Highlord Tektolnes

[dravage]

Hello!

I hope this isn't a silly question, and I can't imagine it hasn't been answered before somewhere, but I couldn't track down any past threads on the topic and figured I'd pose a few questions and hypothetical after reading some of the documentation. I understand that there are two angles to the answer as well: 1. That which is generally "known" by the average person in game and 2. That which is fact (and likely won't be laid bare here).

The question is: what does Highlord Tektolnes do exactly? But more specifically:

• What are his goals? Or what does the average commoner believe he's striving to do?
• Does he have enemies?
• Has there ever been any threat to his life, despite living for millenia?
• What are the implications if he does die?
• Do Templars also fear him, for fear he can remove their power when he likes?
• Has he ever been seen?

I assume that he's supposed to be a figure of mystery, IC and OOC, but figured I'd try my luck for any snippets out there not in the documentation!

[MeTekillot]

1. Tektolnes is inscrutable to the average commoner.
2. Tuluk. Otherwise find out IC.
3. Find out IC.
4. Find out IC.
5. Ask a Templar. Cannot guarantee the conversation will go well.
6. The steel dragon statue was made in his honor when he polymorphed into a dragon to destroy an occupying dwarven army. His face is also on all Allanaki coins and all Templars' medallions.

[Desertman]

Tektolnes would be viewed as a deity both awesome and terrible in Allanak. Templars would fear him as much as they revere him for the most part.

He wouldn't be seen as a mortal man by the vast majority of the population up to and including many of his own Templars.

He was seen in the form of a dragon to wipe out the dwarven scourge when they tried to lay siege to Allanak a long time ago. At least, legend says it was him.

I would imagine his people would view his "goals" and "ambitions" with the same unknowing mystery most people view their own religion in IRL.

A sort of, "Who knows, we better not question it, all we know is we revere it out of fear of what happens if we don't.".

That sort of thing.

In Tuluk...eh, I can't be ass'ed to get into that. Suffice to say they would view Tektolnes basically the way the christians view Satan, more or less. (While making allowances for changes in the story and lore of course.)

[MeTekillot]

http://gdb.armageddon.org/index.php/topic,39373.0.html

[Jihelu]

I'll try to answer these more in the "Heres what would happen in Dark Sun "Method.
It's like how you can find out about Avangions.
Of course things are different but it's enough to get a grasp.
Also you probably wouldn't know ic for most shit but yolo

    What are his goals? Or what does the average commoner believe he's striving to do? Fuck if I know. In Dark Sun dragons were feral crazy beasts that were evil af so maybe Tektolnas is a crazy ass hole. Who knows.
    Does he have enemies?
You know that city up North.
    Has there ever been any threat to his life, despite living for millenia? I mean.
Tuluk is in the North.
    What are the implications if he does die? In Dark Sun one of the Sorcerer Kings died and all the Templars in the city loss their given powers. Some still had magic cause if you were smart you took levels in wizard, something that doesn't work in Arm cause you don't level up and shit. Take that as you will.
    Do Templars also fear him, for fear he can remove their power when he likes? Templars gain their power from the king. This power can be gifted and taken at will from what I get from Dark Sun. Take that as you will.
    Has he ever been seen?: Well you can probably guess he would have been seen in the guise of the dragon. That and the coins have his face on them. He probably looks generic af like a 'super stronk human'. That and the dragon statue.

[wizturbo]

Some answers are available IC.  Pretty hard to find though.

[Miradus]

Some answers are available IC.  Pretty hard to find though.

"Hey, Mister Templar. You work for the big guy, right? Anyone ever try to kill him? You afraid someone might?"

I see so many problems with the "find out IC" answer to this line of questioning. Frankly, this sort of history should be available somewhere as it would be to literally ANYONE growing up in Allanak. "Find out IC" when your Nak-born character would ALREADY know IC ...

Also, how do the coins have his face on them? Aren't they just chips of obsidian? Someone buys my baobab log in Morin's and it's got Tek's face on it?

Give me a minute and I'll try to get my disbelief suspension back up and operational. It's failing me for the moment.

[BadSkeelz]

Allanaki coins and Templar medallions both bear the image of the face of Tektolnes

[Erythil]

All right, so, none of this is secret information, I figure it'll all be on the history page, so...

1.  What are his goals? Or what does the average commoner believe he's striving to do?
He's an unknowable deity to the eyes of most of the people.
   
2.  Does he have enemies?
Muk Utep, King of Tuluk.  Former enemies include Luir the Dragonsthrall, who he killed, and Valusurus, king of Steinal, who he killed (along with his entire city).  There is also another nameless Dragon who is even eviller than Tektolnes is, that may still be out there somewhere.


3.  Has there ever been any threat to his life, despite living for millenia?
Yes, but nothing the common people would know about.

4.  What are the implications if he does die?
Most of the templar would lose their power, and the vacuum would create a bloody power struggle with the remaining templar and nobles vying for control, most likely.

5.  Do Templars also fear him, for fear he can remove their power when he likes?
This varies.  Some fear him, some respect him, etc.  All of them would fear getting on his bad side.  Darth Vader rules for failure apply.

6.  Has he ever been seen?
He hasn't been seen in human form for a long time, but he's been seen as a dragon within living memory when he flew from his tower to join his army attacking Tuluk in the battle at Tyn Dashra.  He also destroyed the giant volcano that used to be present south of town at this time.  Your character would probably have heard about this, and the other two legendary instances where he appeared as a dragon.

By contrast, Muk Utep shows up as himself every now and then, in Tuluk (or so it appears -- a southerner might think it's just a body double!)

[Mordiggian]

Allanaki coins have a chest on one side and a cross on the other. As far as I can tell, there is no Tek face on the coins.

Allanaki coins are used in Tuluk because most of Tuluk's current economy was established during the Allanaki occupation.

[Erythil]

Yeah, and templar medallions are described as holding 'the symbol of Tektolnes,' not his face.

Which I guess could be anything, I imagine a simple dragon's head.

[The Silence of the Erdlus]

I know about other implications if Tektolnes dies as well. I try not to find out the mysteries though for the most past cause I like keeping them mysterious.

[BadSkeelz]

There are actually some interesting resources about the common perception/depiction of Tek  in-game that don't require you to be a sponsored role to access.

[Akariel]

Hey guys, lets remember to keep information about previous characters to a minimum.

[nauta]

Yeah, and templar medallions are described as holding 'the symbol of Tektolnes,' not his face.

Which I guess could be anything, I imagine a simple dragon's head.

Pretty sure staff came out and said that the symbol of Tektolnes there is Chuck Norris's face.

http://gdb.armageddon.org/index.php/topic,39373.0.html

Which settled a long-standing question I always had: Is Tek a dwarf?

[Pale Horse]

Yeah, and templar medallions are described as holding 'the symbol of Tektolnes,' not his face.

Which I guess could be anything, I imagine a simple dragon's head.

Pretty sure staff came out and said that the symbol of Tektolnes there is Chuck Norris's face.

http://gdb.armageddon.org/index.php/topic,39373.0.html

Which settled a long-standing question I always had: Is Tek a dwarf?

Only part, I would imagine.  The Staff posts on the forum have shown that Tek's Grandmother, Allanak, was human as was his daddy.  Tek's been shown to have daddy issues and been a mamma's boy, so if his mother was a dwarf, that would make him a Mul..

..it all makes sense, now!

[Jingo]

The Highlord Rektolnes

[dravage]

In summary then, the Highlord is a badass.

Thank you for the detailed replies guys, definitely have a much better idea of this now!

[Jihelu]

Well think about it.
These fuckers have been alive for years.
Muk Utep even, from what documentation hints, fought the fucking Dragon and he doesn't even have, supposedly maybe who knows@!#@!#!@#!, great magics.

[evilcabbage]

i thought both city-states were ruled by sorcerer-kings.

[Jihelu]

i thought both city-states were ruled by sorcerer-kings.

Well yeah.
But yeah.

[Miradus]

Why does he even have a city? This is what I don't understand.

He doesn't give a flying chalton-chip that people die of thirst in his streets and he's so insanely over the top that he doesn't need an army ... why bother to have a city develop around the foot of his tower? Does he ever look outside and go, "You know, the stink is starting to get to me" and just come down and wipe it off the map?

[Jihelu]

Find out ic.
Conspiracy theory it up.

[BadSkeelz]

If you think about the "Sorcerer" part of the "Sorcerer-King" title and what it usually takes to power sorcery... you can start to make some guesses about why he might want a bunch of lifeforms clustering close by.

OOCly, of course. In-character commoners don't know He's a Sorcerer and only know that it is divine favor that allows them to live within sight of His tower.

[Miradus]

So he's sucking the soul out of all the citizenry?

Yeesh. Good thing it's an election year.

#AnyoneButTek2016

[Jihelu]

Well I mean those gems...
Conspiracy theory 2015.


I think in Dark Sun they had them for...why the fuck were there cities in dark Sun?
I think people were just fucking power hungry in that.


but that begs the quesiton
Why does Muk have a city? Just in spite of Tek?
I'm not really asking cause I don't care but ya know.

[Delirium]

Army fodder. Trade to support the city's working and more army fodder. Nobles (and templars, from those nobles) to run the day to day bureaucracy of running all that.

[Jihelu]

Army fodder.

Who needs an army when you can turn into a dragon

[Delirium]

Why waste all that energy when you can send out a bunch of meaningless commoners to do your work for you?

[BadSkeelz]

Army fodder.

That, and the same reason Tek does. The Sorcery docs contain all the information you know to make uncomfortable guesses about why your favorite deity keeps you around.

[Jihelu]

Why waste all that energy when you can send out a bunch of meaningless commoners to do your work for you?

You're right. That leaves more room for plotting.



Also I've never met a defiler in game but do people who defile actually get their descriptions changed to take into the fact they are fucking disgusting?
In Dark Sun they weren't the prettiest people...

I guess Muk really likes having his army around so he can read their minds.
Or maybe he saw a timeline in which he had no army and he got fucking stomped.

[Pale Horse]

Tek has a city because he got it the same way many other rules before him have, by killing their fathers and taking it over.  He was born into an environment and situation where power is sought for its own sake.  It must be quite the head rush, to see the blighted and desert landscape all around and know that you own a place where water exists, crops grow and people live.  And all of it could be reduced to ash or worse at your whim, all its inhabitants worship you like a God and legions thirst to live, die or inflict death on your enemies with a flick of your wrist.

I would argue that like most despotic rulers, Tek is a megalomaniac and loving it.

[Desertman]

I own an ant farm and often stand over my subjects naked holding a kitchen chair over my head while proclaiming unto them that should they ever get out of line I will smite them and all that they love and have built.

This is as close as I have ever gotten to truly knowing the motivations and mindset of The Highlord.

Blessed be He, and curse the northern scum.

[Miradus]

Tek has a city because he got it the same way many other rules before him have, by killing their fathers and taking it over.  He was born into an environment and situation where power is sought for its own sake.  It must be quite the head rush, to see the blighted and desert landscape all around and know that you own a place where water exists, crops grow and people live.  And all of it could be reduced to ash or worse at your whim, all its inhabitants worship you like a God and legions thirst to live, die or inflict death on your enemies with a flick of your wrist.

Harsh, man.

It's not like he's Donald Trump or something.

[Pale Horse]

Tek has a city because he got it the same way many other rules before him have, by killing their fathers and taking it over.  He was born into an environment and situation where power is sought for its own sake.  It must be quite the head rush, to see the blighted and desert landscape all around and know that you own a place where water exists, crops grow and people live.  And all of it could be reduced to ash or worse at your whim, all its inhabitants worship you like a God and legions thirst to live, die or inflict death on your enemies with a flick of your wrist.

Harsh, man.

It's not like he's Donald Trump or something.

Look up some of the backstories about ol' Tek in the Staff Announcement threads.  Not only did Tek kill his father and take over, he decapitates him, cleans and keeps the skull and imprisons his soul in it.

Trump keeps your soul but he gets to it through your wallet.

[Miradus]

My only interaction with Tek is through his very minor henchmen, the city guards and the one odd templar. Those interactions were very well done (particularly the guards) but I have literally never seen anything that would so much as remind you that there's a dragon up there in that tower. Other than some automated NPC's who walk past the bar shouting about devotions.

It feels like any other medieval fantasy city setting to a newcomer, other than being in the desert and very Dark Sun inspired. The city is well-built from a building perspective and the descriptions are good and engaging. Just the way the game plays out most days is that you couldn't care less about Kim Jong Dragon up there in his tower. Was that the way y'all were intending for it to go? Because if so you nailed it.

[Jihelu]

"he decapitates him, cleans and keeps the skull and imprisons his soul in it."
Where is the story that tells this.

I also find it funny that due to ic you'll never see someone in Allanak mention or even know of how Tek murdered his dad. Theres even a fancy little story should you ask what happened to his dad...it's ironic as hell.

[Mordiggian]

My only interaction with Tek is through his very minor henchmen, the city guards and the one odd templar. Those interactions were very well done (particularly the guards) but I have literally never seen anything that would so much as remind you that there's a dragon up there in that tower. Other than some automated NPC's who walk past the bar shouting about devotions.

It feels like any other medieval fantasy city setting to a newcomer, other than being in the desert and very Dark Sun inspired. The city is well-built from a building perspective and the descriptions are good and engaging. Just the way the game plays out most days is that you couldn't care less about Kim Jong Dragon up there in his tower. Was that the way y'all were intending for it to go? Because if so you nailed it.

I like to think of Tek as the absentee despot. Just when folks get comfortable and think he's not watching... a dragon shows up and drops a volcano on you.

[palomar]

"he decapitates him, cleans and keeps the skull and imprisons his soul in it."
Where is the story that tells this.

I also find it funny that due to ic you'll never see someone in Allanak mention or even know of how Tek murdered his dad. Theres even a fancy little story should you ask what happened to his dad...it's ironic as hell.

Possibly in the old "Coming soon..." thread in Staff Announcements. Some good reads there.

[Pale Horse]

"he decapitates him, cleans and keeps the skull and imprisons his soul in it."
Where is the story that tells this.

I also find it funny that due to ic you'll never see someone in Allanak mention or even know of how Tek murdered his dad. Theres even a fancy little story should you ask what happened to his dad...it's ironic as hell.

Possibly in the old "Coming soon..." thread in Staff Announcements. Some good reads there.

It was one of the "Coming soon" threads, yes.

Lots of interesting reading in those.  Makes you think about just how connected a lot of the Known world really is, especially when you read it in conjunction with the History page.

[Jihelu]

Holy shit...
Muk Utep is actually not an ass hole.
Holy shit.
Tektolansaeasesa is fucking insane.
Like actually mentally crazy.
He taunts his dads corpse and listens to his templars praying just in spite, and one made him so god damn mad he became a dragon just to stomp a bunch of soldiers.
Atleast Muk Utep seems to have some calculating shit to himself but fucking Jesus Tek just wants the world to burn.


Pls reopen Tuluk Allanak is too evil for me

[Erythil]

In Dark Sun, the Dragon demanded a sacrifice of mortals that he would drain for power from all of the cities.

Also sorcerer kings want to avoid battle because they are in fact mortal, can be killed, have limited mana and resources, etc.  My suspicion is that turning into a dragon probably costs Tek something significant in terms of non-renewable power, or else he'd do it more often.

Besides that baseless assumption, I'm pretty sure there's more going on with Tekky Tek than meets the eye.  I'd say 'find out IC' but you probably need to be both 1. a sponsored role and 2. have a plot fall in your lap.

Personally I'd like to see more of the existing 'secrets' come out into the open, and new ones created.

[Jihelu]

If its like Dark Sun then Tek is still a dragon and we just haven't seen him.
Cause you cant reverse no dragon form.
You are stuck as that.

[Pale Horse]

If its like Dark Sun then Tek is still a dragon and we just haven't seen him.
Cause you cant reverse no dragon form.
You are stuck as that.

True, enough.

Then again, Athasian dragons don't have wings.

Tek, as a dragon, has been shown to have them.

Zalanthan dragons may be quite different as far as what is and what is not allowed to them, to include shape-changing.

[Erythil]

I'm pretty sure tek's tower isn't big enough to fit a dragon inside of.

[Suhuy]

Why does he even have a city? This is what I don't understand.

He doesn't give a flying chalton-chip that people die of thirst in his streets

Could they same not be said of such real world leaders as Muammar Gaddafi, Joseph Stalin, or Augusto Pinoche? It isn't a lack of resources in these countries causing the rampant poverty and starvation, it's the leadership. And in the case of Tektolnes, a weak and malleable majority is probably intentional.

[Jihelu]

I'm pretty sure tek's tower isn't big enough to fit a dragon inside of.

It's a pretty big tower.

http://chapleau.us/Img/DarkSun.Dragon.jpg
Also that has wings.

[Desertman]

Why does he even have a city? This is what I don't understand.

He doesn't give a flying chalton-chip that people die of thirst in his streets

Could they same not be said of such real world leaders as Muammar Gaddafi, Joseph Stalin, or Augusto Pinoche? It isn't a lack of resources in these countries causing the rampant poverty and starvation, it's the leadership. And in the case of Tektolnes, a weak and malleable majority is probably intentional.

[Miradus]

Why does he even have a city? This is what I don't understand.

He doesn't give a flying chalton-chip that people die of thirst in his streets

Could they same not be said of such real world leaders as Muammar Gaddafi, Joseph Stalin, or Augusto Pinoche? It isn't a lack of resources in these countries causing the rampant poverty and starvation, it's the leadership. And in the case of Tektolnes, a weak and malleable majority is probably intentional.

Not sure. They aren't sorcerers. They don't really need people to go out and do their will, for the most part. It's feasible that Tek wants his coffee and cinnamon roll brought to him every morning and needs infrastructure for that to happen (can't sorcerer up a cinny roll) but that's about the only mundane reason I can think of.

BadSkeelz's vague hint made more sense though. He's sucking the life force out of them. No wonder I feel so listless when I play in Nak.

[Jihelu]

Thats why the rp is bad in Nak right guys
/s

[Suhuy]

Why does he even have a city? This is what I don't understand.

He doesn't give a flying chalton-chip that people die of thirst in his streets

Could they same not be said of such real world leaders as Muammar Gaddafi, Joseph Stalin, or Augusto Pinoche? It isn't a lack of resources in these countries causing the rampant poverty and starvation, it's the leadership. And in the case of Tektolnes, a weak and malleable majority is probably intentional.

Not sure. They aren't sorcerers.

There are plenty of motivating factors for a corrupt and crooked tyrant to keep his people poor and starving, whether the leader is a Muslim, a Communist, Hispanic, or even a defiler.

[FantasyWriter]

Lots of pretty commoners to pick from....
He does it all for the nookie, the nookie...