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Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Amascut Rising


So now, the God Wars are over. Elidinis, the Goddess who held the Desert civilization through four thousand years of decline, is now forced to depart by Guthix (thanks a ton). Fortunately, the Menaphites have not decayed as much as the rest of the world. Unfortunately, there is one major thing that Elidinis did that we did not talk about yet. Even more importantly, now that she’s not here, she can** do it – she can no longer keep Amascut in check.

While Amascut did rain havoc across the underworld during the God Wars and late second age, she always had Gods stronger than her to keep her from doing anything too devastating, presumably. However, now that the hippo*s away, the cat can play! We can see the first piece of evidence that Amascut is plotting something in the Scabaras Revolt.

You see, the story goes that at some point in the Fourth Age, Scabaras attempted to outlaw the worship of all other Gods besides him, and that his followers attempted to dig out underneath the river Elid, “undermining” Elidinis. However, in dealing with Scabaras, it is shown that Amascut mind-controlled the High Priest of Scabaras. This shows us that this Revolt was Amascut framing Scabaras, not only discrediting any ideas he may have had, but also getting rid of the most scholarly Desert God – he would’ve likely been the first one to sound the alarm about Amascut. This also had the effect of discouraging scholasticism, which could have gotten in Amascut’s way.

All in all, the Fourth Age saw Amascut’s rise. The Desert people had forgotten who she was after Elidinis and Icthlarin suppressed her in the tumult of the God Wars. Now, she was free to put her plans in motions, and she started by taking out the largest threats to her cause. Het, Crondis, and Apmeken would be next. With Icthlarin preoccupied with her soul-eating horde, her plots would be free to mature and ripen. ^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:41:37

Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
A Tale of Two Cities


During the Fourth Age, we also see a number of changes in the Desert – important ones, though mortal instead of divine. They are the founding of Al-Kharid, the rise of the Mirza family, and the transfer of the Kharid-Ib.

Granted, the only one we know for sure to have happened in the Fourth Age is the first one – we know for a fact that Al-Kharid was founded in the late Fourth Age by settlers from the south Desert. These people likely came from this region for one reason: trade. The Desert was nearly impassable at this point, meaning that the only trade able to come in and out of the south Desert would need to come by boat. Al-Kharid, however, is much closer to Misthalin, and would serve as a vital conduit for any overland goods to be able to come into the Desert. It also occupies a port, which allows it to ship to the southern Desert.

With the rise of Al-Kharid probably comes the rise of its current ruling family – the Mirza Dynasty. Where and how they came to lead Al-Kharid is unknown, but their familial title is Emir, which is notably different from the Pharaoh, the ancestral title of the Desert empire and also the title of the leader of Menaphos. One can only assume that the Mirzas come from outside the royal blood, which makes the next part trickier.

How did they come across the Kharid-Ib? If it is truly as important as Mod Rowl*y wants to make it out to be, why do the Mirzas have it and not the Pharaoh? It serves as a symbol of power and leadership; Why would some upstart family have it instead of the king in Menaphos?

Before we go on into the next theory, I’d like to point out that the Desert became less and less unified as time went on. Menaphos still had great power and great influence, of course, and was the hegemon for all of the Desert. And yet, the Desert cities all seem to act relatively independently of each other. As for how this is relevant… ^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:42:00

Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Theory IV – The Menaphite Wars


This theory is about how Al-Kharid was founded, and how the wars came to be.

What we know is that Al-Kharid was originally founded in the late fourth age (late 1800’s) by settlers from the southern Desert, but I’m going to take that one step further. I’m saying Al-Kharid was founded by order of the Pharaoh of Menaphos.

Any trade to get to Menaphos would have to take a boat, which really discourages sending goods that far south – you’d either have to brave harsh lands or make a long sea voyage. Al-Kharid allowed shorter and more plentiful trade routes to Menaphos from the mainland, instead of solely relying on trade from Wushanko. Of course, a governor would need to be assigned for such a far-flung territory. I say that the governor would have been the first of the Mirza Dynasty.

The word *Emir” means “Lord” in Arabic, which is an appropriate title for a governor, but not a king. As time went on, the Desert became more disunited, and Al-Kharid became more powerful. The Mirza family used it to their advantage, becoming more powerful than Menaphos. They even formed a spy ring, to stay on the rise. This also explains why a young city could become powerful in such a short time – Menaphos wanted it powerful so that the Pharaoh could profit.

This could not stand for Menaphos, however. Here is the biggest jump in the theory: The reason that Al-Kharid and Menaphos went to war numerous times was generally so Menaphos could reassert their dominance over Al-Kharid, and show that they’re still in total control of the entire Desert. Al-Kharid went to war to reinforce their independence, and show that they are the true hegemon of the Desert. Trade issues may have also factored into this, as Menaphos’ prime trade with Wushanko would have closed years ago due to Quin, making the control of Al-Kharid all the more vital. There would be some points of lessened tension, but no real progress. ^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:43:17

Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Into the Unknown


So, Kharidia made its way into the modern day through no small amount of death and destruction. Speaking of destruction, what was Amascut up to at this point in time?

She was still pushing her way through the Desert around this time, trying to push her agenda during her moments of lucidity. It’s between the Flight of Scabaras and around this time that she would take care of Apmeken, Crondis, and Het. During Do No Evil, it is said that none of these lesser Gods were idle either! They worked to undo the damage that Amascut had caused, and encouraged Al-Kharid and Menaphos to ease off their bitterness.

Amascut dealt with these threats as they came up, likely the same as how she dealt with Scabaras when he rivalled Amascut. Apmeken was dealt with 50 years ago, and the monkeys were exterminated in the Desert. Het’s whereabouts are unknown, but have been theorized to be related to the Great Plague of Sophanem. Crondis’s curse is the subject of the next Desert quest (in 10 years).

Besides this, there was also Ali Morrisane’s rise. This Pollnivnean-born trader did what many had endeavored to: he made a quick and safe way to traverse the Desert through the magic carpet system. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Morrisaine’s work WILL revolutionize the Desert! Sophanem can get trade from Al-Kharid with ease, something that has NEVER BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

Morrisane may be a sleazeball, but he deserves every dime he profits. Well, he will. He states himself he’s not making much off the carpets, but that’s likely due to the Pharaoh closing Menaphos and the plague closing Sophanem.

Other than these major things (and the fact that the Adventurer is active during this time), the one other VIP I’d like to talk about from this time is Osman, the Spymaster of Al-Kharid. He’s so important, he gets his own section. ^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:43:45

Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Conspiracy I - A Spider’s Schemes


Enter another important man in our story: Osman, the Spymaster of Al-Kharid. This man is cunning, ruthless, blunt, manipulative, and suspicious to a point. Every time we see Osman, it is in a way that emphasizes that he is working on a plan of his own, a plan that will take the Kharid by storm.

A bit of brief history: as near as I can tell, Osman used to do a bit of adventuring, which is when he got very good at thievery and espionage. It was during this time that he became addicted to Sq’irks. At some point, he joined the Al-Kharid Spy Ring, and at some other point, he fathered a child named Leela. He was extremely effective at being a spy, and would quickly become the Spymaster. I credit him largely to the modern success of the Spy Ring – as there are agents across the Desert. The only reason we know of them is because Osman decided it was worthwhile to let us in on this secret.

We can also discern from the Stolen Hearts quest that ultimately, he is indubitably loyal to Al-Kharid. Everything that he does can be done for the good of its people. But, he is referenced at SEVERAL points to be scheming something, and that he has to take time out of his plan in order to pull our butts out of the fire. Working off the premise that he’s going for the good of Al-Kharid, I say he’s trying to decisively end the war with Menaphos once and for all.

His actions in Stolen Hearts show that he has essentially accepted that war with Menaphos is inevitable, and the way he reasons that they should trade the Kharid-ib for Prince Ali show that he’s more concerned with Al-Kharid’s immediate future, possibly soon enough so that the diamond can be recovered after Menaphos is disabled by his plan. Contact! and Dealing with Scabaras shows that he has numerous agents within Menaphos herself. Little happens in the Desert without Osman knowing of it, but even a Spider can make mistakes… ^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:44:14

Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Conspiracy II - The Den of the Lioness


Osman is certainly plotting something, but he seems to disregard the divine element of the mechanisms of the Desert. He brushes off Senliten during Do No Evil, and disregards our attempts to aid Apmeken. None of his plans show any concern for Amascut, which puzzles me. He obviously knows Amascut is around… has he got another even more hidden agenda?

Regardless, let’s now turn to Amascut*s plan.

Amascut, as we have learned, is prone to violent fits of hunger for souls, but she has her lucid moments. The problem is that during these moments, she’s very reactive. She only puts down threats, like the Lesser Gods, when they become problems. Furthermore, it is stated that she cannot outright destroy a Lesser Deity. Even furtherermore, she already has the Kharid-ib, and another Menaphite War is imminent. We also know she searches for the Tomb of Tumeken in Menaphos! She has the Kharid-ib, perhaps she plans to pervert Tumeken like she did to the other lesser gods?

On another note, at the end of Diamonds in the Rough, Amascut still appears to be plotting. She makes a reference to someone being paid, and that it will be his downfall. What this leads me to believe is that the Menaphite War is a smokescreen – just enough to sate her bloodlust and cover her tracks while she searches for Tumeken in Menaphos, to realize her ultimate plan! It also leads me to believe she needs more than just the Kharid-ib. But who could she be paying?

Simon Templeton.

What other shady character in the Desert can be bribed to recover artifacts through dubious means? Well, maybe us, but I don’t recall us doing anything (except for that one time). Simon Templeton was exiled from Sophanem for stealing from the dead, as Osman states, but what exactly he stole is unknown. ^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:44:35 - Last edited on 18-Sep-2016 16:56:24 by Captain Lime

Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Conspiracy III – The Queen of Ashes


And now for the third major plotter in the Desert, and this one is the dark horse in the race: Senliten. This ancient queen has only recently returned to us through the actions of the adventurer. She has some explaining to do…

For one, her blood has something spooky about it – in the text reciting her true name, it states very clearly that her blood is that of Tumeken’s. This could be exaggeration, like how Egyptian pharaohs used to claim that they were the sons of Gods to reinforce their right to rule, but it does give thought. Furthermore, how were we not cursed when we entered the Uzer Mastaba? The curse only spares Royalty, or those in service to them. The only one we were in direct service to during Missing My Mummy was Leela….

Secondly, and more importantly, Senliten seems to want to return and rule over the Desert.
Allow me to explain.

During her conversation, Senliten makes very subtle references to her soon being able to leave the Desert, and speaks very commonly about us being in service to her. She is also very frequently nostalgic about previous times, and has already sent us on a quest in order to try to return things to the status quo – to return the Desert to how it was.

She is also quite quiet about what happened during her reign, saying that nothing happened. However, there also exists a scroll featuring all her great deeds. Unfortunately, we cannot read it, but it does make you think.

What this adds up to for me is that Senliten may be plotting to retake the Desert. We learn from Stolen Hearts that the Pharaoh is not truly of the royal blood, and since Osman is in service to the Emir, rather than ruling Al-Kharid, we have to assume that Ali Mirza is not of the blood either. It seems Senliten may be trying to use her blood to either reclaim Kharidia herself, or to seat Leela or Osman on the throne of a united empire. ^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:44:54

Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Theory V – The Heir to the Throne


All this talk of blood leads directly into the discussion of who is truly worthy to rule Kharidia. So far, I see that we have four competing claims:

1) Emir Ali Mirza – whose claim rests on being the strongest city in Kharidia, and having the Royal Gem of the Kharid-ib, which is a right to rule. Unfortunately, it has been lost. Woops.

2) The Pharoah of Menaphos – He has the second most powerful city, but also the actual title that was associated with total rule, even though he is merely a puppet of Amascut.

3) Senliten & Co. – She used to be pharaoh, and is probably the only one who we can definitely say for sure has the royal blood.

4) Amascut – She’s a Goddess.

So, this creates a problem for most of us. Clearly we support Al-Kharid but also Senliten, and oppose Menaphos and Amascut for the most part. However, it does not seem like Menaphos is directly under Amascut’s control, rather just being manipulated by her. Additionally, at some point we will be forced to pick between Ali Mirza and Senliten… but so will Osman.

Perhaps it’s time that Senliten’s line has forfeited its ancestral claim – let a newer bloodline take over. However, the Mirzas have never managed a united empire, while Senliten’s line has. Senliten was a good ruler (according to her), after all.

Over all, I feel that a Desert under Senliten would be more severe, and would return to the old ways more. This may not be a bad thing, as the Desert has declined. But a Desert under Ali Mirza would enjoy softer power and more freedom. An end to slavery would also be expected, with trade flourishing on the side.

It’s a difficult choice, but I personally would choose Queen Senliten or those of her line to propel us to the Sixth Age. Osman would be a hell of a king. ^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:46:14 - Last edited on 18-Sep-2016 16:57:08 by Captain Lime

Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
The Heroes of Kharidia


Hey, this part is about us!

We’re the major wildcard in this endeavor, and we’ve already done so much to help change the Desert. We have effectively joined the Al-Kharid Spy Ring, and are working under Osman and Senliten to try and bring Amascut and Menaphos to heel. We’ve reestablished Nardah’s water supply, and kept the gangs of Pollnivneach under control. Finally, we’ve restored Apmeken, and have endeavored to save Sophanem from being locked away forever.

We have also become a good friend of Icthlarin, whom I have somehow talked very little about, but will mention quite frequently now. Icthlarin is currently the main adversary to Amascut, though he is overburdened by his near impossible task – to try and guard souls on their journey to the afterlife. He also takes most of the blame for what has happened to the Desert (though most of it wasn’t really his fault). He does find us in Icthlarin’s Little Helper, and it seems he’ll be aiding us further in the future…

As it currently stands, we were on the cusp of entering the city of Menaphos – which is currently under complete lockdown by the Pharaoh and his army. It’s very likely that this was done under Amascut’s suggestion, but we’re not sure as to how extensively Amascut has the Pharaoh under her control. He could be completely mind-controlled, or they may simply be working together.

Additionally, we know Osman has numerous agents in Menaphos, and that the other lesser Gods are missing for mysterious reasons. All of these plot threads will come up in our future adventures, which leads me to the next post! ^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:46:44

Captain Lime
May Member 2019

Captain Lime

Posts: 6,940 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Straight from the Camel’s Mouth


And so we go from what has happened to what WILL happen!

Good news, everyone!
As of RuneFest 2016, it has been announced that the Golden City of Menaphos will be the first RuneScape Expansion - in June of 2017! This will come with, at the very least, the Crondis Quest (explained below), and various bits of Amascut Lore. Not to mention, the Grand Library of Menaphos! Maybe a very certain Golden Tome of Menaphite History may be found there...




The next Menaphite Quest will be about Crondis - according to RuneFest 2016, Crondis has been convoluted by Amascut from the Goddess of Earthly Pleasures to the Goddess of Decadent Sorrow. Crondis now takes from the people, gorges herself on their food, consumes all their water, and delights in their lament. We'll need to restore Crondis before we're able to take down Amascut, as we're building a Coalition of Lesser Gods.

As of September 18th, 2016 - it has been 3 years, 11 months, and 23 days since the most recent desert quest - Diamond in the Rough. It has been 5 years, 9 months, and 17 days since Do No Evil - the last time the desert series has progressed.
^ "Some of those words were
STUPID.
" - Mod Raven

13-Apr-2016 01:47:00 - Last edited on 18-Sep-2016 17:03:27 by Captain Lime

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