Arkhural the Darkheart, Lord of Fear
| Favored Race | Shuddeni |
|---|---|
| Element(s) | Fire & Void |
| Home(s) | The City of the Lost & Temple of the Darkheart |
| Alignment | Neutral Evil |
| Symbol | Bloodstained fist or claw |
| Porfolio | Shuddeni, fear, pain, hate (minor), power (minor), greed, murder |
| Worshippers | Assassins, shuddeni, evil rogues, barbarians, and spellcasters |
History in Avendar
One of the ancient gods of darkness, Arkhural is said to first have been worshiped by the foul Shuddeni in their sprawling undercities. Scholars posit that it was his doctrine of power, pain, hate, greed and- most of all- fear, that motivated the Shuddeni war machine to march on the surface. Though the Shuddeni were defeated in their gambit, Arkhural still waxed in power, for his worship took root in the hearts of evil surface dwellers. In time, a cadre of rogues would pledge the formation of their canyon to the Darkheart.
Goals and Methods
While Arkhural's ultimate goals are the subject of much conjecture, it is clear that his followers seek to exert control over their fellows through fear, power and murder that their dark lord might thrive. The minions of the Darkheart foster strife throughout the realms that the lands may again become an abattoir of selfishness and violence. It is believed that thus will the Lord of Fear grow in power.
Organizations and Followings
Worship of the Darkheart is rarely an open affair in Avendar. Due to the tendency of any goodly or lawful group to destroy any cults of Arkhural they root out, followers have been forced to adopt small, cell-like groups in civil lands. In the dark undercity of Yithoul, Arkhural is worshiped openly by the sinister Shuddeni clans.
The Sect of Shijardu
"Arkhural! Paint this world with the blackness of your soul!"
The most open and notorious of the followers of Arkhural, the Sect of Shijardu are among the ruling class of the Shuddeni septs. It is rumored that the undercity of Yithoul houses a grand temple to the Lord of Fear. The Shuddeni priests seek mastery over each of the four virtues of darkness. To this end they organize parties to assault other surface dwellers for coin, goods and slaves to take back to their cities underground. Adventurers who join the sect seek to master the doctrine of Pain, Power, Greed and Hate as a path to true understanding of Arkhural.
The Arkhilhra
"He was killed, of course. He will not learn, but the rest will."
The Arkhilhra, a corruption of the Shuddeni phrase "of Arkhural", has its origins in days before the War of Night, when the surface folk began to first do business with the Shuddeni. It came to denote those who had adopted the creed of the Shuddeni lord in the war years to come. It now describes a shady and diverse collection of merchants, rulers and nobles who secretly serve the Lord of Fear. Using their influence, they strengthen the portfolios of their lord. Rumors abound of their competition with the followers of Serachel, speculation arising of a shadow war waged between the groups.
The Shades of the Darkheart
"You should not have screamed. An audience requires a spectacle."
A dangerous assassins cult, the Shades serve their lord in his aspect as the God of Murder and Fear. Dedicants primarily work alone and in secret, rarely making contact with other servants of their lord. They instill fear with their work. Be it terror in the masses with public and bloody assassinations or a quiet, creeping dread with a string of unsolved murders. Followers have been known to trade efficiency for effect, however, sometimes eschewing a clean kill when a bloody and terrifying spectacle can be had.
Individual Followers
Those who follow Arkhural are a diverse lot who share two traits: an evil demeanor and a will to dominate others through fear. Those who are most successful in spreading terror are blessed as his chosen, deferred to by others of his clergy. Those who consistently fail him are often made a grim example of, left as living reminders for those who would poorly serve the God of Fear.
With their will to dominate, cultists of Arkhural often set themselves up as the leaders of the cults of less organized gods, brutalizing their followers into submission. In these attempts, they often come into conflict with the followers of Rveyelhi and Serachel.
Relationships
Arkhural, due to his selfishness and opportunism, has made many enemies amongst the Pantheon. He is reviled by the Gods of Light and Law for his viciousness and selfish unpredictability. His fellow lords of darkness distrust him, but tentative alliances have formed between him and deities such as Sythrak and Bayyal. During the War of Night he aided Ashur's bid for domination. His rapacious nature puts him at odds with gods whose portfolios he covets, Serachel and Rveyelhi the foremost amongst them.
