Pyremius

Pyremius

“Through fire, poison, and death, the strong endure, and the weak perish.”

Overview

Pyremius is one of the darker deities in the known world, originally of the Sueloise pantheon, embodying the destructive forces of fire, poison, and murder. He is a god of ruthless ambition and survival, venerated by those who seek power at any cost and fear no moral constraints. Often associated with assassins, arsonists, and tyrants, Pyremius’s followers view destruction as a natural and necessary tool for ascension.
Pyremius’s name inspires dread, for his domains leave no room for mercy. His symbol, a flaming dagger or a flaming chain, represents the tools of his divine will: swift execution and binding domination.
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Domains

Primary Domains: Fire, Poison, and Murder Secondary Domains: Ambition, Destruction, and Domination
Clerics of Pyremius often emphasize his destructive aspects, using fire as a weapon to burn away resistance and poison to eradicate enemies from within. Murder is seen not as a crime, but as a divine act of power asserting itself over weakness.
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Appearance

Pyremius is often depicted as a humanoid figure wreathed in flames, his body lean and wiry with an aura of lethal precision. His features are sharp and angular, with hollow eyes that burn with orange fire. In some depictions, he holds a flaming dagger in one hand and a vial of poison in the other, symbolizing his twin aspects of violent destruction and subtle treachery.
Common Iconography:

A flaming dagger.

A flaming chain.

A serpent coiled around a fire.

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Dogma

The teachings of Pyremius center on power, destruction, and survival of the fittest:

“Fire purifies and destroys:” Resistance is burned away in the flames of Pyremius, leaving only those strong enough to endure.

“Poison is the weapon of the cunning:” Victory does not require brute force; subtlety and treachery are equally sacred.

“Murder is destiny’s hand:” Killing is a divine act, separating the strong from the weak.

Pyremius’s followers are encouraged to seek power at any cost and to destroy anyone or anything that stands in their way.
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Followers

Pyremius’s worshipers come from all walks of life, but they are united by ambition and ruthlessness. His faith appeals to assassins, slavers, arsonists, and despots, as well as cultists who see destruction as a necessary force for change.
Common Worshipers:

Assassins and murderers.

Slavers and tyrants.

Fanatics who view destruction as sacred.

Groups like the **Chainers**, who enslave and dominate others as an extension of Pyremius’s will.

Alignment: Typically Evil (Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil are most common).
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Clergy and Practices

The clergy of Pyremius are known as the **Flamebearers**. They wield fire and poison as sacred tools, using them in rituals and in their day-to-day activities. Murder is considered a divine act, and many of Pyremius’s priests are assassins or slavers.
Rituals:

The **Branding Flame:** Followers burn their enemies or their slaves with Pyremius’s sacred flame, marking them as subjugated.

The **Poisoned Chalice:** A ceremonial poisoning of an enemy or sacrifice, symbolizing the silent power of treachery.

The **Burning Purge:** Large fires are set to destroy villages, symbols of opposition, or even rebellious followers.

Holy Days:

**The Night of Cinders:** A yearly festival of destruction where followers burn effigies and, in extreme cases, buildings or captives.

Weapons of the Faith:

The dagger is Pyremius’s sacred weapon, often depicted wreathed in flames or dripping with poison.

Flaming chains are used as both ceremonial and practical tools, symbolizing both destruction and domination.

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Temples and Shrines

Temples to Pyremius are rare in established societies, as his worship is often outlawed. Instead, his shrines are hidden in remote or ruined locations, such as abandoned fortresses, caves, and volcanic regions.
Typical Features of a Shrine:

A brazier of ever-burning flames.

An altar engraved with flaming daggers or chains.

Poison vials or serpent motifs decorating the surroundings.

In frontier regions, such as those where the Chainers operate, hidden sanctuaries to Pyremius often double as safehouses for slavers and assassins.
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Relationships with Other Deities

Pyremius is widely feared and hated by most deities, even among the Oeridian pantheon. He embodies the darkest aspects of Oeridian ambition, placing him at odds with more benevolent deities.
Allies:

**Hextor:** Pyremius shares Hextor’s focus on domination, though their relationship is pragmatic rather than friendly.

**Vecna:** Both deities revel in treachery and secrecy, occasionally working toward mutual goals.

Enemies:

**Heironeous:** As the embodiment of honor and justice, Heironeous opposes Pyremius’s destructive ways at every turn.

**Pelor:** Pyremius’s use of fire as a weapon of destruction contrasts sharply with Pelor’s use of fire as a source of life and light.

Neutral Relationships: Pyremius largely ignores deities whose domains do not directly interfere with his.

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Titles and Epithets

The Flame of Treachery

Lord of Fire and Poison

The Flaming Blade

Holy Symbol: A flaming dagger or a flaming chain. Alignment: Neutral Evil