#theres still probably mistakes tho bc every time i reread it i added more

[sundewa]

I want to indulge the brainrot. Talk about Pixlriffs and the way his citizens see him, or the guiding role he tends to take within the Codvengers, or why he grew his hair out. I like your thoughts, though, so if something else has the rambling’s attention right now, go wild!

i have lots of thoughts about pix’s role as the “king” in pixandria!!! the pixandrians wouldnt follow the traditional king/queen/emperor/leader roles that most of the other empires do. the title of the Copper King was given to pix by the other emperors who assumed he was a king, and similar to this his crown is only worn in other empires or around other leaders as well. …exceptions occur when he forgets to take it off. pixandrians follow the vigil keeper, which is considered to be more of a priest role than that of a king, even if they have similar responsibilities. pixandria has been around for potentially thousands of years, but pix was the first vigil keeper to make the effort to have trade routes with other empires and put the empire on the main maps.

the keeper is chosen by lightning in a rare desert storm. theres no fancy ceremony, coronation, or crowning; one day the keeper is struck by lightning, leaving a lightning scar (not sure what its called but its the same thing that can happen irl) made of copper. pix was going about his day as normal when a lightning storm hit the desert, and basically he couldnt get inside fast enough, so he got struck by lightning that brought with it a ton of responsibilities. (it may or may not cause a respawn as well, but that has no change on the outcome. the person struck would still be the keeper) i dont know where his scar is yet but it might start at his hand and travel up his arm, connecting with his channeling trident when he uses it. (the electricity might cause it to glow as well!!) rain is very important in pixandria, and storms are celebrated whether or not its a lightning one. a storm where the keeper is chosen is incredibly rare and does not happen every time it rains. the new keeper will be taught by the old one until they are ready to be The keeper.

only the vigil keeper is able to light the candles on the vigil for the other emperors, as it is a big part of their role. the candles do not control respawn or death, rather they are lit to respect and honor the fact that one has died. death is not typically feared in a world with respawns, but that does not take away from the fact that its still a Death and that should be acknowledged. the candles also do not go out unless the person it is lit for permanently dies (typically of old age or injuries/disease that override respawn mechanics), in which case it can no longer be re-lit. when a player permadies, the candle is said to be the light that guides them to the afterlife; by the time the wax melts down and the candle is nothing but a stub, the dead have made their way. families light candles for their own in their homes, the vigil is only for the emperors of the continent. there is a lantern lighting ceremony every 6 months where the candles are exchanged for lanterns and they are all sent into the sky at once. a common pixandrian parting (whether in death or a simple well-wish) is “may the vigil guide you home.” - home being a home in the literal sense, or the afterlife, its up to interpretation and/or how the speaker intends it!

i havent thought of the specifics yet but because long hair is kind of impractical in the heat of the desert (i assume), a vigil keeper growing out their hair could be a symbol of status? thats not to say the general pixandrian public could not also have long hair, though, so maybe its just a personal preference. although it could be used as a story-telling detail when he exiles himself & cuts his hair short. i just like drawing long hair, honestly, but i might solidify a reason for it in the future :D