Slaves of the Ebon Skull

From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

Revision as of 03:31, 18 July 2025

"So ye wish to serve the Skull do ye? Well then come along mortal and follow me," hisses a pale, thin man. You notice his eyes are completely black, devoid of any color. "Come along then! Don't tarry. There be things needing to be learned and things that need to be dying. Ye'll get to enjoy both me thinks!" the strange man cackles insanely and guides you into the pits.

Those who seek this far and deep into the Order must clearly be yearning for the touch of Oblivion. In order to receive its blessing and rise in power in the service of the Ebon Skull one must first succumb to its lure and submit themselves to its might as a willing slave. Only once they have proven their worth and loyalty as a slave will they possibly gain the chance to be granted freedom and the ability to break the chains of Entropy as they become reborn in the image of Oblivion. To understand what it is to become a slave of the Ebon Skull, one must look upon the image of the Skull itself and heed the dark wisdom it so graciously bequeaths and then submit themselves to the judgment of the Task Mistress and the Ebon Council.

These pages are here to give those interested in joining the Order of the Ebon Skull a chance to learn what is expected out of them as a slave, as a member of the Order itself and how to become one of both. They also strive to let the aspiring slave a peek into the ways of the Order and what they themselves can expect out of being a member in this evil role-playing guild. Anyone interested in joining the Order is asked to review these pages as well as the main Order website before they submit an application. If any questions arise then contact Mehalia, the Task Mistress of the Slaves of the Ebon Skull or Kaziganthi Ragor the Undertaker. You can contact them from their sigils below.

The Age of Nizar...

Eons before the Age of Mondain, before the play-king British, before the coming of the Stranger, before the lands of Akalabeth and the cities of Britain, Trinsic, Yew and Moonglow took sprout and grew, there was a land of savage empires, raw magicks and epic wonders. In this Age a mage, making a living for himself, sold his services to protect merchants as they sailed over the turbulent seas in search of ripe new lands and rich new trade routes. On one such journey this trade vessel became caught in a sudden and mysterious snow storm that thrust the ship upon an iceberg, slaying all of the men aboard, all except for one.

Nizar found himself washed upon an island of eternal ice and numbing cold. Almost frozen with hypothermia, bordering on insanity from fright and near death from the cold and hunger the mage stumbled and finally fell to the tundra, lost to the icy inferno surrounding him. Laying half dead, Nizar was found by a she-wolf and dragged to an ice cave along the jagged mountains tearing throw the wintery sky like daggers.

There within the cave Nizar was nursed back to health over time by the wolves found within. While he recovered, the mage experienced a series of dreams that promised power beyond his wildest imaginations, but only if he sought out an ancient relic lurking deep within the ice caves he himself now resided.

Once physically able, Nizar scoured the insides of the Ice Cave, delving deep within the belly of the mountains. Finally after many attempts, Nizar discovered, in a room of flowing blood, tall obsidian pillars and piles of skeletal remains a single skull, made of pure ebon set upon a black obsidian pedestal.

The Ebon Skull had been found.

The Ebon Skull bequeathed much power and knowledge upon Nizar, driving him mad at once by showing him the Codex of Oblivion and gifting upon him the knowledge of the Ages, knowledge of the Ancients that made that day and age look like mere infancy. With that madness, knowledge and power Nizar became the first Lich Lord, created the Obsidian Tower, gathered a following of powerful Wizards, Priests and Undead that became the Cult of the Ebon Skull and ultimately forged the empire of Stygia that encompassed all of Dagger Isle and set loose a torrent of death, disease and destruction upon the lands of Sosaria.

But with that power comes many enemies, even within one's most faithful followers. Conspiracies flourished, betrayals arose and ultimately through dastardly treachery the great Lich Lord, Nizar, was imprisoned in a powerful artifact known as the Mirror of Morgaz and his prized connection to the Ebon Skull was severed. With its Emperor lost, civil war descended upon Stygia as those faithful to Nizar battled those who sought to ursup his regime and steal the Ebon Skull for themselves.

As Stygia was torn asunder from vicious infighting and outright civil war, mortal forces from the mainland of Sosaria joined together to strike at the mighty juggernaut on Ice Isle while the nation was at its weakest. While the armies of all three factions collided, the keepers of the Ebon Skull attempted to augment their power by taking the Skull to what is now known as the Well of Souls. There when things appeared at their most desperate the Ebon Skull made its displeasure known to the world at the works wrought by its followers and at the mortals who would interfere with its dark designs. The Ebon Skull let loose the massive power of Oblivion in all of its dark glory and decimated the entirety of the nation of Stygia, the armies of followers, betrayers and enemies alike all were banished everything into the Netherworlds... where the decaying kingdom of Nizar slept in tormented nightmares for hundreds of years.

The Ebon Skull had been lost.

The Age of Azalin...

The history of Azalin before he came to Sosaria is lost deep in the Mists of Antiquity. All that is known concerning his ancient past is that he came from a realm of utter evil from which he ruled with several other Dark Lords. Some speculate that this was a tainted shard that was lost to Oblivion, while others whisper that it was another place altogether, a separate plane of existence. Regardless, centuries ago, walking out from the Mists; Azalin found himself in Britannia. A place of light and beauty, a place ripe for the taking. He had seen such places before and knew that there were always seeds of darkness waiting to be harvested. And this place had been sown with many such seeds.

After spending some time learning of this new world he had descended upon the Lich set plans in motion to conquer the wretched place. Discovering that Necromancy and magic itself were much weaker here than the realms he once ruled in, he sought objects and rituals of power that would enable him to unleash his dreadful plans on the unsuspecting mortals. All of his studies in the libraries of the land and through his divining infernal entities and his torturing of wizened sages all pointed to the north from the city of magic, Moonglow. The information gathered rung true with the ancient Necromancer as he felt some siren call coming from the north, plucking at the hollow cavity where his heart once beat. Azalin went to Ice Isle.

Once setting foot on the desolate landscape, Azalin knew that he had found his new home. There wasn't a sign of greenery anywhere on the island. Wolves howled in the distance and the numbing cold almost matched the void that was his soul. For many a day and night the decayed wizard and his skeletal minions scourged the land, searching for the source of power rumored to exist here. In a local dungeon known now as Deceit, powerful undead roamed in the depths. There Azalin made allies with his brethren but they did not reveal the location of the object he sought after. Though the artifact was not there, he felt a strong resonating evil within that dungeon and knew something horrific and terrible once slept there.

Finally, after some time on the northern tip of the island, near a cave that exuded pain and anguish and spiritual decay unlike anything Azalin had sensed in this realm before; the small undead army found an ankh. The ankh continually bled a crimson stream that formed into a bloody pool set in the middle of a mount of bones. Extremely charmed by the local, Azalin sacred the area further and found an obsidian pedestal surrounded by hanging skeletons. Upon the pedestal rested a skull, black as pitch and darker than midnight. This grinning monstrosity greedily absorbed the very light that was misfortunate enough to fall upon it.

Approaching the Ebon Skull, Azalin felt an incredible aura of power emanating from it and actually felt humbled by its raw strength. The Skull spoke to Azalin, telling him many a dark thing. This Skull was a focal point of the Powers of Entropy and Oblivion in the realm of Britannia. Its purpose was to oppose both Order and Chaos, Light and Creation, Virtue and Faith. Its purpose was to devour their champions and send them screaming into the maw of Oblivion and to torture the world, remaking all in its image.

The vile Artifact requested a service from Azalin, in return for the restoration of his former power. The Lich, forever seeking more power, agreed to this service. He was to gather more of his kind under him, to serve the powers of Oblivion, to unleash the powers of Entropy and Necromancy upon the innocents, to create a new Empire, a new Age and to slay the very land itself. Using his restored power, Azalin called forth the earth itself, the bones of the unliving and the dead and the very souls of lost Stygia itself to form into a spiraling tower. This he dubbed Golgotha, the Tower of Skulls. Here would reside the new found Order of the Ebon Skull. An Order of Necromancers, Priests and Undead alike who heard the calling of Evil, felt the touch of Death, the desire for Decay and who longed for the world to be a darker place.

Moments later the very first to answer his call came shuffling from the dungeon Deceit. Skeletal Knights, zombies, ghouls and ghosts made way to the beacon of darkness that was Golgotha. The Order of the Ebon Skull had been born and the world quaked and knew real terror.

The Ebon Skull had been found.

Charters

A coldness seeps into your very soul as you step into a mausoleum riddled with the bones of those proven unworthy. As you attempt to step over one pile of remains, a skeletal hand clutches at your foot. Startled, looking beneath you a pair of glowing red eye sockets gleam up at you and a dry, raspy voice tumbles out of the now chattering jaw bones. "Welcome little one. Ye have come to play, yes? I can show ye some fun games indeed! Find out what it means to be one of us. Fear what ye shall become if ye succeed. Fear what ye shall become if ye fail even more!"

Below lists the goals and concepts of both the Slaves of the Ebon Skull and the Order of the Ebon Skull.

The Slaves of the Ebon Skull

The Slaves of the Ebon Skull exist for many reasons. Primarily the Slaves of the Ebon Skull, or SES, is an initiation guild stone for those seeking membership in the Order of the Ebon Skull. If an applicant qualifies for an interview and if the interview goes well then the applicant will be brought to the Task Mistress who will instruct the applicant on how to become a Slave and what is expected from them. The Slave Stone serves as a basic training/boot camp for the Order. There new slaves will be given quests, given tasks, sent to role-play classes and invited to specific Slave events in order to allow them the chance to learn about the Order, to interact with the role-play community and to meet and get to know their fellow Slaves and future brethren within the Order of the Ebon Skull. Elsewhere on the Slave site the rules and laws of becoming a Slave and becoming deemed ready to advance to the Order proper are given.

The Order of the Ebon Skull

The Order of the Ebon Skull, or OES, is a role-play intensive guild on the Atlantic Shard that endeavors to implement and incorporate various play styles for a wide range of member interest such as player vs. player, player vs. monster, questing, territorial wars, political intrigue, social events and education of the young just to name a few. So long as role-playing stands at the forefront of all that we do then the objective of the guild is being met.

The guild itself caters to evil role-playing specifically and contains Sects encompassing Necromancers, Dark Elves, Vampires, Death Knights, Orcs, Priests and Wraiths not to mention Technomancers, Witches, Goblins, Brigands and more.

In order to help promote a higher standard of role-playing and enjoyment for those within the Order and for those the Order primarily interacts with (i.e. the role-play community) these Slave pages have been created and a stricter set of standards and education has been set in place for the newer applicants of the Order. The goal is to give the new applicants a more rounded sense of what the Order is about, to see if they wish to really join the Order and obey the guidelines and goals set within, as well as to give the Order itself a chance to see if it feels the applicant really is ready and is desired as a full member of the Order of the Ebon Skull.

Laws

he clinking and rattling of chains deafen your ears as hundreds of slaves mill around before you in the frozen city streets of Caina. Before you a slave breaks one of the sacred laws and is flogged by an unforgiving Task Mistress. Near the Well of Souls you hear powerful words echo from its depths as a Deathsworn is granted the Rite of Unbirth and created in the image of the powerful Death Knights. A Wraith materializes beside you and you suddenly feel much colder than what the chill of Ice Isle could possibly explain, "As ye can see.. the choice is yours slave. Follow and obey without question and ye shall gain much. Disobey and the Task Mistress shall grant ye much too. Pain that is."

All Slaves must learn and adhere to the following rules and laws that the Ebon Council have set forth.

Naming policies for the Slaves of the Ebon Skull

The following policies are in place to help enrich the role-play atmosphere of the Ebon Skull. Occasional exceptions to some of the naming policies are made but only on a case by case basis and with the approval of the Lich Lord himself.

When choosing a name, it is important that it fits the atmosphere of the role-playing community, therefore names taken from modern day life and culture such as “Bill Clinton” or “Slim Shady” or "Elton John" will not be accepted within the Order of the Ebon Skull.

It is also best not to pick names that are commonly used, even if they are from the fantasy genre; try and avoid names such as "Frodo" and "Gandalf" and "Raistlin". These are all very common names in Ultima Online.

Names spelt using Internet slang language will also be prevented from joining the Order, things such as “5up3r d00d” are not acceptable names! Alternating capitals, all capitals or avoiding them all together is not appropriate in the Order.

The most important thing to remember about your name is that it will be your online persona in Ultima Online. Choose something that marks you as unique and recognizable. Remember, it has to be above your head.

Becoming a Slave of the Ebon Skull

The following is the application process and steps taken to fully join the Slaves of the Ebon skull.

To seek membership one must fill out an application and submit it to the Ebon Council, AFTER reading and agreeing to our rules.

Once the Ebon Council has approved the application, an interview is scheduled with the applicant in mIRC. If the applicant is accepted after the interview then they shall be placed in contact with the Task Mistress or Undertaker.

The Task Mistress shall direct the accepted slave to the Slave Pit where they must sign in with their contact information. Once completed then the Task Mistress shall add the individual to the Slave Stone and the initiation process begins in full.

Role-playing a Slave of the Ebon Skull

The Order of the Ebon Skull and the Slaves of the Ebon Skull are ROLE-PLAYING guilds. The OES has a very diverse group of players and can accommodate most any type of play style While we do not require that players speak Elizabethan or follow any particular archetype, we do have expectations and guidelines regarding Role-playing and Interaction with other Role-playing Guilds.

The Order of the Ebon Skull is a role-playing guild. The Slaves of the Ebon Skull is a role-playing guild. All members of both guilds must stay 'in character' at all times. Out of character (OOC) comments should be used in the party system or relayed through IRC or ICQ. If both are impossible, keep OOC comments within [brackets] and only when in extreme need.

'Emoticons' ( :), :(, :/, etc.) are considered OOC and should not be used. The use of 'net speak', such as LOL, BRB, AFK, IMHO, is also considered OOC and should be reserved for IRC, ICQ, and party chat. Refrain from using in game.

Respect fellow Role-players, regardless of their guild or alignment. Our enemies in game are our friends out of game. While we role-play evil characters, we never ruin another player's fun and role-play. Do not try to force those who do not wish to play to join in with you.

All slaves must wear a death robe at all times while on the Slave Stone. Death robes are the uniforms and colors of the Slaves of the Ebon Skull and any slave caught not wearing one shall be punished accordingly.

Emoting ( : space) is another valuable role-play counterpart when you emote it looks like this. *Roars loudly* You can also type it out by hand with simple asterisks *smiles darkly*

Unless in a war or raid, role-play and interact before combat. Never attack or begin a duel without prior agreement on both sides that the engagement is acceptable.

Anything you say and do while wearing the [SES] and [OES] tags directly reflects on the image of the guild as a whole. Keep this in mind and make intelligent and mature decisions.

Time spent as a Slave of the Ebon Skull

The following is a set of rules and expectations placed upon the Slaves while in the SES. These rules and expectations must be met fully in order to be promoted to the Order of the Ebon Skull.

A minimum time of two weeks must be spent as a slave. This time frame may exceed two weeks if need be based on slave participation, activity and success following other rules and meeting other requirements for promotion.

During that time period a slave must accept and complete two tasks and/or quests. These quests and tasks are tailored to assist the slave in learning more about the role-play community, the guild and their chosen Sect.

Once a slave successfully accomplishes a quest, the slave must make a report of the quest results at the Slave Pit, Sanctuary and their own chosen Sect message boards.

The slave must attend one full class on how to role-play at the Scholomance found in Caina. Attending an additional class on your chosen Sect is also strongly suggested and smiled upon but not required at this time.

All slaves that loose contact with the Task Mistress or the Undertaker for a period of two weeks or more will be removed from the Slaves of the Ebon Skull. Contact means no correspondence within the Slave Pit, OOC contact via e-mail, ICQ or IRC and/or not participating in any slave events. Only those who have worked out a situation with the Task Mistress are spared from removal of the guild.

All slaves must answer to the Task Mistress and the Undertaker without question. Failure to do so will result in a public beating and slaying of the rebellious slave. If a slave fights back while being punished then they shall be expelled from the guild and denied entry into the Order forever more.

All Slaves must answer to the Ebon Council, which consists of the Lich Lord Azalin and the Sect Leaders of the Order and shall respect their OES elders and superiors, without question. Defying these laws results in the same punishment listed above.

Slaves are not allowed to fight in wars with other role-play enemy guilds. They however must learn the rules of engagement prior to joining the Order and participating in our wars. Slaves are allowed to defend against griefers in the city of Caina or at SES and OES events.

Each Sect may have its own requirements, tasks and goals for their slaves. Ultimately a slave's worthiness and readiness for becoming a full member of the Order is decided upon by their Sect Leaders. Once give approval then an initiation ritual is conducted for the slave and they are made a full member.

Rules of Engagement

The following rules are for the Slaves of the Ebon Skull to learn as they progress into the Order itself. All members of the Order of the Ebon Skull must adhere to these rules are be banished from the guild. Do note that sometimes special rule sets are created for certain battles when agreed to by all parties involved.

Slaves do not fight in our wars with role-play enemies. They may however defend themselves and fellow slaves and Order brethren if set upon by lunatics and griefers.

There is no fighting in public taverns in player owned cities. Examples are Asylum of Perdition in Caina, Hungry Halfling in Rivendell and Serpent's Cross Tavern in Fogwood Village. If you are in doubt whether it is a player ran tavern and uncertain you are allowed to fight in it then do not engage in battle. Take it outside.

Never KOS (Kill on Sight). Always role-play first before you join in battle unless instructed to in an pre-planned attack or organized raid. Always allow the opportunity of flight or fight to your enemy so that they may easily leave if they do not wish to fight. There are always others to find looking for a skirmish but no one enjoys being "ganked."

There is to be no looting of an enemy's belongings. Only take belongings off of an enemy corpse if asked to in an OOC manner by an enemy or the presence of third parties are around and suspect of attempting to steal items from player corpses. Always make sure you give the items back to the player in question if the need to secure them arises.

Do not attack anyone wearing just a plain death robe. Killing someone wearing a death robe (known as drobbing) is forbidden, unless in self-defense from being attacked by someone in death robes. Another reason why slaves always wear death robes as their uniform, as they are safe from being attacked and are forbidden to attack in turn.

Do not fight within the guard zones of Moongates or within NPC cities such as Moonglow, Britain, Skara Brae, etc. If a battle outside those zones carries over into the zones then do your best to disengage and continue elsewhere.

If killed in an role-play war, resurrect and quietly gather your belongings and stand off to the side wearing your death robe or better yet, leave the battleground completely. This is the signal that you are no longer a participant in the fight. Under no circumstance should you attempt to assist or re-engage in combat. In the same vein, do not re-engage combat with an alternate character. Once you die, regardless of which character being used, you are out of the battle.

DO NOT go to enemies land looking for a fight unless a high ranking member of OES is with you (i.e.. Cabalist or above). Feel free to go and role-play but do not seek to conduct a raid.

Do not "smack talk" with our enemies in any form other than in a purely role-play manner. Do not use out of character [brackets] to insult or complain or whine about a given situation. If you have a problem with another enemy guild or actions taken by fellow role-players then bring it to your Sect Leaders' attention and allow them to handle it.

Do not give murder counts to fellow role-players if slain in role-played combat. We shall always attempt to have our guild stones warred with each other but there will be times that other enemies in the role-play community will assist our enemies. Whereas it is unfortunate to die in such a situation, so long as rules of engagement were followed by the one slaying you, do not give them a murder count.

Do not kill reds or greys for the sake of their color highlighting to you. Always give the benefit of the doubt to those individuals you come across unless they attack you or steal from you (or have been known to do so before).

Rules of Engagement do not apply to twinks/griefers who come to spoil our wars or events or to attack us in our city without any role-play premise. Treat them as you wish, using any method you wish to dispose of them. Slaves may participate in handling such individuals.

The most important rule of all... this is all for FUN, yes FUN so... please, please, please try to enjoy yourselves when fighting and don't take anything to heart. It's a game and we're all here to enjoy ourselves.