Sultan histories

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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:

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.[1]

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, and the same type of event can be chosen multiple times.
    • 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.
    • The temporal order of these events matters. For example, if the sultan gains a new relic from a Marriage event, they can then lose that relic in a Bloody Battle event that occurs after the wedding.
  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 [2]
Adds a cognomenA nickname for the sultan, which may also
be used later to name sultan cults or relics
?

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 [3]
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 [3]
variation 2 (33% chance)
New profession?Sets or changes the sultan's profession,
which can influence relics and historic sites.

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 [3]
variation 3 (33% chance)
Favored factionA faction involved in this event becomes
favored, and may appear in this sultan's cults
or have a +200 reputation bonus on sultan relics
?

yes

Adds a cognomenA nickname for the sultan, which may also
be used later to name sultan cults or relics
?

yes

Region revealing?Uncovering this sultan history event
can potentially reveal a historic site
(only if this region has a historic site)

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

Corrupt Administrator [4]

Captured by Bandits [5]

Inspiring Experience [6]

Meet Faction [7]

Secret Ritual [8]

Challenge Sultan [9]

Forge Item [10]

Under Weird Sky [11]

Liberate City [12]

Rampage Region [13]

Found Guild [14]

Battle Item [15]

Lose Item at Tavern [16]

Bloody Battle

Bloody Battle [17]
Loses relic?If the sultan has accumulated any relics from prior
events, one of those relics will be lost during this
event at the location where it takes place.

yes

Adds new locationA new location in the
world's generated history
?

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

Renames location?

yes

Region revealing?Uncovering this sultan history event
can potentially reveal a historic site
(only if this region has a historic site)

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 [18]
variation 1 (12.5% chance)
accident — faction rescue
Favored factionA faction involved in this event becomes
favored, and may appear in this sultan's cults
or have a +200 reputation bonus on sultan relics
?

yes

Region revealing?Uncovering this sultan history event
can potentially reveal a historic site
(only if this region has a historic site)

yes

Gospel:
During an expedition in EkannaA region from this period or from a previous
period of the sultanate. Often a region the
sultan was in during a recent previous event.
, 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 [18]
variation 2 (12.5% chance)
attacked — faction rescue
Favored factionA faction involved in this event becomes
favored, and may appear in this sultan's cults
or have a +200 reputation bonus on sultan relics
?

yes

Adds hated faction?A faction involved in this event becomes hated
by the sultan, and may feature in later events
or have a -200 reputation penalty on sultan relics

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

Region revealing?Uncovering this sultan history event
can potentially reveal a historic site
(only if this region has a historic site)

yes

Gospel:
As he rode in DaarramorA region from this period or from a previous
period of the sultanate. Often a region the
sultan was in during a recent previous event.
, 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 [18]
variation 3 (12.5% chance)
accident — artisan rescue
New profession?Sets or changes the sultan's profession,
which can influence relics and historic sites.

yes

Region revealing?Uncovering this sultan history event
can potentially reveal a historic site
(only if this region has a historic site)

yes

Gospel:
While on a trek around Duarrakish RoostA region from this period or from a previous
period of the sultanate. Often a region the
sultan was in during a recent previous event.
, 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 [18]
variation 4 (12.5% chance)
attacked — artisan rescue
Adds hated faction?A faction involved in this event becomes hated
by the sultan, and may feature in later events
or have a -200 reputation penalty on sultan relics

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

New profession?Sets or changes the sultan's profession,
which can influence relics and historic sites.

yes

Region revealing?Uncovering this sultan history event
can potentially reveal a historic site
(only if this region has a historic site)

yes

Gospel:
While on an expedition around HaggavuhA region from this period or from a previous
period of the sultanate. Often a region the
sultan was in during a recent previous event.
, 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 [18]
variation 5 (25% chance)
accident — tragic ending
Region revealing?Uncovering this sultan history event
can potentially reveal a historic site
(only if this region has a historic site)

yes

Gospel:
As he rode around AlarsishanA region from this period or from a previous
period of the sultanate. Often a region the
sultan was in during a recent previous event.
, 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 [18]
variation 6 (25% chance)
attacked — tragic ending
Adds hated faction?A faction involved in this event becomes hated
by the sultan, and may feature in later events
or have a -200 reputation penalty on sultan relics

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

Region revealing?Uncovering this sultan history event
can potentially reveal a historic site
(only if this region has a historic site)

yes

Gospel:
While traveling around TumrodA region from this period or from a previous
period of the sultanate. Often a region the
sultan was in during a recent previous event.
, 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.

Abdication

Abdication [19]
if not already the sultan
Becomes sultan?This event elevates the destined sultan to
a recognized position as sultan of Qud.

yes

Gospel:
Late in 3848 BR, after having made enemies with a collective of nomadsOne of the following phrases:
after several tumultuous years
after a bout of <random illness or depression>
after having made enemies with a collective of <artisans of a random profession>
after murdering a popular rival <by random thematic murder method>
, the sultan of Qud was assassinatedOne of the following phrases:
abdicated the throne
died under mysterious circumstances
disappeared
was assassinated
. Because of Shaxerpater II's digital eyesOne of the following phrases:
Because *sultan* demanded it
Because of *sultan's* <thematic quality>
Because of *sultan's* reputation for <thematic practice>
, he was chosen as the successor.

Tomb Inscription:
Extol the venerable Year of the Old Scheme, when Shaxerpater II was dowered with the Levant Face and named sultan of Qud! His ancestors the Fossilized Saads looked on in approval, since -- just like them -- he was known by his digital eyes.

Abdication [19]
if already the sultan

This event has no special effects.

Gospel:
Early in 3875 BR, after a bout of scurvyOne of the following phrases:
after several tumultuous years
after a bout of <random illness or depression>
after having made enemies with a collective of <artisans of a random profession>
after murdering a popular rival <by random thematic murder method>
, Polythripur's counselors suggested she let a regent rule in her placeOne of the following phrases:
abdicate the throne
let a regent rule in his/her place
take an extended sabbatical
step down
. Instead, she reassured her counselors by calmly explaining why she disagreedOne of the following phrases:
murdered each one <with murder method based on the sultan's themes>

spent the day <doing random sultan theme-related practice>,
and then continued his/her reign like nothing had happened

reassured his/her counselors by calmly/gently/quietly explaining why he/she disagreed
.

Tomb Inscription:
Remember the lesson that Polythripur taught her advisors when they suggested she abdicate the throne after a bout of scurvy. Did she do any such thing? No! Instead, she reassured her counselors by calmly explaining why she disagreed.

Marriage

Marriage [20]
faction-based (50% chance)
Favored factionA faction involved in this event becomes
favored, and may appear in this sultan's cults
or have a +200 reputation bonus on sultan relics
?

yes

Adds loved factionA faction involved in this event becomes
loved, and may appear in this sultan's cults
or have a +400 reputation bonus on sultan relics
?

usually (90%)

Adds a cognomenA nickname for the sultan, which may also
be used later to name sultan cults or relics
?

yes

Creates relic?A new relic. This relic can be lost during future
sultan events. Otherwise, it will be entombed in
the sultan's reliquary in the Tomb of the Eaters.

usually (90%)

Gospel:
Inside a colossal quillA random wedding condition aligned with one of the sultan's themes, Shayudukht cemented his friendship with antelopesA 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
by marrying Gamagayagnukugneegakagnoo Gamagegamagneegnagee. To celebrate the ceremony, the antelopes bestowed upon Shayudukht a wedding gift they called The Triumph of Devotion, AntelopesgiftThere is a 90% chance that the faction will give the sultan
a wedding gift. If they do, the faction will become loved
by the sultan. The item type of the gift is chosen randomly
.

Tomb Inscription:
Say a prayer for the mated, Shayudukht and Gamagayagnukugneegakagnoo Gamagegamagneegnagee, whose celebrated alliance by marriage allowed antelopes to manifest scholars inside the high arbelos.

Marriage [20]
artisan-based (50% chance)
Adds a cognomenA nickname for the sultan, which may also
be used later to name sultan cults or relics
?

yes

New profession?Sets or changes the sultan's profession,
which can influence relics and historic sites.

yes

Gospel:
Waist deep in a lake of waterA random wedding condition aligned with one of the sultan's themes, Yytafa cemented her friendship with jewelersArtisans of a random profession. The sultan
will take on this profession as a result of this event
by marrying Biarrappar.

Tomb Inscription:
Say a prayer for the lovers, Yytafa and Biarrappar, whose historic alliance by marriage dismantled the Cosmic-Apeirogon Folk and their ghastly custom of aspirant love.

Faked Death Events

Faked Death

Faked Death [21]
Adds a cognomenA nickname for the sultan, which may also
be used later to name sultan cults or relics
?

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
Finally, the cognomen has a 50% chance to include the
region where the sultan was thought to have died
.

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 [22]

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.
  1. XRL.Annals.QudHistoryFactory, method GenerateNewSultan
  2. XRL.Annals.BornAsHeir
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 XRL.Annals.FoundAsBabe
  4. XRL.Annals.CorruptAdministrator
  5. XRL.Annals.CapturedByBandits
  6. XRL.Annals.InspiringExperience
  7. XRL.Annals.MeetFaction
  8. XRL.Annals.SecretRitual
  9. XRL.Annals.ChallengeSultan
  10. XRL.Annals.ForgeItem
  11. XRL.Annals.UnderWeirdSky
  12. XRL.Annals.LiberateCity
  13. XRL.Annals.RampageRegion
  14. XRL.Annals.FoundGuild
  15. XRL.Annals.BattleItem
  16. XRL.Annals.LoseItemAtTavern
  17. XRL.Annals.BloodyBattle
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 XRL.Annals.ChariotDrivesOffCliff
  19. 19.0 19.1 XRL.Annals.Abdicate
  20. 20.0 20.1 XRL.Annals.Marry
  21. XRL.Annals.FakedDeath
  22. XRL.Annals.GenericDeath