Codex of Revenance

From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

---

Latest revision as of 03:03, 18 July 2025

As granted from the Lord of the Abyss unto the Daemon Lord Beleth.

Book I:

Of the Death Knight's Calling

1: Death Knights are the physical manifestations of Entropy, and walk amongst the living for no purpose save this: Slay the living, consigning life energy unto Oblivion. Mine realm and mine might increase and grow stronger with the death throes and final cry of each mortal offered unto me.

2: To walk Sosaria as a Death Knight is to represent the futility of all that the living hold to be good and righteous. It shall glorify Entropy in all its endeavors, and wreak havoc upon the standard bearers of virtue at any opportunity. It shall carry the wrath of the Abyss unto the most exalted of mortals, laying bear the weaknesses of their philosophies.

3: The Death Knight shall never forget its capacity for reason; yea, my warriors are not mindless automatons! They do exist by my will, and at my whim. If any shouldst fail to please me in the manner by which it carries out its Reapings, I shall strip it of its stature forevermore.

Book II:

Of the Death Knight's Means

1: Each Death Knight is bonded in Undeath with the weapon it did last use in life and carry with it unto my domain in Oblivion. The Reaping is manifested through the use of this tool and the Entropic energies channeled through the Knight's structure in the form of Necromancy. It may only use aught else in the case of dire need. Any slaying done with another form of weapon is not of the Reaping, and shall not please me.

2: The Death Knight's armor shall be wrought from the flayed bones of mortals. As each progresses in Undead station, it will find that the strength of its corporeal form will support the armor it did last wear in life, blackened and tainted by the malevolent forces of my realm.

3: Silver is an agent of the power of the moons upon Sosaria, and is a bane unto the walking dead. The warriors of Entropy harbor a singular abhorrence to weapons wrought of this mineral, and shall offer it unto Oblivion in any circumstance in which they encounter it. Any attempt to utilize such tools shall come with an unwelcome price.

4: The mightiest and most terrible among my Knights shall be offered the service of a Nightmare from the realm of Oblivion to serve as a steed upon Sosaria. A Death Knight granted such a minion shall show it the utmost of respect, as it is a token of my favor. In the event that it is banished back unto Oblivion by a mortal, the Knight shall not rest until its steed has been avenged, and shall not be granted its service again until the mortal's heart has been offered unto Entropy.

Book III:

Of the Death Knight's Path

1: As a Death Knight does advance in my service, its corporeal form shall evolve unto more resilient and capable manifestations of Necromantic force. When the time for evolution does come to pass, each shall be offered a task to test its fortitude, which it may accept or decline. In the event that a Knight does decline, it may chose to undertake the same at any time in the future, so long as it does maintain its competence.

2: In the event that a Death Knight does fail to complete my bidding, some time will pass before it is again called upon to attempt the rite of evolution. If the call of Entropy is successfully answered, and a Knight does complete all that was bid of it, it shall undergo a rite of transformation, from which it shall emerge in a new, more terrible form.

3: Here follows the first of the Unholy rites endured by any Death Knight.

The Death Knight's Rite of Unbirth'

1) The mortal, clad in full platemail and with its chosen weapon, is first brought before the Ebon Skull in Golgotha to swear allegiance to Entropy and fealty unto its Lichlord. Witnesses present include the Lichlord, the Daemon Knight, and a detail of Death Knights. The mortal thus becomes Deathsworn.

2) The celebrants proceed unto the temple upon the Isle of Fire, and assume their stations: the Deathsworn centered inside the blood pentagram, the Lichlord atop the altar, the Daemon Knight directly in front of the same, and the Death Knights surrounding the pentagram.

3) The Lichlord delivers the Deathsworn unto the Daemon Knight: "[Deathsworn's name] unto thy care, Daemon Knight. S/he shall serve the powers of Entropy under the Lord of the Abyss as a Death Knight."

4) The Daemon Knight accepts the Deathsworn with a bow: "I shall ensure that this warrior's feet are planted firmly upon the path of Entropy." To Deathsworn: "Breathe thine last breath of life as thou dost offer thyself unto Oblivion."

5) The Deathsworn faces the ankh and recites "Azazel's Funeral," thus:

"I have taken thy name as a part of myself

Mine is the path of the Unholy Avatar

My [weapon] runs crimson with the blood of the Righteous

Martyred upon their ankhs in the Infernal Flame

Mine is the justice forged in the fires of strength

Mine is the victim sacrificed upon the altar of hypocrisy

This mortal shell to thee, O Entropy

Deliverance unto Oblivion"

6) The Daemon Knight summons an executioner from Oblivion: "[Executioner's name], kill and consign this mortal to Oblivion, that s/he may emerge a servant of Entropy." The executioner proceeds to do as bid, and is dismissed: "[Executioner's name], I release thee unto thine home in Oblivion.

7) The Daemon Knight cleanses and dismembers the corpse, animates the Cadaver, and grants it the items with which it will go forth in the Reaping: " Welcome back to the realm of the living, my progeny. Entropy shall guide thy Unlife, as thou dost go forth to reap."

8) The Cadaver equips its uniform and bone armor and bows: "My Unlife shall be a testament to the power of Entropy over the living. I swear by mine [weapon] to serve the will of the Ebon Skull."

9) The Lichlord: "May you walk in darkness, Death Knights." All bow to the Lichlord, who proceeds to lead them out of the temple.