Boetheia, the Strife Emperor

Demon God of Conflict, Strife and Violence

A wanderer and spreader of shadows and darkness, Boetheia is the god of conflict, strife and violence. This sphere is destructive in nature, and Boetheia's destructiveness comes from inspiring the arms of mortal warriors to battle and blood. The Strife Emperor has been described as cold, impersonal and cruel by the mortals blessed by his divine presence. Despite the dark undertones of Boetheia's sphere and personality, the god was considered in dark elf society to be one of the three gods of dark grace known as the Tribunal. It was Boethia, alongside Lolth, the Spider Queen and Sehanine, the Moonmaiden, who are directly responsible for the survival of the dark elves as a distinct race. Their worshippers, commonly warriors and assassins, are known to hold bloody competitions in Boetheia's honor, battling—even killing—each other, for Boetheia is said to care only for one thing only, their most important lesson to mortals: Strife. Beyond all reason, for whatever cost, there is no victory which is unfair, there is only the prize of self-determined victory atop the bloodied bodies of your enemies.

Depiction

Within the chambers of temples to Boetheia lie their image imbedded within much of the architecture. They are shown as a dark elven body of varying gender with four arms and a gargantuan serpentine head, fanged and coiled in aggression. Strands of thick dark hair that sprout from their scaled body form layers of swirling shadow, obscuring the form.

Enemies

Boetheia loathes Corellon, the Archblade, a god so antithetical to the Strife Emperor's sphere of influence it boils the blood of the wielder of conflict and violence. For they despise the peace they bring and the devotion that blinds them from their own needs, for it allows complacency and stagnancy.

Commandments of the Strife Emperor

• Accept hardships and push forward. One must persevere through the storm to enjoy the light outside of it.
• Combat is the greatest gift, and perfecting your skills to master it is the greatest pursuit.
• Know that battle is a blessing. Know that death is an eventuality. Know that you are dust in the eyes of Boetheia.

Symbol of Boetheia

Basic Information

Divine Classification

Malign

Alignment

Chaotic

Honorary & Occupational Titles

• The Strife Emperor
• The Androgyne
• He-Who-Destroys and She-Who-Erases

Gender

Genderfluid

Worship Information

Areas of Worship

• Conflict
• Strife
• Violence

Worshippers

• Dark Elves
• Assassins
• Warriors

Divine Domains

• Death
• Nature
• War

Presence
Worshipped fearfully or restricted from practice by all except the dark elves, worried that without acknowledgement hardship will befall mortal communities.