Rhalic

Story and background

Who they are

Rhalic is the eldest of the Seven Gods of Rivellon and the leader of the pantheon, recognized as the patron god of humanity and associated with the element of Earth. Though revered as a creator deity who made mortals in his own image, he is in truth an ancient Eternal lord who rebelled against the Eternal King. Along with the other six gods, Rhalic usurped their ruler, banished their kin into the Void, and cultivated mortal races primarily to use as cattle for harvesting Source to sustain his own power. He represents human Godwoken companions, primarily Ifan ben-Mezd and Lohse, as well as custom human protagonists.

History with Ifan ben-Mezd

Before the events of the story, Ifan ben-Mezd served Lucian faithfully as a crusader until Lucian unleashed Deathfog against the Elves. As a human Godwoken, Ifan is chosen by Rhalic to be his champion and divine vessel. Rhalic reaches out to guide Ifan across the Hall of Echoes to pursue divinity, though this relationship ultimately ends in treachery when the deity attempts to consume Ifan's Source.

Role in the story

In Act 1, Rhalic contacts a human Godwoken during the quest 'The Voices' upon their first arrival in the Hall of Echoes, and later appears on the ship during 'Lady o' War' when Malady teleports the crew into the Hall to escape Dallis. During Act 2, he communicates with the protagonist through Meistr Siva's ritual chamber in the Hall of Echoes to instruct them in Source Mastery, imparting abilities such as Spirit Vision and Source Vampirism, and speaks through a human Godwoken when encountering the Eternal Aetera in 'The Midnight Oil'. In Act 3 on the Nameless Isle, his shrine stands at the Temple of Rhalic amid clashes between Magisters and the Black Ring. Within the Academy's Arena of the One, after Dallis smashes the Well of Ascension to cut off their Source, an enraged Rhalic and the pantheon denounce their champions and attack the party in the Hall of Echoes to harvest their remaining Source, where Rhalic is slain and his Source consumed.

Possible fates

Rhalic is defeated and permanently slain when he attacks the Godwoken in the Hall of Echoes following the destruction of the Well of Ascension, after which his Source is completely absorbed. Later in Arx, if the player allies with the Demon Doctor Adramahlihk and hands control of Rivellon over to demons, the pantheon is entirely supplanted, ensuring Rhalic remains completely destroyed with no worshippers or Source left to ever restore him.

Gameplay

Quest steps

Interact with the central altar inside the Temple of Rhalic using a human character or an Origin human such as Ifan ben-Mezd to pray. Praying reveals that the human race aligns with the Sun symbol for the Council gate, whereas praying with a non-human character or refusing his demands inflicts permanent blindness. The correct order to activate the seven god shrines is Amadia, Tir-Cendelius, Duna, Zorl-Stissa, Xantezza, Vrogir, and Rhalic.