Sidion

ref: https://ez.community/quests

## The Rise of Sidion

Sidion is a young man, possibly in his 20’s, living as a farmer in Fractured Plains. He lives outside the city of Zenith in a farmhouse producing crops for his people and the city. It is not known if he has a family or if he lost his family long ago. However, he and his fellow farmers have been attacked by wolves and thieves that pillaged their crops and livestock. After living his life in these conditions, Sidion decides that if the Zenithean guards won’t protect his people, he will. Sidion finally speaks one day about doing something about this issue, “We cannot give up! Haven't you all had enough of having your wares pillaged by wolves and thieves? We cannot wait for Zenith's help. We MUST help ourselves. We'll make traps. We'll make weapons. I'll chop down our entire wood to build a wall if I have to. I will not stand idly for another day while our children go hungry. I would rather die fighting than live in fear. Wouldn't you? And you? Wouldn't anyone?” After this event, people started to build traps and protect their farms and homes. That is, until one night when Sidion protects the farmers after a wolf pack attacked in the region now known as Galian Valley. After successfully fending off the attack, the people wanted him to be their leader. When Sidion is presented with this idea by the villagers, he reluctantly responds, “You... want me to lead? All I did was fend off a few wolves. Anyone would do it to protect their family, wouldn’t they?... I don’t know anything about leading an army. But if it’s what people want - if it’s what’s best for everyone - I will do the best I can.” As a few years passed, he gained more support from his followers and built more of the housing that still stands in Fractured Plains to this day.

As the rise of Sidion’s power began to expand, he decided to explore the Amarite Forest and make peace with the Amarites. After learning more about them, he meets the Mistress of Mercy, who is the main healer for the Amarites. Speaking to her he says, “The Amarites had an interesting nickname for you: The Mistress of Mercy? They say you've been healing them from the bog for centuries.. I know that's impossible, but I did notice your essence-wielding had a curious quality to it… It's darker, somehow... How did that come to happen?” Talking with her seemed to have gotten Sidion excited about a new power to help his people. After finishing their talk, he learns of where her powers came from and decides to explore the region now known as Skysong Summit. It is here that Sidion finds the first artifact which gives him more control and enhances his essence. Upon touching the artifact, he makes a discovery, “What's happening to me. I've never felt anything like this in my life. Is this essence? Is this the power it offers? Oh, I feel like I'm flying, but my feet are still on the ground. The others, it doesn't bend to them like it does to me.” After this new discovery, he uses this power to further help his people and form the Zenithean Faction. During the creation of the Zenithean Faction, it isn’t clear when Sidion took over the city of Zenith. However, it seems he took over the city between the finding of the first and second artifact.

After a few years, he discovers the second artifact in the coastal region and wonders what would happen if he communes with it, “The power of this artifact is incredible. It is truly a mark of the gods. If I commune with it... ahhh! Yes! Yes! The power flows through me... Even the seas grow calm beneath my hand…” This is when Sidion starts to believe if he does perform a ritual of some sort with the artifacts, he may just become all powerful. Some time later, he discovers the Desert Empire and that they are in control of the last artifact. Being cunning, Sidion decides to make peace with the Empire and use them for his own growth. Sidion says to the Queen and King of the Desert Empire. “I, Sidion, leader of the Zenithean faction, will agree to a truce, now and forever, with the Desert Empire.”

After a few years pass, not much happens between the truce and the fall of the Desert Empire. It can only be assumed that Sidion used this time to build up his power to face the Queen and King. We only learn of him breaking the truce from Amani during the “Speaking with the Dead” quest which says, “...the Queen and King fought Sidion, the Betrayer…” Now with the Desert Empire defeated, Sidion is now in control of the final artifact. Leaving Ruler’s Reach in a state of despair and what was left of the Royal Family to hide in the Emerald Desert. Finally with all three artifacts and full control of the Desert Empire, Sidion makes plans to take over the rest of the continent, “Knights! Scions! Centurions! The path toward immortality begins here! I, who have gathered the four(“three”) artifacts, will reign and bring eternal peace to these lands. Are you with me? Can you feel the essence on our side!? Then let us stand tall together, so that even the gods cower in our shadow!”

Since many people supported the Desert Empire, people weren’t too happy with a new ruler that betrayed their Queen and King. Resistance sprouted and people began to fight against Sidion and his men. However, Sidion's control of the artifacts granted him power close to that of the gods. The first people to be put down were the coastal people. Unfortunately Sidion overwhelms them, exclaiming, “Your reign over the seas is over. Bring as many ships as you like… The sea bends to MY will. Surrender now. Or your only rest is the sea bed.” After the coastal region is in his control, Sidion moves south - back toward the very lands he grew to power in. With a strong connection to essence, the Amarite people could sense his powers and began to fortify their forest to take on Sidion’s men. Yet again, Sidion’s power was unmatched and he wanted the Amarite people to surrender to him to prevent further bloodshed. Sidion warns them saying, “You cannot run, Amarites. You cannot defeat me with your tricks. If you hide in the trees, we'll raze your forest. If you stalk in the shadows, we'll light you aflame. You will now, and forever, have freedom of choice in my kingdom... but if a single splinter of wood flew from your woods toward my men, know that you choose death.” Sidion still had feelings toward them since he was able to learn more about essence from the Amarite people, but his mind was starting to show signs of corruption.

## Sidion’s Golden Years

At long last, Sidion now controlled the continent - the Amarite Forest, the coastal region, and the powerful, prosperous Desert Empire. It is unclear what happened during this time, whether Sidion ruled with an iron fist or brought peace to the continent. We may be able to assume that Sidion did bring peace to the continent and did rule fairly, since his history that was passed down wasn’t bad until he caused the Fracture. However, there seems to be some things Sidion did during his time leading to the Fracture that can be figured out when reading quests around the game. This span of years will be referred to as the golden years as Sidion built and did many things for his people during this time.

The first structure built during this time is found in the group quest, “Sins of the Father '', which talks about exploring the ancient mines found in Fractured Plains. When exploring the mining site, tools used to extract essence crystals or purifying crystals can be found. It is likely that Sidion first did research here in how essence worked with the crystals and artifacts. Besides that, there isn’t much information on the mines. The second structure and region created during this time is Obsidian Fortress, figured out through the side quest called, “Ashes Fall, Legends Rise.” Obsidian Fortress was built after the Zenitheans found rich materials in the area leading to a quarry that still stands today. The fortress also provides a defensive point being built in the middle of the continent that was tasked with watching airships traveling between the desert and the city. Lastly, the main quest, “Factory Shutdown”, explains the auto-foundries found in the region now known as Ramshackle. It is explained to us that the auto-foundries were meant to be the future of the Zenithean army by mass-producing products or creatures for the army. Though since the Fracture occurred, the machines haven’t been touched since.

## The Immortal Ritual

After his achievements throughout his time, it becomes apparent that Sidion’s mine is beginning to be corrupted by the artifacts' powers. As his mind is corrupted his voice deepens and he still holds on to the thought that he is the only savior for this land. One day while Sidion was in the city, his advisers questioned his rule. Making Sidion yell at them saying, “You challenge my rule to my face, and expect thanks? You are nothing but vipers! I took six kingdoms under my reign! I brought Kings and Queens to their knees! Who are you? Nobody. This world would fall apart without my hand to guide it. And I won't allow that to happen.” This event is what led Sidion to start thinking about the future since he was aging and didn’t have a successor. This guided him into thinking that the world needed him even after death to carry on protecting everyone, even from the gods themselves. This is what led him to perform the Immortal Ritual, which he believed would work in order to keep his people safe.

Sidion returns back to Ruler’s Reach with all three artifacts and sets up the immortal ritual, a thought that had begun once he obtained the second artifact a long while ago. Sidion is shown talking to his trusted followers about getting the communing circle ready, “Someone, prepare my immortal body. This one won’t be suitable for the world to come… Yes. Yes. Get all the pieces into place, with the purification stones set around the communing circle.” After the completion of the circle, Sidion takes his place and begins the ritual. As it begins, Sidion breathes his final words, “Telos... Amara... I will tear you both apart with my bare hands... for this, I am the chosen one. I am the one who will protect this land... I... cannot... be defeated...... Your essence is MINE to control... This power... will... be under my control... MINE. It's.. MINE. ARRRGHH!” However, it seems that because Sidion tried to become a god himself, his people were the ones who had to suffer. Though not spoken in game, it would seem that due to the artifacts’ powers mixing with the essence lines, cursing the desert lands. Thus, the Fracture started leading Corrupted Essence to spread across the continent, affecting everything unfortunate enough to touch it.