Character · Book 7, This Inevitable Ruin

Rishi

A four-armed green-and-purple naga in dented plate, the Blood Sultanate's representative at the warlords' table, married into the royal family, the only one who does not flinch at Juice Box's bomb: 'honor-bound to follow you. Or your companion, Katia.' The sultanate is 'quite versed in dealing with terrorism.'

Segment appearances

• Chapter 42 — The warlord council; Princess Vinata
• Chapter 46 — Operation Snake Pit: the line of succession
• Chapter 53 — Super Heavyweight Temple Battle Grudge Match Extravaganza
• Chapter 58 — Sultan Rishi the Usurper

Arc

The last of the original Sultanate: armless by a precaution Carl lays to Li Na, he buried himself outside the castle and surrendered to Donut, having stayed out of the temple because he knew it meant death. He offers Carl, 'the de-facto leader of Earth', citizenship and five generation ships in exchange for terraforming, signed by himself as Sultan Rishi the Usurper; Carl tells him to drive the ships into a star, marks him, and calls him the opening act (ch. 58).