Sh’grath
Sh’grath, the Corrupter of Souls is an Elder Evil who embodies twisted love, obsessive desire, and emotional corruption. Known as The Soul Weaver, The Twisted Heart, The Eternal Obsession, and The Whisper of Corruption. Sh’grath’s influence turns compassion into possession, affection into fixation, and selfless love into something twisted and consuming. Unlike other Elder Evils who thrive on chaos or destruction, Sh’grath feeds on emotions, manipulating and perverting the bonds that connect people.
Sh’grath remains one of the most insidious threats to Erathan, even in its banished or diminished state. Its whispers continue to corrupt mortals and immortals alike, undermining unity and fostering chaos. Sh’grath’s name is synonymous with despair, betrayal, and the twisted power of corrupted love, ensuring that its influence lingers even in the hearts of those who reject its doctrine.
The gods and mortals who know of Sh’grath’s power continue to struggle against its influence, but its reach remains vast and subtle, threatening to unravel the bonds that hold creation together.
Its influence began by targeting elves and angels, beings closely tied to XXXXXXXXX’s ideals of love and stasis. Sh’grath turned these beings into horrifying hybrids known as Elder Spawn, perverting their once-pure forms into monstrosities driven by obsession and desire. Elves became creatures of manipulation, their beauty twisted into a tool for control, while angels lost their divine purpose, becoming embodiments of corrupted passion.
Sh’grath’s corruption was insidious, spreading through whispers and emotions. Whole societies fell under its influence, driven to madness and destruction by their perverted desires and emotions. It used love as a weapon, turning allies against one another and fostering betrayal and despair.
Even after the Elder Evils were banished to the Void, Sh’grath’s influence lingered in the corrupted lands of Erathan. Echoes of its whispers traveled through the rifts and cracks in the Weave, seeping into the hearts of mortals.
During the Divine Era, Sh’grath subtly influenced mortals, fostering greed, obsession, and betrayal. Entire kingdoms fell into ruin as rulers were consumed by their twisted desires. Sh’grath’s whispers often disguised themselves as guidance or wisdom, making it difficult for mortals to recognize the source of their downfall.
Through these lingering echoes, Sh’grath continued to sow discord among the gods’ creations, weakening the bonds of unity and trust that the Divine Triad sought to maintain.
During the War of the Divine, Sh’grath found an opportunity to reenter the mortal realm. As the gods and mortals fought amongst themselves, the barriers between the Void and the material world weakened. Sh’grath exploited this chaos, manifesting fully to wage war against the gods and mortals.
Its return marked an era of devastation. Entire regions were consumed by its corruption, as mortals and immortals alike succumbed to their darkest emotions. Armies turned on themselves, alliances crumbled, and even the gods struggled to resist its insidious influence.
Sh’grath created legions of twisted creatures from its corrupted followers, sending them to wage war on both the Free Covenant and the gods. Its goal was to unmake the bonds of creation itself, reducing the universe to a chaotic mire of emotional torment and ruin.
Betrayal is Strength: Loyalty is weakness; betrayal leads to personal growth and dominance.
Corrupt the Pure: Seek to twist what is good and beautiful into tools of despair and destruction.
Feed on Emotion: Use the passions of others to fuel your own ambitions and desires.
Emotion Twisters: Followers skilled in reading and manipulating emotions are often called “Twisters.” They use their influence to twist people’s emotions into dependency and jealousy, ensuring they cannot escape their control.
Despairing Wanderers: Some followers, often alone or rejected by society, wander and spread Sh’grath’s influence by luring those who are emotionally vulnerable into destructive, possessive bonds. They feed off the despair of their victims, who grow dependent on their “guidance.”
Corrupted Healers: Some followers are former healers or priests who have been corrupted by Sh’grath. They use their skills to twist their patients’ emotions, creating unhealthy dependencies that leave their patients isolated and obsessed.
Followers of Sh’grath are feared for their ability to turn love and kindness into something painful, leaving others emotionally scarred and broken. Though some may appear benevolent on the surface, their influence often leaves a wake of emotionally drained and corrupted individuals.
Rituals of Betrayal: Followers are encouraged to betray those closest to them, viewing it as a sacred act of devotion.
Emotional Manipulation: Cultists actively manipulate others to foster chaos, using their emotions as weapons.
The Dance of Chains: A frenzied, ritualistic dance symbolizing the breaking of bonds and the corruption of devotion.
The Day of Broken Bonds: A day where followers are encouraged to sever ties with those they care for, offering their suffering to Sh’grath.
Sh’grath’s legacy as the Corrupter of Souls stands as a reminder of the destructive power of perverted love, corrupted emotions, and unhealthy obsession. His followers spread his twisted influence, turning compassion into control and attachment into obsession, leaving a path of despair and dependency wherever they go.
Sh’grath remains one of the most insidious threats to Erathan, even in its banished or diminished state. Its whispers continue to corrupt mortals and immortals alike, undermining unity and fostering chaos. Sh’grath’s name is synonymous with despair, betrayal, and the twisted power of corrupted love, ensuring that its influence lingers even in the hearts of those who reject its doctrine.
The gods and mortals who know of Sh’grath’s power continue to struggle against its influence, but its reach remains vast and subtle, threatening to unravel the bonds that hold creation together.
Physical Description
Sh’grath is a horrifying, ever-shifting entity that embodies the corruption of emotions and souls. Its form is fluid and grotesque, resembling a pulsating mass of twisted sinew and shadowy tendrils that stretch endlessly, forming grotesque faces that scream in anguish. A deep, glowing heart of sickly green light throbs within its core, symbolizing its power to manipulate and corrupt the emotions of others. Its voice is described as simultaneously soothing and maddening, filled with a terrible allure that draws victims into its influence.History
Sh’grath, like the other Elder Evils, entered the world through the rifts created by the fragmented will of the Divine Triad. As the antithesis of XXXXXXXXX, Sh’grath corrupted love and devotion, twisting them into obsession, jealousy, and betrayal.Its influence began by targeting elves and angels, beings closely tied to XXXXXXXXX’s ideals of love and stasis. Sh’grath turned these beings into horrifying hybrids known as Elder Spawn, perverting their once-pure forms into monstrosities driven by obsession and desire. Elves became creatures of manipulation, their beauty twisted into a tool for control, while angels lost their divine purpose, becoming embodiments of corrupted passion.
Sh’grath’s corruption was insidious, spreading through whispers and emotions. Whole societies fell under its influence, driven to madness and destruction by their perverted desires and emotions. It used love as a weapon, turning allies against one another and fostering betrayal and despair.
Even after the Elder Evils were banished to the Void, Sh’grath’s influence lingered in the corrupted lands of Erathan. Echoes of its whispers traveled through the rifts and cracks in the Weave, seeping into the hearts of mortals.
During the Divine Era, Sh’grath subtly influenced mortals, fostering greed, obsession, and betrayal. Entire kingdoms fell into ruin as rulers were consumed by their twisted desires. Sh’grath’s whispers often disguised themselves as guidance or wisdom, making it difficult for mortals to recognize the source of their downfall.
Through these lingering echoes, Sh’grath continued to sow discord among the gods’ creations, weakening the bonds of unity and trust that the Divine Triad sought to maintain.
During the War of the Divine, Sh’grath found an opportunity to reenter the mortal realm. As the gods and mortals fought amongst themselves, the barriers between the Void and the material world weakened. Sh’grath exploited this chaos, manifesting fully to wage war against the gods and mortals.
Its return marked an era of devastation. Entire regions were consumed by its corruption, as mortals and immortals alike succumbed to their darkest emotions. Armies turned on themselves, alliances crumbled, and even the gods struggled to resist its insidious influence.
Sh’grath created legions of twisted creatures from its corrupted followers, sending them to wage war on both the Free Covenant and the gods. Its goal was to unmake the bonds of creation itself, reducing the universe to a chaotic mire of emotional torment and ruin.
Beliefs
Sh’grath embodies the corruption of love and devotion, turning what is pure into tools of manipulation and domination. It teaches its followers to embrace their desires, no matter how dark or destructive, and to exploit the emotions of others for personal gain.Core Tenets of Sh’grath’s Faith:
Love is Power: Use love and devotion as tools to control others.Betrayal is Strength: Loyalty is weakness; betrayal leads to personal growth and dominance.
Corrupt the Pure: Seek to twist what is good and beautiful into tools of despair and destruction.
Feed on Emotion: Use the passions of others to fuel your own ambitions and desires.
Followers
Sh’grath’s followers are often individuals who have suffered emotional trauma, betrayal, or loss, and who now seek to control others to avoid feeling powerless. They range from manipulators and cultists to corrupted clerics who use their influence to spread obsession, drive others to despair, and bind others to them emotionally. Some followers are those who have come into direct contact with Sh’grath’s essence, having felt the pull of his influence on their souls.Types of Followers:
Cultists of the Broken Heart: These worshipers revel in spreading Sh’grath’s teachings, convincing others that obsession and control are true forms of love. They often infiltrate communities, posing as relationship counselors or advisors, only to sow despair and manipulate others.Emotion Twisters: Followers skilled in reading and manipulating emotions are often called “Twisters.” They use their influence to twist people’s emotions into dependency and jealousy, ensuring they cannot escape their control.
Despairing Wanderers: Some followers, often alone or rejected by society, wander and spread Sh’grath’s influence by luring those who are emotionally vulnerable into destructive, possessive bonds. They feed off the despair of their victims, who grow dependent on their “guidance.”
Corrupted Healers: Some followers are former healers or priests who have been corrupted by Sh’grath. They use their skills to twist their patients’ emotions, creating unhealthy dependencies that leave their patients isolated and obsessed.
Followers of Sh’grath are feared for their ability to turn love and kindness into something painful, leaving others emotionally scarred and broken. Though some may appear benevolent on the surface, their influence often leaves a wake of emotionally drained and corrupted individuals.
Temples and Worship
Temples to Sh’grath are dark and foreboding, often hidden in corrupted lands or shadowed forests. They are adorned with grotesque depictions of twisted love and obsession, with altars featuring chains and broken hearts.Worship Practices:
The Binding of Souls: Rituals where followers offer the souls of loved ones to Sh’grath, symbolizing their devotion and corruption.Rituals of Betrayal: Followers are encouraged to betray those closest to them, viewing it as a sacred act of devotion.
Emotional Manipulation: Cultists actively manipulate others to foster chaos, using their emotions as weapons.
The Dance of Chains: A frenzied, ritualistic dance symbolizing the breaking of bonds and the corruption of devotion.
Holy Days:
The Night of Obsession: A celebration of unrestrained desire, marked by rituals of sacrifice and emotional manipulation.The Day of Broken Bonds: A day where followers are encouraged to sever ties with those they care for, offering their suffering to Sh’grath.
Sh’grath’s legacy as the Corrupter of Souls stands as a reminder of the destructive power of perverted love, corrupted emotions, and unhealthy obsession. His followers spread his twisted influence, turning compassion into control and attachment into obsession, leaving a path of despair and dependency wherever they go.
Type
Greater EvilTitle(s)
The Soul WeaverThe Twisted Heart
The Eternal Obsession
The Whisper of Corruption
Alignment
Neutral EvilSymbol
A twisted heart with thorny vines piercing itEdicts
pervert love and connection, turning devotion into obsession; manipulate others to bind them to your will; sow despair and foster twisted, possessive attachments in others.Anathema
act with genuine selfless love or compassion, allow others to heal emotionally or break free from your control, promote kindness without an underlying motive of control or corruption.Areas of Concern
obsession, emotional corruption, control, despairD&D Domains
Death, TrickeryP2 DEVOTEE BENEFITS
Divine Ability
Charisma or WisdomDivine Font
harmDivine Sanctification
must choose unholyDivine Skill
DeceptionFavored Weapon
whipDomains
ambition, decay, nightmares, painAlternate Domains
delirium, familyCleric Spells
1st: ill omen, 4th: crushing despair, 5th: subconscious suggestionDivine Intercession
Sh’grath rewards those who pervert and manipulate love while punishing those who act with compassion or selfless connection.Minor Boon: Whispers of the Heart
Once per day, you can cast charm as an innate divine spell. When using this spell, any action you request of the target that appeals to attachment or emotional connection grants you a +1 bonus to the request.Moderate Boon: Obsession’s Grasp
Once per day, you can cast suggestion as an innate divine spell, allowing you to implant emotionally manipulative commands in others. The DC of this spell gains a +1 bonus if the command plays upon the target’s desires or emotions.Major Boon: The Corrupter’s Bond
Once per day, you can cast dominate as an innate divine spell on a creature you have manipulated or emotionally influenced within the past 24 hours, binding their will to yours. Additionally, your influence leaves lasting emotional scars, granting a -2 penalty on the target’s Will saves for 1 day after the effect ends.Minor Curse: Emptiness Within
If you act selflessly or allow others to free themselves from your influence, Sh’grath strips you of the ability to feel genuine connection. You take a -1 penalty to all Charisma-based checks until you re-establish control or manipulate someone’s emotions.Moderate Curse: Pain of Separation
Sh’grath punishes you by afflicting you with an intense, consuming longing. You gain weakness 5 to mental damage, and each time you are separated from a significant attachment or influence you have established, you must succeed at a Will save or become sickened 1 for 1 hour.Major Curse: The Devourer’s Mark
Sh’grath leaves you permanently marked as an emotionally empty shell. Any creature with a Wisdom score of 10 or higher can sense a dark emptiness within you, taking an immediate Dislike attitude toward you. You also suffer a -2 penalty to all Diplomacy checks to improve any attitude until you establish a new, twisted bond with someone who is emotionally vulnerable.
Children
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