Arcanaloth
Brokers of Secret Knowledge...
But, Can They Be Trusted?
In a secluded chamber, veiled by interwoven strands of reality and darkness, sat an arcanaloth named Ozymareth. A beast of cunning intellect, its eyes glinted like twin sapphires—sharp and unforgiving. The room was filled with an assortment of arcane artifacts, illuminated only by the eerie glow emanating from a magical crystal floating above a pedestal. Ozymareth's gaze was fixed on an ancient tome, its pages inscribed with runes that danced and squirmed as if alive. A faint rustle broke the silence. The arcanaloth's snout lifted, sniffing the air as if catching the scent of desperation. It raised one clawed hand, and a spectral portal shimmered into existence. Through it stepped a beleaguered mortal—a sorcerer, with pride and ambition etched into the lines of his face. "You seek knowledge?" Ozymareth's voice was as cold as it was mellifluous, a chilling melody that unsettled the soul. The sorcerer nodded, and words of appeasement and flattery spilled forth. Yet the arcanaloth listened as if hearing the inconsequential buzz of a fly. "In exchange for what?" Ozymareth finally asked, snapping the book shut. The runes seemed to wail as the pages compressed, a disturbing symphony heard only by the damned. The sorcerer offered riches, magical relics, and even years from his own life. Ozymareth considered the offers, its eyes appraising the human like a jeweler might scrutinize a flawed gemstone. "Your offer lacks... imagination," said the arcanaloth, opening the tome once more. "But perhaps you will serve for a footnote in my latest research. Yes, that should suffice." Before the sorcerer could fathom the implications, Ozymareth began to chant. Arcane syllables resonated through the chamber, shattering the barriers between possibility and reality. A dark void enveloped the hapless sorcerer, siphoning away his essence, leaving only an empty husk. Ozymareth inked its quill and scribbled notes in the margin of the ancient tome. A footnote, as promised. A minor contribution to a grander scheme, one that spanned planes and epochs. The arcanaloth sighed—a sound like the crumbling of distant mountains—and then vanished, leaving the chamber empty and devoid of warmth, much like the void that perpetually churned in its enigmatic heart.Civilization and Culture
Historical Figures
The dark annals of the multiverse are replete with stories that stretch across realms, touching even the farthest corners of existence. Within these forbidden texts, only the bravest of scholars dare to delve into the chapters dedicated to notorious Arcanaloths. These are beings whose intellect and cunning have shaped worlds, damned souls, and hatched schemes that echo through the corridors of time. Below are some of the most infamous Arcanaloths, whose malevolent contributions have etched them indelibly into the tapestry of the multiverse.
Arcanaloths are not merely bureaucrats of the Lower Planes; they are harbingers of calamities, orchestrators of chaos, and craftsmen of malevolent genius. Each one has its proclivities and talents, from the arcane to the diplomatic, but what unites them all is an insatiable thirst for power and knowledge, no matter the cost. In the intricate chess game that is the politics of the infernal realms, these figures are grandmasters, their moves reverberating through the multiverse like the echoes of some dreadful, unending symphony. And while their names might not be spoken lightly, their legacies are impossible to ignore.
Arcanaloths of Legend
Zhyrvekt, The Shadow Librarian
In the endless archives of the Ebon Labyrinth, a dark library that exists between dimensions, resides Zhyrvekt. Known as the Shadow Librarian, he curates tomes, scrolls, and manuscripts so malign that they can warp reality itself. Scholars say that Zhyrvekt was the first to transcribe the 'Codex of Shattered Souls,' a book that can sever the bonds between mortals and their divine patrons. Rumored to have brokered deals with both Chief Executive Devils of Hell and Demon Princes of the Abyss, Zhyrvekt offers knowledge at a terrible price, often resulting in the downfall of empires or the spawning of unspeakable horrors.Valyndora, Mistress of Arcane Webs
Valyndora weaves her plots with the meticulous care of a spider crafting its web. Known for her unparalleled mastery of enchantment Magic, she was instrumental in engineering the Pact of Thirteen Curses, a vile agreement that subjugated an entire Celestial choir to the yugoloths' will. It is said that the stars darken when Valyndora takes flight on her ornate, ethereal wings, as if the very cosmos recoils from her malevolent intellect. Her lair, the Gossamer Citadel, is an ever-changing maze of illusion and arcane traps, a place where reality is as pliable as clay.Skarvogrim, The Soul Arbitrator
Nestled deep within the Pits of Despair lies the courtroom of Skarvogrim, the Soul Arbitrator. This Arcanaloth is the ultimate mediator for disputes between demonic and devilish factions, his rulings known for their brutal but poetic justice. Skarvogrim crafted the Chains of Eternal Binding, artifacts that can hold even archfiends in place, and employed them to keep the balance of power stable during the Blood Wars. It is whispered that he keeps a Ledger of Damned Souls, listing names who have yet to realize they have been marked for some dark fate or malevolent plot.Drathexia, The Mistress of Vile Alchemy
Even among Arcanaloths, Drathexia is an enigma, obsessed with the boundaries between magic and alchemy. From her vile cauldron in the Caverns of Malevolence, she concocts potions that can corrupt a paladin's heart or render a god mortal. Many of the plagues that have swept across both the mortal and infernal realms are attributed to her experimentation. Her magnum opus is the Elixir of Abyssal Convergence, a substance said to temporarily merge separate dimensions for some nefarious, undisclosed end. Though the full extent of her plans remains shrouded in mystery, her name is a byword for alchemical horror.Orythraex, The Whisperer in Shadows
When lies spread, conspiracies take root, and trust disintegrates among alliances, the name Orythraex is often invoked in hushed tones. Known as the Whisperer in Shadows, this Arcanaloth specializes in manipulation from the shadows. He was the unseen hand that instigated the Betrayal of the Celestial Summit, turning angels against archangels in a spectacle of heavenly discord. Orythraex is said to have no fixed lair but exists wherever there is deceit, plotting in ephemeral domains woven from the darkest corners of the imagination.Common Myths and Legends
The very mention of these cunning fiends sends shivers down the spines of even the bravest heroes. Originating from the distant Lower Planes, their impact on Rolara has been profoundly felt, leaving behind echoes that resonate through the Epoch of Miracles and beyond. From the sealing of ancient magics to the tragic downfall of entire civilizations, their mythical involvement in Rolara's history cannot be overstated. This entry aims to shed light on some of the most pervasive myths and legends surrounding these malevolent entities.
The Dark Pact of Celestora
One of the most enduring legends involves the lost kingdom of Celestora, a civilization that was said to have achieved remarkable advancements in Magic during the Epoch of Miracles. According to the legend, their king sought the counsel of an Arcanaloth named Zhultharix to harness the Stars of Power more effectively. Through a convoluted pact, Zhultharix granted the kingdom the knowledge it craved but twisted the deal so that with each spell cast, the moral fabric of Celestora gradually eroded. The kingdom fell into anarchy and was eventually consumed by the very magic it sought to master. This story serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the allure of easy power and the price of dealing with beings of such cunning intellect.Al-Zaluma's Forbidden Tome
Within the annals of the Al-Zaluma alchemists, a legend persists about a forbidden tome penned by an Arcanaloth named Venythera. It is said that this book contains formulas for alchemical concoctions capable of miraculous effects, but also harbors dangerous, destructive recipes. Many scholars believe that some of the Al-Zaluma's most extraordinary discoveries originated from this tome, and yet, the more potent the alchemy, the more devastating its consequences. The book vanished centuries ago, but rumors suggest that it lies hidden in a labyrinthine vault, guarded by arcane traps that could only be the work of an Arcanaloth's malevolent ingenuity.The Enigma of Dragonborn Magic
The Dragonborn of Aikibira are known for their veiled magic, a form of arcane practice that defies traditional understanding. A pervasive myth traces this unique magical lineage back to an agreement with an Arcanaloth named Eryndathor. In exchange for their secrecy and a mysterious annual tribute, Eryndathor supposedly granted the Dragonborn the ability to bypass the seals that limited arcane practices in Rolara. While many consider this tale to be more fiction than fact, it serves to explain the unexplainable facets of Dragonborn magic and sustains the aura of mystery surrounding these enigmatic beings.The Legend of the Wandering Star
Another popular story tells of a lone Arcanaloth named Lythraxis who roamed Rolara disguised as a wandering scholar. It is said that Lythraxis was fascinated by the realm's potential for chaos and sought to document it for some dark purpose. Legends recount that wherever Lythraxis went, calamity was never far behind. Towns would crumble, plagues would break out, and peaceful realms would erupt into civil war. It is a popular tale recounted by minstrels, usually ending with the idea that Lythraxis still wanders Rolara, documenting its fall into chaos—a legend that adds a sense of impending doom to the Arcanaloth mystique.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
Related Technologies
Comments