Thalgron
(a.k.a. The Ruinous Maw)
Thalgron manifests as a monstrous figure of barely contained destruction, his form more bestial than humanoid. His skin appears as cracked obsidian or cooling lava, with glowing magma visible through the fissures that constantly open and seal across his surface. His face resembles a wild boar's, with a tusked maw large enough to devour a man whole, eyes like volcanic vents that spew smoke and cinders, and a ridge of crystallized fire running down his back like a mane. His massive arms end in clawed hands capable of sundering stone, while his lower body appears as a swirling vortex of destructive energy rather than legs, allowing him to move as a living natural disaster. He wears minimal armor—just enough to accentuate his destructive nature—crafted from metals warped and melted by his own body heat, adorned with trophies from civilization's ruins.
Worship of Thalgron appeals to those who revere destruction for its own sake—anarchists, nihilists, those who have lost everything and wish others to share their pain, and those who believe creation can only be renewed through periodic devastation. His followers seek to unleash primal destructive forces, viewing restraint as unnatural and civilization as a facade hiding the true chaotic nature of existence. Devotional practices include ritual destruction of valuable objects, fire-walking, harnessing natural disasters when possible, and leaving offerings at the sites of devastation. Many adherents bear burn scars in patterns resembling cracked earth, viewing these marks as signs of their god's favor.
Temples to Thalgron are rare permanent structures, as his worship emphasizes transience and transformation through destruction. When they do exist, they're typically built near volatile natural features—active volcanoes, earthquake fault lines, or regions prone to devastating storms. Their architecture incorporates unstable elements deliberately, with sections designed to collapse periodically and be rebuilt, symbolizing the cycle of destruction and renewal. The central feature is always a massive fire pit or "Maw" representing Thalgron's insatiable hunger, where offerings are consumed by flames during rituals. Many such temples have been destroyed by the very natural forces they venerate, which followers interpret as their god directly accepting their worship.
Thalgron's followers observe what they call "Cataclysm Days"—anniversaries of significant disasters, both natural and manufactured. During these commemorations, they gather at sites of destruction to conduct rituals they believe will channel and focus destructive energies. Their most significant ceremony is the "Breaking"—a ritual conducted when a follower's rage or pain reaches its apex, allowing them to temporarily channel a fraction of Thalgron's destructive essence. These events are unpredictable and deeply feared, as they typically result in localized disasters that serve as catalysts for wider destruction.
Divine Domains
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