Emperor Lucius Draconis

Emperor Valerian Draconis, Empress Cornelia, and Grand Garnet Dragon, Alizaarin

Emperor Valerian Draconis and Grand Garnet Dragon Alizaarin the Red Dread

In Imperium Arcanum

The Emperor of the Imperium Arcanum is Emperor Lucius Draconis Malachite, first of the Malachite Dynasty. He is not directly related to the Arch Lich Arthas but shares a complex history with him. Eldrai Dragon Mage. Former member of the Ring of Gold and Battle Marshal of the Imperial Legions.

Emperor Lucius Draconis ascended to the throne after a period of political intrigue and maneuvering within the Empire's ruling elite. He came from a prominent wizarding family and was a close associate of Archmage Valerianf(now Hierophant). However, his ascent to power came at the cost of the Arch Lich Arthas, as he was the one who orchestrated the betrayal of Zarathrum and the transformation of its kingdom into undead under Arthas's rule.

Lucius Draconis and Arthas were once childhood friends, having grown up in the same region of the Empire, Zarathrum. However, their paths diverged drastically as they got older. While Lucius embraced the order and structure of the wizarding society, Arthas delved into forbidden and dark magics to gain power. Their friendship ultimately soured as Arthas's lust for power led him down a darker path.

When Lucius Draconis ascended to the throne, he saw the Arch Lich Arthas as a threat to the stability and dominance of the Empire. He believed that Arthas's pursuit of profane arts and his desire for revenge against the Empire posed a significant danger. Thus, Lucius orchestrated the events that turned Zaratrhum into a land of undeath, hoping to neutralize Arthas's power - allowing him to possess Arthas' phylactry and thus dominate him and his client kingdom.

This act not only cemented the enmity between Lucius and Arthas but also earned Lucius the loyalty of the Empire's Order of Wizards, who saw him as a strong and decisive leader. However, it also marked him as a ruthless and cunning ruler, willing to commit heinous acts to maintain the Empire's control.

As a result, the relationship between Emperor Lucius Draconis and the Arch Lich Arthas is one of deep animosity and personal vendetta. They are bitter enemies, and their conflict plays a significant role in the ongoing turmoil within the world of Arcanum.

The Emperor's sinister secrets

Emperor Lucius is a powerful Arch Mage and is a Wild One pact holder with his powerful Fylgya, Alizaarin, the Red Dread, Grand Garnet Dragon. Most assume Alizaarin to be a real red dragon and not a Wild One.

Lucius's rise to Emperor was a dark and treacherous path, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and calculated use of the Vesper Vanguard and the Citadel. It all began with his insatiable thirst for power and the desire to control all aspects of magic.

1. The Pact with the Umbral Ones: In his time as an Arch Mage of the Citadel and member of the Circle of Gold, Lucius was always intrigued by the forbidden and profane arts, and he sought to expand his magical prowess beyond the limits of the Citadel's teachings. In secret, he made a pact with the shadowy entities that the Vesper Legion had once allied with. These entities granted him forbidden knowledge of accessing the Spirit World directly, a secret closely guarded by the Empire for a century. The Lich King Arthas' necromantic powers were first acquired and practiced within the Circle of Gold during his time as an Arch Mage of the Citadel, before inhereting his Kingdom.
2. The Capture and Exploitation of Wild Ones: To access the Spirit World and harness its immense power, Lucius needed the unique abilities possessed by the Wild Ones. He initiated a campaign to capture and exploit Wild Ones, seeing them as crucial components of his plan. This act not only drew the ire of the Wild Ones and their fey kin but also set the stage for a personal vendetta.
3. Betrayal of Arthas and the Vesper Legion: Lucius, driven by his ambition and newfound dark powers, betrayed Arthas and the most committed members of the Vesper Legion. In a cunning move, he lured them into a trap, using their trust against them. With the power granted by his pact and the captured Wild Ones, Lucius struck them down, including Arthas himself.
4. Securing the Loyalty of Valerian and the Citadel: With the Vesper Legion eliminated and the Arcanum Imperium in chaos after Arthas's demise, Lucius approached Archmage Valerian. He offered him a choice: join forces with him or meet the same fate as the fallen Legion. Valerian, recognizing the extent of Lucius's newfound power, reluctantly swore loyalty to him, as did the majority of the Citadel.
5. Paving His Way to the Throne: With the Citadel under his control and the Vesper Legion decimated, Lucius had effectively dismantled any opposition within the Arcanum Imperium. He used his influence to manipulate the political landscape, undermining the previous ruling family. Through a combination of cunning diplomacy, military force, and dark magic, he orchestrated a royal coup, claiming the throne of the Arcanum Imperium as Emperor.
7. The intricate web of power dynamics and dark rituals in Arcanum deepens as the Emperor's role becomes more pivotal. Here's how it all connects:
   1. The Emperor's Phylactry: The Emperor holds the Lich King's phylactry as collateral. This phylactry is a potent artifact that powers the Lich King himself. It serves as a fail-safe mechanism, ensuring that the Lich King remains loyal to the Empire's cause. The Emperor's control over this phylactry is the linchpin of their dominance over the Lich King.
   2. Umbrastone and the Soul Bridges: Umbrastone, as mentioned earlier, contains the trapped and tortured wild ones as sources of power. The Circle of Gold, the highest echelon of wizards in the Citadel, relies heavily on umbrastone artifacts to establish their soul bridges. These soul bridges enable them to practice their intricate and powerful forms of wizardry, drawing upon the tortured spirits within the umbrastone for their magic. Spells above level 5 require these special soul bridges.
   3. Immortality Through Profane Magic: The Circle of Gold's soul bridges are established through profane magic, which grants them immortality and eternal youth. However, this form of magic is deeply taboo and morally reprehensible, hence their reliance on the Emperor's phylactry to maintain their grasp on it.
   4. Onyx Artifacts and Lesser Circles: The lesser Circles within the Citadel, such as the Circle of Silver and Bronze, do not have direct access to umbrastone artifacts. Instead, they rely on onyx artifacts to establish their soul bridges. These onyx artifacts are cunningly provided by the Vesper Vanguard. What the lesser Circles don't know is that these onyx artifacts are, in truth, comprised of spent umbrastone, which has been depleted of its wild one essence (after the wild one inside has perished due to the torturous conditions). This secret arrangement with the Vesper Vanguard keeps the lesser Circles dependent on a supply chain they believe to be legitimate. In this complex hierarchy of power and control, the Emperor holds the key to the Lich King's loyalty, the Circle of Gold's magic, and the immortality of the highest-ranking wizards in the Citadel. The reliance on profane magic, the exploitation of wild ones, and the dark rituals create a web of intrigue and corruption that runs deep within the Empire's core.

The Phylactry of the Lich King serves as a crucial tool to ensure that Zarathrum continues to perform the profane rituals required to trap wild ones in umbrastone. Additionally, the Emperor employs spent "onyx" artifacts, which are in fact comprised of depleted umbrastone provided by the Vesper Vanguard, to maintain the soul bridges for the lesser Circles of the Citadel. The Vesper Vanguard mercenaries, under the Emperor's secret arrangement, aid in these operations, all while concealing these actions from the public eye.

Lucius's rise to power was built upon betrayal, dark alliances, and the sacrifice of those who stood in his way. He now sits upon the throne as Emperor, wielding immense magical might and commanding the loyalty of the Citadel, but his actions have left a trail of enemies and vendettas that continue to shape the world of Arcanum.

Main Lieutenants of the Emperor

• Magisteri Sylvaria Nightshade, Minister of Whispers
  • An Eldrai former-Citidel Mage, she still maintains deep contacts and associations within the Citidel, but resigned her posts in order to become a minister within the Imperial administration.
  • Purpose: Sylvaria is Lucius's spymaster and mastermind behind covert operations. They gather intelligence on rival factions, ensures loyalty among the Arcanum Imperium's agents, and orchestrates espionage.
  • Alliances: Sylvaria aligns theirself with Archmage Lysander Voss and the Umbral Ones, sharing their affinity for espionage and manipulation.
  • Opposition: They opposes the Wild Ones, who value transparency and abhor deception. Additionally, they may clash with members of the Coven of Witches who dislike covert tactics.
  • Intrigue: Sylvaria secretly plots to expose Valerian's vulnerabilities, hoping to usurp their position. Their unique trait is her ability to blend seamlessly into any setting, making them an elusive and dangerous adversary.
• Lady Isolde Bloodthorn, Minister of War
  • A Moon Elf from the landed nobility of the imperial heartland. Lady Isolde has deep connections into the noble and aristocratic houses that backed the Emperor against the previous dynasty and was in oversaw the Imperial retribution against royalist houses who opposed his ascent. To this day, she controls distribution of land and titles under her ministry - closely connecting noble power, imperial noblese obliige and the imperial legions ability to level recruits.
  • Purpose: Isolde commands the Vesper Vanguard, responsible for expanding the Arcanum Imperium's territory through conquest. She seeks to strengthen the Empire and secure valuable resources.
  • Alliances: Isolde allies with Archmage Seraphina Oranthea, as her territorial ambitions align with the Circle of Silver's goals.
  • Opposition: She opposes the Fey and the Wild Ones, who guard the natural world from exploitation. Additionally, Isolde may face resistance from the Coven of Witches, who value harmony with nature.
  • Intrigue: Isolde harbors dreams of conquering Zarathrum and harnessing its forbidden powers to become unstoppable. Her unique trait is her strategic brilliance on the battlefield.
• Magisteri Kaldric Soulrender, Imperial Grand Inquistor
  • An Eladrin who believes in order, despite his changeable nature. Magisteri Kaldric Soulrender is an ex-mage of the Citadel, excommunicated for unknown reasons and brought back from exile to help the Imperial administration regain control over the Citadel and magi across across the empire. Formerly, the head of the Argent Archons - he assisted Lucius in his coup only to be exiled and excommunicated by Hierophant Valerian shortly thereafter.
  • Purpose: Kaldric is in charge of the Imperial Inquisition, tasked with hunting down rogue magic users and maintaining control over the Citadel. He ensures that all mages adhere to the Empire's regulations.
  • Alliances: Kaldric allies with Archmage Eleanora Ravenscroft, who supports his efforts to suppress rogue magic and heretical practices.
  • Opposition: He opposes hedge mages and those who practice profane arts, viewing them as threats to the Empire's stability. Additionally, he may clash with the Wild Ones, who embrace unregulated magic.
  • Intrigue: Kaldric secretly harbors the desire to discover a forbidden magic that would amplify his inquisitorial powers. His unique trait is his unwavering dedication to the Empire's control over magic, even at the cost of ethical considerations.
• Emperor Lucius and Archmage Valerian:
  • Emperor Lucius, through his control of the Lich King's Phylactry and the Umbrastone, exerts influence over the Circle of Gold and Valerian. This complex relationship ensures that Valerian maintains his independence to some extent, but it also makes him complicit in the Emperor's actions.

Ascendant Forms

1) Ascendant Emperor

The Ascendant Emperor represents Emperor Lucius's first transformative stage. In this form, the Emperor begins to tap into both the fiery might of Alizaarin and the dark Umbral powers. While this form grants him enhanced physical attributes and formidable magical abilities, it is relatively balanced and manageable. He retains his sense of self and control over his powers, making it a potent yet sustainable stage of transformation. He no long fights mounted on Alizaarin the Red Dread, rather beside him.

Emperor Lucius' Ascendant form is a sight to behold, exuding a palpable aura of dominance and menace. His physical body undergoes significant alterations, and he appears taller and more imposing, his features becoming even more draconic. His skin takes on a deep crimson hue, reminiscent of his dragon lineage, and is adorned with intricate, swirling patterns that seem to writhe with energy.

He gains a pair of massive, fiery wings, akin to a dragon's, which are now infused with Umbral energy, allowing him to soar through the skies with incredible speed and agility. His eyes radiate a fierce, unnatural light, reflecting the immense power he wields.

The Ascendant Emperor carries the Scepter of Umbral Enthrallment, a dark and formidable artifact that channels his mastery over the Umbral plane. With this scepter, he can command Umbral shadows, bend reality to his will, and unleash devastating spells and curses upon his adversaries.

Emperor Lucius Draconis, the Ascendant, stands on the precipice of godhood, torn between his allegiance to the Umbral Ones and his insatiable desire for power and immortality. His ascendancy represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict within Arcanum, as forces must unite to either stop his ascent to ultimate power or risk facing a dark reign of unparalleled darkness and tyranny.

2) Immortal Flame Ascendant

The Immortal Flame Ascendant is the Emperor's second transformation, where the fusion of fiery essence and Umbral energies intensifies. In this state, Lucius's body becomes engulfed in divine flames, granting him immense power, including the ability to manipulate both light and shadow. His form is even more draconic, and he takes on a more imposing and majestic presence. Alizaarin is absorbed into the Ascendant's being and set ablaze.

In this powerful form, Emperor Lucius stands as a towering figure, enhanced by the union of Umbral shadows and the fiery essence of Alizaarin. His crimson-scaled, draconic body now blazes with an intense, ethereal fire, with flames spiraling around him like a protective shroud.

Massive, majestic wings sprout from his back, a blend of both Umbral and fiery energies. They grant him the power of swift flight and can unleash devastating fiery breath or Umbral-infused attacks upon his foes.

The Emperor's eyes are like blazing coals, representing the eternal bond with Alizaarin, which acts as a counterforce to the corrupting Umbral influence. His gaze alone can ignite fear or inspire loyalty among his subjects. The Ascendant of the Immortal Flame wields the Crown of Equilibrium, a majestic artifact symbolizing the balance between darkness and light. This powerful artifact enables him to control Umbral and fiery magic simultaneously, creating a unique fusion of both elements. With the crown's authority, he can manipulate reality, channel divine flames, and command Umbral shadows to serve his will.

While his powers are greatly magnified in this stage, he begins to experience the struggle between Alizaarin's influence and the creeping darkness of the Umbral Ones. Maintaining control becomes a growing challenge, and he constantly teeters on the edge of losing himself to the Umbral forces. However, Alizaarin's support is instrumental in keeping him from succumbing entirely.

3a) Umbral Hierophant

The Umbral Hierophant represents Emperor Lucius's final and most formidable form. At this stage, the Umbral powers threaten to overwhelm him entirely. He becomes a conduit for their dark forces, his body contorted into a more sinister and nightmarish visage.

While the Umbral Hierophant's power is unrivaled, it comes at an immense cost. Lucius is nearly consumed by the Umbral Ones, losing his sense of self and humanity. In this form, he becomes a puppet, manipulated by the Umbral forces, serving as their vessel in the material realm. This transformation is irreversible and represents the ultimate consequence of the Emperor's pursuit of power.

The Umbral Hierophant's emergence would be a cataclysmic event, posing a dire threat to the entire world of Arcanum. The Empire, the Citadel, the Coven, the Wild Ones, and even the Fey would be forced to unite against this dark and destructive force, sparking a final battle to determine the world's fate.

3b) The Garnet Pontifex

If nudged in the direction of Alizaarin's influence - his final form is a demigod that manifests as a Celestial Garnet Dragon. It swirls with the vestments of a dragon high priest.