Arioch is pre-eminent amongst the Lords of Chaos in the Young Kingdoms. He appears to command the nobles of Entropy and seems to be the most predisposed to taking an interest in mortal affairs. Certainly as the patron demon of Melniboné his position has been communicated far and
wide so that many people, when thinking of Chaos, think only of Arioch and never of the many others who serve alongside him.
Herald of Chaos
If the myths of Melniboné are to be believed, Arioch brought the infl uence of Chaos into the world. It was Arioch that engineered the summit at R’lin K’ren A’a, where the terms of the Eternal Struggle were forged and he who negotiated the exodus of the Mernii from the city so that the summit could take place. Later, Arioch seduced various incarnations of the Mernii silverskin hero (White Crow, Elrik, and other variations) into using the swords Stormbringer and Mournblade to combat various enemies who plagued the earliest centuries of the Bright Empire. When Melniboné fi nally cleaved to Chaos, it was to Arioch that the fi rst emperors pledged their allegiance, gaining the use of the Black Blades as part of the bargain, despite knowing their importance.
Patron of Melniboné
As the Bright Empire developed and Melniboné dedicated itself wholeheartedly to Chaos, Arioch’s infl uence changed.
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He became an enabler and a tutor, assisting Melniboné in its pursuit of knowledge and power, helping them to become the greatest race of sorcerers seen in any plane of existence. Arioch became almost a companion to the Ruby Emperors; an adviser and counsellor, rather than an aloof and omnipotent god. In this aspect Arioch guided Imrryr to the heights of its power and the love between him and the people of the Dragon Isle matured into perpetual compact that has served subsequent emperors up to and including, Elric himself.
Sword Ruler
The third aspect of Arioch is that of the Sword Ruler. This is his most commonly acknowledged aspect beyond Melniboné for the simple reason that the deep, loving, counselling aspect is reserved solely for Melnibonéans. Humankind cannot comprehend or enjoy, anything like the love and comradeship Arioch offers to the elder race. Humans must content themselves with Arioch’s role as one of the Blade Triumvirate; the Knight of the Swords, champion of Queen Xiombarg and King Mabelode. In this aspect Arioch is a subservient deity; a warrior and a champion of Chaos rather than an all-seeing, all-powerful ruler god. He is a war-chief and since the decline of Melniboné and the rise of heroes like Earl Aubec, Arioch, Knight of the Swords has been depicted by the Chaotic faithful as the direct refl ection of Aubec of Malador’s Lawful allegiance. Those who worship Arioch as a Sword Ruler see him as a hero reclaiming what has been stolen – not as some scheming demon intent on wanton destruction. Arioch’s worship in this aspect is dealt with more fully in the Knight of the Swords cult, later.
Messenger of the Court of Hell
The fourth aspect of Arioch is as the spokesman of Hell.
Many isolated sorcerers and adherents of Chaos believe Arioch is not a ruler of any kind but a powerful messenger representing an altogether more powerful and dangerous authority (Slortar, perhaps, or even a Chaos Lord more ancient and, as yet, unknown). It is this aspect that most appeals to the isolated; those hungry for esoteric knowledge, obscure answers and an insight into the powers Chaos can promise for those who cleave to its notions (if not necessarily its ideals). Here, Arioch delivers cryptic warnings, promises, hints and revelations of the nature of the Eternal Struggle, peppered with remnants of the kind of sorcery once so liberally scattered amongst the ruling elite of Melniboné.
Lord of the Seven Darks
A fi fth aspect represents Arioch not as the beautiful, arch, knowledgeable noble of Chaos but as a leering, malevolent demon squatting on the edges of the reality, revelling in unrest and confusion. This is Arioch at his most base and raw – a demon of greater stature but essentially no different to the kinds of beasts residing in realms of pure Chaos that are conjured to harm, harry and hamper. This aspect has no temples or shrines save for carved idols secreted in caverns, ruins and overgrown, gloomy forests. The idols are typically hewn from blocks of dark stone and depict Arioch as a paunchy, leering, gap-mouthed being with many eyes and fat-fi ngered hands crossed over a distended belly. This is the Lord of the Seven Darks and an image rejected by Melnibonéans but embraced by the simple and primitive such as the clans of Pikarayd and western Dorel. This Arioch offers nothing but a bleak assurance that Chaos is lurking at the edges of the world, awaiting a time when it will fully assert its power. Worshipping the Lord of the Seven Darks is to dabble in witchcraft and deep superstition, an essential ignorance of Chaos’s true powers, potential and agenda.
Beliefs
Worshippers of Arioch in any of his aspects share a set of common beliefs.
; Arioch is a creature of rare power and wisdom, even though his place in the court of Chaos is never clearly defi ned.
; His province is disinformation and misdirection. His presence signifi es trickery and guile, the playing of obscure games and the exploitation of his worshippers.
; Arioch is well-versed in the Eternal Struggle and knows far more than he can or wants to, share.
; Arioch’s chief desire is Blood and Souls. These feed him and bring him pleasure. It is the ultimate sacrifi ce and that is what he demands in return for his patronage.
The beliefs of the various aspects are:
Herald of Chaos
Arioch brought Chaos to the world to create purpose and difference. Before his arrival the world was simple and uncomplicated, unaware of its potential and thus prone to the predations of those who would exploit its simplicity.
The world was a plaything of Law and the Elementals, who abused and neglected those who trusted them. Arioch saw through their schemes and, by cultivating an alliance with the Mernii, brought the world out of a Dark Age
and into a world of light, rampant with possibility and creativity. Arioch broke the linear and freed the world from the simplistic desires of the Elemental Rulers and the grim slavery promised by those who championed Law. He brought magic and possibility, chance, risk and potential.
Without him, the world would have stagnated and died.
Patron of Melniboné
Arioch is the pre-eminence of Chaos. The most powerful and capricious of the Dukes of Hell he loves deeply and with passion and to those who pledge their allegiance, he offers untold knowledge and power, demanding only Blood and Souls in return. Arioch showed Melniboné the path to greatness and glory. He guided emperors and heroes.
Without Arioch, there would have been no Bright Empire and no 10,000 year rule. Instead, the world would have fallen to the likes of the Karasim, the Falkryn and the stale precepts of Law that allow for no deviation and creativity.
Sword Ruler
The Knight of the Swords is the custodian of the Black Blades of Fate, wielded by Mabelode and Xiombarg against their enemies. He is the Champion of the Court of the Swords who rides out in crusade against those who would impose their rule and infl ict tedious conformity where diversity ought to exist. He is a warrior with a certain chivalry and charm but also a keeper of secrets who delights in his exclusive knowledge. He is not the most powerful of the Sword Rulers but is the weapon of their power, representing their energy and resolve in the face of many enemies.
Messenger of the Court of Hell
Arioch serves a higher court of many, many rulers. He is the custodian of arcane knowledge and chief sorcerer in a court of sorcerers. He teaches some of his secrets to those who are prepared to honour him with their own souls and lay down the souls of others in thankful sacrifi ce. He charms and beguiles but teaches others how to do the same. The raw power of magic fl ows through Arioch and he teaches sorcery as a way of manipulating magic for useful ends. He delivers the messages of the Higher Planes in abstract ways that no single mind is intended to master or understand. Through him, the secrets of Fate and Multiverse are knowable – but only to those prepared to bend their own wills beyond the bland capabilities of the mundane human intellect.
Lord of the Seven Darks
Arioch cares little for the world but watches it with wry amusement. Humans are his slaves, when he can be
bothered to deal with them and if his slaves serve him well, he offers a few rewards to helps alleviate the grimness of the world which is ultimately hostile and unforgiving.
Worshippers
Arioch is only worshipped as a singular deity on Melniboné, either in the Herald or Patron aspects but sometimes as the Messenger aspect. Since the Bright Empire receded the Messenger aspect has come more to the fore and the Patron aspect has, like the empire, gone into decline, mirroring Melniboné’s solipsism. When Elric takes the Ruby Throne worship of Arioch is almost forgotten and those who do worship Arioch do so in isolation and futility: as they have forgotten Arioch, he has forgotten them.
Elsewhere, a few isolated Arioch cultists and would-be sorcerers can be found around the Young Kingdoms, venerating the Messenger aspect in the hope of achieving sorcerous and arcane wisdom in the same way as the Melnibonéans. These worshippers tend to be isolated scholars leading hermetic existences that suit their arcane studies and rituals. Such worshippers tend to be feared and shunned by simpler people – understandably so when one considers that Arioch demands Blood and Souls if he is to part with any of his secrets.
Otherwise Arioch forms part of the Sword Ruler cult and his adherents model themselves on Arioch’s role as the Knight of the Swords. The cult is not especially numerous but its adherents are more fanatical. The Knight of the Swords is dealt with in separate detail later.
The Lord of the Seven Darks is venerated by a few scattered clans and tribes of Pikarayd and Dorel but worship practices are not extensive. Arioch’s name is invoked to avert misfortune or as a general curse but there are few rites associated with his worship.
None of the aspects of Arioch have any specifi c ranks attached to them, with the exception of the Knight of the Swords. The over-riding principle of Arioch’s worship is individuality and creativity. Arioch has no interest in hierarchies, priests and other disciplined approaches to worship. As long as one pledges singular devotion and service and offers Blood and Souls, Arioch is satisfi ed.
Duties
Arioch’s worshippers must fulfi l several key duties. Two are common to all aspects but the remainder depends on the aspect worshipped. The common duties are:
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; Serve Arioch with singular devotion, proven through sacrifi cing Blood and Souls.
; Perpetuate the Eternal Struggle, preparing always for war.
Herald of Chaos
; Spread the wisdom and message of Chaos throughout the world, introducing its infl uence in subtle ways wherever possible.
; Subvert the simple and the ordinary; bend the linear. Introduce contradiction and complexity with every opportunity
; Operate with an easy smile and open nature but guard everything thought and felt; let no-one know the true agenda
Patron of Melniboné
; Acknowledge and venerate the pact Arioch established with the Dragon Isle 10,000 years ago. Allow no others to come between Arioch and that pact.
; Promote the glory of the Bright Empire and Arioch as its patron. Reverse its stagnation so that the Golden Days of Imrryr will be returned.
; Manipulate lesser mortals to work for you and for the glory of Arioch and the Bright Empire. Cultivate greatness and awe.
Sword Ruler
; Prepare for the fi nal battle with Law. Build an army to assist in the fi ght.
; Reclaim the Ordered Lands of the south for Chaos.
; Oppose the schemes of those who venerate the hero Aubec.
Consider Myshella an invader Empress and enemy.
; Trust only in the sword.
Messenger of the Court of Hell
; Be aware of the Great Game and the Eternal Struggle.
Prepare to be used as an agent of the cause but do not try to understand your role.
; Study, learn and gain knowledge but share nothing.
Every scrap of information contributes towards the Cosmic Game and furthers the Eternal Struggle.
; Act cryptically and with complexity. Understanding is irrelevant; only the accumulation of knowledge.
Lord of the Seven Darks
; Fear Arioch’s power and the power of those who serve him.
; Erect a simple representation of Arioch in areas that strike fear or have witnessed fearful events, so that Arioch might guard them.
Benefits
The benefi ts of worshipping Arioch come in the form of Gifts, Compulsions, skills, magical and arcane knowledge.