Sultan histories

Sultan histories are composed of the significant events from the lives of the sultans.

These events are recorded in the Sultan Histories section of the journal as the player uncovers them during a playthrough.

The histories of the sultans will always include a series of events from 5 initial periods of sultan rule, involving 5 procedurally generated sultans. Those sultans' names, events from their lives, prose that recounts those events, and recurring sultan themes that are relevant to each sultan will all be procedurally generated.

The sixth sultan is Resheph - a guaranteed sultan who appears in every playthrough and always has the same fixed events described in his lore. You can review the static events that compose the history of Resheph on his wiki page.

Uncovering Sultan Histories

Events from the sultan histories can be uncovered by:

• Looking at or interacting with a shrine.
• Looking at painted or engraved objects.
• Trading secrets during the Water Ritual with a faction interested in sultans.

Gospel versus Tomb Inscriptions

Most of the sultan histories that the player will learn about during the course of the game are of the "gospel" variety. However, in the Tomb of the Eaters, the player can also discover tomb inscriptions that recount the same events in each sultan's history. Each event in the sultan histories will have both a gospel account and a corresponding tomb inscription. Tomb inscriptions typically use a different tone to describe the event. For example, the tomb inscriptions often appear to elevate praise for the sultan to a higher or more miraculous level than the corresponding gospel account, and sometimes omit certain shortcomings or moral problems with the sultan's behavior. A tomb inscription can also sometimes vary slightly in the specific details recounted in the event.

Example Event in Sultan History, with Corresponding Tomb Inscription

While traveling through Ekappur, Oyuram stopped at a tavern in the Shrine at Bibappir. There he lost his prized Radiantucus Flowersboon in a foolhardy bet. He cursed the tavern and left the Shrine at Bibappir. Anguish to the Shrine at Bibappir of Ekappur! It was there that Oyuram lost his prized Radiantucus Flowersboon during the ritual of the Empyrean Vault.

Individual Events

Each procedurally generated sultan from the first through the fifth period sultanate will have between 10 and 22 events included in their history. Typically the number of events is at the lower end of that range, around 11-14.

The events in each sultan's history are generated in the following order:

1. An origin story event, which will either be when the sultan was born as an heir or found as a babe.
   • At this point in their story, they will not yet be an actual sultan of Qud.
2. Eight randomly-selected core life events, which are each chosen from a pool of 17 possible event types. These can occur in any order.
   • Several of these event types can result in the destined sultan becoming the actual sultan of Qud. For example, they may challenge the existing sultan of Qud to a duel, assassinate them, lead an army to their gates, or simply be named their successor after the existing sultan dies or abdicates the throne.
   • If one of these events involves the sultan's death, such as by driving a chariot off a cliff or by losing a duel to a challenger, it will be followed immediately by a second event that recounts how the sultan had faked their death or been saved and actually they are fine. They will retain their role as the sultan of Qud if they already had ascended to that position.
3. If one of the eight randomly-selected life events has not yet resulted in the destined sultan becoming the actual sultan of Qud, an event with that outcome will be added to the sultan's history.
4. If the events thus far have not included one event that takes place at each of the 2-3 historic regions that were added during world generation for this period of the sultanate, events will be added to ensure that at least one event takes place in each of those regions during the sultan's history.
5. Finally, an event relating the sultan's death will be added to their history.

Origin Story Events

Origin story events explain how a sultan was born, or how they were found as a baby.

The following sections provide an example of each type of origin story event.

Born as Heir

Born as Heir 

	yes

Gospel: At daybreak on the summer solsticeOne of the following phrases: One starry evening On the night of a full moon At daybreak on the [season/solstice] One night under the Beetle Moon One auspicious day On the anniversary of a great battle in HatumA region from this period of the sultanate., a healthy child was born to the sultan at Shearramas KnotA location from within the region.. At the moment of his birth, a famous nomad completed his work on a legendary astrolabeA mythical event related to the sultan's theme, and in celebration the people told stories and renewed friendshipsA random form of celebration. The babe was named Djashir, but the people called him AstrolabebornA new cognomen for the sultan, which includes a noun representing the sultan's theme. Tomb Inscription: Onlooker! Regard in wonder the life of Djashir -- called Astrolabeborn! -- scion of the Fossilized Saads and he who was dowered the Levant Face. Observe the twin miracles of the Year of the Shrewd Nail: the heir was born, and Darihim completed his work on a legendary astrolabe.

Found as Babe

Found as Babe 
variation 1 (33% chance)

This event has no special effects.

Gospel: One night under the Beetle MoonOne of the following phrases: One starry evening On the night of a full moon At daybreak on the [season/solstice] One night under the Beetle Moon One auspicious day On the anniversary of a great battle, a babe was found swaddled on a floating platform of polished chrome with a mighty hammer in each handOne of the following phrases, where [items] are determined from the sultan's theme: with its mouth full of [items] with [items] on its eyes with [items] in each hand. That babe came to be known as Antishir. Tomb Inscription: One starry evening, a babe was found swaddled in a copse of sacred trees with skulls on its eyes. That babe came to be known as Antishir.

Found as Babe 
variation 2 (33% chance)

	yes

Gospel: One auspicious dayOne of the following phrases: One starry evening On the night of a full moon At daybreak on the [season/solstice] One night under the Beetle Moon One auspicious day On the anniversary of a great battle, a glassblowerAn artisan related to the sultan's theme found a babe with its mouth full of glassOne of the following phrases, where [items] are determined from the sultan's theme: with its mouth full of [items] with [items] on its eyes with [items] in each hand outside his workshop. He and his fellow glassblowers adopted the babe and named her Iyudukht II. Tomb Inscription: On the night of a full moon, a glassblower found a babe with a stained mirror in each hand outside his workshop. He and his fellow glassblowers adopted the babe and named her Iyudukht II.

Found as Babe 
variation 3 (33% chance)

	yes
	yes
	yes

Gospel: One starry eveningOne of the following phrases: One starry evening On the night of a full moon At daybreak on the [season/solstice] One night under the Beetle Moon One auspicious day On the anniversary of a great battle, a babe was found swaddled with vessels of the Fates on its eyesOne of the following phrases, where [items] are determined from the sultan's theme: with its mouth full of [items] with [items] on its eyes with [items] in each hand by a group of mollusksA random faction from the time of the sultanate in Mirquwar. They took her into their fold and fostered her, and she became known as Polymed II, the Charmed Heir of MollusksA new cognomen for the sultan, which includes a reference to the favored faction. Tomb Inscription: On the anniversary of a great battle, a babe was found swaddled with bad omens on its eyes by a group of mollusks in Mirquwar. They took her into their fold and fostered her, and she became known as Polymed II, the Charmed Heir of Mollusks.

Core Life Events

Bloody Battle

Bloody Battle 

	yes
	sometimesThe game may choose a random existing location in this region, or generate a new one.
	yes
	yes

Gospel: In 4382 BR, Mumed III won a decisive victory against the combined forces of Temple Quarter BirqakeshA region from this period or from a previous period of the sultanate. at the bloody Battle of Navuh CaveA random existing location from this region, or a newly generated location in this region, though she lost her prized Devotion's Dream, Robotsgift during the course of the conflictThis part of the event will appear only if the sultan has a previously-acquired relic on hand. As a result of the battle, Navuh Cave was so rife with stray portals to other places and timesOne of the following phrases, aligned with one of the sultan's themes: devastated by torrential glass storms (glass) bristling with carnivorous geodes (jewels) devastated by smoldering stardust (stars) rife with stray portals to other places and times (time) evaporated of all moisture (salt) devastated by icy winds (ice) rife with burnt books and corroded data disks (scholarship) rife with smashed rubble (might) rife with bad omens (chance) rife with electric arcs (circuitry) vacant of signs of life (travel) that it was renamed the Rhythmic WreckThe location's new name. This name will be used for all future events that reference this location. Tomb Inscription: In the Year of the Adopted Aristocracy, Mumed III triumphed over the Time-Farm Church, who stole the fabric of time from her luminous hexagon. Let the fraying reality-edges of the Rhythmic Wreck serve as testament to the power of Mumed III and a lesson to those who would aggrieve her.

Chariot Drives off Cliff

Chariot Incident 
variation 1 (12.5% chance)
accident — faction rescue

	yes
	yes

Gospel: During an expedition in Ekanna, Suseh II lost control of her chariot and drove it off a cliff. Luckily, a group of nearby swineA random sultanate-era faction that the sultan does not already favor. They will become one of the sultan's favored factions as a result of this event came to her rescue. For the rest of her life, Suseh II was indebted to swine. Tomb Inscription: Thank the honorable swine of Ekanna, who came to Suseh II's rescue when she lost control of her soil cone and crashed it into an oligarchy.

Chariot Incident 
variation 2 (12.5% chance)
attacked — faction rescue

	yes
	sometimesOnly adds a new hated faction if the sultan does not already have a hated faction that can perform this deed.
	yes

Gospel: As he rode in Daarramor, O-Med III's chariot was driven off a cliff by a nefarious gang of insectsThis will always be an existing hated faction of the sultan, unless they don't yet have a hated faction. In that case, a random sultanate-era faction is chosen.. By chance, a group of nearby pariahsA random sultanate-era faction that the sultan does not already favor. They will become one of the sultan's favored factions as a result of this event. came to his rescue. For the rest of his life, O-Med III was indebted to pariahs. Tomb Inscription: Praise the noble pariahs of Daarramor, who came to O-Med III's rescue when a band of treacherous insects sabotaged the sea haunt in his loam cone, causing it to phase out of existence.

Chariot Incident 
variation 3 (12.5% chance)
accident — artisan rescue

	yes
	yes

Gospel: While on a trek around Duarrakish Roost, Bapur lost control of his chariot and drove it off a cliff. By chance, a group of nearby astronomersArtisans of a random profession, including: astrologist, astronomer, cook, electrician, explorer, gambler, geologist, gladiator, glassblower, historian, jeweler, nomad, philosopher, scholar, scientist, scribe, soldier, stargazer, tinker, window maker, or winter eremite came to his rescue. Moved by their kindness, Bapur enrolled at a local observatory as a student. Tomb Inscription: Thank the noble astronomers of Duarrakish Roost, who came to Bapur's rescue when he lost control of his knot ark and crashed it into a polygon.

Chariot Incident 
variation 4 (12.5% chance)
attacked — artisan rescue

	sometimesOnly adds a new hated faction if the sultan does not already have a hated faction that can perform this deed.
	yes
	yes

Gospel: While on an expedition around Haggavuh, Ythrihim's chariot was driven off a cliff by a rogue clique of vinesThis will always be an existing hated faction of the sultan, unless they don't yet have a hated faction. In that case, a random sultanate-era faction is chosen.. Fortuitously, a group of nearby scientistsArtisans of a random profession, including: astrologist, astronomer, cook, electrician, explorer, gambler, geologist, gladiator, glassblower, historian, jeweler, nomad, philosopher, scholar, scientist, scribe, soldier, stargazer, tinker, window maker, or winter eremite came to his rescue. Moved by their kindness, Ythrihim enrolled at a local laboratory as a student. Tomb Inscription: Honor the virtuous scientists of Haggavuh, who came to Ythrihim's rescue when a clique of treacherous vines rewired the sea observatory in his spade chariot, causing it to crash into a sphere.

Chariot Incident 
variation 5 (25% chance)
accident — tragic ending

	yes

Gospel: As he rode around Alarsishan, Artadokht lost control of his chariot and drove it off a cliff. He was killed at 31 years old. Tomb Inscription: In Alarsishan, Artadokht lost control of his sand dihedron and crashed it into a crypt. He was presumed dead at 31 years old.

Chariot Incident 
variation 6 (25% chance)
attacked — tragic ending

	sometimesOnly adds a new hated faction if the sultan does not already have a hated faction that can perform this deed.
	yes

Gospel: While traveling around Tumrod, Khoratafa's chariot was driven off a cliff by a trickster party of bearsThis will always be an existing hated faction of the sultan, unless they don't yet have a hated faction. In that case, a random sultanate-era faction is chosen.. She was killed at 45 years old. Tomb Inscription: In Tumrod, a company of treacherous bears sabotaged the salt acre in Khoratafa's eye chariot, causing it to explode. She was presumed dead at 45 years old.

Faked Death Events

Faked Death

Faked Death 

	yes

Gospel: In 5026 BR, the people of Qud learnedOne of the following phrases: it was discovered the people learned the people of Qud learned that Khutafa's life had secretly been saved with cybernetic surgeryOne of the following phrases: *sultan* had faked his/her death by forcing a peasant to impersonate him/her *sultan* had faked his/her death by switching places with his/her twin *sultan* had faked his/her death with the clever use of a lifelike hologram a clone of *sultan* had been the one who died a simulacrum of *sultan* had been the one who died *sultan's* twin had been the one who died *sultan's* life had secretly been saved with cybernetic surgery *sultan's* life had secretly been saved with astral projection *sultan's* life had secretly been saved by a pact with highly entropic beings. Despite reports to the contrary, Khutafa was alive and well. She was known thenceforth as the Cobalt Spectre of Suiliruk ManseA new cognomen for the sultan. The name will include either the sultan's significant color (if they have one) or a random adjective associated with the sultan's theme. It will also include one of the following ghost-nouns: ghost, shade, spectre, devil, or wraith. Tomb Inscription: Beholder! Observe in awe the Cobalt Spectre of Suiliruk Manse, who in the Year of the Quiet Anchorite thwarted death and emerged from the cosmic dihedron.

Death Events

Natural Death

Natural Death 

This event has no special effects.

Gospel: In 1734 BR, Mumed V, Analog Progeny of Crabs, the Copper-Plated Devil, Circuitboardbroker, Bulb-in-Marigold,A list of all of the cognomen that the sultan accumulated during their life died of natural causes. She was 90 years old. Tomb Inscription: In the Year of the Notable Champion, Mumed V, Analog Progeny of Crabs, the Copper-Plated Devil, Circuitboardbroker, Bulb-in-Marigold, laid her body to rest and crossed into Brightsheol. She was 90 years old.

References

This information is reliable as of patch 2.0.201.56.