The Cult of Rakdos

Leave your Sanity at the Door

“Hurry, hurry, hurry! Come one, come all, to our extravagant cavalcade of the murderous and the macabre! The Cult of Rakdos is here to bring wild abandon to the district, and now’s your chance to join in the revelry! Feast your eyes – or feast on some eyes – as our top performers attempt death-defying feats that aren’t guaranteed to defy death! Cringe in horror at the hilarious antics of our living and undead jesters! Scream or cackle – we don’t really care which – as you dive headfirst into your deepest, darkest desires! Remember, life is far too short, so why not live for yourself? Step right up, folks! Don’t be shy! Rakdos is here for you!” -Yilava, Rakdos barker Under the banner of the Demon Lord of Riots, Rakdos, his many cultists seek to follow his path in hopes of living a life of excitement and pleasure. Some members are content to simply thrill seek, while others know that by climbing the ladder of depravity that is the inner power structures of the Cult of Rakdos will lead not just to great power and freedom, but the chance to personally bask in the glory of Rakdos yourself. Whatever function this guild has in the city is unclear, possibly because most of the cult members are often some combination of burgeoning creative and sadistic lunatic.They are most known for their entertainment functions, with their night clubs, restaurants, pleasure houses, art galleries and traveling cavalcades seemingly unmatched in all fields. They also serve as hired mercenaries, bodyguards, and assassins. Within its central location outside of the 10th district, The Hellhole, the Rakdos have occupied the formerly abandoned mine, their penchant for risky behavior perfect for digging to dangerous places to deep for the original miners to dare go. This mine is one of the Guild's greatest generators of wealth. The Cult of Rakdos is a thriving center for the most depraved minds on the plane. Hedonism, masochism, nihilism and just about any other negative “ism” you can think of are not only found here, but encouraged. Its members seek creative expression and instant gratification in whatever they please, and this usually consists of wonton violence, destruction and torture. Rakdos festivals and holidays as numerous as they are frequent, and when their dark carnivals roll into a city quarter and set down, the wise quickly vacate the neighborhood for as long as it goes, while the bold or reckless find reason to sample the vile delights and risk life and limb to simply enjoy the show. Organized like a madcap circus, the guild’s only structure is determined by those powerful enough to hold leadership, often known as Ringmasters. Such beings tend to have short lifespans. In fact, the mortality rate of the cult is so high that it’s a wonder they didn’t simply die out long ago; Rakdos cultists have been known to enjoy inflicting just as much pain on themselves as they do on others, and if blowing yourself up means you’ll get a few laughs, why not? Rakdos don’t think in the long-term: they live for the now. The guild's structure is ruled over by the Blood Witches that lead their own groups of performers and will often haggle and fight for power, money, and influence while Rakdos sleeps. Acquiring resources and wealth that they can use once he awakens, or for the most bold, to attempt to awaken him with untold violence and bloodshed.

Structure

Alignment: Chaotic Evil Domains: Chaos, Destruction, Evil, Luck, Madness Guildmaster: Rakdos Guildhall: Rix Maadi Values: Values? The Rakdos have no sense of the word. For them, its all about doing what you want when you want to, and enjoying yourself as much as you can, regardless of whose expense it’s done as. It’s not total chaos within the ranks, but it’s close.