King Deshen ben Beld The Star King

ዸሸን በን በልድ

𒁲𒂠𒋙 𒇌 𒀭𒉈𒄭

King of Mankind

I 1 - II 2

Deshen was the joy of creation personified, a walking and living reminder of Beld’s devotion to His children. Deshen was a radiant being, golden and glorious, with hair and eyes which burned like wildfire. 

- Unknown

Deshen, full name Deshen ben Beld (meaning Deshen of Beld), was the first Human and first Beldkind, created by Beld to govern Beldkind as its King. Deshen was the King of Mankind and ruled over all Beldkind for thousands of years during the First Age. Deshen possessed godlike powers and was capable of shaping the world to his will. Contemporary sources describe him creating rivers and mountains with ease and erecting the vast ancient Mannic cities from nothing in mere minutes. He was, as all Beldkind in the Age of Gods, blessed with eternal youth. He was described as the wisest, most beautiful, and most powerful of the Humans. Deshen was also the most prideful of the Humans, and wished for more than he could have, which was ultimately his downfall. 

Appearance and Character

Deshen was tall and proud, standing at nearly ten feet tall. He was muscular and commonly described as uncommonly beautiful. His two most notable features were his bright gold eyes and his red hair, which he wore long and often in one or multiple braids. He is described as having a voice reminiscent of the sea, deep and booming at times like a crashing wave, but also calm and subtle like soft tides. 

Deshen was a strong leader, learned, willful, and wise, but he was also exceptionally prideful. He was a benevolent and just ruler, and led Beldkind through an era of plenty, happiness, and progress. He patroned the arts and it was known that his realm knew neither hunger nor scarcity. He was also exceptionally strong, wielding both powerful magics and both a greatsword and a gargantuan longbow. Several magics which are still used today were pioneered by Deshen, and it is not an exaggeration to call him one of the most powerful sorcerers to ever live. He was the only Beldkind to whom Beld granted the Power of Creation, which Deshen used to create his children.

Deshen resented that he was not considered a God like his other siblings by Beld, and he felt spurned and often overlooked and lesser valued. 

The First Sin

"And Deshen, King of Mankind, looked upon the starry sky, and reached out his holy hand.

The King reached deep into the cosmos with his powerful magicks and pulled from the sky, a single star.

With his own hand, he molded this star, one among millions, into a crown befitting the King of Man.

The Gods recoiled in fear and disgust, for now one of Beld's children could challenge their dominion over Lu'ud.

Beld lamented, for in his infinite wisdom and compassion, he knew this would spell doom for His son and his people."

Excerpt from The Song of the War of the Gods

Deshen committed the First Sin when, in his infinite pride and immense power, he pulled a star out of the sky and fashioned it into a crown, the Star Crown of Humanity. After this, he styled himself Deshen Ser-Kenzit, Deshen the Star-King. This sacrilege angered the Gods, notably those who would become the Gods of the Abyss. Already suspicious of Beld’s creation, Apollyon and his followers left to the Abyss and began plotting what would become the War of the Gods. 

Portrait of Deshen, gifted to a Lunarian merchant, now in the ownership of the city of Ybar

Deshen creates his crown

Wall portrait of Deshen

Depiction of Deshen holding a lute from an ancient Kardunashi manuscript

Deshen, Zarra-Zarriss, and their three children

Second Sin

After announcing himself the Star-King, Deshen violated the law of Beld and began expanding the borders of his Kingdom beyond the ordered borders. This is known as the Second Sin.

The War of the Gods

When the War of the Gods began Deshen marched on Apollyon's forces with the greatest army ever seen, a great force of millions of the world’s greatest soldiers and warriors. Deshen was assured by the Gods that he would have their support as he marched on Apollyon’s forces, yet when he arrived, he was alone. The Gods had abandoned Deshen, fearing his endless ambition and disgusted by his pride. Unfazed and bolstered by his infinite pride, Deshen challenged the god Apollyon to single combat, and the two battled in the Duel of Broken Lands. Every clash of their blades and magicks created deep fissures and great mountains as the world itself was rent by their duel. As powerful as he was, Deshen was not a God, and Apollyon struck him down. It was at this point that Beld intervened, protecting the broken body of his fallen son and taking it to be buried. Deshen’s body lies somewhere, presumably with his Star Crown and other holy artifacts, but no one knows where. 

Painting of Deshen facing Apollyon which currently resides in Kardunash

Wall reliefs of Deshen

Bust of Deshen located in the Pharon's Palace of Kardunash

Deshen (seated) meets dignitaries (relief from the Tomb of Gruz the Betrayer)

Deshen with the Star Crown

Divinity

The divinity of Deshen is a hotly debated topic amongst theologians and scholars. Deshen certainly claimed to be a god, and possessed godly powers. In addition, Deshen unintentionally created the Gods Odion and Kampi when he created K'deshti. However, the Gods did not accept Deshen as one of their own, which leads to serious doubts to his divinity. 

Across most of the world, Deshen is worshipped as a minor deity, a patron god of all Mankind. 

Children

Name	Image	Titles
Unknown		Prince of Mankind Knight of Mankind
Azuria		Princess of Mankind Headsman of Deshen Dragonsbane Lord of the Battlefield
Abuleth		Prince of Mankind King of Mankind Flower King Abuleth the Righteous
Canoron		Prince of Mankind King of Mankind Traitor King Abyss King Canoron the Cruel
Jarosh		Prince of Mankind Lord of the Battlefield The Martyr Prince
Shara		Princess of Mankind Scholar Princes
Unknown		Prince of Mankind Knight of Mankind Sethen the Bold Guardian of K'deshti

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