Hepent Ward

Pronunciation - /HE-pent/ Archon Hepent may be the Archon with the most distasteful specialization of the entire Searan Shell: necromancy. Hepent's ward is a ghastly sight to behold by anyone who is not well-acquainted with their methods: controlling and manipulating mortal flesh. There are far fewer Bonds who reside in Hepent Ward for various reasons, but the primary reason is that the majority of the labour there is performed by undead creations of all sizes and construction. Carriages are drawn by untiring decayed steeds, buildings are constructed by hulking two-story goliaths with enough muscle to carry an airship, and fields are plowed by hunched humanoid zombies who never need to stop working or straighten their mangled spines. As a result of the climate of such a workforce, the majority of Hepent's Bonds have some medical skill, as their only purpose is to repair the gradual damage to the necromantic constructs and allow them to continue their tireless, highly efficient labour. Then, after a life of maintaining the decaying forms of the undead, Bonds of Hepent can look forward to their bodies being collected after their funeral and sculpted or combined with dozens of others into a new form which may return days later to the very same Bondship, completely unrecognizable. This unsettling practice has understandably attracted the open ire of Bonds and Archons alike throughout Sear. However, while Hepent may have grotesque talents, they are not beyond mortal concerns. Undead constructions in their Ward are almost never simple zombies, and their creation always involves a degree of transformation that prevents Bonds from recognizing the remains of a former loved one. Skin is often absent, and it is not uncommon for skeletal and muscular structures to be rearranged so that even humanoid features in general are not present in the final result. This serves to reduce revulsion and preserve some respect for the memory of the dead, while also improving the functionality of the creation. Hepent Ward contains very little in the way of natural resources. Much of the production in this region is in farming and logging. These export industries allow Hepent to gain the resources required to continue their necromantic research. The Hepent Ward can be found wellward of the Swamplands of Ixetsetz, across the gap, extending along the rim toward the desert.

Structure

There is little organizational structure in Hepent Ward beyond its Archon. Hepent sends creations to do work, and the Bonds are expected to reclaim or reconstitute any who fall in the process. Beyond this simple arrangement, Bonds live freely in relative isolation, given the sparseness of their population.