Nastil
The Riotous One Nastil
“Lift your head up, broken one. Your toils are at an end, as are the lives of those who condemned you to servitude.”
Description
Nastil the Riotous One, Scythe-Heart, They That Usher The Final Path - There are many names for the one that opposes The Sentinel, The Guardians, and largely every civilized nation in Arcanorum. This being, while rightly counted among the Divine, remains apart - seemingly bent of the destruction of mortals in particular.
While the goals and motivations of Nastil are not clearly understood, their actions are unmistakable: attacks on borderland towns, undermining of peace and prosperity, and destruction of long-held bastions of power are commonplace in Nastil's reign of terror.
Notably, Nastil's creatures, Simulacrum, and faithful are well-known for being particularly cruel to the mortal breeds. Why this might be is anyone's guess, however, the public display of torture and gruesome deaths at the delighted hands of their followers cannot simply be a tactic aimed at demoralization - it's too consistent across the otherwise chaotic manner of those under Nastil's sway.
Opposed by nearly every divine, patron, and entity that cares a whit about mortal well being, Nastil is the primary foe of faiths such as The Sentinel and The Tower, as the deities Voxus and Kemis attempt to oppose the destruction wrought at every turn.
Dogma
Nastil is not spoken of well in polite society. The Riotous One is anathema to kingdoms, cities, and even palatial estates. Scythe-Heart reaches out and empowers those who are disenfranchised, marginalized, and oppressed. Power flows to those looking to tear down established orders, and topple reigning monarchs, which is of little use to those enjoying their seats of power and influence.
Offerings to Nastil are appropriate when your progress is being opposed, change is required, and the peace of Olfrin and Voxus will not sway your opponent’s hearts.
It is believed that Nastil favors survivors. Small communities and tribes who collectively add to the whole are blessed by They That Usher The Final Path, as each one contributes to the progress of themselves and those around them. When one attempts to rise above, lifted on the shoulders of others who touch the earth and mold iron, Nastil’s vengeance stokes hotter than molten erupting from the earth.
Daily Rituals & Practices
Adherents of Nastil are rarely devout, instead focusing their lives on day to day survival. That said, tribes who follow the Riotous One adopt certain cultural practices, sayings, and pleasantries that bridge the, sometimes long, gap between formal rituals and observances.
Subtle Acknowledgement & Rebuke of Oppression
"It’s quite hot/bright out…"
"The sun sets eventually…"
This casual exchange has a deeper meaning to followers of Nastil. The phrase can be used at any time of the year to signify there is an overbearing presence, using the sun as a metaphor for Voxus and his adherents, with the response symbolizing that all reigns come to an end.
It can also be used to identify another adherent when untrusted ears may be listening in.
Untethered Greeting
A faux handshake that applies pressure / hooks the first two fingers, before the clasp gives way and ‘snaps’ apart. Even Voxus’ followers acknowledge the Unraveling of Nastil, an inescapable end of things where the threats of fate are unwound. This subtle handshake allows followers to remind themselves of impermanence, and the necessity to cause the unraveling when the threats of fate of bound them too tightly.
Simple Prayer
“I ask for only food in my stomach, shelter over my head, a family by my side, and the only iron in my hand to be a blade.”
This prayer is uttered during hard times, sacrifices, and even as a blessing to fellow members. The symbolism is clear:
"I don’t seek wealth or power, I only seek loved ones and survival."
Broken Shackles
Nastil favors those fighting for survival. Greed, amassed wealth, and luxury are anathema to the followers of Nastil.
When preparing for a battle, or praying for good harvest, acolytes of Nastil may offer sacrifices of blood, be it their own, loved ones, or captured enemies. But wealth offers the most blessings from the dark deity. The destruction of art, luxury, and even minted coins are said to draw Scythe-Heart’s attention, empowering the community / army who curry Their favor.
An offering from a former, or even more potent, a current servant of a battle’s target will be most blessed. It is said Nastil walks behind those who rise up against lords who demand service. Let these most blessed adherents take glory on the battlefield.
However, those who use Nastil’s favor to enrich themselves and rise to lordship find a curse of foul luck following them. The Riotous One does not like being used as a tool to forge new crowns, and will be a pox following the families of those abusing His favor. Priests of Nastil will urge His followers to raid, kill, and maim in Their name… but also to destroy any plunder not necessary for the survival of the tribe. Warm clothes, fresh food, and sharp weapons are all righteous spoils, but gold, jewelry, and automatons are luxuries that should be purged, not hoarded.
Blood Paves the Final Path
When a truly cunning disciple of Nastil sets their sights on a target, they may lay the groundwork for They That Usher The Final Path.
If a true citizen of a city, kingdom, or other civilized group is captured and sacrificed to Nastil within the boundaries of their own territory, the Riotous One’s attention will be drawn. The more suitable the sacrifice, and the closer to the heart of the domain, the more favor is drawn from the dark deity.
Wise warlords who know their power is outmatched will pave the Final Path with the blood of their enemies, ensuring their future attacks will be blessed. Agitators may also curse the production, both of agriculture and industry, with a sacrifice in Their name.
If a member of a noble family can be captured and sacrificed in a place of power (their estate, Temple of The Highlord, military stronghold, etc), it is said Nastil will use their life force to sap the will to fight from every able bodied citizen of the area, allowing His followers to march in and destroy the structures of decadence and oppression without opposition. Alternatively, inspiration for creation wanes, leaving artists and entertainers listless. Amusingly, those creating items of war seem unaffected by such ennui.
- Riotous
- Scythe-Heart
- They That Usher The Final Path
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
~ Dylan Thomas