Post by HDM Legacy on Feb 6, 2016 0:55:15 GMT
Achlys, the Crimson Queen
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Portfolio: War, Power, Slaughter, Victory, Undeath, Blood, Pacts
Domains: Law, Evil, Blood, War
Worshipers: Tyrants, Intelligent Undead, Blackguards, Necromancers, Morcavians
Favored Weapon: Bastard Sword
Holy Symbol: A bloody sword emerging from a fanged skull's mouth.
Sacred Animal: Bat
Holy Month: October
Monastic Order: The Crimson Hand
Headquarters: Rautendorf, Morcavia
Colors: Red and Black
The deity known as Achlys holds dominion over bloodshed, undeath, warfare, and tyranny. She is often depicted as a tall, youthful, achingly beautiful woman in a tattered royal gown and breastplate, with pale flesh, golden hair, and burning eyes. While the deity's origins are shrouded in mystery and secrecy, all know that the Church of Achlys is strongest in Morcavia, where it is the only religion allowed to operate freely. All others must pay heavy fees for licenses, and are subject to constant inspections, in order to assure they do not undermine the state religion. Achlys' church operates as a rigid hierarchy where advancement is earned through brutal personal combat, and horrific blood rituals are a normal part of daily services. Criminals and traitors are often sacrificed on her altar, and the enslavement of captured enemies is encouraged.
Achlys' church abroad changes it's holy rites so as not to break local laws, and their fondness for bloodshed and domination often leads them to seek positions as torturers, jailers, and executioners.
For all it's horrors, the Church of Achlys keeps Morcavia safe from themselves, and the even more frightening creatures of the far north. Since the realm fell under her shadow, the Crimson Queen's armies have prevented the hordes of Moloch from pushing further south into civilized lands, methodically routing the Destroyer's forces at every turn. Crime in Morcavia is shockingly low, as the laws are strict and punishments are grimly draconian.
Achlys frequently draws fallen paladins to her service as blackguards, and among all the dark gods commands the greatest number of these terrible champions. Her worshipers frequently make references to blood, with such sayings as “For the Sacred Blood!” and “We Bleed for our Queen!”
The church of Achlys has poor relations with the Church of Solon, who views their goddess as an abomination. They also quarrel frequently with the children of Luasa, who take exception to the Church of Blood's "better safe than sorry" approach to dealing with Lycanthropes. Ironically they get along best with Ara's worshippers, who see in them a distasteful yet necessary ally in the fight against Moloch and his horrors.
It is assumed that Achlys herself created the Veil of Mist around Morcavia in order to protect it's people from the minions of Moloch. However, some scholars debate that the Veil was not meant to protect her people, but created by the other gods to protect the rest of the world from her.
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Portfolio: War, Power, Slaughter, Victory, Undeath, Blood, Pacts
Domains: Law, Evil, Blood, War
Worshipers: Tyrants, Intelligent Undead, Blackguards, Necromancers, Morcavians
Favored Weapon: Bastard Sword
Holy Symbol: A bloody sword emerging from a fanged skull's mouth.
Sacred Animal: Bat
Holy Month: October
Monastic Order: The Crimson Hand
Headquarters: Rautendorf, Morcavia
Colors: Red and Black
The deity known as Achlys holds dominion over bloodshed, undeath, warfare, and tyranny. She is often depicted as a tall, youthful, achingly beautiful woman in a tattered royal gown and breastplate, with pale flesh, golden hair, and burning eyes. While the deity's origins are shrouded in mystery and secrecy, all know that the Church of Achlys is strongest in Morcavia, where it is the only religion allowed to operate freely. All others must pay heavy fees for licenses, and are subject to constant inspections, in order to assure they do not undermine the state religion. Achlys' church operates as a rigid hierarchy where advancement is earned through brutal personal combat, and horrific blood rituals are a normal part of daily services. Criminals and traitors are often sacrificed on her altar, and the enslavement of captured enemies is encouraged.
Achlys' church abroad changes it's holy rites so as not to break local laws, and their fondness for bloodshed and domination often leads them to seek positions as torturers, jailers, and executioners.
For all it's horrors, the Church of Achlys keeps Morcavia safe from themselves, and the even more frightening creatures of the far north. Since the realm fell under her shadow, the Crimson Queen's armies have prevented the hordes of Moloch from pushing further south into civilized lands, methodically routing the Destroyer's forces at every turn. Crime in Morcavia is shockingly low, as the laws are strict and punishments are grimly draconian.
Achlys frequently draws fallen paladins to her service as blackguards, and among all the dark gods commands the greatest number of these terrible champions. Her worshipers frequently make references to blood, with such sayings as “For the Sacred Blood!” and “We Bleed for our Queen!”
The church of Achlys has poor relations with the Church of Solon, who views their goddess as an abomination. They also quarrel frequently with the children of Luasa, who take exception to the Church of Blood's "better safe than sorry" approach to dealing with Lycanthropes. Ironically they get along best with Ara's worshippers, who see in them a distasteful yet necessary ally in the fight against Moloch and his horrors.
It is assumed that Achlys herself created the Veil of Mist around Morcavia in order to protect it's people from the minions of Moloch. However, some scholars debate that the Veil was not meant to protect her people, but created by the other gods to protect the rest of the world from her.