CRB is a repository of all the creative things that float through my mind about the RPG Pathfinder. Two major features are random character generation and building characters based on the god they worship. Anything that seems like it adds to the creative aspects of the game will pop up from time to time, including location descriptions, adventure ideas and even short stories. CRB won't just be my own creativity, it will open the floor to anyone who has an idea sparked by what I present to you.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Blood for the Blood God

It’s Saturday and it's time to talk about a god. For those of you who haven’t been a part of my explorations into the religions of Golarion, here’s how it works:

Imagine, if you will, you're making a character for a group. Your only instruction is that you must be a worshiper of a specific god. You do not need to be a divine casting class, although you can be, but the party’s purpose is working toward the goals of this specific divine being. I'd like not just a race/class combo, but a little bit about why the character would choose to dedicate themselves to this particular deity. Feel free to make up secret or not-so-secret orders within the church, or even sects outside of the church that you think might be interesting. With only this one piece of information that must be true, let your imagination go wild with the rest.

Today's god
Camazotz, Chaotic Evil demon god of Bats, blood, caverns and nocturnal predators.
Camaztoz’s Pathfinder Wiki page 
Camazotz’s Archives of Nethys Entry 

Although I cannot speak for everyone, I know that the first image that pops into my head when thinking about the demon god Camazotz is vampires. This usually means our character choices start in the parts of the world that are more inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, like Ustalav. But is that the only reference we can make from the god of blood and bats? His purview is actually all nocturnal predators and beasts of the caverns. He revels in chaos and untamed fanaticism. Where else can we find the unbalanced, unbridled, unburdened followers of the Lord of Stolen Blood?

Deep in the swelteringly hot jungles of the Mwangi, still mostly unknown by outsiders, exists a tribe dedicated to the Master of Black Wings. Known as the Damu-Popo, these savage cannibals emerge from their cavern homes in the black of night to hunt for prey. Carrying the sacred Javelins of Camazotz and wearing carved bat masks they terrorize the Mwangi jungle.

Even the other tribes of Mwangi speak of them in hushed tones. None seek to bring the wrath of Camazotz chosen upon their own people. Some have passed rumours to the few outsiders who attempt to ply their trade in the expanse speak of the Damu-Popo not as men, but as ravening beasts. They whisper of teeth filed to sharpened points and skin black as the night, serving to hide their presence in the dark until it's too late.

The tribe itself is led by priests that bathe in the blood of those their warriors manage to drag back into the depths. Some say that the elite warriors of the Domu-Popo are shapechangers. Whether they are just imbued with druidic power, are themselves vampires, or have contracted some kind of lycanthropy is unknown. Of those that have encountered the tribe up-close and personal, none have lived to tell the tale.

Still, all the information that has been passed from tribe to tribe, and from Mwangi to outsider is just hearsay. Only the Damu-Popo and Camazotz himself know what really goes on in the jungles at night, and neither are doing much talking on the subject. If you see a slaughtered water buffalo on the outskirts of a tribal village, then you’d best move on—for these people fear attacks by the blood god’s children.

Who would your follower of Camazotz be? Would you go the Dhampir route and stick close to the vampiric roots of the demon lord? Or is there some other bloody minded idea sparked by the lord of nocturnal beasts? Let us know.

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