Realm of Marl-Shul

The **Realm of Marl-Shul** is a galactic empire founded by The Fallen, an ancient race of corrupted Cabrythians who consorted with the Imprisoned God Marl-Shul. The realm is a dictatorial theocracy, under rule of the Witch King Rekata un-Ashgaza.

## History

In a time immemorial, the Maliakul (Gods) created all things in the universe. The heart of their creation was the Milky Way Galaxy, a blank canvas whose shadow eclipsed its present form. There were 7 Gods within the Maliakul, all equal in rank and power. Starting from the eldest to the youngest, Cerieth-Tul (the “Leader”), Votomo-Sul, Bazemates-Mokul, Meekasha-Vul, Bitgawa-Huzul, Omeilia-Yul, and Marl-Shul. All 7 were one in purpose, and one in vision, or at least it was supposed to be. The 7 created a paradise planet, often called a “Gaia” world. This world was named “Uliki”, meaning “garden.” The first civilization of the universe was placed on this garden, who were known as the “Progenitors.” These blessed people were the chosen of the Gods. As such, they were blessed to harness part of the godly power, the “Meridian.”

The powers of the Meridian derived entirely from the gods themselves. It was a power like life itself, capable of creating, protecting, and restoring life. The Progenitors’ society grew and prospered. However, not everyone was content with the status quo. You see, the Gods had a strict code of complete non-interference in the affairs of their creations. The six elders of the seven were unanimous in this decision, save their youngest sibling. Marl-Shul, the youngest of the seven, but arguably the most fair and charismatic of them all, was not content with just watching their children live their lives. He believed it was the Maliakul’s divine right as sovereigns of the universe to rule over the lesser beings of the physical realm. The six shunned this idea, claiming it was not their place to meddle in the affairs of their children. Marl-Shul knew he couldn’t win against his siblings, as they were all equal in power, but this didn’t stop the fire from growing in his quickly darkening heart.

Not being content to sit idly by, Marl-Shul enacted a grand plan to show his superiority over his siblings. You see, the Gods and the Progenitors were spiritually and psionically connected, given that the Progenitors could harness limited amounts of Meridional power. Knowing this, Marl-Shul decided to secretly interfere with the children. One night, in the sleeping chambers of one of the high priests of the Church of the Meridian, Marl-Shul appeared to the priest as a hellish angel, being just as fair and beautiful as he was grim and terrible. He spoke unto the priest claiming he was the true lord of the universe, and that the Maliakul had lost their way, and were unfit to be worshiped and praised. At first hesitant, the priest was soon infatuated by the sheer aura of Shul’s greatness. Marl-Shul was a master of persuasion, and had learned the art of deception well, easily converting the high priest. As his first order, he demanded the priest create a new order, a flock that could be molded into whatever he deemed necessary. And so he did, the priest, corrupted by the whispers of shadow, went forth and forsook his old faith; declaring in secret that he received revelation from a new messiah. Preaching the Maliakul had hidden the truth of their savior, he convinced many to praise the messiah and forgo the old ways. There were many who began to follow. These new followers praised the light in the day, and worshiped the darkness in the night. It was this way, in order to preserve their secrecy until the time was right. Soon sacrifices were introduced; at first offerings, but later, flesh and blood. As these rituals were conducted, and the followers of darkness grew, Marl-Shul began to increase in power, subtlety, so as not to alert his siblings.

This cycle continued for much time, until finally, the final price was ready to be paid. In a grand ceremony and ritual, the Cult of Marl-Shul revealed itself to the light of day. Upon the completion of the ritual, those who survived were transformed into creatures unrecognizable to their brethren of the light. With the declaration of a new order, and demand that the fools of the light join or perish, the curtains lifted and Marl-Shul confronted his siblings. Casting off his cloak of peace and serenity, he revealed himself as he now truly was, a being of raw power, cloaked in shadow and death, harnessing and being the embodiment of the dark side of the Meridian. Knowing the destruction he would cause, his siblings resisted, as did the followers of the light resist their now “Fallen” brethren. (Fallen will differentiate the dark ones from the light ones, who are still Progenitors). A great and terrible war ensued in both the heavens and the mortal plane. In the beginning of the war of the “Great Schism,” the forces of evil handedly won battle after battle. As their power grew, and as more and more progenitors were slain, Marl-Shul increased in strength; on top of his already immense eclipse of his siblings. Knowing their forces were outmatched, and fearing a total defeat in the war, Cerieth-Tul, in a drastic haste blessed the creation of a new species naturally inclined to the light. In doing this, he could still justly claim he did not directly interfere in affairs of the children. The new children were not biological in nature, but rather, made entirely of stone and rock. The “Sentinel Guardians” were completely one in mind, so much so, they were considered to be a hive mind entity. Each drone was deprived of autonomous thought, giving the overmind complete control over their species’ consciousness.

Thankfully for the forces of light, the overmind was completely devoted to the eradication of the darkness. Having a new ally, the progenitors began to halt the advance of the fallen forces. With his armies stalling, Marl-Shul’s strength began to falter. Knowing the tides were turning against him, Shul commanded his chief lieutenant, and most devoted servant to commence one final assault on the capital of the progenitors. This servant was the one who was visited by Marl-Shul so long ago, as that angel from the hellish void. No one knows his name before his fall from light, but he would now be called “Rekata un-Ashgaza,” the “Witch-King.” The Witch-King ordered the final assault to commence and the battle ensued. Again, the fallen appeared to be winning the attack at first; their numbers seemingly enumerable. Marl-Shul, using this sudden burst in strength, pressed his own attack on his siblings. No entity, not even a god can kill another god, but the slow flow of a river can carve mountains, can it not? Hoping to grind his enemies to less than the dust of Uliki, he launched charge after charge. On the planet below, however, once again the resilience of the Sentinel Guardians proved to be the almost perfect warrior. Using the very powers of the Meridian that held them together, the guardians, along with their progenitor allies began to push back their enemies, the first time ever in the war in fact. The Fallen’s final attack failed, and from thence forth, they saw defeat after defeat. Marl-Shul’s strength was fleaing, and his power began to grow smaller and smaller, allowing his siblings to back him further and further into their trap.

You see, the Maliakul had discovered something truly unimaginable; a realm of chaos and perfect order. It was a place as bright as the center of stars, and dark as the pits of the void. Yea, the absolute impossibility of such a place made it the perfect vault to lock anything, or anyone away. For this dimension, being a glacier of ice and an amber of flame, would be powerful enough to bind Marl-Shul in chains, imprisoning him for all of eternity and beyond. With Shul’s stance faltering, and the armies of the Fallen on the brink of collapse, Cerieth-Tul uttered the curse of enchainment. Suddenly unable to move, and feeling his very life essence drain the more he tried to resist, Shul and all of his most devoted followers were taken hold and consumed by what was almost thought to be the claws of hell, being engulfed in the amethyst flames of “The Shroud.” With their God and Witch-King locked away in eternal purgatory, the armies of darkness shattered and fell into chaos. Most began to commit ritualistic suicide, deeming themselves unworthy for failing their lord. However, some chose a different path, and clung to the hope that, maybe, one day in the far future, their messiah would return. Knowing they were to be hunted to a man, the last of the Fallen constructed a hastily built stellar traversing starship, capable of fleeing the system, but unable to set a direct course. The ship was launched just as the progenitor and guardian hunters began to descend upon the final bastion. Once out of Uliki’s orbit, the ship engaged its crude hyperdrive and fled into the stars, carrying the final fallen with them, all vowing upon their lives and the lives of their descendants, to bring fire and brimstone to those who denied them of salvation.

“Pebbles, Boulders, and mountains will quake

For the very hearts of men shall shake

Upon seeing the blood of stars so spilt

Knowing their lives to be culled in My wake”

-Marl-Shul’s warning to his siblings before imprisonment