Shai Nari

The Shai Nari are creatures of pure unrestrained evil who seek to end all of creation. They are a pantheon of eldritch Gods that exist only to destroy and sow discord, terror and hatred to further that goal, using followers and cults to spread their influence beyond the prison they have long been confined to. Their eventual release will herald the End Times.

History

Born beyond space and time the Shai Nari at first were brought into this universe by forces unknown and immediately sought only to destroy everything and escape from a reality that was anathema to them. They were the sires of innumerable horrors and their children spread across creation, monsters and horrors almost the equal of their terrible progenitors.

For millennia they menaced all life, their armies of faithful servants and offspring, the Shai Narath, a blight to all. Only an alliance of higher spirits and races, chief amongst them the Elnorians (who had long been their chief rivals) waged a terrible apocalyptic war, the First War, that managed to seal the Shai Nari away in a prison at the cost of innumerable lives and entire civilisations. Their forces were wiped out and many of their spawn destroyed. Some hid and would forever be a threat when they resurfaced.

Despite the victory the cost had been high and the member races of the alliance retreated back to their worlds to either rebuild or sink into history. The Elnorians, their power and numbers greatly reduced, knew the threat the Shai Nari was not gone and knew that eventually they would break free. The remaining Elnorians swore to be ready for that dark time and waited, though for how long they could not know.

Since their imprisonment the Shai Nari have sought their release and the destruction of all things. Though physically imprisoned their influence is not and in dreams they call out to those susceptible to their manipulations, corrupting those they touch and guiding them towards furthering their goals. Their children are often worshipped as Gods and they work toward the ultimate goal of release their horrific sires. On Earth the Children of the Shai Nari lurk in the dark places; in stygian vaults beneath the ground and deep in the seas, often tended to by the faithful and beings who have dwelt on Earth far longer than humankind.

One of their chief tools is the Hollow and that terrifying being has done much to further their influence and power over the centuries. The relationship between the Hollow and the Shai Nari is unclear and whilst some argue that the Hollow is a willing and devoted supplicant others say the Shai Nari are the ones being used. Considering the ultimate goal of both parties is an end to all creation it matters little.

The rise of the Conclave and their war on magic and occultism certainly weakened the influence of the Shai Nari. The Magisters know of their cults and perhaps the Shai Nari themselves but saw them as little threat. This hubris will ultimately backfire upon the Conclave and their New World when the Shai Nari stir in their prison and their followers galvanise for the End Times.

Plans of the Shai Nari

Their motivations are unclear; perhaps they desire to create a new cosmos. This is something their followers believe. And yet, their minds are so alien it is impossible to truly understand their way of thinking. It is just as likely they desire only to bring about oblivion and perhaps as a result return to the realm they called home, free from the prison that is this universe.

Still, their followers and their offspring, the Shai Narath, are devoted to the Shai Nari and seek to release them. Most are to fanatical to question the motives of beings so far removed from mortal minds and thinking.

Physical Form

Their true forms are shapeless darkness without form and mass yet radiating pure evil. When in the material plane they can resemble whatever forms they choose; gigantic draconic shapes and fusions of serpent and crustacean and too many eyes and tentacles and mouths. To their followers they may adopt forms that are less horrific but still terrifying. The Shai Nari known as Tel-Nesret favoured the form of an imposing warrior God bedecked with horns and cloven hooves. Cull-Shanai appeared to its chosen as a monstrous humanoid with wings and tentacles. Vel-Temek takes the form of an immense draconic creature belching green flame. Ool-Kalmi presents itself to its followers as a cloud of oily smoke with hundreds of eyes.

A Dark Pantheon

The exact number of Shai Nari is unknown. Many of their number were killed in the First War Few are named and even then it is entirely possible those names are merely those chosen by their followers.

The following are those Shai Nari given names by their followers (at least names pronounceable by human tongues). If there is a hierarchy amongst them it is uncertain. Certain cults put certain Shai Nari ahead of others whilst others praise them equally.

Tel-Nesret, the Warrior

Cul-Shanai, the Apostle

Vel-Temek, the Dragon

Ool-Kalmi, the Watcher

THE SHAI NARATH, SPAWN OF THE SHAI NARI

The children of the Shai Nari, the Shai Narath are lesser Gods and monsters more a part of this universe than their sires. Their forms are wildly divergent but they lack the ability to reshape themselves like the Shai Nari can. Regardless, they are invariably monstrous and terrifying creatures worshipped as demigods by certain cults. On Earth there are places where they hide and wait in hibernation, their locations a secret to families who maintain ancient traditions. Their minds are as alien as the Shai Nari yet this universe is part of them and it is doubtful they truly understand that should their progenitors succeed in their goals, they would perish as a result.