The Society of the True Thread
The Society of the True Thread is a cult of Phenax, the god of deception. They took their name from the concept that the only True Thread of Destiny is the one that embodies chaos as Phenax himself is known to tangle the threads of destiny and even became a god by doing so.
Cunning and deceitful, Phenax spins innumerable plots across all of creation. He enjoys upsetting the natural order of things, either by thwarting the plans of his fellow gods or secreting away information for later use. His society/cult helps him to achieve these ends.
Servants of Phenax dot the world, largely staying hidden until they are needed to help spin the web of lies that advances his plots. His servants prefer to confront foes using guile, cunning, and planning instead of brute force. Phenax and his champions move with purpose, don’t draw attention to themselves, and use misdirection to keep foes guessing about when and where their next attack will come.
Phenax’s followers could be involved in the political machinations of a polis or the crimes of the local thieves’ guild. Investigating instances of gambling, smuggling, robbery, and fencing stolen loot might bring the characters into opposition against Phenax and his followers. Whenever possible, servants of Phenax try to stage their misdeeds in a way that implicates other faiths or groups, to stir up as much conflict and confusion as possible.
Many of his hidden temples and the Society's secret locations are guarded by cultists, Returned Palamnites, and even the Returned Kakomantis. There is are secret gatherings of Phenax worshippers in Meletis and a few in Setessa and the surrounding areas. The main Temple of the Society is in the necropolis Asphodel.
Returned Palamnite Stat Block
Cult Fanatic Stat Block
Greater List of Phenax Monsters to Use
Structure
- High Priest
- Priests
- Mages
- Cult Fanatics
- Cultists
Culture
To honor their god in delivering chaos, lies, and manipulation into the world. To disrupt the civil and mortal orders however possible.
Public Agenda
Unknown to the public.
Mythology & Lore
MYTHS OF PHENAX
The tales told of Phenax’s deeds speak of his duplicity, cunning, and wit. The Path of Phenax. Phenax was once a mortal who, like all mortals, passed on to Erebos’s care in the Underworld when his time among the living came to an end. But Phenax found a way to escape the Underworld by sacrificing his identity to the memory-draining waters therein. He was able to cross the Rivers That Ring the World wrapped in a shred of Athreos’s cloak. Since he had no identity, Athreos couldn’t detect him, and thus Erebos couldn’t use his great lash to pull Phenax back. When he emerged back into the realm of mortals, he did so as the first of the Returned. In time, others discovered this quandary of metaphysics, which is now known as the Path of Phenax. Black Oak of Odunos. Before Odunos became a necropolis, it was a thriving city akin to Akros or Meletis. When the city fell before Phenax’s assembled forces, some of the populace begged the god of lies to spare them the touch of Erebos’s dread lash. Never one to miss an opportunity to cheat Erebos, Phenax made a solemn promise to those asking for his mercy, assuring them that they wouldn’t be forced into the Underworld, on his honor. Soon afterward, the Returned that had invaded the city murdered these people to the last one—whereupon Phenax, true to his word, bound their bodies and souls to a great oak, making a terrifying amalgam of undeath to guard Odunos and haunt the living for eternity. Feud with Nylea. A pair of accomplished hunters, both fervent followers of Nylea, had a bet with one another to prove who was better with a bow. After countless tests found them equally matched, the hunters’ rivalry drew Phenax’s attention. Assuming the form of a dryad, Phenax goaded and taunted the hunters. Though amusing at first, Phenax’s words cut deep, making the hunters careless. Thus, when the dryad suggested a blindfolded test of marksmanship, the hunters agreed. Once blinded, Phenax positioned the hunters to shoot one another. In the moment they fired, though, Nylea noticed Phenax’s trick. She curved her hunters’ arrows mid-flight and multiplied their number. Phenax’s disguise shattered as he was riddled with arrows that pinned him to a great tree. Nylea appeared to the trapped god, mocked his pointless duplicity, and warned him never to threaten her followers again. She then left him to struggle free from the deeply embedded arrows, an escape that took him over a week. During that time, the god concocted plot after plot to have his revenge on Nylea. Some tales claim that this embarrassment directly led to tragedy for Nylea’s favorite dryad companion, while others warn that Phenax’s revenge has only just begun.Divine Origins
As the necropolis of Asphodel developed, so too did the worship of Phenax- the First Returned- who allowed these beings to follow in his footsteps. The Returned of Asphodel know that they could not have become what they are, could not have found a way to forsake death, if it weren't for Phenax showing them the way.
Tenets of Faith
Phenax’s Favor
Phenax expects his champions to be cunning and self-sufficient, much as he was when he escaped the Underworld. He has great respect for a sound plan that is craftily executed and might offer all manner of clever assistance to mortals he deems worthy.Devotion to Phenax
Following Phenax means devoting yourself to a life of trickery and guile. To a champion of Phenax, a life without risk is no life at all. Some rules are meant to be broken, some secrets meant to be shared, and order must be upended from time to time. You increase your piety score to Phenax when you expand the god’s influence in the world in a concrete way through acts such as these:- Helping a fugitive escape justice
- Pulling off a daring robbery
- Obstruct champions of other gods
- Building or restoring a temple to Phenax
- Forthrightly assisting lawgivers in their duties
- Swearing and then honoring an oath
- Bringing order in times of chaos
Worship
Worshiping Phenax
Every lie is an homage to Phenax. Because his most devout followers are criminals and gamblers, his influence is keenly felt in gambling halls and dens of thieves. But everyone has their own reasons to stray from the truth at times, and thus, they also find small ways to seek Phenax’s favor as they go about their daily lives. Formal services to Phenax are conducted at night, with the most sacred rituals performed on nights of the new moon. Offerings are made to attract Phenax’s favor, with valuables from successful robberies, parchment filled with lies, or loaded dice being thrown into deep crags or buried at crossroads. Such sacrifices often vanish soon after, claimed by the god or his servants. Devout criminals often offer Phenax stolen goods as part of their preparations for premeditated crimes. Phenax is worshiped openly in the necropoleis of Asphodel and Odunos, though the Returned who are loyal to Erebos’s agent, Tymaret, within Odunos refuse to worship the god they’re hunting (see MOoT chapter 3). Somber ceremonies are intoned to bless the golden funeral masks the Returned wear.Priesthood
Joining the Society
The High Priest and Priests of the Society represent the most devoted, typically the oldest and most powerful, of the Returned of Asphodel. As the oldest and a member of their grim Aphodai. Walking the Path of Phenax doesn’t restore a soul to its life. Those who return from the Underworld are hollow shells inhabited by grim and purposeless spirits. These Returned are separated from their memories, which become wandering eidolons (see MOfT chapter 6). They retain their personalities and skills, but each Returned tends to be a very different being from who they once were. Their second life is theirs to do with as they please, but it’s typically a confused, cursed life, plagued by frustration, bitterness, loneliness, and melancholy. Such leads many Returned along dark paths. However, because many of those who seek to become a Returned know the cost that it will take, their greed for life and disregard of the natural order is preserved, so becoming a priest or follower/cultist of the Society is almost guaranteed.Kakomanteis
Returned kakomanteis employ powerful magic at a price paid in blood. Some theorize that in life each kakomantis was a spell caster, and the trip along the Path of Phenax corrupted their abilities. Regardless of how they came upon their grisly magic, kakomanteis keep small animals, such as rodents, snakes, and insects, close at hand to power their spells, though more potent magical effects demand more significant sacrifices. These beings make up the priest and High Priest of the Society.Granted Divine Powers
See Piety to Phenax chart on his page.
Political Influence & Intrigue
There are many corrupted individuals throughout Theros who secretly worship Phenax and take their orders from him. There are even a few among the Twelve.
Chaos Is the Only Constance
Type
Religious, Cult
Alternative Names
The Society
Subsidiary Organizations
Deities
Divines
Location
Controlled Territories
Related Plots
