The Malukard Empire

Before the Malukard Empire, the Coven of Maran had 10 seats, one for every school of magic, including a seat for the Archmage of Necromancy. In 682 AF, the position was filled by the Necromancer Malukard, who at the age of 135, became the Coven of Maran’s Archmage of Necromancy, the first human to ever become a Coven Head in the organization's history.   Malukard was a prodigy in necromancy, surpassing all others in his field, and discovering secrets many thought lost forever. As Coven Head, Malukard only furthered his study, and after 30 years, Malukard had become the most powerful mage on Exorsia. But human lives are short, and while he had already successfully extended his life, Malukard was soon approaching the end of his years. But Malukard was fueled by ambition, and a pursuit of power, he continued to pursue a way to extend his life, dabbling into dark magics, many of which were opposed by the rest of the Coven. In his hubris, Malukard sought to conquer death, and in secret, using the vast amount of magical knowledge he had gathered, Malukard recreated the lost rites of Lichdom, magic thought lost in the Fall of Arcanum.   Driven mad by dark magics, and consumed by his desire for immortality, Malukard plotted against the other members of the Coven, seeking their downfall, and growing his following.   Finally, in 713 AF, at 166 years old, Malukard ascended to Lichdom, sacrificing many of his students in the process. His transformation completed, Malukard set his plans in motion to claim Maran for himself. War broke out within the city as Malukard sought to destroy all those who would oppose him. The Coven fought against their former ally, and after a devastating battle, with many casualties, Malukard was eventually defeated, his body destroyed.   But Malukard was cunning, and should never have been underestimated. While his body was destroyed, Malukard had fashioned his phylactery into an indestructible mobile suit of armour, created from an ancient Arcanum Adamantine alloy. He soon returned to the fight, and with the other mages exhausted, they were forced to flee, and the City of Maran fell to Malukard.   And so began the reign of the Malukard Empire. Now in control of the greatest magical city in the world, and without any oversight, Malukard was free to pursue his dark magic and horrifying experiments, further losing himself to madness. For 73 years Malukard ruled his empire from Maran, alongside his loyal subjects, the Undying Order. An organisation composed of Necromancers and nobles who has sided with Malukard.   Malukard plunged the continent into darkness, calling forth legions of undead to serve his bidding. Armies of undead, led by the Undying Order, spread across Hepsut, killing, reanimating and enslaving all in their way, committing great atrocities in Malukard’s name.   But the Empire would not last forever, the Undying Order suffered from constant in-fighting and lack of restraint, and in that time a rebellion formed. In 785 AF, an alliance, led by Oramis Sigurn, composed of the remains of the Coven of Maran and the people of Hepsut, launched an invasion on the capital, in a final attempt to bring an end to Malukard’s reign.   But Malukard was not so easily vanquished. The rebellion fought their way through the city, only to come face to face with Malukard himself. In a climactic battle, the rebellion was almost laid to waste, the dead rising again and again, former allies forced to fight their friends in death. When all looked dire, and defeat was inevitable, the new Archmage of Chronomancy, Oramis Sigurn, fought alone against his old friend. In a final act of desperation, when all looked dire, Oramis Sigurn called upon the divine intervention of Hecate, the Goddess of Magic. Already weakened and unable to stand against a God, Malukard’s soul was ripped from his phylactery, allowing Oramis to defeat him, ending his reign for good.   In the aftermath of Malukard’s defeat, as a sign of thanks to their allies, the restored Coven invited new members from all over Hepsut to join their ranks, promising to no longer restrict membership to the Coven on ground of species and background. The Coven and their new allies, the Triumvirate of Kahz Molduhr, also put strict laws in place to outlaw the study of Necromancy across Hepsut, removing the seat of Necromancy for the Coven’s ranks, and ordering the capture and trial of the remaining members of the Undying Order.   To this day, because of damage it withstood during the climactic battle against Malukard, the City of Maran must undergo annual magical repairs to its wards. Malukard’s armour and phylactery is said to still reside in the secret vaults of Maran, unable to be destroyed but too dangerous to be seen by the world.