King Novik

King Novik's spirit on his throne in Exultia.

Close-up.

King Novik was the last sovereign king of the Night Sentinels who ruled during the coming of the Outlander to Argent D'Nur and the troubles which followed. By the time of Doom Eternal, he persists, as many Sentinels do, only in the form of a spirit. He may appear to those who approach his long-abandoned throne at Exultia. King Novik is presumed to have died during the end stages of the Argenta civil war sparked by the Night Sentinels' discovery of the Nekravol and the betrayal of the Maykrs against the Argenta, in which he led the Sentinel loyalists against the forces of the Ascended Empire.

"They are rage, brutal, without mercy. But you, you will be worse. Rip and tear, until it is done."

― King Novik, in the introduction of Doom (2016)

History

Spoiler Warning: Plot details follow.

A page from the Ligra Sultagenta depicting the Argenta civil war. King Novik can be seen at right issuing orders from a rampart.

It is said in the Ligra Sultagenta that the rule of King Novik was a time in which the Argenta had secured "peace and safety through dimensions across time and space." It is mentioned that he is the longest reigning king of the Sentinels in their history, having ruled already for 40 years by the time of Doom: The Dark Ages. The coming of the Outlander would mark an eventual end to this period of peace, as Hell would soon attack the Sentinel worlds.

In his youth, Novik was known for his valor and boastfulness, but this changed after the death of his wife, after which he became severe and distant. He had a daughter by this wife, Thira, who became a commander of the Sentinels in her own right and was his presumed heir.

King Novik presided over the knighting of the Outlander, who later became the Doom Slayer. It was he who condoned the breaking of ancient tradition by granting this privilege to an outsider, silencing critics within the Sentinels by personally deeming the warrior worthy of the honor. The Signifiers then brought forth a commission for the Outlander at his command.

The Dark Ages

During the events of Doom: The Dark Ages, King Novik is occupied with attempting to stop Prince Ahzrak from obtaining the Heart of Argent. He takes personal actions toward this goal at Aratum and Teroth, in the latter case engaging the prince in battle himself, though he fails and is interrogated roughly by the prince until rescued by the Doom Slayer. After his daughter is abducted and taken to the Cosmic Realm, one of his chief concerns becomes her safe return.

Novik's trust of the Slayer during this period of time is initially shown to be thin, as it was he who agreed with the Maykrs that the Slayer should be tethered and brought under the gods' control. Novik pilots an Atlan during the assault on Hebeth, and passes the duty of trying to shut down the unstable core to the Slayer. As the Slayer later goes out to attempt to turn back Ahzrak's final assault on Argent D'Nur, Novik allows the Slayer to use the Royal Atlan in his stead, showing a much increased level of respect and confidence in him. His fierce loyalty to the Maykrs wavers by the end, after the betrayal of the Kreed Maykr is revealed. He secretly orders that the Sentinels carry out their own inquisition into what transpired.

Eternal

King Novik witnessed the introduction of Argent energy to Argent D'Nur, and he participated in its formal presentation to the Khan Maykr. This event is recorded in the engraving entitled, The Gift of Argent. It was also Novik who later accepted the plan brought forth by priests of the Order of the Deag for the elite of the Sentinels to attack the Nekravol. When the warriors, including the Doom Slayer, were then scattered and trapped within Hell by the priests, Novik is recorded to have lamented his decision to trust the priests one final time.

Though the Doom Slayer himself is considered a sovereign warrior king among the Argenta, at least up until his actions at Sentinel Prime against the Hell priest Deag Grav, it is apparent from his actions that the Slayer is still considered a subordinate to King Novik. When the Slayer enters the throne room at Exultia in pursuit of a component for the Celestial Locator, Novik appears to the Slayer, who demonstrates fealty by kneeling.

King Novik is skeptical of the Slayer's quest in Doom Eternal. He commands that the Slayer respect Sentinel law and not kill the Hell priests due to their holy Sentinel blood, even though they have committed many transgressions. He states that the Slayer's actions will bring down the wrath of the heavens. The Slayer demonstrates mute defiance by turning his back on the king, and even then only actively shows his offense once Novik crosses a line by declaring that the people of Earth are no longer the Slayer's to save.

It is notable that the contents of this conversation are oddly out of character for King Novik, who is otherwise known to have blessed the Slayer's conquests with various superlatives and inspiring commands. These are heard at the beginning of both Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, as well as during Doom Eternal's ending, but the actual timing of these lines' delivery is unknown. It is possible that Novik, after his physical death, suffered a period of skepticism regarding the ability of even the Slayer to oppose the union of the Maykrs and Hell.

Spoilers end here.

Quotes

• "Against all the evil that Hell can conjure, all the wickedness that mankind can produce, we will send unto them... only you. Rip and tear, until it is done." -Doom Eternal intro cinematic
• "You cannot kill the Priests. You know our laws. Despite their transgressions against the covenant they are still of Sentinel blood. What you interfere with now is bigger than you can imagine. It is written, it is their time to give penance. If you continue you will bring down the heaven's wrath. You are but one man. They are no longer your people to save!"
• "...and you will be their savior, your strength will be their shield and your will... their sword. You remain... unbroken... for your fight... is eternal." -Doom Eternal final cinematic.

Gallery

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  The codex entry image of Novik in Doom: The Dark Ages

Trivia

• King Novik's facial features, including warts and facial hair patterns, are derived from the appearance of Ian Fraser Kilmister, better known by his stage name Lemmy, the late founder, lead singer, bassist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Motörhead. Lemmy is also referenced in-game by a UAC Spokesperson hologram who declares, "Lemmy is God!"