol's purposes for an heir.
*Arathros Septus II - Arishol's fondest son, Arathros is a skilled warrior and sorcerer as well as an accomplished Legatus. He feels Arathros' eagerness for bloodshed could be his only weakness, but notices that Arathros surpasses many of his other sons in combat skill. Not much else is known of their relationship, with Arathros preferring to keep to the frontlines rather than in the courts.
*Andros IV -
*Xhalia I -
Xhira:
*Xhakaron II - Having been stillborn, Arishol never was able to meet his first son with Xhira though the death set a poor precedent for their relationship. Arishol initially blamed the incident on the medical staff and had them all executed but abandoned his wife to grieve alone, worrying privately that he had made a mistake in marrying her. Seeing this, Xhira made every attempt to successfully conceive with her husband and had success with Xhatira and finally Xelethon, though the last two births have severely taxed the woman and it is predicted she will never be able to give birth again without dying. 
*Xelethon Septus III - The last child born to Arishol and Xhira, Xelethon is named after two powerful and famous Septus' in the families' history. However, Xelethon III was born weak and frail, needing a breathing apparatus to survive his birth. From this point forward, Xhira worried for him and Arishol held quiet disdain for what he viewed as a naturally weak boy. Growing up, Xelethon did his best to impress and please his father, studying hard and training in the ways of combat and Magick. His affinity for the art has always been weak and he has always struggled and strained to produce flames that many Nirvaan can conjure easily. For this, Arishol has always been dismissive and cold toward Xelethon, viewing him as a weak link to a strong chain. This has been a point of contention between the Imperator and Xhira, though the former has never wavered in his belief. Xelethon is able to only ever recall a few instances in which he saw his father be proud of him, with only one being spoken. Craving his father's praise, Xelethon works hard to aid the Imperium and bring glory to his name.
*Xhatira Septus I - Daughter of Arishol and Xhira and their first healthy child, Xhira grew up favoring the masculine arts of combat and war to that of courtly presentation and prestige. While initially amused by the fiery spark in his third daughter's heart, he often grows weary of how difficult it is to set up a successful marriage contract with her. Eventually becoming distracted with his new marriage to Khaleph, he delegated the task of marrying Xhatira off to her mother, who loves Xhatira enough to allow her more freedoms than her father had. Xhatira shields the true nature of her sexuality from her father, knowing it would outrage him, and often spends time away from the capital world on "training exercises" to spend with her lover, Phara Orosa. 
Khaleph:
*Aragral I -
*Aesiro I -
*Arivora II -
*Xhakran II -
==== Bastards ====
Tamari:
*Arasir -
*Xhoris Darkwing -
Khamir:
*Khelfor -
Ferra:
*Xyphon -
*Xeltha -
Osira:
*Xhinra -
==== Cousins ====
Arnox:
*Xhelgor II -
*Xhathain I -
*Araosha I -
Xhaevor:
*Arazhor I -
*Amiri and Akiri I -
==== Nephews/Nieces ====
==== Consuls ====
*Valderious Vong -
*Abaron Orosa -
*Korvus Qyran -
*Nyriss Carinata -
*Joviro Thalassein -
*Solkar Hargran -
*Isir Drakar -
*Arvos Kassadan -
==== Royal Court ====
==== Guardsmen ====
== History ==
== Weapons and Equipment ==
Arishol has a massive armory of personal weapons he utilizes in battle, using Conjuration magicks to summon them for quick convenience.
*Genocide Hammer - A massive warhammer made of Aurdonium and regularly soaked in pools of Fel mana to provide it augmented destructive power, Arishol's Genocide Hammer is a devastating weapon capable of rending even Gorjir tanks. With one side of the hammer's head being spiked and the other being fitted with jewel indentations, the weapon can easily blast through Iraketh armor plating and reduce bone to splinters.
*Annihilator Axe - A large, circular axe with black Ordijon wood for the staff and Insinion steel for the blade, the Annihilator Axe is heated with Everflame, giving the metal a permanent heated appearance. The axe demonstrates capability of cutting through many dense metals and minerals, including Iraketh.
*Blood Glaive -
== Ships ==
== Skills and Abilities ==
=== Magick ===
Sarreth, as ruler of a Magick-governed empire, is one of the most powerful Mages in all of Aeos. His access to the highest level spells in the Imperium and his long Nirvaan lifespan has allowed him to master the various arts of Anima.
*Kinetomancy - Sarreth has mastered Kinetomancy to the extent that he can levitate numerous objects at once with little effort, shown by his pouring a drink for himself while engaging in conversation, all without even looking at the glass and tankard. He has the power to effortlessly crush bone with this power, displayed by his brutal execution of Legate Darius for failure.
*Dragon's Breath - An ancestral ability passed down throughout the generations of each Septus, Sarreth displays a tremendous affinity for the ability, being able to breath out a continuous jet of flame in a wide cone of destruction. He used this ability during the Scourging of Khara-Vokk in which he set the entirety of the southern district aflame.
*Master Conjuration - While many Conjurers utilize their talents to summon war beasts or even allies, Sarreth prefers to use his Conjuration Magick to specifically call upon his personal armory, having sealed all of his arms and armor to be able to be summoned at will. Sarreth's Mana has colored his Conjuration mists a bright gold.
*Ocular Proton Beams - Sarreth's Ocular Proton Beams, known in the Imperium as "arto", are devastating in power - far beyond that of the standard beams used by Mages in the Core. Unlike other Proton Beams which can stun a target non-lethally or simply burn whatever surface it comes in contact with, Sarreth's beams are more akin to disruptors - reducing targets to ash upon contact.
*Oscuras - The Imperium's "shroud" school, Sarreth has perfected his Illusory techniques to the point that he boasts he can redefine the realities of those around him.
=== Mana Count ===
== Quotes by Arishol Septus III ==
*"The Imperium has never been want for treason. No matter. Let the usurpers come. Urakiel dines on all traitors, no matter their claims." -regarding the Imperium Civil War.
== Quotes about Arishol Septus III ==
== Trivia ==
Category:Characters