Brutal Rays Of Light

Dark Disciples of Nurgal

Illustration by Luis Perez

Not to be confused with the Infernal Duke Nergal, the Demon Lord Nurgal is one of the few evil deities with the sun in his portfolio. Unlike deities such as Sarenrae who represents the life giving nature of the sun, Nurgal represents its brutal and oppressive heat and ability to kill with too much exposure. We know that Nurgal was worshiped heavily in ancient Azlant but not much else about his followers, so let us take a look at three sects of this Demon Lord.

As always, let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game we will play. In this game, we are to make a follower of Nurgal. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of the Shining Scourge. What character do you make?

For more information on Nurgal

Nurgal’s Pathfinder Wiki Page

Nurgal’s Archives of Nethys Page

Azlant Rising

During the height of the Azlanti civilization Nurgal’s worship was spread far and wide. The sect of Azlant Rising seeks to bring back that lost civilization by returning the worship of the Demon Lord to the masses. Whether there is actually any correlation between Nurgal worship and the rise of Azlant is suspect but that doesn’t stop this sect from pushing that agenda.

This sect began when a now former Pathfinder by the name of Herrod Kalprus found an ancient Azlant library which was attached to a cathedral dedicated to the Demon Lord. His study of the unholy texts corrupted his mind and he began to think of himself as one of the lost Azlanti seeking to rebuild his once glorious empire. He has gathered around him a dozen or so sons and daughters of Azlant who look to help rebuild his empire, even if they have to do it by force.

The Desert Lions

The desert below the land of Geb houses many nomadic tribes who live a difficult life under the beating sun. Many of these tribes are traders and herdsmen, but not all of them live such a peaceful existence. Having to both live with and fear the glaring desert sun the tribe known as the Desert Lions has dedicated itself to the Demon Lord Nurgal seeking protection from its brutal heat.

The Desert Lions is a small and insular tribe, numbering between two and three dozen at any given time. They don’t grow, create, or trade anything of their own. They prefer to take what they need from those who are not under the protection of their demonic patron. Many oases through this lower region of Garund and up through Geb have set up defenses against these raiders. The desert dwarves are a particularly stalwart foe of the Desert Lions.

The Wartorn

The Wartorn are a sect of military instigators. They look for ways to start as many senseless conflicts as possible all over Avistan. Nurgal’s followers are less than subtle and usually use acts of violence to provoke armed incursions. Dressing as members of one military to attack an opposing state is a common tactic. They occasionally work with followers of the Horseman of War, Szuriel, who will use their more subtle nature to sell the Wartorn’s actions, leveraging them into full scale war.

Most of the members of this sect are warriors of some type; fighters, barbarians, antipaladins, and warpriests are most common among them. Status is determined by prowess in battle, although, like many cults of Demon worshipers, their hierarchy is very loose. Acceptance into the group can only happen by proving one’s self in personal combat.

Like the desert sun the Demon Lord’s followers can kill those who forget their power. Who is your disciple of Nurgal? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Shining Scourge? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB has inspired your next character please consider showing support and become one of my patrons by donating to my Patreon. Looking for more out of the CRB? Then you’re in luck! Google +, Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook all have a CRB presence. And if you’re as impatient as I am, have the CRB pushed directly to your Kindle with every new post by signing up for Kindle Subscriptions. The opening illustration was created by a fine artist Luis Perez. You can find him on Twitter, Tumblr, and on Instagram at luisperezart.

Witch's Brew

Cults of Mestama

We continue this week’s discussion on witches by taking a closer look at one of the goddesses most revered by witches and hags. Since I’ve already covered Alazhra that leaves us with the Demon Lord, Mestama. The Mother of Witches has much more written about her than many of the other Demon Lords and she even has a worshiper in the fourth book of the Shattered Star Adventure Path. But even with the slightly deeper delving into this deific being there is a surprising amount of room left to expand upon. So today we look at three possible sects of Mestama.

As always, let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game we will play. In this game, we are to make a follower of Mestama. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of the Demon Lord. What character do you make?

For more information on Mestama

Mestama’s Pathfinder Wiki Page 

Mestama’s Archives of Nethys Page 

The Bubbling Cauldron

The Bubbling Cauldron is not just the name of the sect but it is also the name of the establishment where these witches are based. The Bubbling Cauldron is located in the plagued town of Edme, a city that seems to be a magnet for criminal activity. No small part of this is thanks to the coven of witches who runs the Bubbling Cauldron.

There are seven members in the coven of Mestama worshipers and each is an Alley Witch connected to the rotting city. Whereas other criminals and instigators wreak havoc physically upon the city, the coven adds their contribution to the city’s blight by corrupting the very spirit of the city itself. The coven’s great deception is that, in a city of scarce food due to a pestilence in the surrounding countryside, the Bubbling Cauldron goes out of its way to feed the poor and hungry. What is in the food, nobody really knows.

Kilner’s Hope

When love fails, many in Taldor look to the small shop of Kilner’s Hope. Kilner is one of the few male worshipers of Mestama. He is a eunuch alchemist who specializes in love potions, or at least that’s what the people who visit his shop believe. Kilner’s Hope actually houses a small cult of Mestama and their potions last for a while, at least until they drive a wedge between lovers that usually ends in violence.

The cult in Kilner’s Hope is actually led by mute hag who was once a spurned woman of Taldor. Her would-be paramour is now the eunuch, Kilner. She seeks nothing but to make the lives of others miserable and devoid of love. Those women who fall victim to her machinations and live – many commit suicide – find their way into the cult for a time as they also seek to make other’s lives hell.

Widow’s Promise

Mestama finds her followers among those who have suffered. Often women who have tied themselves up in their spouses and cannot live without them. When women like this lose their husbands to the hands of another, whether actually or just perceived, their need for vengeance drives them to the cold arms of the Lord of Deception.

Although many of Mestama’s followers are witches, all of the members of the Widow’s Promise are Antipaladins of the Demon Lord. After they exact vengeance upon the person they believe stole their true love, they then seek out others who stand in the way of love. They see their own loving relationships as the pinnacle of love and have a special hatred for cheating spouses.

From cities to forests, only the most vile revere the Demon Lord of Hags and Deception. Who is your follower of Mestama? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Mother of Witches? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB has inspired your next character please consider showing support and become one of my patrons by donating to my Patreon. Looking for more out of the CRB? Then you’re in luck! Google +, Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook all have a CRB presence. And if you’re as impatient as I am, have the CRB pushed directly to your Kindle with every new post by signing up for Kindle Subscriptions.

The Devil You Know

Using Creatures From the Lower Planes

We have once again come upon my favorite season of the year, Halloween. Although I’m not a huge horror movie fan, the topic always comes up with my friends this time of year. I’m often reminded of dealings with the underworld during these conversations. Whether it is making a pact with a devil or unleashing the destructive power of a demon – accidently or not – the power of the hordes of the lower planes are nothing to be trifled with. So today I’d like to talk a little bit about these creatures of pure evil and their followers or, maybe better, patsies.

When looking at creatures of the lower planes we have quite a few to choose from. There are those who are specific to one of the bastions of evil and a few who can exist on more than one of the planes. The creatures that are specific to one of these planes are quite literally made up of the matter of these planes. They are evil souls in physical form. One of the reasons they cannot be raised when killed outside, except by wish or true resurrection, is because their body is their soul, so once destroyed there is no soul to recover for resurrection.

On each plane one type of creature rules supreme. Hell has its devils, Abbadon belongs to the daemons, and The Abyss writhes with hordes of demons. How do these creatures differ? When using these infernal and demonic creatures we need to determine motivation.

Devils, although hateful, need humanity. The Archdevil’s only wish is to corrupt the souls of mortals into a reflection of their own. Souls will eventually make their way to Hell, but if you create a hell on earth – orderly and corrupt – then the volume of souls that eventually make it to the plane of the devils will increase.

Demons and Daemons have the same goal although two different reasons for seeking it. Both sets of creatures look for nothing but the total annihilation of not just the world but the multiverse. The Daemons are more nihilists. These creatures have no passion, they just want things to end because they see no point in existence at all. Demons, however, are passion out of control, they glee in the destruction they cause on their way to their goal.

Outside of set up encounters as enemies, how can we use these purely evil beings in our games? Temptation. Temptation is probably the greatest tool for any of these beings. Devils as a whole are probably preeminent tempters, but that doesn’t mean that Deamons and Demons can’t be as well. Although the most common of these are made up of too much rage or spite to do well, the more powerful creatures of Abbadon – Deamon Harbingers – and The Abyss – Demon Lords  – understand how to use mortals to further their own causes.

When is the right time to put temptation on the path of your players? The right time is in those moments when the right way, the moral way, to solve a problem is the most difficult. The path to hell is paved with good intentions. Even if the goal of the actions is something good, accepting the help of an evil outsider, going the easy way because the right way is hard is the quickest path to corruption.

Beware of beings that don’t ask for immediate recompense for their assistance. Like a drug dealer, these creatures of personified evil will let you have a little taste before reeling you in. Even demons can use guile and the Demon Lord Shax is known to come in under the radar before devouring the souls of those who follow him.

Sometimes the slip up in making moral decisions isn’t on the heads of the party. You can force the players to think of their own morality though by giving them NPCs who have turned to dark powers for what may have originally been good reason. A mother who lost a child and in her grief was promised his resurrection by a dark power is one of many possible villains a player might meet. Encounters like this can show the players what may happen to them if they take the easy path, while pushing their own morality in the questions of whether to kill or console the grieving mother.

Whether you physically put these vile evil outsiders against your players, or have them face cultists or other corrupted souls, these creatures can be of great use to your game. Although pushing your players to fall or follow the path of evil at every turn can be overkill, judicious applications of temptation can work wonders. And sometimes the players just need to be the white knights vanquishing true evil.

Have you used evil outsiders in your games recently? How have you presented them to your players? What have your players reactions been? Have you used them in more than just toe-to-toe combat?

Has the CRB spawned some ideas for a devilishly good time? If so consider becoming a patron, and help support me in my endeavor to make this a full time gig. You can contribute to my Patreon or directly to paypal. The CRB has spread across the far reaches of social media, and you can become apart of the community of Facebook, Google+, Tumblr, and Twitter. My inbox is open on all platforms for questions and comments.

Feast of Blood and Bone

Devourers of Zura

The Demon Lords have run the gamut but all told they bring chaos to the world. Zura’s followers are vampires and cannibals and she is worshiped by some of the vilest creatures on the planet. We took a look at some of her possible followers in the cannibal halfling tribes of the Mwangi Expanse. But who else could possibly devote themselves to the Vampire Queen.

As always, let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game we will play. In this game, we are to make a follower Zura. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of the Demon Lord. What character do you make?

For more information on Zura

Zura’s Pathfinder Wiki Page

Zura’s Archives of Nethys Page

The Decadent Feast

The Decadent Feast is a small sect of approximately two dozen worshipers of the Demon Lord Zura. Twice a year they plan a great feast where they eat some of the rarest foods one can find. Most of the meals dishes are various types of meat, most provided by the host but each attendee must bring one dish with them. Between galas, members of the sect will send out parties to find just the right delight with which to serve their peers. Status within the sect is determined by these special dishes.

On top of the official sect, members a handful of others are invited to the feasts as well. It is considered a great honor to be presented with an invite. What these invitees usually don’t know is that some, or all, of them will be a special dish served at the end of the evening. Rarely one of these desserts will escape their fate and they are offered full status as a member of the sect.

Sisters of the Crimson Ablution

Tales from Ustalava have reached the shores of the Lake of Mist and Veils of a mysterious noble who bathes in the blood of virgins to remain young. Fear of losing their youthful appearances has made some of Brevoy’s noble women search for veracity of these claims. A small group of these vain nobles have found solace in the worship of Zura.

This sect consists of seven women across the noble houses of Brevoy. Although they worship Zura they see turning to true vampirism as a last possible recourse. For now they bathe in the blood of sentient beings to keep their fading youth. Although it started with the famed blood of virgins, some of them have taken to trying other types of blood. It is rumored that the most beautiful of the group has begun using the blood of fey creatures to fill her tub.

The Ulam Herr (Night Flier Tribe)

One of the Zura worshiping tribes of cannibal halflings in the Kaava Lands of the Mwangi Expanse. Although many tribes worship the Demon Lord the Ulam Herr have been granted unlife in the form of becoming vampires. The Ulam Herr are even feared by the other halfling tribes for the strength their undead warriors have.

The jungle and the tribe itself can only really support but so many vampires. The five tribal leaders of the Ulam Herr, the night whisperer of Zura, and the three war chiefs have been granted this gift. If one of them should be destroyed another is turned to take their place. A few others have been turned into vampire spawn but the rest remain mortal servitors to their vampire masters, and Zura.

Whether it is blood or the meat of sentient beings, Demon Lord’s followers are devourers. Who is your follower of Zura? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Vampire Queen? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB inspired your next character please consider showing support and become one of my patrons by donating to my Patreon. Looking for more out of the CRB? Then you’re in luck! Google +, Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook all have a CRB presence. And if you’re as impatient as I am, have the CRB pushed directly to your Kindle with every new post by signing up for Kindle Subscriptions.

Time Waits For No Man

Devotees of Yhidothrus

Today we fall much lower than the Empyreal Lords. We’ve seen as deities for the last few weeks, and brought you one of the lords of chaos, the Demon Lord Yhidothrus. This week’s randomly rolled character the gnome, Jertzal is a follower of the lord of age, time, and worms. We know that many of his follower flock to him out of fear of growing old and dying, many even becoming undead. But who truly are his devotees?

As always, let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game we will play. In this game, we are to make a follower Yhidothrus. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of the Demon Lord. What character do you make?

For more information on Yhidothrus

Yhidothrus’ Pathfinder Wiki Page 

Yhidothrus’ Archives of Nethys Page 

The Weathered Skull

Although many think of sects as those who work together for a common goal, groups of demon worshipers are rarely that cohesive. The search for lichdom especially tends to see many lone casters in their ranks. The Weathered Skull is more a group of organized competitors who happen to be like-minded thinkers rather than an order of colleagues. The Weathered Skulls will often steal ideas from other members or even outright sabotage their endeavors.

The group always has exactly seven members. The only way a new member can become a skull is by removing an older member and taking his place, or having an older member actually become a lich. Only two members of the Weathered Skulls have actually become liches and one of those has since been killed by undead hunters of Pharasma.

The Spiral Path

Even the circling spiral path for which this sect is named has a beginning and an end. Members of the organization The Spiral Path are nihilists that seek to bring about the end of everything. They take on Yhidothrus’ aspects of murder and entropy—seeking to end not just the lives of people, but of civilizations, objects, and existence itself. Many members of this sect are outright insane.

It is said the Spiral Path is led by a particularly twisted worm that walks. The soul of the spellcaster it devoured was already dedicated to the Demon Lord and the newly formed creature continues to work toward its master’s goals. The other members of the sect are all spiteful folks, bent on the destruction of everything around them. The group’s base is rumored to be in an old insane asylum.

Time Scryers

With his mastery over time and its flow, many of Yhidothrus’ followers have a propensity toward seeing the future. Some from practices and some just because the demon lord has the whim of bestowing upon them this power. Although they worship a vile being like Yhidothrus, these seers, diviners, and oracles have a penchant for accuracy that makes them much sought after. The Time Scryers are particularly adept at their craft and have banded together to further their own goals.

The goal of these oracles is no different than the goal of many followers of Yhidorthrus, to cheat death. The Scryers, however, don’t wish to turn into undead liches like some do. They have mastered a form of magic which allows them to take years off of another person’s life and grant it to themselves. When a petitioner comes to see their future they actually lose some of their time on Golarion in the process. The thing about this magic is that the participant must be willing, so each person who seeks their future willing gives up this time.

Those who fear the turning of the hourglass, the followers of the Demon Lord of age, time, and worms. Who is your follower of Yhidothrus? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Ravager Worm? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB inspired your next character please consider showing support and become one of my patrons by donating to my Patreon. Looking for more out of the CRB? Then you’re in luck! Google +, Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook all have a CRB presence. And if you’re as impatient as I am, have the CRB pushed directly to your Kindle with every new post by signing up for Kindle Subscriptions.

Last Great Acts of Devotion

Disciples of the Empyreal Lord Vildeis

Vildeis, the Empyreal Lord of devotion, sacrifice, and scars; a fanatical force in the destruction of evil. So great is her desire to see evil eradicated from the face of Golarion that she tore out her own eyes so as to not profane her vision. Little is known of this being or her followers – although I’ve already create one here  – so it is time to ask, who are her worshipers? And why do they give their devotion to this heavenly being?

As always let us imagine we are sitting at our theoretical gaming table. Our imaginary GM sets out the rules for the game we will play. In this game we are to make a follower of Vildeis. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of the Demon Lord. What character do you make?

For more information on Vildeis

Vildeis’s Pathfinder Wiki Page

Vildeis’s Archives of Nethys Page

The Scarred

The Scarred are a group of war survivors, those who have given their all and survived, but paid the price. Missing eyes, limbs, and other traumas have taken these devout men and women off the battlefield. But in their minds, their time is not over. They believe they have more to give and aim to give it.

The Scarred is as much as support group for these wounded warriors as it is an aid for those who still fight. Many young paladins train under the tutelage of a member of The Scarred. These elder statesmen of Vildeis’ faithful are also stores of knowledge for those who come after. When a combatant can’t be spared from the field of battle one of The Scarred may be sent on missions of diplomacy.

Like many Empyreal Lords, large cults to the angel have sprung up in Magnimar. It is here that the central meeting hall for The Scarred is located. Any warrior who has served his time can find a home here. This camaraderie allows men and women who have fought against such horrors to keep tabs on their fellow soldiers. War is hell, and these devotees to Vildeis know that all too well.

Monks of the Closed Eye

The Monks of the Closed Eye are a group of ascetics who revere the Cardinal Martyr. Like Vildeis, they to do not wish to see touch of evil on the world and so they learn to live without sight. Many of the monks lost their eyes before coming to the alabaster monastery where they train. Those that aren’t already blind wear a pure white piece of cloth over their eyes to obscure their vision. Some, who are either the most dedicated or crazy, tear out their own eyes.

Although called monks, not all of them are trained in the arts of unarmed combat. The members of this sect come from many martial traditions and some of the monks are even paladins of the Cardinal Martyr. No matter what martial style they choose to follow, they are each trained in the art of fighting without seeing. Although others have tried to mimic this style, no one has ever been more deadly with it than the Grand Masters of the Monks of the Closed Eye.

Soldiers of the Lost

Not every follower Vildeis’ is a combatant. Not every wounded heart is a follower. Vildeis calls upon her faithful to bring the fight to evil and often she forgets those they leave behind. The Soldiers of the Lost make up for that by supporting the families of the paladins, knights, crusaders, cavaliers, and other warriors who take the field of battle in Vildeis’ name. They make sure their sacrifice is never forgotten.

The Soldiers of the Lost may not be the best warriors, although no follower of Vildeis lacks the ability to fight if needed. Their true strength lies in their ability to listen. They are the ones who return remains of those who have fallen to their families. They spend time consoling those that are left behind. Any who have lost a family member to the battle against evil can call on the Soldiers of the Lost at any time. The servants of the Empyreal Lord hold their duty as sacred as any who muster in the field, and they swear to never fail their charges.

Paladin Code

If by my life I can save even one innocent, then it is worth the cost.

Although war must fought to wipe evil from the face of Golarion, I shall never revel in battle. Killing for killing’s sake is the mark of the damned and not becoming of the chosen of Vildeis.

The scars I bear from battle are a testament to my devotion, I will wear them with pride.

Man may be able to change but demons, devils, and daemons cannot. Never suffer a creature of the lower planes to live.

You’ve seen my sects and maybe they’ve inspired you in your creation of a worshiper of Vildeis. Who is your martyr? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Empyreal Lord? Where did they learn of Vildeis? Let me know in the comments.

Vildeis’ followers show their mistress the ultimate devotion. My followers do the same, and I love you all for it. Consider showing that devotion by becoming one of my supporters on Patreon. Check out thePatreon page for a video message from me to you. Looking for more out of the CRB? Then you’re in luck! Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook all now have a CRB presence. And if you’re as impatient as I am, have the CRB pushed directly to your Kindle with every new post by signing up for Kindle Subscriptions.