Arcstron Smark

* Appearance 1
* Appearance 2

Ancient Arxellan folk beliefs

Gertek language

Kartek

Xaelias Smark (Adopted)

Tzarevich Vonnie

## Religious & Ideological Belief

Arcstron is a firm believer in Solaris and His Cohort (Soleannen). He is a high ranking member of the Soleannen Clergy and has lead many pacifist Soleannen groups, including the Monastery of Kir in Kartek. Arcstron believes in democracy but also understands that singular or several leaders can be just as fair and benevolent as a democratically elected leader.

## Early Life

Arcstron was born to an unknown Bardonian woman in the east of the empire. He was orphaned at a young age, but contacts sent to Bardonia by his father, Tzar Ferro of Arxella, were able to care for him. He received an excellent education in some of Syltor's top universities, taking an interest in medicine and the lute. At the age of 16 Arcstron had his first meeting with his father, during his migration to Arxella. He toured the swamps, forests, plains and mountains of the nation with his father and his brother Soloman. It was at this point that Tzarevich Arcstron found a clearing by a river to found his town, Erobern. Close to the capitol of Vosokogrod, Arcstron would often visit his father and family.

## Career & accomplishments as Tzarevich

For the next 11 years, the prince could typically be found exploring, drinking at the Lion's Tavern, conversing with the locals of Sanctuary, or writing and recording the history of his country. During this period, Arcstron Smark was a nationalistic, aggressive propagandist who would insult others and their nations. One night, he had an epiphany and realized that he was not being a good person, or a good follower of Solaris. So the tzarevich corrected his ways and vowed to help others as often as possible. He founded a group called the International Soleannen Medical Organization, dedicated to healing the sick and wounded across Rathnir.

### **Russantia Fungus and Russantia Abrasions**

The first case Arcstron Smark was called for was in Chevkri, Uldarash. A man named Tomhins had become infected with a fungus he christened Russantia. It was highly contaigous, causing hallucinations, nausea, and rashes. Having studied medicine in some of Rathnir's finest medical schools, Arcstron was able to successfully cure Tomhins with an injection treatment. However, the tzarevich unknowingly became infected with a mutated form of the fungus officially known as Russantia Abrasions, but often called leprosy. Arcstron first showed symptoms on his face. These included skin lesions, pre-mortem decomposition, numbness, and rashes. For weeks, Arcstron struggled to develop a cure to the advanced form of Russantia before he succumbed to the illness fully. Fortunately, he was able to create a high dosage treatment and save himself. Unfortunately, his facial features were mostly gone. To hide his disfigured face from the world, Arcstron ordered an ornate silver mask made. This is by far the most well known symbol of "the Leper Prince."

### A royal marriage

Not long after his experience with the Russantia fungus, Arcstron Smark began a search for a spouse. Approaching the age of 29, he was quite old for an unmarried prince. After many (polite) rejections from potential consorts, Arcstron found a man interested in marrying him. Jantro Caicuria, a nobleman from Yimmu-Audal, was available and looking for marriage. Delighted to have a suitor, Arcstron Smark accepted the proposal and the wedding was planned.

On August 3rd 2021, the houses of Caicuria and Smark came together at the Throne Room of Arxella in Vosokogrod. The ceremony was officiated by Soleannen Aekir (Cardinal) Olivia Friej. Afterwards, the Smarks, Caicurias, and various other wedding guests journeyed to the Lion's Tavern in Sanctuary, where heavy partying and drinking commenced.

### A nation reborn

For several months, a squatter group of nomads had been constructing yurts and tents near the Arxellan city of Golgograd. One day, Arxellan noble Matthew Edishield-McSpiegel (RGBstarship/Vectrexplosion) noticed that the nomads had expanded even further towards Golgograd. He notified the Tzar and Tzarevich Arcstron, and the High Council of Arxella began planning. The squatter town, named Gortovar, was a bustling and active settlement. It was clear that if they were not stopped, the Gerteks would rival Arxella in size and power. At first, Tzarevich Arcstron and the other Arxellans approached the Gerteks with aggression and hostility. However, they realized that diplomacy would be the best solution. After many long discussions between Tzar and Khan, Arxellan and Gertek, the two groups came to an agreement. The Gerteks would join the Arxellans and the two would form The Kartek Diarchy. with two monarchs (Tzar and Khan), two capitols (Vosokogrod in the west and Gortovar in the east), and a mix of cultures. Arxellans (Russian/German inspired), Goblins, Wahroongistanis (???), and Gerteks (Mongolian inspired) all make up the diverse and powerful nation of Kartek.

## References & Further Reading

**Sources**

* Arxella
* Kartek Diarchy