Lord of the Dark Dominion
Your head is anointed with blood. It burns hot against your skin as the priest traces the unholy symbols on your forehead. The sacrificial victim writhes next to you in his death throes. He was a prisoner in your dungeon, taken in battle. You close your eyes and try to tune out his cries.
The priest continues, calling on the dark gods of your people. You can smell the sweat mixed with incense wafting from his thick dark robes. You sweat as well, undeneath the elaborate finery they foiseted upon you for the ceremony.
Despite the heat, you feel a cold tendril slither up your spine. You can't be sure if it might only be your imagination, but you can't deny the flicker of the torches in your sight.
The priest steps back and takes the crown of your people from a proffered cushion. The crown is:
A. A band of black iron, the crown of the Voldrung. Forged for the warrior kings of old, lords of war. Word: Sword.
B. A golden crown, crafted with gold from Iosung mines, and studded with rare jewels from a dozen lands brought by the ships of the Iosung. Word: Wealth.
C. A diadem of silver with a blood red ruby in the center distinguishes the crown of the Scylling, mages beyond compare. The jewel is said to contain the soul of the first Emperor, betrayed and trapped by his Scylling sorcerer. Word: Sorcery.
D. A circlet of ebony wings announces the lord of the Tiathul, rangers and wardens of the dark forest and masters of its secret paths. Word: Shadow.
Your coronation is a sparser affair than it might have been. Your cousin has claimed the lordship as well, and some among your glittering, grasping courtiers have flocked to their banner. It was your mother who died, but in the Dominion often one must prove themselves to be a worthy heir.
But you were the one closer to the crown, and now your cousin is in the hills with their army, and you have the lordship, only answerable to the God-King. Your rival claimant is said to be the opposite of you in many respects, being a:
Man or
Woman
and is
-Cruel: In contrast your Virtue shines bright. Your nature and voting choices will lean towards the benevolent side. Your fellow Lords of the Dark will not admire you for this.
-Heroic: In contrast your villainy and ruthlessness marks you well. Your nature and voting choices will lean more towards evil options.Your fellow Lords will respect you more.
Guide a new Lord of the Dark Dominion, answerable only to the God-King. Master the pit of vipers that make up your court, and scheme against your rival lords. How high can you ascend before it all crashes down?