Reigan Shen
| Reigan Shen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Path | Path of the Kings Key |
| Rank | Monarch |
| Faction | House of Shen |
| First Appearance | Uncrowned |
| Species | Sacred Lion |
| Family | |
| Home | Rosegold Continent |
Reigan Shen, the Emperor of Lions, is a Sacred Lion, and a Monarch in Cradle, who rules over the Rosegold continent — the homeland of House Arelius, where millenia ago Ozmanthus Arelius was Monarch.
Contents
Appearance
Monarch Reigan Shen ‘was shorter than Northstrider, but just as broad, with chiseled and handsome features that looked as though they belonged on the statue of an ancient king. Lindon had heard that the Monarch of the House of Shen was a sacred lion, and indeed this man’s gold-tinged white hair and beard blended into one majestic white-gold mane. He was dressed like the Arelius family in a white linen skirt that fell to his feet and a white wrap across his chest. In contrast to Northstrider, the newcomer’s simple clothing looked like intentional fashion. The cloth was pristine, his belt was made of shimmering goldsteel links, and jeweled rings glinted on every finger. He held a golden goblet in one hand’ (Uncrowned, ch 10)
Path
He practices the Path of King's Key, using Force Madra combined with the Authority over Space, which he was lucky enough to inherit from a Remnant of a Sage.
History
"Reigan Shen is the creator and sole practitioner of the Path of the King's Key. Centuries ago, he consulted an oracle and grew to believe that he was destined to rule the world. He seeks to make that vision a reality.
He fought the Eight-Man Empire to a standstill, though they eventually drove him off. He has stolen Northstrider's prey.
He is considered one of the Ninecloud Court's greatest enemies, though everyone below the Queen is instructed to treat him as an honored guest, should he arrive.
Only about six years ago, he finally slew his longtime rival." ― Will Wight[[source]]
In Uncrowned, we learn that Reigan Shen's longtime rival was no other than Tiberian Arelius, the Arelius Monarch of part of the Rosegold Continent. Against advice from Eithan Arelius, Tiberian had approached his neighboring Monarch Reigan Shen in good faith with a plan to end the Dreadgods. However, after listening and learning, Shen killed him and wrought havoc on his House. Moreover, Shen knows Eithan, and had mocked him for running away to the Blackflame Empire after Tiberian died.
Northstrider v Shen
Northstrider has been Shen’s enemy for centuries now. With help from Dross, he figures out how to beat him. He has a plan. He just has to do it. ‘Northstrider had clashed with Reigan Shen many times. He had gathered more information on the Emperor of Lions than anyone else alive, and his construct had analyzed the Path of the King’s Key a million different ways. But it had taken Dross to bring all that together. Now, his weapon was complete.’ (Wintersteel ch 26)
Book Summaries
Events with the Lion King occur mainly before, during, and after the Uncrowned Tournament. The most relevant books concerning Monarch Shen are Uncrowned, Wintersteel, and especially Reaper.
However, one relevant event occurs in book 6 Underlord. Shen recruits the four cults of the Dreadgods to his cause, to represent him in the upcoming Uncrowned King Tournament. This entire bargain is based on a lie. The lion is comfortable with breaking his word.
Also, at some point Shen asked Dragon King Seshethkunaaz to join forces with him. He lies, at least by omission, saying he has a plan to wake and kill the Dreadgods, by luring them to the Western Labyrinth, where its security defences will supposedly weaken them. The results of the tournament might decide if the other Monarchs join them.
Uncrowned
Fearful of Penance
Lindon had never seen. His smile was long gone. The messenger
smiled at their reaction. “Long ago, the founder of House Arelius
created this weapon which he called Penance. It is a penance for
its target and, unbeknownst to most, its creation was an act of
penance by its creator.
-Uncrowned, chapter 20
Shen is at the Uncrowned King Tournament, as are all Monarchs. An Abidan Hound of Heaven representative named Kiuran suddenly pops into the tournament. He invites contenders to ascend when they advance far enough, sneers at the Monarchs, and offers a prize to the winner of the tournament. It is the arrow Penance, a heavenly weapon of certain destruction created by Ozmanthus, Founder of House Arelius / aka Judge Ozriel. It will kill anyone with just a word — including Monarchs and Dreadgods. (Uncrowned, ch 20) Shen grows concerned.
Wintersteel
Bargain with Eithan Arelius
Shen is at the Tournament, waiting to see who will win and hedging his bets. He is aware that the arrow Penance could be used to kill him, so he doesn’t want his enemies to win the tournament. In Wintersteel, Shen begins to fear that Eithan might win the Tournament, so he deals with him.
what you want, so that I may give it to you.”
Eithan stopped himself short of saying “Your head on a platter.”
Not only would it set the wrong tone, it wasn’t what he wanted.
If Reigan Shen didn’t die to a new generation of Monarchs
raised by Eithan, that would be the real tragedy.
-Wintersteel, ch 10
A bargain is struck: If Eithan will throw the match, Shen will send Rootfather Garrylondryth, a green dragon Herald who heals nature, to restore the war-torn Arelius homeland. He will also pay a billion scales to House Arelius and lend one year of protection from his own Herald, Yushi. He will also ensure evacuees from the Blackflame Empire are allowed safe passage when the Dreadgods attack. He will give Eithan his soul forge, kept in a void key. And new clothes. (Wintersteel ch 10)
Shen’s Ambush Plot
When it’s clear that Yerin Arelius will win the tournament, Shen tells the Sage of Red Faith to persuade dragon Sophara to help ambush Akura Mercy, Akura Pride and her group. He easily convinces Prince Daji Seishen to open a portal for the ambush. This occurs at Sky’s Edge. Because of his machinations, several young sacred artists are murdered and gravely wounded by higher-ranking assassins. However, because of Eithan and Lindon, Mercy and Pride survive, as does Naru Saeya.
“We’re going to kill Akura Mercy and her brother, Pride. Come with us, and Reigan Shen can extend your life.” She (Sophara) recognized the Sage of Red Faith, as well as the half-dozen people behind him. Calan Archer, Yan Shoumei, and Brother Aekin had competed against her, and the other three were Overlords from Redmoon Hall that she didn’t know. (Wintersteel ch 26)
Bloodline
At the end of Bloodline, amongst all the turmoil of evacuation, Shen sneaks into the labyrinth to enact his secret plan.
Reaper
In the Labyrinth
In book 10, Reaper the truth becomes clear. Shen is still in the labyrinth, working on information Tiberian Arelius gave him some years ago. His Dreadgod cult minions are waging war outside, keeping the other Monarchs away from him.
Shen takes the core binding from Subject One, to whom he swore an oath and broke it, before killing him. He takes the ancient soulforge of Ozmanthus Arelius. He battles Lindon and the team, but Lindon wins control of the Labyrinth.
It is stated that Shen really wants the Dreadgods to kill all the other Monarchs so he can rule the world himself. As the Oracle foretold. It’s also stated that he keeps the remnant of Tiberian Arelius in his void key, to use as a weapon.
