The Overlords of Drl'vn
The Overlords of Drl'vn are a spacefaring civilization of religious zealots who traverse their native galaxy in massive, hollowed-out leviathan vessels, passing judgment on other species according to the will of their deity Drl'vn. Standing as imposing figures wrapped in ceremonial furs and adorned with sacred horns, these warriors and priests have built their entire society around the interpretation of divine fate and the making of momentous decisions that shape civilizations.
A high priest of Drl'vn performing sacred rites aboard a leviathan vesselOrigins and Culture
The Overlords evolved on the frozen world of Ghyirz, a harsh planet of perpetual winter where massive ice-covered oceans hide ancient leviathans beneath their surface. These colossal creatures, revered as sacred beings by the early Overlords, became central to their civilization's development. The challenging environment of Ghyirz forced the species to develop both physical and cultural adaptations, including their characteristic thick white fur and a society centered around decisive action and survival.
The species' early history was marked by fierce competition between clans for hunting rights to the sacred leviathans. This period of conflict eventually gave rise to their modern theological hierarchy, where successful hunters became revered priests who could interpret the will of Drl'vn. The Great Hunt of the First Vessel marked their transition from a planet-bound species to a spacefaring civilization, when the first leviathan was successfully captured and converted into a starship through sacred rituals.
Religious Beliefs and Practices
At the core of Overlord society lies the worship of Drl'vn, a deity of fate and decisive action. Unlike the Omnium Theocracy's structured approach to divine authority, the Overlords believe that their god speaks through signs and omens that must be interpreted by their priests. These interpretations guide everything from personal decisions to civilization-wide judgments of other species.
The priests of Drl'vn maintain their authority through complex rituals and ceremonies, particularly those surrounding the sacred leviathan vessels. The process of converting a hunted leviathan into a starship involves months of continuous chanting and ritual preparation, during which the creature's body is hollowed out and preserved while its spirit is believed to be bound to serve the Overlords' divine mission.
Civilization Assessment Protocol
The Overlords' most distinctive practice is their systematic evaluation of other civilizations they encounter. Their priests employ a complex set of criteria based on their interpretation of Drl'vn's will, focusing particularly on a society's resilience, traditional values, and capacity for decisive action. Unlike the Stygian Legions who seek only destruction, the Overlords believe they serve a divine purpose in testing and either uplifting or culling other species.
Those civilizations deemed worthy receive technological gifts and knowledge from the Overlords, while those found wanting face orbital bombardment from the massive horns of their leviathan vessels. The consumed populations of failed civilizations are traditionally processed into ritual feast-fare for the leviathan vessel crews, a practice that has earned them fear and respect across their galaxy.
Military and Technology
The Overlords' military might centers around their leviathan vessels, which serve as both warships and mobile temples. These massive organic ships, some reaching lengths of several kilometers, are equipped with weaponized versions of the leviathans' natural horns, converted into devastating energy weapons through poorly understood technological processes. The vessels' organic nature makes them highly resistant to conventional weapons, while their horn-based weaponry can breach even the strongest defensive systems.
Their military doctrine emphasizes overwhelming force and decisive strikes, reflecting their cultural values and religious beliefs. Unlike the methodical approach of the Theocratic Navy, Overlord fleets rely on the sheer power of their leviathan vessels and the psychological impact of their presence to achieve victory.
Encounter with the Theocracy
The Overlords' most significant interaction with powers beyond their galaxy came through their encounter with Entelius the Disgraced and his Elysian fleet. The presence of Omesurian, one of the Deipurae, particularly intrigued their priests, who saw the massive being as a sign of divine significance. After careful consideration and ritual divination, they judged the Omnium Theocracy worthy of alliance, impressed by its resilience against the dark pantheon and its technological achievements.
This judgment marked a rare instance of the Overlords forming bonds with a civilization from outside their galaxy, though their inability to locate the Technate's home galaxy of Uran has limited the scope of their support to their local region of space.
Society and Hierarchy
Overlord society maintains a strict hierarchical structure centered around their priest caste. Below the priests are the warrior-hunters, who prove their worth through leviathan hunts and military service. The general population serves in various roles supporting these two primary castes, from maintaining the leviathan vessels to processing the resources gathered from conquered worlds.
Education and law within Overlord society are deeply intertwined with religious instruction, with priests serving as both teachers and judges. Young Overlords must undergo rigorous trials and ritual hunts to prove their worth and determine their place in society, with the most promising candidates selected for priesthood training.
Impact on Galactic Politics
While the Overlords' influence has traditionally been limited to their home galaxy, their alliance with elements of the Omnium Theocracy represents a significant shift in their traditional isolation. Their judgment-based approach to interstellar relations has created a unique political dynamic, where civilizations must prove their worth or face extinction, a system that stands in stark contrast to the Covenant of Sanctuary's principles of peaceful coexistence.
The Overlords' presence has become a significant factor in their galaxy's political landscape, with many civilizations adapting their development and policies specifically to meet the Overlords' criteria for worthiness. This has led to a complex web of alliances and rivalries, as different societies compete to prove their value to these self-appointed judges of civilization.
See Also
- The Technate of Elysia
- The War for Eternity
- Sacred Leviathan Vessels
- Rituals of Drl'vn