Deathlord

The **Deathlords** are the primary rulers of Stygia, answering only to the Shadow Queen.

The forms of the deathlords themselves vary, depending on the personality of the individual deathlord, though they are all roughly humanoid in shape, the only semblance of their once-living selves. There are thirteen deathlords in total, each ruling over an individual area of Stygia.

## The Deathlords

### Aquila, the Eagle Lord

Aquila the Eagle Lord is the ruler of Cadere, a region full of ground perfect for farming Shimmerweed, a pale and thin plant that residents of Stygia can use to enhance their ability to channel magic for a short time, and is thus a valuable resource. Aquila herself is a cunning ruler, and has made several deals with Phobos, the ruler of Sanguinar, the territory north of Cadere, thus drastically reducing the chances that her territory gets attacked and, even if it did, she always makes sure that any battle she fights is fought on her terms, only fighting if she can ensure victory.

### Artemis, the Wild Lord

Artemis is often referred to as the Lady of the Hunt, being an expert hunter and tracker. Her lands, Ultimus, are filled with hunting grounds for her and her people to have competitions hunting the beasts of Stygia. These hunting grounds aren't always traditional forests, either. For example, several labyrinths exist simply for hunting minotaur. Many dangerous beasts live on this island, purely to be hunted, and any who manage to slay such mythical creatures are rewarded handsomely by Artemis.

### Astaria, the Sea Lord

The Shattered Isles, ruled by Astaria, are a series of island colonies of chaos and cutthroats, though they are united enough under their queen that they keep their raiding to other deathlords' lands. Many of the denizens of the Shattered Isles are pirates, just like Astaria herself, who often goes out on her ship, the Hallowed Maiden, to wreak havoc on coastal settlements across Stygia, unfettered if not excited by the perils of falling into the Void she sails across, and as such she is seen as the thrillseeker of the deathlords.

### Kronus, the Eternal Lord

Kronus, lord of Macabre, is the oldest and most powerful of the deathlords. His territory is the largest, though it has diminished recently with the emergence of Nyx of the Void Wastes, but he has kept the incursion under control. Kronus is a fairly absent ruler, focusing on his own personal projects or spending decades in slumber, harnessing his power. One such project Kronus enjoys working on is his museum, which is the largest collection of artefacts and trophies in the multiverse, and he often travels to different planes personally if he hears rumours of a prize worth taking, adding to the collection that he has been building since the War in Heaven.

### Nimbus, the Mist Lord

Nimbus rules over Arresed, a land shrouded in deep fog. Nimbus, like Nyx, is one of the younger deathlords and is often ridiculed by the older deathlords, though Nimbus' ineptitude is all an act, forcing his foes to underestimate him. Slowly, the other deathlords are coming to realise that Nimbus must be competent, or at least have competent underlings, as he has maintained Arresed successfully for sometime without losing much territory permanently.

### Nyx, the Night Lord

Nyx, like Nimbus, is a relatively new deathlord to the scene, though she is taken much more seriously that Nimbus. Her lands are doused in permanent darkness, and as the Void Wastes expands, so does her darkness. She uses shock tactics to destroy her opponents in battle, even having carved out a chunk of Kronus' territory, a feat that has not been accomplished in millennia. Many of the deathlords are beginning to believe the rumours that Nyx has the Shadow Queen's personal favour, and all fear the weapon she bares, the Weight of Oblivion.

### Orcus, the Soul Lord

Orcus sits upon his throne in his walking palace that predominantly straddles the River Styx in Sepulchre. He rules over his people with an iron fist and is a master of intrigue in the political scene. He has a burning hatred of all other deathlords, having vowed centuries ago to send them all to the void, save for one. The one deathlord he is hesitant to fight is Astaria, whom he has taken a particular liking to. However, Astaria mocks Orcus' attempts to court her by constantly raiding his lands and destroying his ships' supply routes, and despite Astaria's clear disdain for him, Orcus still treats her far better than he would the other deathlords.

### Osiris, the Silent Lord

Osiris the Silent is one of the more feared deathlords in Stygian politics, and is currently under the Shadow Queen's protection as he is currently a major part of her mysterious plans, and currently draws the ire of the other deathlords. His lands of Tenebrel are eerily quiet and peaceful on the surface, but when one looks closer at the terrain, they will find many hidden terrors lurking in the dark.

### Phobos, the Dread Lord

Phobos rules the lands of Sanguinar, a blasted wasteland filled with souls damned to wander aimlessly. Those with nothing find their home somewhere in Sanguinar, as communities of thieves and murderers is not uncommon. Phobos himself is an intimidating figure, being a hulking skeleton twice as tall as the average human, and being a powerful wizard in his own right.

### Taurus, the Beast Lord

Taurus, the ruler of Putris, is the most bestial by nature. A large, brutish shapechanger, Taurus never remains in the same form, though he prefers bodies with horns, favouring the form of the minotaur. He is often looked down upon by the other deathlords for his uncouth behaviour and for his wrath, though Taurus doesn't care. As long as he can smash some skulls, he is happy.

### Titan, the Storm Lord

The Storm Lord, Titan, is a massive figure that rarely speaks, though when he does, his voice echos fo miles around. His commanding presence is useful in ruling his lands, Fatalis, and he often uses his command over weather to protect them, a strong hurricane the trademark of a battle taking place with Titan's forces involved.

### Triton, the Salt Lord

Triton rules from his Salt Throne in Messorem, and is always at odds with Astaria, as her lands' proximity to his makes Messorem a prime raiding target for the pirates. However, the Salt Lord's naval tactics and cunning are no match for the Sea Lord's, and he rarely leads his navy against her, fearing falling into the Void they sail across.

### Ymir, the Frost Lord

Ymir the Frozen rules the arctic lands of Mortas largely unassailed, mainly because the only deathlord that has any scope of Ymir's power is his ally, Kronus. Being the only other deathlord to have lived through the War in Heaven, Ymir is just as intimidating as Kronus, though also just as disinterested in Stygian politics, though if any deathlord decides to interfere with one of the two's business, it has been clear since the start of time that the other will come to their aid.