Dagon, the
"Shadow in the Sea", is the demon lord of deformity, the sea, and sea monsters.
Dogma
Like other demon lords, Dagon is able to grant spells and other powers to his worshipers. He encourages them to swim underwater, increase their own strength, and propagate the spread of dangerous sea monsters. He considers the breaking of oaths as a sin against him, forbids his followers to settle in land-locked areas and share any secrets with those outside of his cult.
History
One of the oldest beings of the Abyss, Dagon predates the advent of mortal life and demons and began life as a qlippoth lord. In those days he was a ravenous, nameless, mindless sea monster that ate everything that crossed his path. After having consumed countless demons and larvae, Dagon became intelligent and infused himself with mortal sin, becoming a demon.
Dagon is said to have slain the great kraken Kaktora, thereby creating the devilfish now haunting
Golarion's oceans.
Home
Dagon holds court in an infinite ocean covered in disconcerting islands and deep-sea trenches filled with incomprehensible sunken cities. He is said to dwell in the depths of the Abyssal sea of Ishiar in a sunken city with architecture so ancient as to be almost alien.
Appearance
He appears as a massive creature with the lower body of an eel, a head reminiscent of deep-sea predators, and four thrashing tentacles in place of arms. Dagon is primarily worshipped by boggards, sahuagin, skum, and marsh giants, though desperate or depraved coastal villages have been known to pledge themselves to the demon lord.
Church of Dagon
Worshipers
Dagon is quite active on the Material Plane, regularly sending his demonic minions to the deep oceans of the world to become high priests for evil aquatic monster races, such as the
Skum.
Unfortunately, Dagon's foul influence is not limited to the ocean depths; he is also revered by some debased coastline societies, who often maintain a façade of worshipping another deity. In these twisted communities, land dwellers mix with ichthyic beings from the depths, spawning horrible cross-breeds which have no place in the natural order of things.
Marsh giants are normally the most fervent of Dagon's land-based followers, but his cult has been growing amongst humans in isolated villages, who secretly turn to his worship, sometimes on the promise of bountiful fishing or alien golden jewelry. Some sailors also worship Dagon, luring ships to collide with rocky shores and performing blood sacrifices to call forth sea monsters.
Some of Dagon's followers (particularly skum) also worship the
Great Old Ones, most often
Cthulhu, mixing the traditions of both into a single blasphemous religion. Some elder deep ones take his name for themselves, which Dagon sees as a compliment.
The Fellowship encountered a cult of Dagon in
Illmarsh masquerading under the guise of the Recondite Order of the Indominable Sea.
Temples & Shrines
Dagon is usually worshipped in decaying churches, caves, or lighthouses located near the sea, or in dark underwater cathedrals.
Unholy Symbol
Dagon's unholy symbol is an octopus eye surrounded by a gold disk inscribed with ancient looking runes.
