Derbin, Ninety-Seventh King of Neferuaten
During the reign of King Wahenaten (Earth years 945-950 AD), a period of unrest and open rebellion began among the humans of Neferuaten, in direct response to the new laws declaring the Aten to be the only true god, and the only one humans were legally allowed to worship. (The exact motivation behind these new laws was never recorded, but given how closely they followed a period of famine and disease which killed half the population, it is safe to assume they were implemented out of fear.) Wahenaten's daughter, Merytenaten, implemented even harsher punishments during her 10 years of rulership. The rebellion turned violent then and Merytenaten was killed by her own guards. When Setibaten came to the throne, all hell broke loose. (A charming human saying which is perhaps the only way to describe what followed.)
Setibaten reigned from the Earth years 960-988 AD. He instituted a major purge of the population of Neferuaten. Approximately three quarters of the population were rounded up on charges of treason and sedition. All were taken into the desert, killed, and their bodies left to rot. (Had the bodies not been devoured by opportunistic dinosaurs, it is likely that Setibaten would have had an undead horde to contend with.) Setibaten and his followers needed little motivation to arrest people; even owning a single illegal religious icon was enough to get one killed. Speaking out against this harsh treatment, especially in the king's presence, would only extend one's suffering. Setibaten was a talented sorcerer, and had a cruel streak the like of which had never been seen before on Her Desher. Derbin, eldest daughter of Setibaten and heir to the throne, decided enough was enough. Most knew that what Setibaten was doing was wrong and that it would probably lead to the end of the kingdom of Neferuaten, but all were too afraid to do anything about it. So Derbin poisoned him at dinner. According to contemporary sources, she made eye contact with him the entire time he choked to death.
Derbin ruled for thirteen years (988-1001 AD) and made great headway during that time toward cleaning up the mess left by her father and the kings that preceded him. She relaxed the punishments, repealed most of the laws, made reparations to the survivors, and did her best to restore confidence that the government cared about its people. But, the damage was done. Humans would not openly worship other gods for many centuries.
Derbin also founded the city of Migdol, to keep an eye on the Drakes, who had been especially active during her father's reign. Setibaten is historically regarded as a dangerous fanatic whose reign overshadows that of his daughter. Who knows what Derbin could have achieved during a time less fraught with violence and instability?
Setibaten reigned from the Earth years 960-988 AD. He instituted a major purge of the population of Neferuaten. Approximately three quarters of the population were rounded up on charges of treason and sedition. All were taken into the desert, killed, and their bodies left to rot. (Had the bodies not been devoured by opportunistic dinosaurs, it is likely that Setibaten would have had an undead horde to contend with.) Setibaten and his followers needed little motivation to arrest people; even owning a single illegal religious icon was enough to get one killed. Speaking out against this harsh treatment, especially in the king's presence, would only extend one's suffering. Setibaten was a talented sorcerer, and had a cruel streak the like of which had never been seen before on Her Desher. Derbin, eldest daughter of Setibaten and heir to the throne, decided enough was enough. Most knew that what Setibaten was doing was wrong and that it would probably lead to the end of the kingdom of Neferuaten, but all were too afraid to do anything about it. So Derbin poisoned him at dinner. According to contemporary sources, she made eye contact with him the entire time he choked to death.
Derbin ruled for thirteen years (988-1001 AD) and made great headway during that time toward cleaning up the mess left by her father and the kings that preceded him. She relaxed the punishments, repealed most of the laws, made reparations to the survivors, and did her best to restore confidence that the government cared about its people. But, the damage was done. Humans would not openly worship other gods for many centuries.
Derbin also founded the city of Migdol, to keep an eye on the Drakes, who had been especially active during her father's reign. Setibaten is historically regarded as a dangerous fanatic whose reign overshadows that of his daughter. Who knows what Derbin could have achieved during a time less fraught with violence and instability?
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