Szar Lok

The Blood Prince

Identity

  • Title(s) – Blood Prince, Blind King
  • Influence –
  • Appearance –

Attributions

  • Symbol –
  • Focus –
  • Color(s) –
  • Element –
  • Animal –

Cult

  • Center of Worship –
  • Scriptures –
  • Leader –
  • Priesthood –
  • Orders –
  • Aspects –
  • Touched –
  • Holy Days –
  • Friends –
  • Enemies –
  • Sayings –

Introduction

The Blood Prince was raised to succeed his father as a murderous tyrant. King Zirak bound each conquered ruler in ropes and chains, and then allowed the prince to finish them. By the age of eight, Szar Lok had executed dozens of kings and exterminated the last of several races. Each time the army returned home, his mother would take the boy and do her best to teach him reading, writing, music, and art, in the hopes that she could undo some of the barbarous King’s handiwork. But each Spring, Szar Lok would be called once again to lead the army at his father’s side. As the prince grew, the King grew wary of his eldest son. He feared that the prince, backed by the First Queen, might turn against him, seeking the Crown of Zirak for himself. Only the King’s daughter and lover, Szarha Arha, stood between him and the murder of his wife and children. The princess assured Zirak that he had no enemies in his house, and continued this deceit until the very end.

Succession

With King Zirak poisoned and gasping for breath, Szar Lok swaggered toward his father to lift the crown from his head. Unexpectedly, given his weakened state, the King drew a knife and cut a fearful wound across the prince’s face. As the young man staggered backward, the First Queen wrestled the blade from his hand and plunged it into the King’s black heart. It was his daughter Szarha Arha, who he trusted most in the world, that lifted the crown from her father’s head and placed it upon her blinded brother. The King continued to curse his family as his blood spread across the floor. Mazzàlas, the strongest of his children, bound the King and dragged him to a deep and secret cell made specifically for Zirak. A hundred doors were closed and locked and the entrance hidden behind an avalanche. In this way, the blind Szar Lok became King of Zirak’s lands. Robbed of his sight, Szar Lok would not be able to chose a proper wife. So his first act as King was to make his beautiful sister, Szarha Arha, his bride. The Princess of Hearts gave her brother nine children, which would spread throughout northern Lyrast and claim the hereditary lands of the Hoary King. Though the names of these children change between traditions, the most famous were Jorn and his half-sister Odìmis.

Kingship

Not much is told about the reign of Szar Lok, his greatness being eclipsed by both father and son. He is believed to have ruled his father’s lands justly, thanks to his mother’s influence. Erlànkha’s part in the legends end with the imprisonment of King Zirak. Her fate is unknown. Szar Lok’s reign came to a quiet end in the fabled city of Alk Kìtur, with his beloved wife, Queen, and sister beside his deathbed. When the Blind King died, his First Queen refused to surrender his father’s crown, being unable to choose among her children. Because of this, they set out from Alk Kìtur to carve their own kingdoms from the lands of Szar Lok. The fate of Alk Kìtur and the Crown of Zirak is tied to Szarha Arha, who refused to leave the King’s side. Devastation soon claimed the city and both the First Queen and the Crown passed from history.

The Cult

The Priesthood

Daily Activities

Holy Days and Rituals

Places of Worship

Nomenclature: Szar Lok Dekàlic: Szar Lok (god), Szar Lòki (pertaining to), Szar Lòkyn (follower), Szar Lòkyr (followers), Pryn Szar Lok (priest), Pryr Szar Lok (priests)