Duarch Deascension

The Duarchs of Arcandia are expected to die together in defiance of Arcandia's enemies. So when only one of the two dies it is considered a great shame upon their surviving co-duarch. It is because of this reason that it the Arcandian monarchy has the crowning ceremony known as the Duarch Deascension. During this festival the old duarch joins his fellow duarch in death, and the next generation ascends to the throne.

Execution

To prepare for the Deascension ceremony the priests class of the Eastern Hill prepares a great pyre beneath the stone gaze of the first duarchs Theodese and Merecese while the rest of the inhabitants of Myttenople prepare food for the feast and decorate the town. The old duarch is hosted into his battle armour for one final time, while the crown princes are draped in ceremonial garbs and fine jewellery.
The true ceremony begins when the descending duarch steps upon the altar to give one final speech to his loyal servants, usually thanking them for their service and holding a prayer to Myttena. He then takes of his crown, and places it next to the crown of his old fellow before turning around and walking into the pyre. As the old duarch burns away, the new duarch rise up and take their seats in front of the crowns. The most senior of the priests then place down the crowns upon the new duarch's heads to crown them as king, general, and high priest of all of Arcandia.

Components and tools

The most important artifact needed for the Deascension is the two crowns of the duarchs. Without these crowns the ritual can not commence so when only one of the duarchs is lost in battle it becomes the great final task of the surviving duarch to retrieve it. The hope is that the duarch then perishes in honourable combat, fulfilling their destiny and creating space for the next generation. Some duarchs have used this as a chance to extend their time on the thrown, but eventually someone will always bring the crown back to were it belongs. In the case that both duarchs and their crowns are lost the priests are allowed to create a new set of crowns.