Mahdis
When pictured, Mahdis, the god of dark magic, shadows, secrets, and death, is shown as a figure in dark robes with nothing but shadows underneath the cowl. His origins are unclear, some believe him to have been a very powerful lich who somehow devoured the old god of death, while others believe him to be a spawn of The Darkness. He is not worshiped openly in Gromlin with the exception of Plutoria, yet even there his worship is dealt with carefully.
His followers in general are creatures of the dark and those who wish to dominate. There are necromantic cults that dedicate themselves to him. Some powerful wizards study his teaching in hopes to learn the secrets of Lichdom.
Long ago Mahdis broke in the Emos’ great library and stole many of his tomes. Mahdis corrupted the very nature of these divine books and infused them with his own essence, then dispersed them throughout the world. For what reason remains unclear, but these books are extremely powerful but come at an extreme cost.
Mahdis is a god with no friends or allies. Emos and Praemark are in constant struggle against Mahdis as he tries to expanded his domain.
Divine Domains
Trickery, Shadow, Night, Grave, Death, Arcana
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The Skeletal Hand of Ink
A skeletal hand emerging from a pool of black ink, its fingers curled as if grasping for something unseen. Symbolizes Mahdis’ dominion over those who seek power through darkness, as well as the cost of ruling through fear and hidden knowledge. Found on cursed scrolls, carved onto writing desks of dark scholars, or appearing as a sigil when forbidden words are spoken aloud.
The Devouring Veil
A tattered veil, seemingly made of shadows, with ghostly faces pressing outward from within. Represents the barrier between life and death, the secrets of the dead, and the spirits trapped in Mahdis’ grasp. Used in dark rituals to contact the deceased, worn by priests of Mahdis, or appearing in places where the veil between worlds is thin.
The Black Key
A skeletal key with a shifting shadow where the teeth should be. Represents unlocking forbidden knowledge, gaining access to hidden realms, and the price of opening doors that should remain closed. Worn as an amulet by cultists, used in dark rituals to bind spirits, or appearing as an ethereal vision before one learns a terrible truth.
Tenets of Faith
Embrace the Unknown
Followers must seek knowledge in places others fear to tread. Secrets, hidden truths, and forbidden lore are the greatest treasures. To truly understand the world, one must first be willing to look into the darkness and face what is concealed within.
The Price of Power
Power is never freely given. Every choice, every secret, and every act of dark magic comes at a price. Followers are taught that to gain something of true value, they must offer something equally precious—whether it be a piece of their soul, a personal sacrifice, or a piece of their humanity.
The Dance with Death
Death is not to be feared but to be understood. To live is to be in debt to the inevitable end, but to die is merely a transition. Followers are taught that life and death are not opposites but part of the same cycle. Death should be embraced, for through it one can gain the deepest wisdom.
Rituals
The Shadow’s Embrace
This ritual helps the follower commune with Mahdis in search of visions, blessings, or answers to difficult questions. The follower seeks a secluded, dark space—preferably in a place of death or decay, like an abandoned tomb or a burial ground. The ritual involves standing in a circle of black candles, all the while reciting a prayer to Mahdis in whispers. As the shadows grow thicker, the follower allows themselves to be enveloped by the darkness, surrendering their fear to the void. In this trance, Mahdis may choose to reveal secrets, grant visions of the future, or bless the follower with dark magic. However, this communion comes with a risk—the longer the follower remains in the shadows, the greater the chance they may be consumed by the darkness, losing their mind.
The Invocation of Eternal Night
The acolyte wishes to bring forth a shadowy manifestation of Mahdis’ power to enact vengeance or sow chaos. This ritual requires an intense focus of the follower’s hatred and anger, typically in response to a grievous wrong or injustice. The follower must stand in a desolate place, ideally under a black moon or in a place where great violence has occurred. By performing a slow dance around a circle of black stones while reciting a prayer to Mahdis, they summon forth an avatar of shadow, a vengeful entity that will perform their bidding—usually through murder, destruction, or terror. The entity will take the form of a dark, semi-corporeal creature that can act on the follower’s behalf.
The Crucible of Blackened Truth
This dark ritual's purpose is to extract a hidden truth or secret directly from a person’s soul or essence. The follower must obtain a vial of blood from the individual whose secret they wish to uncover. The ritual begins by heating a blackened iron chalice over an open flame and filling it with the blood. The follower then recites an incantation to Mahdis, calling upon the god to reveal the deepest secrets buried within the person’s soul. As the blood heats, it begins to boil and froth, and in the smoke that rises, images of the hidden truth or secret are shown—visions of the person’s memories, desires, and concealed actions. These visions are often violent, painful, or disturbing.
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