Flood of Lies

Heretics of Geryon

Each layer of Hell has its own ruler that represents the purpose of that particular area. We’ve looked at a number of these archdevils, including Barbatos, Dispater, Mammon, and Belial. This week we take to the fifth layer of Hell known as Stygia and try to come up with followers of Geryon, the archdevil of forbidden lore, heresies, and snakes. Presented are three sects you might use in your game.

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

For more information on Geryon

Geryon’s Pathfinder Wiki Page

Geryon’s Archives of Nethys Page

The Oath Bearers

This sect of followers of Geyron seeks to emulate his diabolic followers that man the Library of Oaths in Stygia. Masters of the deal, they seek out the desperate and the lost with honey words of vows to help better their situation; if only they make a promise. These oaths are kept secure in special books that each acolyte binds themselves and are stored in a central library, presumed to be in Abasalom, for safekeeping when full.

Becoming an Oath Bearer is a promise in and of itself. The first oath recorded by each supplicant is their own before becoming a full member. Because each pledge is also recorded in the infernal library in Stygia, divine power is unnecessary when coercing one, but many of this sect’s followers are still clerics. Bards also make up a number of the small group’s membership, but really anyone who can talk a good game has a chance at becoming and Oath Bearer.

The Fetid Water

Every lie told on the material plane becomes a drop of poison that fills the swamps of Stygia. The Fetid Water is a group of assassins who have dedicated themselves to Lord of Filth. Unlike most assassins guilds that have an image to uphold, the members of the Fetid Water more closely resemble homeless urchins living in a sewer than a proper guild. They specifically take jobs where one person betrayed another by breaking a promise and have an odd habit of showing up just when someone wishes a liar dead.

The leader of the cult is a Chelish oracle named AverniusKreuger. Although he has lost his ability to see, he says he has visions of where his assassins need to be. They operate out of the sewers in Egorian but their influence spreads as far as Riddleport in Varisia to the North and Augustana in Andoran to the East. Those few who know about The Fetid Water call them the liar’s death.

The Lost Prophets

Geryon was one of the Asura Rana before becoming an archdevil. Mixing his former life’s love for taking over ruined holy sites and abandoned deific domains with his no positions as the master of all lies, he has become known as the source of all great heresies. The Lost Prophets look to spread heresy on Golarion in the name of their master. They do so by creating completely new deities that fit the needs of those they wish to convert, or by claiming to be a small sect of an existing deity; twisting the chosen god’s dogma until the unwitting congregation is too far gone to do anything about it.

These false clerics are consummate liars with the ability to contort the emotions of their small groups of worshipers. Although a few true clerics of Geryon join the sect’s ranks, sorcerers, bards, and mesmerists make up a large portion of their numbers. Many of the downtrodden folk they claim as a “flock” don’t know the difference between divine intervention and arcane magic.

Like their master, these serpents revel in what is unknown and what is untrue. Who is your disciple of Geryon? What lie has brought them to worship the Source of Lies? Where does their devotion to this Archdevil come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB has helped you take a closer look at those inspired by the divine, please consider showing support and become one of my patrons by donating to my Patreon or making a donation to my Paypal. Looking for more out of the CRB? Then you’re in luck! Facebook, Google +, Tumblr, and Twitter 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.

Fear of the Unknown

Corrupters of Barbatos

We’ve looked at many of the powerful beings of hell in our exploration of the lesser deities of Golarion. This week we look at the ruler of the first level of hell. A being who ranks just under Asmodeus but is not himself a devil. He is a powerful divine agent with many names including The Mistletoe Monk and The Wiseman of the Wilds. This week we look and Barbatos, the Archdevil of animals, corruption, and gateways. I present to you three possible sects of The Lord of the First.

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

For more information on Barbatos

Barbatos’s Pathfinder Wiki Page

Barbatos’s Archives of Nethys Page

The Truth Peddlers

One of Barbatos’ many names is the Iron Hierophant. He is known to trade prophecies with one of the Whore Queens of hell. How he gains these insights is unknown. The Truth Peddlers follow in his footsteps as diviners of the highest order. They operate around Avistan and are well known for the accuracy of their predictions, although few know of their true purpose or master.

The Truth Peddlers are oracles, diviners, and witches with potent divination ability. They work their clients by either purposefully withholding information while suggesting there is something there. Or they will give so much information as to overwhelm a supplicant’s sensibility. They do this because they know that knowledge or lack thereof corrupts, and they watch as those who come to them do whatever it takes to find knowledge denied, or survive dire portents given.

The Grievers

Babratos works the souls of those who take their own lives in hell, tricking them into sacrificing another soul for their own freedom. The Grievers are The Keeper of Lost Children’s mortal agents who work the still living loved ones of the deceased. They make promises of a soul freed to be re-judged by Pharasma and in the process corrupt the soul of the grieving as well as the soul they get the bereaved to taint for them.

The Grievers are the ultimate connivers. Socially adept clerics, inquisitors, bards, and rogues all find a home among these ultimate conmen. Many who joined the sect have loved ones who took their own lives and their corruption is becoming a member.

The Carrion Birds

This sect takes its moniker and imagery from their lord’s dominion over birds that consume the recently dead. Most members use the raven as their symbol as it is Barbatos’ favored animal. These wildmen take delight in showing the civilized how dangerous a life without order can be, bringing the full brunt of the power of nature to bear against cities and towns. When animal attacks in the region are on the rise The Carrion Birds are very likely the cause of the disturbance.

This sect is made up of druids, shaman, hunters, rangers, and witches. They use their connections to the natural world to drive the land itself into a frenzy. Members of the sect are often cultivated since birth. The sect will steal babies and small children, leaving them in the wilds. If they survive, their bestial nature allows them to fit well within the sect.

The Lord of the First faithful are cruel bordering on bestial. Who is your disciple of Barbatos? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to The Bearded Lord? Where does their devotion to this Archdevil come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB has helped you take a closer look at those inspired by the divine, please consider showing support and become one of my patrons by donating to my Patreon or making a donation to my Paypal. Looking for more out of the CRB? Then you’re in luck! Facebook, Google +, Tumblr, and Twitter 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.

Impurities of Passion

Devotees of Belial

Of all the lower planar creatures, devils are probably the most openly worshipped evil creatures. Although Cheliax and Isger most openly promote diabolism, other nations have official churches of Asmodeus at the very least. There is more to Hell than just the Prince of Law and the Archdevils  have many worshipers of their own. We look this week at Belial. Known as the Pale Kiss, Thorned Caress, Father of Whores, Duke of Many Forms, and the Lord of the Fourth; Belial is the Archdevil of Adultery, Deception, and Desire. He is also the one who forges the souls that flood into Hell into devils to fill the ranks of the diabolic army.

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 Belial. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of the Archdevil. What character do you make?

For more information on Belial

Belial’s Pathfinder Wiki Page 

Belial’s Archives of Nethys Page 

The Forged

Belial oversees the fourth level of Hell, Phlegeton. It is in this realm where the Archdevil oversees the soul forges, which temper the souls of the damned into true devils. Like their patron, The Forged seek to temper their souls before they reach the realm of Belial. They believe that in doing so they will be forged into more powerful devils to fight in the armies of Hell.

The Forged are a monastic order who mix martial arts with divine power from the Lord of the Fourth. They live by strict rules to better prepare themselves for the absolute order of Hell. Although the sect only contains between half a dozen and a dozen members at a time, they are each highly trained warpriests. They will occasionally work with both the royal Chelaxian army and the Hellknights if they find the goal fits into their lord’s agenda.

The House of the Gruff

The sign above the door is a placard with a fiendish looking goat on it. The House of the Gruff is one of the premiere houses of ill repute in all of Egorian. Whereas in other countries Calistria’s follower will master the flesh trade, in the land of devils it is Belial’s chosen who oversee such things. To the Calsitrians selling sex is just a means to spread pleasure, to the Father of Whores it is a means to corrupt more souls.

The House of the Gruff specializes in some of the most bizarre carnal acts. Once someone has tasted of their basic amenities the master of the house tempts them with more peculiar pleasures. When the returning patron can no longer find pleasure without performing the most depraved acts then the House buys his soul for their patron. Each member of the House of the Gruff is a skilled tempter. Once the forbidden fruit is tasted it can never be uneaten.

The Forbidden Kiss

Although Belial’s worship is most prominent among the diabolists of Cheliax, it is not the only place that his followers call home. The decadent aristocracy of Taldor is the perfect breeding ground for the lusts that the devil known as The Pale Kiss peddles. It is here that his minions, The Forbidden Kiss, work their wiles on the rich and powerful—those who have more money and time on their hands than sense.

The Forbidden Kiss uses blackmail to their advantage to gain control of politics by proxy. They tempt politicians, aristocrats, merchant lords, and nobility alike with the pleasures of flesh. Once they’ve cheated on their loved ones, the sect moves in to hold that knowledge against them. Belial looks to recreate Taldor in the image of Cheliax but under his own guidance rather than that of Asmodeus.

The Duke of Many Forms and Father of Whores has followers who are just as passionate as he is. Who is your follower of Belial? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Lord of the Fourth? 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.

The Dark Side of Gotham - Servitors of Dispater

It’s Saturday and thus 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 creating 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 run wild with the rest.

Today's god

Dispater, Lawful Evil Archdevil of cities, prisons, and rulership

Dispater’s Pathfinder Wiki page 

Dispater’s Archives of Nethys Entry

Although a fair bit has been written about Dispater in the world of Golarion, and he is a well-documented real world god, not as much has been penned about his followers. We know of his origins and his home. We know of his wives and his son. But there is little about the church, sects and cults of the second most powerful Archdevil in hell.

Order of the Lock and Key

Although Dispater is irredeemably evil, as are a most of his devotees, they do believe in a strict sense of structure. They thrive on the rule of law, even if they believe they should rule and they should make the laws. What followers of the lord of Dis cannot abide by is unstructured chaos.

The Order of the Lock and Key is actually something of a joint task force. Followers of the Archdevil as well as devotees of the Master of the First Vault, Abadar, and the faithful of the Empyreal Lord Olheon band together to stem the tide of chaos. Their main focus is on hunting demons of the Abyss and Proteans of the maelstrom, trying to keep civilization from falling apart.

Beings from the great beyond aren’t their only prey,  though. The group keeps a secret prison that holds people, creatures, and outer planar beings that cannot or should not be killed. The Citadel Chaosium is a heavily guarded location, its whereabouts are rumored to be anywhere from deep in the icewall to fathoms beneath the surface of the Arcadian Ocean.

Brotherhood of the Iron Kiss

Among the nobility of Egorian, not every diabolist dedicates his shrine to Asmodeus. Many a young man looks to Dispater as the master of courtly romance. Among these an even more select group flourish, the Brotherhood of the Iron Kiss. These devotees to the Iron King take pains to master the art of seduction, and among each other rank is determined by conquests made.

Even darker though are the Brother’s attempts to gain political influence. Many a noble has lost a wife or even two to tragic events. These events are triggered by other members of the brotherhood so that they can never be linked back to the bereaved spouse. The widowed man has no knowledge of when or how it will happen. With new riches and gains in stations for marrying above himself the Brotherhood of the Iron Kiss gains more power in Cheliax’s capital city.

Law Dogs

Many of DIspater’s followers work among the ranks of prison guards across the face of Golarion. To them, those rightfully imprisoned deserve their fate and escape is considered an affront to their master. When high profile prisoners manage to slip their shackles and find freedom from their cages, it takes a special kind of hunter to bring them back.

The Law Dogs specialize in returning those who break their chains and become fugitives. Many cities across Avistan have a chapter house for traveling bounty hunters. These locations are small barracks, with the only permanent resident being a fixer who organizes jobs for the organization. The group is known to be highly effective, which allows most to overlook the fact that they serve the second in command of armies of hell.

The Iron Spire

Followers of gods like Abadar seek to expand the civilized world to make it a better, less barbaric place for the mortals their cities house. Many members of Dispater seek to expand cities for the sake of the city itself, without care for its mortal populace. What many people don’t realize is that the cities themselves are living organisms and the way a city is laid out alters the natural flow of mystical energy and living thing creates. The Iron Spire seeks to guide that energy to their master, Dispater.

Members of the Iron Spire include many city planners and architects. These builders steer public works to take advantage of the flow of a city’s unseen forces and twist them toward evil. The Iron Spirites also includes surveyors who seek to build new settlements, mainly over lands that already have a strong current of mystical energy or in places that will displace and cause conflict with those who still live in barbaric tribes.

The Lords of Little Dis

Although Dispater is ever the “loyal” servant for the first lord of Hell, Asmodeus, their alliance only goes so far. Second in command is never enough for one such as the Lord of Dis. But with Asmodeus’ ever watchful eye on the Iron King, Dispater cannot plot so openly against his lord and ally. The mortal servants of Dispater are under no such strictures and it is much easier for them to skirt the vision of attentive first lord of hell.

Originally a sect within the Iron Spire, the group that became the Lords of Little Dis took up residence in Magnimar. The city had divorced itself from its Cheliaxian roots and threw off worship of Asmodeus. As such adherents to the Iron King found the metropolis a perfect home. As the city was being built a group of Iron Sprite disciples saw a chance to make a place where Dispater’s plots against his lord could go unseen.

When the Pediment building, the center of political power in the city, was being built, it was these few in the Iron Spire that suggested building the prison under it. The other city planners were unaware that the location chosen was at the confluence of mystical energy in the city. Architects among the Spirites slowly adjusted the plans so that the construction of the building and the prison guided this energy as they saw fit. The lower portion of the hells below the main made cells were sublevels dug into the earth itself, used to house the worst prisoners. It is here, on the second cavern level that exists Little Dis.

Having splintered off from the Iron Spire sect and now calling themselves the Lords of Little Dis, the adherents of Dispater use this area hidden from Asmodeus’ view to plot their master’s ascension. Little Dis has a mystical but untraceable connection to the actual land of Dis and the Lords use this to connect with the will of Dispater. The deep prison is also used to house enemies of Dispater, especially important pawns of Asmodeus, when they need not be found by the lord of hell again.