Neferu
Godking Neferu
Nalathesh is an absolute monarchy ruled by the supposedly immortal Godking Neferu, who rules the land with a heavy hand. His administration is backed by a powerful military apparatus called the Radiant Princes, a group of highly educated magic-using military commanders capable of serving on the battlefield or in a legislative hall as needed. Worship of Godking Neferu is mandatory. National taxes are seen as a religious responsibility, and any sign of insincerity in one’s worship of the Godking is punishable with imprisonment.
Godking Neferu makes every decision in Nalathesh and although he is somewhat unpopular among the common folk, he has also made Nalathesh quite prosperous. His right hand man, General Tenemei, oversees the Radiant Princes. While Neferu is begrudgingly respected, General Tenemei is outright feared for his cruelty. Prominent nobles, including the Luxxor family, publicly support the current administration and privately pressure Neferu to remove Tenemei from power, something Neferu understands as a valid concern, but has not yet acted upon.
The Myth Behind the Mask
A Godking is considered an immortal ruler, though his appearance is always hidden behind a golden mask. It is for this reason that some people doubt the tale they’ve been told and instead choose to believe that Godking Neferu is not one person, but has been different people over time. They are correct, as the golden mask is passed down from one generation to another, much like a crown. This is information that is kept secret, out of fear that if people knew that Neferu is not immortal, they might try to rip the mask away from him.
The Man Behind the Mask
The current Godking Neferu is a man named Relian Ios Ahnadi. The Ahnadi family founded the Godking myth centuries ago and have been passing the mask ever since. In most cases the Godking is to be a man, but there have been instances where the mask was worn by people of other genders, using magic to keep up the appearance. Relian currently has three children: two daughters and a son. His wife succumbed to a mysterious illness a couple of years ago, an event that devastated the family and caused Relian to rule with an even heavier hand. Through generations, the children of the Ahnadi bloodline are raised in secret and hardly ever leave the mansion they reside in. When they do, they have to keep their identity a mystery. Relian himself also rarely leaves the confines of his home when he’s not wearing the mask. Such is the burden that comes with the job.
Clutching the Reins
In recent years support for the Godking has been steadily waning, even if people claim they still have faith. This has not escaped Neferu’s awareness and it has caused him to be more open to advice from his allies, especially the Luxxor family, whom he respects. The last thing he wants is for there to be a revolution, so he has been clutching the reins even more firmly than usual. What currently concerns him most, however, is that his only son, who is to be Godking one day, has started slipping out of the mansion more frequently without any form of supervision. Not only is he worried that his son has no interest in the mask, he also has great concerns about anyone finding out his identity.