Cult of the Bloom
A group of Lamashtu worshipers who were trying to convert the Stolen Lands into Lamashtu's Monstrous Minions. They were based out the Cradle of Lamashtu and lead by a druid named Darivan.
Origins
A Gnomish druid of the Green Faith was studying a First World tear in a cave before being killed. An Abyssal ritual (likely performed by Tristian) brought the Bloom of Lamashtu, a large First World plant grown by Nyrissa, deep into the cave. It grew inside the body of a Chimera while pods were grown elsewhere in the tear. Additional rituals were done to infuse the tiny black seeds in the pods with Abyssal and other energies. Magic in the seeds triggers several days after contact with a host creature. A Conjuration spell transforms the host into a First World portal made of plants and draws a monster through the portal. It is infused with Abyssal energy and emerges into the mortal plane, attacking at random to satisfy its urge to cause pain. Because the combination energies in the seeds is chaotic and unreliable, many of the seeds are inert, and it may take many of them to guarantee effectiveness. Close inspection can reveal the presence of the seeds, which can potentially be removed with some difficulty. They are often found in the throat, esophagus or stomach of victims that consume them in contaminated food or water.Silver Star Involvement
The cult set up a base of operations in the Ornisk Orphanage and began spreading seeds. They triggered an attack in a hunting lodge to the west of Lake Silverstep, then in and around Ornisk. 4 people perished directly from the curse in the Ornisk region alone (and several more from the resulting monsters). They spread rumors implicating Greengripe, likely aiming to trigger an armed conflict between its Goblin residents and the Silver Star leadership. However, after representatives talked, they realized that both groups had been mislead, and the Goblins helped track down the Cradle of Lamashtu in the following days. A group from the Silver Star raided the Cradle, killing the cultists, destroying the seed pods, and ultimately killing the Chimera and Bloom of Lamashtu. With the death of the Bloom and the rest of the First World vegetation in the tear, the curse was lifted and all remaining seeds became inert.
Type
Religious, Cult
Location