Midnight Coup (event): Difference between revisions

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(Realizing that there is no reference I can find that Iska'al had ever willingly participated in the coup. He was just an innocent victim of Calus's vanity.)
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{{Battle infobox
{{about|the military coup d'état|the Hand Cannon|Midnight Coup}}
|image=[[File:Midnight Coup event.png|350px]]
|place=[[Torobatl]]
|result=
*Calus is deposed as [[Emperor]] of the [[Cabal]] and exiled aboard the prison barge ''[[The Leviathan|Leviathan]]'' along with his [[Loyalists]].
**The [[Cabal Empire|empire]] is rid of Calus's corrupt hedonism and depravity and its militaristic roots restored.
*[[Dominus Ghaul|Ghaul]] names himself [[Dominus]] of the empire, declining the imperial throne.
*The Cabal [[Praetorate]] is restored to power and the [[The Consul|Consul]] becomes Ghaul's chief advisor.
|side1=[[Red Legion]]
|side2=[[Loyalists]]
|commanders1=
*[[Dominus Ghaul|Ghaul, the Ghost Primus]]
*[[The Consul]]
*[[Umun'arath|Evocate-General Umun'arath, Primus of All Legions]]
*[[Empress Caiatl|Caiatl, the Princess-Imperial]]
*[[Shayotet|Lictor Shayotet]]
*[[Otzot|Freeborn Otzot]]
*[[Iska'al]]
|commanders2=
*[[Emperor Calus]]
|forces1=
*Countless Red Legion infantry
|forces2=
*Entirety of Calus's Loyalists
|casual1=
*Unknown number of Red Legion infantry
|casual2=
*Unknown number of Loyalists
}}


[[File:Midnight Coup event.png|thumb|350px|Caiatl retelling the events of the Midnight Coup]]


The '''Midnight Coup''' (also known as '''Ghaul's coup''') was a military-led coup d'état against the former [[Cabal Emperor]], [[Emperor Calus|Calus]]. It occurred thousands of years before the [[Red War]], and resulted in [[Dominus Ghaul|Ghaul]]'s ascension to [[Dominus]] of the [[Cabal|Cabal Empire]], as well as the militarization of [[Cabal]] culture.<ref>[[Cabal Booklet]]</ref> Most members of the coup were assassinated by Calus's shadows, except for the Consul and Ghaul, who the former was killed by the latter, and the latter was killed by the Guardians. The only confirmed survivor is [[Caiatl]], as [[Otzot|Otzot's]] whereabouts are currently unknown.
The '''Midnight Coup''' (also known as '''Ghaul's coup''') was a military-led coup d'état against the former [[Cabal Emperor]], [[Emperor Calus|Calus]]. It occurred thousands of years before the [[Red War]], and resulted in [[Dominus Ghaul|Ghaul]]'s ascension to [[Dominus]] of the [[Cabal|Cabal Empire]], as well as the militarization of [[Cabal]] culture.<ref>[[Cabal Booklet]]</ref> Most members of the coup were assassinated by Calus's shadows, except for the Consul and Ghaul, who the former was killed by the latter, and the latter was killed by the Guardians. The only confirmed survivor is [[Empress Caiatl|Caiatl]], as [[Freeborn Otzot|Otzot]]'s whereabouts are currently unknown.


==Overview==
==Overview==
===Prelude===
===Prelude===
Long before the coup, [[Emperor Calus|Calus]] was crowned [[Cabal Emperor|Emperor]] of the [[Cabal]]. Early on in his reign, Calus instigated a purge of the [[Praetorate]], the military aristocracy that controlled the Cabal Legions. Calus viewed the Praetorate as corrupt, abusing its power for its own enrichment at the expense of both the Empire's citizens and the Legions. Although Calus's purge was by and large successful, some members of the Praetorate survived. One member in particular, [[The Consul]], began to plot his revenge and found what he believed was the perfect vessel for it: an orphan named [[Dominus Ghaul|Ghaul]]. The Consul raised Ghaul into a powerful warlord, hoping to use him as a figurehead in the overthrow of Calus. At the same time, many of Calus's own allies became disenchanted with their Emperor, equating his decadence with folly and weakness.
Long before the coup, [[Emperor Calus|Calus]] was crowned [[Cabal Emperor|Emperor]] of the [[Cabal]]. Early on in his reign, Calus instigated a purge of the [[Praetorate]], the military aristocracy that controlled the Cabal Legions. Calus viewed the Praetorate as corrupt, abusing its power for its own enrichment at the expense of both the Empire's citizens and the Legions. Although Calus's purge was by and large successful, some members of the Praetorate survived. One member in particular, the [[Consul]], began to plot his revenge and found what he believed was the perfect vessel for it: an orphan named [[Dominus Ghaul|Ghaul]]. The Consul raised Ghaul into a powerful warlord, hoping to use him as a figurehead in the overthrow of Calus. At the same time, many of Calus's own allies became disenchanted with their Emperor, equating his decadence with folly and weakness.


===The Coup===
===The Coup===
Calus had a contingency plan in place against just such a crisis, consisting of a small bone that could be used to deliver a certain signal. Besides him, only his daughter [[Caiatl]] knew of his plan, but she was part of the conspiracy against him. Thus, when the coup began and Calus raced to his throne to call in his secret arrangement, he found Caiatl there first. Calus begged his daughter for help, but Caiatl crushed the bone and ensured the coup's uninterrupted success. Over the course of the uprising, Calus's own bodyguard, [[Shayotet]], led a contingent of soldiers to plunder Calus's palace on [[Torobatl]] and kill his supporters. With The Consul instructing him, Dominus Ghaul seized control of the Empire's government, and his actions were legitimized by the support of key Cabal leaders such as Evocate-General [[Umun'arath]], the [[Primus]] of All Legions, [[Freeborn Otzot]], a [[Psion]] savant, Aedile [[Moli Imoli]], the Chief of Festivals, and [[Caiatl]], the Princess-Imperial. Those among the Cabal who were loyal to Calus were either cowed or eliminated.
Calus had a contingency plan in place against just such a crisis, consisting of a small bone that could be used to deliver a certain signal. Besides him, only his daughter Caiatl knew of his plan, but she was part of the conspiracy against him. Thus, when the coup began and Calus raced to his throne to call in his secret arrangement, he found Caiatl there first. Calus begged his daughter for help, but Caiatl crushed the bone and ensured the coup's uninterrupted success. Over the course of the uprising, Calus's own bodyguard, [[Shayotet]], led a contingent of soldiers to plunder Calus's palace on [[Torobatl]] and kill his supporters. With The Consul instructing him, Dominus Ghaul seized control of the Empire's government, and his actions were legitimized by the support of key Cabal leaders such as Evocate-General [[Umun'arath]], the [[Primus]] of All Legions, [[Freeborn Otzot]], a [[Psion]] savant, Aedile [[Moli Imoli]], the Chief of Festivals, and Caiatl, the Princess-Imperial. Those among the Cabal who were loyal to Calus were either cowed or eliminated.


===Conclusion===
===Conclusion===
Unceremoniously dethroned after a reign that had lasted centuries, Calus was exiled to [[The Leviathan]] and left to wander the cosmos. Meanwhile, the new regime began its transformation of the Cabal Empire into a nation of conquest. Eschewing the title of Emperor, Dominus Ghaul soon solidified his grip on power, surprising the Praetorate who had hoped to use him as a puppet. Ghaul proved far more strong-willed than they had realized, and the Praetorate learned to fear and obey him.
Unceremoniously dethroned after a reign that had lasted centuries, Calus was exiled to the [[Leviathan (ship)|Leviathan]] and left to wander the cosmos. Meanwhile, the new regime began its transformation of the Cabal Empire into a nation of conquest. Eschewing the title of Emperor, Dominus Ghaul soon solidified his grip on power, surprising the Praetorate who had hoped to use him as a puppet. Ghaul proved far more strong-willed than they had realized, and the Praetorate learned to fear and obey him.


Over the years during his exile, Calus longed for revenge against those who betrayed him. After encountering a strange force, possibly the [[Darkness]] itself, Calus believed that the end was near and resolved to be the last being left before the end claims him as well. But first, he desired retribution against Ghaul and his collaborators. Regaining control over The Leviathan, Calus traveled throughout the Cosmos, encountering a multitude of civilizations that intrigued him. From these civilizations, Calus gathered a single member from each, the greatest of their species, and formed the [[Shadows]], his elite assassins who would eliminate his betrayers. By the time the Red War had begun, the Shadows of Calus had eliminated the majority of the conspirators but they all perished in the attempt to kill Ghaul himself.
Over the years during his exile, Calus longed for revenge against those who betrayed him. After encountering the [[The Witness|Witness]] at the edge of the universe, Calus believed that the end was near and resolved to be the last being left before the end claims him as well. But first, he desired retribution against Ghaul and his collaborators. Regaining control over The Leviathan, Calus traveled throughout the Cosmos, encountering a multitude of civilizations that intrigued him. From these civilizations, Calus gathered a single member from each, the greatest of their species, and formed the [[Shadows of Calus]], his elite assassins who would eliminate his betrayers. By the time the Red War had begun, the Shadows of Calus had eliminated the majority of the conspirators but they all perished in the attempt to kill Ghaul himself.


===Known members===
===Known members===
*[[Dominus Ghaul]]
*[[Dominus Ghaul]]
*[[The Consul]]
*[[Consul]]
*[[Empress Caiatl|Caiatl, Princess-Imperial]]
*[[Umun'arath|Evocate-General Umun'arath, Primus of All Legions]]
*[[Freeborn Otzot]]
*[[Shayotet|Lictor Shayotet]]
*[[Shayotet|Lictor Shayotet]]
*[[Otzot|Freeborn Otzot]]
*[[Moli Imoli|Aedile Moli Imoli]]
*[[Moli Imoli|Aedile Moli Imoli]]
*[[Umun'arath]]
*[[Tha'uul|Statesman Tha'uul]]
*[[Iska'al]]
*[[Caiatl]]


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
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**''[[Season of the Haunted]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Season of the Haunted]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Lightfall]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Lightfall]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Into the Light (update)|Into the Light]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Into the Light]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Cabal Booklet]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Cabal Booklet]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Beloved (lore)|Beloved]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Beloved (lore)|Beloved]]'' {{Mo}}

Latest revision as of 12:10, September 18, 2024

This article is about the military coup d'état. For the Hand Cannon, see Midnight Coup.
Caiatl retelling the events of the Midnight Coup

The Midnight Coup (also known as Ghaul's coup) was a military-led coup d'état against the former Cabal Emperor, Calus. It occurred thousands of years before the Red War, and resulted in Ghaul's ascension to Dominus of the Cabal Empire, as well as the militarization of Cabal culture.[1] Most members of the coup were assassinated by Calus's shadows, except for the Consul and Ghaul, who the former was killed by the latter, and the latter was killed by the Guardians. The only confirmed survivor is Caiatl, as Otzot's whereabouts are currently unknown.

Overview[edit]

Prelude[edit]

Long before the coup, Calus was crowned Emperor of the Cabal. Early on in his reign, Calus instigated a purge of the Praetorate, the military aristocracy that controlled the Cabal Legions. Calus viewed the Praetorate as corrupt, abusing its power for its own enrichment at the expense of both the Empire's citizens and the Legions. Although Calus's purge was by and large successful, some members of the Praetorate survived. One member in particular, the Consul, began to plot his revenge and found what he believed was the perfect vessel for it: an orphan named Ghaul. The Consul raised Ghaul into a powerful warlord, hoping to use him as a figurehead in the overthrow of Calus. At the same time, many of Calus's own allies became disenchanted with their Emperor, equating his decadence with folly and weakness.

The Coup[edit]

Calus had a contingency plan in place against just such a crisis, consisting of a small bone that could be used to deliver a certain signal. Besides him, only his daughter Caiatl knew of his plan, but she was part of the conspiracy against him. Thus, when the coup began and Calus raced to his throne to call in his secret arrangement, he found Caiatl there first. Calus begged his daughter for help, but Caiatl crushed the bone and ensured the coup's uninterrupted success. Over the course of the uprising, Calus's own bodyguard, Shayotet, led a contingent of soldiers to plunder Calus's palace on Torobatl and kill his supporters. With The Consul instructing him, Dominus Ghaul seized control of the Empire's government, and his actions were legitimized by the support of key Cabal leaders such as Evocate-General Umun'arath, the Primus of All Legions, Freeborn Otzot, a Psion savant, Aedile Moli Imoli, the Chief of Festivals, and Caiatl, the Princess-Imperial. Those among the Cabal who were loyal to Calus were either cowed or eliminated.

Conclusion[edit]

Unceremoniously dethroned after a reign that had lasted centuries, Calus was exiled to the Leviathan and left to wander the cosmos. Meanwhile, the new regime began its transformation of the Cabal Empire into a nation of conquest. Eschewing the title of Emperor, Dominus Ghaul soon solidified his grip on power, surprising the Praetorate who had hoped to use him as a puppet. Ghaul proved far more strong-willed than they had realized, and the Praetorate learned to fear and obey him.

Over the years during his exile, Calus longed for revenge against those who betrayed him. After encountering the Witness at the edge of the universe, Calus believed that the end was near and resolved to be the last being left before the end claims him as well. But first, he desired retribution against Ghaul and his collaborators. Regaining control over The Leviathan, Calus traveled throughout the Cosmos, encountering a multitude of civilizations that intrigued him. From these civilizations, Calus gathered a single member from each, the greatest of their species, and formed the Shadows of Calus, his elite assassins who would eliminate his betrayers. By the time the Red War had begun, the Shadows of Calus had eliminated the majority of the conspirators but they all perished in the attempt to kill Ghaul himself.

Known members[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Cabal Booklet
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