Two of a Kind

Devotees of Imbrex

Most divine-level beings are cut from the very stuff of the outer realms; whether they be gods, powerful angels, or things of the void. But some creatures can form a connection with greater world just from sheer force of will. Today we will look and one of the powerful fey that have grown beyond their kin and gain godlike power. Imbrex, the Fey Eldest of endings, statues, and twins is a being of such power while still remaining closer to mortal than most other being of divine power. Today we look at three possible sects of this fey deity.

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

For more information on Imbrex

Imbrex’s Pathfinder Wiki Page

Imbrex’s Archives of Nethys Page 

The Entwined

The Entwined are special Oracles that have been chosen – sometimes against their will – by the Elder fey known as Imbrex. Although the actual Entwined are rare and only one or two exist at a time, the cult main consists of their followers, vision interpreters, and other hangers-on. The Entwined themselves are a set of twins who, when in close proximity to each other, show great oracular ability.

The cult consists of those who would take care of the needs of the sets of oracular twins as they are near royalty. There are also those who enact the will of the visions the two see. The sect also includes quite a few fey who are trapped on Golarion as a way to stay connected to their original home in the first world.

The Final Swing

Imbrex is known as the seer of the end. For the fey he is often the last being they see before departing this or the first world. Although not all endings are permanent, the Final Swing sees to those that are. This sect is a group of druids who interpret the will of The Twins and keep balance by ending those things whose time has come. How and where they choose who is ended is unknown, but woe to those who are believed to have passed their usefulness.

Although consisting mainly of fey-touched druids, this sect also includes others who are connected to both nature and the first world. Rangers, shaman, hunters, oracles, witches all have a home within the ranks of the final swing. The endings that they bring are chosen for them and are usually performed with a dispassionate view. Some of the group, however, take a little more pleasure in “ending” someone than others do.

The Mason

The Mason isn’t a sect so much as one individual. He is an ancient elf, some say millennia old -- possibly alive since before earthfall. At one point he was part of a set of twins, oracles who could have been a part of The Entwined if the sect had existed while the other was still alive. Now it is just The Mason.

The Mason enshrines history in stone. His statues are renown among both elves and fey. If he can be found The Mason will take commission work, but mainly his creations end up being placed in seemingly random locations in the forests of Golarion. He keeps none of his own work save one, a cracked and broken statue of an elf. When asked about the stone’s resemblance to himself, The Mason shrugs and changes the subject.

The twin souls of the fey find a home in their followers. Who is your disciple of Imbrex? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to The Twins? Where does their devotion to this member of The Eldest come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB has 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.

Time and Time Again

Followers of Shyka

The fey Eldest, incredibly powerful fairie beings from the first world that can grant divine power. This week we’re going to take a look at another one of their number Shyka. It – as Shyka can actually be considered a title or a role held by many entities – is the Eldest of entropy, reincarnation, and time. We’ll take a look at three possible sects of this divine being that you can add to 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 Shyka. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of The Many. What character do you make?

For more information on Shyka

Shyka’s Pathfinder Wiki Page (http://www.pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Shyka)

Shyka’s Archives of Nethys Page (http://www.archivesofnethys.com/DeityDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Shyka)

The Infinite Hourglass

This small group of time obsessed men and women actually worship two deities; Brigh and Shyka. The group guards a sacred hour glass that seems to have an infinite amount of sand. It is said that Brigh herself crafted the hourglass and that the sand was provided by Shyka from the first world. The legend of the hourglass says that when the sand actually starts to run out the end of the world is near.

Members of this sect are almost all divine spellcasters. Oracles and clerics are the majority of the group but there are a handful of sorcerers. The few non-spellcasters are mathematicians and astrologers who enjoy tracking the flow of time. Joining the sect is a calling and anyone who is drawn to them and find them are accepted.

The Continuation

Among Shyka’s followers those who can make claim to having past lives are some of the most well respected. The leaders of The Continuation all claim to have served more than one lifetime on Golarion and have the ability to reach back into their past. Only a few of the members are reincarnated souls – less than a dozen – the rest are supplicants looking to earn a place on the wheel of reincarnation.

The general membership of the sect comes from all walks of life. From the best trained fighters and wizards, to the lowly farmer. The reincarnated souls almost all have some kind of extraordinary power attached to them. Psychic ability is actually the most common with mediums, psychics, and spiritualists dominating those who are living a second or even third life.

The Turning Wheel

Everything that begins must end, or so is the philosophy of The Turning Wheel. For some destruction is seen as a force of evil, for those who understand that death does not have a morality it is less so. The Turning Wheel makes sure things that are supposed to cease to be do so in a timely manner. They are especially fervent about undead and often work with followers of Pharasma to return these abominations to the cycle of life.

The leader of the sect is an oracle by the name of JerusHibblespot. This aging and blind gnome has a connection directly to the fey lord. Shyka informs him of things that must be removed from the timeline to keep the flow of the world moving. The rest of the members are basically assassins, although they can come from any profession. Wizards, clerics and other casters can be used to deal with magical problems. While more literal assassins are occasionally used to remove a mundane person or thing from existence.

Like this member of The Eldest, its followers live die and are reborn again. Who is your disciple of Shyka? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to The Many? Where does their devotion come from? Let me know in the comments.

If the CRB has 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 KindleSubscriptions.

From the Foamy Maw

Disciples of Ragadahn

Illustration by Luis Perez

In our explorations of the Fey Eldest as conduits for divine power we’ve looked at some capricious and even dark figures. What we have yet to see among these lords of the first world is something wholly evil. Today we change that as we delve into the minds of the followers of Ragadahn, the Fey Eldest of linnorms, oceans, and spirals. Very little has been noted about this divine being so today’s peek behind the veil of his disciples should give players and GMs who want to use him in their games some good starting points.

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

For more information on Ragadahn

Ragadahn’s Pathfinder Wiki Page

Ragadahn’s Archives of Nethys Page

The Poisoned Lash

Although you’ll rarely see them until it’s too late, the famed blue and white scale armor and dragon masks are as synonymous for The Poisoned Lash as their signature weapon, the envenomed scorpion whip. This group of assassin may not be as well-known as the Red Mantis but they actually like it that way. Hushed whispers of possible jobs they’ve committed around Northern Avistan are the only publicity they need or desire.

The Poisoned Lash began as a one woman operation. This killer became a devotee of Ragadahn when she took on one of his linnorm followers and won. The serpentine beast survived the encounter just barely, but Ragadahn was so impressed he gifted her with some of his divine power. She eventually trained an apprentice, who trained two more, until eventually the small gathering was both a group of hired killers and a sect of the Serpent King.

Wave Riders

Near the land of the Linnorm Kings in the Iron Archipelago many Ulfen clans still live a seafaring and occasionally raiding way of life. There are islands that are known to house fey, there are the famed skinwalker clans, and There is much worse. Among these children’s stories of terrors of the waves are the dragon-boat piloting Wave Riders.

The Wave Riders are a clan of about three dozen Ulfen who have dedicated themselves to one of the Fey Eldest, whose presence is felt strongly here because of the isles’ connection to the first world. These worshipers of Ragadahn, The Water Lord, are actually led by one his earthly spawn, a linnorm. Their raids are used to not only feed, clothe, and test their own strength, but also to increase the size of this dragon-like creature’s hoard.

Chosen of the True First

Some of the followers of Ragadahn revere him for his aspect as The Father of Dragons  Because they believe that he is the true creator of dragons on Golarion they find themselves oft at odds with the church of Apsu. The Chosen of the True First see it as their holy mission to stand against Apsu’s might and end his blasphemous claim of being he who begat the dragon race.

This small sect is mostly made up of clerics, inquisitors, rangers, and anti-paladins. They set themselves against the church of Apsu trying to stymie their progress at any turn. They also hunt down dragons of all other stripes, metallic and chromatic, and try and convert them to the worship of their true progenitor. Barring that, they kill them and offer their corpses as a sacrifice to their lord.

Like the flow of the ocean waves followers of the Serpent King crash against the shores of all who oppose them. Who is your follower of Ragadahn? Why have they chosen to dedicate themselves to the Water Lord? 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.

Exiled in Shadows

Devotees of Count Ranalc

Count Ranalc, the exiled fey lord, the only member of the Eldest who does not reside in the first world. The Eldest have many goals, almost all of them inscrutable. We have already look at Ng and The LostPrince, but Count Ranalc is even more of a mystery. Exiled to the plane of shadows for reasons unknown, his clerics still receive power but not so much guidance. Why has he been banished? Where is he hiding in the realm of shadows?

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 The Lost Prince. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of this member of the Eldest. What character do you make?

For what little information there is on Count Ranalc search here

Archives of Nethys Page 

Pathfinder Wiki Page

The Second Men

Although not all men, this small sect of Count Ranalc worshipers in Taldor boasts some of the most well trained duelists in the country. They specialize in being the second to those who have been betrayed. Whether it is by a business partner, or a lover, or a political rival it doesn’t matter to the Second Men. What matters is they help right the wrong committed upon those they take up the blade for.

Becoming one of the Second Men isn’t just about learning to swing a sword. Each of the Second Men have faced major betrayal in their own lives and have sought Count Ranalc to help ease their pain. It is only through the divine guidance of the Count that the wronged can even find the Second Men to begin with. They offer training so that the injured party might right the wrong and when they succeed they may join the Second Men. Those who fail, usually aren’t around to complain about being denied entry.

The Fangwood Elves

This enclave of elves are a holdover of surface elves from before Starfall. They did not flee Golarion like many of their kin, they burrow deep to hide in the darklands, and they did not lower themselves to seek succor among the shorter lived races. Their choice to remain in their ancestral home, however, has seen them become exiled from their people, albeit self-imposed. They have also turned their back on the elven gods and embraced their fey roots by seeking to follow Count Ranalc among the shadow-draped trees of the Fangwood.

One does not so much join the Fangwood elves are born into it. These elves lead a very strict and regimented lifestyle, eschewing the more carefree ways of their kin. The Fangwood has become the home to a great green dragon named Zedoran and more recently bands of orcs from the Hold of Belzkan that have taken to worshiping it. The wood has also seen a blight that has corrupted many a fey, including a powerful dryad, Arlantia. The Fangwood elves fight a battle on two sides and to this end their people live an act in a militaristic fashion.

The Shadow Seekers

The Count has been banished for thousands of years from the first world and the Shadow Seekers aim to find out why. This small sect within the church of Count Ranalc know that they continue to have their prayers granted and their spells bestowed upon them, but direct communion with their patron has ceased. This group of hunters searches the shadow plane looking for Count Ranalc to find answers to their questions.

Hunting on the plane of shadow is no easy task. Avoiding the many insubstantial monsters that exist there is a difficult proposition; and beyond the roaming shadowy beasts there are the great umbral dragons, the Kyton Demagogues who are near gods in their own right, and the unofficial ruler of the realm of shadows Zon-Kuthon himself. The groups of Shadow Seekers included more than just clerics, but shadow wizards, rangers who specialized in the outer planes, and those who have mastered the art of the shadow dancer. To survive the plane of shadows one must understand the darkness.

You’ve seen my sects and maybe they’ve inspired you in your creation of a worshiper of Count Ranalc. Who is your devotee? Why have they chosen to dedicate himself to the Count? Where did they even learn of the Fey Lord? Let me know in the comments.

Unlike Count Ranalc the CRB is right here out in the open, but keeping it out the shadows means having the support of its viewers. Consider becoming one of its supporters by contributing on my Patreon. 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 KindleSubscriptions.

Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness

Sects of the Lost Prince

To The Lost Prince, balance is all -- but in his search for balance things get lost, forgotten, or set by the wayside. Not all beings that grant divine power are gods. The Eldest of the Fey are beings of such immense strength that, when worshipped, they can bestow upon their devotees some of their essence. The Lost Prince may seek solitude but he is never lonely, for those who have also been forgotten find him and pay him homage.

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 The Lost Prince. The character does not need to be a divine caster, just a devotee of this member of the Eldest. What character do you make?

For what little information there is on The Lost Prince

Archives of Nethys Page 

Pathfinder Wiki Page 

Supplicants of the Black Tower

The Supplicants of the Black Tower are a group of librarians who seek to keep all of the forgotten things. Unlike followers of Norgorber, with whom they are frequently at odds, they do not seek to hide knowledge away from the world -- just hold onto it for safekeeping. Upon hearing of its existence, many a loremaster will search the wilds for the black tower itself and attempt to gain admittance. The price for entry is a piece of information that few if any know. The price to become a supplicant is to forget something important to you, your own name.

The nameless brothers of the black tower normally find the solitude of their hidden home more to their liking, but occasionally they will head out into the world. Rumors of lost libraries, forgotten wizards towers, and buried tombs of kings are all the incentive the Supplicants of the Black Tower need to venture out from their home. The lure of ancient and forgotten knowledge is the strongest thing in the world to a nameless brother.

The Black Wing Society

Where The Lost Prince himself cares little for furthering the cause of law and chaos or good and evil, not all of his followers are so inclined. The Black Wing Society feels that loss and sorrow are the only true motivators of the world and that everyone should feel this pain as they do. Members of the Black Wing Society are so mired in their own sadness that goes far past melancholy and into outright despair. Every member has had a personal loss; some have lost limbs in battle, others family members to horrible death, and still others have been spurned by someone they loved.

The Black Wing Society uses the iconography of the raven and many keep these large black birds as pets or companions. They haunt the nightmares of entire towns through acts of diabolic mischief. Stealing precious items kidnapping family members, spoiling the plans of people’s hopes and dreams. These followers of the Lost Prince feed off the despair of those around them. Although they often work alone, occasionally they well gather to despoil a particularly idyllic village, and when an unkindness of Black Wings gather only pain and death will follow.

The Unforgotten

When lost in the woods you just happen upon a guide who can lead to the forest’s edge. That is probably a member of the Unforgotten. Just because the Lost Prince deal with those things lost and misplaced doesn’t mean he intends them to stay that way. Members of the Unforgotten seek to show the good works of the fey lord. Although they still prefer the solitude of the deep woods, they know not all others do.

The Unforgotten are one of the few known sects of The Lost Prince. They do their good deeds in his name, seeking to bring better understanding of their patron. The Unforgotten will hire themselves out as wilderness guides to caravans and adventuring parties at reasonable rates. Where they excel is finding lost children, which they do for free. Many a distraught parent has come to the refuge of the Unforgotten with the tale of a missing son or daughter who wandered into the trees. The success rate of returned younglings is much higher when a devotee of the Melancholy Lord is involved.

The Darkened Verse

This is a very small sect of elves who follow the Lost Prince. Each and every one considers themselves a master poet. They try to constantly outdo each other in the most depressing lines of verse they can possibly muster. They take pride in their own personal heartbreak and sadness and see these feelings as the truest ways to express their art. Most other elvish parts see them as petulant children but the draw of their performances cannot be denied. Right now the members of the Darkened Verse are all the rage among the younger elves of Kyonin.

These are the ideas I had. The characters I pictured would fit into one of these sects. But what did you come up with? Who is your devotee of The Lost Prince? Why has your character chosen to follow this dour and obscure divine figure?

Have you been inspired as the Darkened Verse has been by the Melancholy Lord? Then why not consider being my muse? Keep the content from becoming lost knowledge by becoming a patron today, Follow along with the CRB on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr to see more everyday thoughts from me and join the community of other fans of my work.

With Everything Turn - Gnome Seasonals

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 groups purpose is going to be working toward the goals of this specific divine being. And I'd like not just a race class combo, but a little bit about why the character would choose to dedicate him or herself to this god. Feel free to make up secret or not so secret orders within the church. Or even sects outside of the church 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

Ng, True Neutral Fey Eldest of secrets, wanderers and the seasons

Ng’s Pathfinder Wiki page 

Ng’s Archives of Nethys Entry 

Now the eldest aren’t necessarily gods, they are for the most part just incredibly powerful fey creatures. Although some believe that Ng may be the herald of an actual god, he himself does grant divine powers to his own followers. Although mostly worshiped by fey stuck on Golarion, he is sometimes revered among the elves and gnomes as well.

Of his gnomish followers there is one group called the seasonals. The seasonals are a group of gnome wanderers who’s personalities, appearance and even powers change with the turning of the seasons. Intensely effected by these seasonal changes they don’t do well living in large groups and thus move from place to place.

Spring

In the spring the seasonals are at their most inquisitive. Everything seems fresh and new about them and to them. When spring rolls around and they throw off the cold darkness of winter the seasonals will usually find a gnome village to attach themselves too for a little bit. In their spring mode they will help sow the field, work with craftsmen to get the projects started for the year, and be an all-around joy to be around.

Summer

The heat of summer brings forth the passion of the seasonal gnome. In some this passion is focused on mating as the seasonal woos everything in sight. In others this passion leads to rage and the seasonal gnome will seek out battle wherever he can find it. In some of the seasonals this passion can be turned inward and you’ll find them in intense study in libraries, wizard schools and alchemy labs.

Fall

As the seasons turn and harvest begins the seasonal gnomes complete their projects for the year. They prepare to leave society behind for the long cold days of winter. Some seasonal gnomes turn to pranks and tricks during the fall seasons, a prelude to their darker selves. The fall seasonals will take this time to celebrate with their peers and are known to be the life of the party and gnomish harvest festivals.

Winter

During the winter months the seasonal gnomes lose a lot of their color. Sometimes they are mistaken for bleachling gnomes. In truth this temporary form of bleaching saves seasonal gnomes from the true bleaching. Winter gnomes are grim and dark, representing both the harshness of winter and dual nature of the fey first world. Winter seasonals can be downright evil, which is why the separate themselves from others before the change takes them over.

Although I don’t always talk mechanics you cannot remove mechanics from the game. The seasonals are hard to represent with just the core mechanic for gnomes in Pathfinder. My suggestion, and really how this idea came to mind, is that seasonal gnomes should be allowed to swap out alternate race traits in each season. The player should work with the GM and come up with a set of traits the gnome gains in each season. Fey Magic and Fey thoughts are both good choices, switching out just the druid spell and the skill choices at each season. Eternal hope is a good choice for spring, Pyromaniac fits well with summer, dirty trickster would do for a fall seasonal and Fell Magic seems appropriate for a winter.

Like the seasonal gnomes? Then tell us your idea for one. Or maybe you have a very different idea for worshipers of Ng in general. No idea is a bad one and the way we expand upon the game is by sharing. So tell us about your Ng worshiper?