Cthos: Difference between revisions
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{{Deity | <includeonly>{{Article_Reference|article= Cthos}}</includeonly> | ||
Lord of the Underworld, it is silent Cthos that sits in judgment over the dead from the Palace of Nugarath, sending the souls of the faithful to serve their deities and the hypocritical or faithless to their final doom. Though Cthos' clergy isn't particularly massive, it is fairly pervasive, as Cthos' executioners serve significant roles in the judicial processes of most urban areas. Though worshipers of Cthos tend to be fairly dark and morose, at best, worship is accepted in most regions as a necessity, particularly since most of his priests and worshipers consider themselves professionals, above such petty concerns as vengeance and hatred. | |||
Cthos tends to be extremely neutral, both in mortal and entital politics, but his greatest enemy is [[Tethys]], goddess of undeath. It is only when opposing the clergy of Tethys (and her undead minions) that Cthos' own followers fight with an often devastating, blind religious zeal. | |||
<noinclude>{{Deity | |||
|name = Cthos | |name = Cthos | ||
|title = God of the Underworld | |title = God of the Underworld | ||
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|favweapon = Battleaxe | |favweapon = Battleaxe | ||
|spon_spell = Dead Man's Eyes | |spon_spell = Dead Man's Eyes | ||
|description = Cthos is typically depicted as a man wearing voluptuous gray robes which conceal his features. Only cold, blue eyes are visible beneath his cloak. In his temples, he is usually shown in his two aspects, as shepherd and as reaver of the damned, the former wearing white robes and carrying a shepherd's crook, the latter in black robes carrying a scythe. As Carnifus of the Blooded Axe, he is depicted as a heavily muscled man carrying an executioner's axe and a wearing black leather armor. In this aspect his face is covered by an executioner's hood. As Aochobar the Damned, he is depicted as wearing gray armor decorated with sharp horns, but no weapon. As Hela, he is depicted as a female in robes whose face is white on the left and black on the right. As Cthoroc, he is only depicted as a dark mass with nine olive tentacles reaching from the darkness. | |description = Cthos is typically depicted as a man wearing voluptuous gray robes which conceal his features. Only cold, blue eyes are visible beneath his cloak. In his temples, he is usually shown in his two aspects, as shepherd and as reaver of the damned, the former wearing white robes and carrying a shepherd's crook, the latter in black robes carrying a scythe. As Carnifus of the Blooded Axe, he is depicted as a heavily muscled man carrying an executioner's axe and a wearing black leather armor. In this aspect his face is covered by an executioner's hood. As Aochobar the Damned, he is depicted as wearing gray armor decorated with sharp horns, but no weapon. As Hela, he is depicted as a female in robes whose face is white on the left and black on the right. As Cthoroc, he is only depicted as a dark mass with nine olive tentacles reaching from the darkness. | ||
|items = Cthos is typically depicted carrying a scythe or a shepherd's crook, depending on whether he has come to take a person to the Celestial or the Nether planes. As Carnifus of the Blooded Axe, he carries a large axe, known as the Deathreaver. Cthos is never depicted as wearing armor, though as Carnifus of the Blooded Axe he wears black leather armor and as Aochobar the Damned he wears gray plate armor. | |items = Cthos is typically depicted carrying a scythe or a shepherd's crook, depending on whether he has come to take a person to the Celestial or the Nether planes. As Carnifus of the Blooded Axe, he carries a large axe, known as the Deathreaver. Cthos is never depicted as wearing armor, though as Carnifus of the Blooded Axe he wears black leather armor and as Aochobar the Damned he wears gray plate armor. | ||
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{{Fey_Source | {{Fey_Source | ||
|chapter= Religion | |chapter= Religion | ||
}} | }}</noinclude> | ||
Revision as of 16:44, 19 January 2010
Lord of the Underworld, it is silent Cthos that sits in judgment over the dead from the Palace of Nugarath, sending the souls of the faithful to serve their deities and the hypocritical or faithless to their final doom. Though Cthos' clergy isn't particularly massive, it is fairly pervasive, as Cthos' executioners serve significant roles in the judicial processes of most urban areas. Though worshipers of Cthos tend to be fairly dark and morose, at best, worship is accepted in most regions as a necessity, particularly since most of his priests and worshipers consider themselves professionals, above such petty concerns as vengeance and hatred.
Cthos tends to be extremely neutral, both in mortal and entital politics, but his greatest enemy is Tethys, goddess of undeath. It is only when opposing the clergy of Tethys (and her undead minions) that Cthos' own followers fight with an often devastating, blind religious zeal.
| Cthos |
| God of the Underworld |
| Descriptive Info |
| Gender: Male |
| Avatar: Carnifus of the Blooded Axe, Aochobar the Damned, Hela, Cthoroc |
| Consort(s): None |
| Allies: Lord Ptharos, God of Air and Good (grandfather); Baelthor, God of the Earth; Aridnus, God of Judgment (father); Britomaris, Goddess of Thieves; Kratos, God of War; Ladon, God of Work; Majestas, Goddess of Law (aunt); Meliboea, Goddess of Justice; Paelemona, Goddess of Fate; Podarge, God of Destruction; Tisiphone, Goddess of Vengeance; Zelos, God of the State. |
| Foes: Tethys, Goddess of the Undead (mother); Abaris, Goddess of Magic (half-sister); Clementia, Goddess of Mercy; Orchus, God of Luck |
| Spiritual Info |
| Rank: Major |
| Nature: Intermediate |
| Ethos: Agathocacological |
| Major Influence: Death and the Underworld |
| Minor Influence(s): Executioners, assassins, mystical secrets |
Symbols
The main symbol of the Church of Cthos is of a white skull superimposed over a crossed red axe and a shepherd's crook. Nightshade and other poisonous plants are significant to the Church, as is the Yew tree (most altars to Cthos are constructed of this tree). Mullein is a significant symbol of the pastors of the Church, while Foxglove is significant to the Moritae. Myrrh is significant to the Makatielites as a protective herb against undead. Bloodstone is the most significant stone to the followers of Cthos, and most magical items created by the Church have at least one such stone imbedded in it.
Dwelling Place
The Palace of Nugarath on the Ethereal Plane.
Servants
Makatiel, the Guardian of the Underworld, is his most powerful lieutenant, though he is also served by St. Teravar the Good, St. Antheus the Gray, and Ditis Carnifex the Damned.
Doctrine
No information available on the doctrine of Cthos
Mission
No information available on the mission of Cthos
Geography
No geographic information available on Cthos
History of the Church
No historic information available on Cthos
Organization
No information available on the Organization of the Church of Cthos
Garments
During religious ceremonies, priests of Cthos wear elaborate black, white and gray robes that cover every inch of their bodies (including a mask over their faces). Those who are currently operating in their capacity as executioner (in those regions where such is legal), wear black leather armor and a black executioner's mask. Monks tend to wear long, gray robes and gray mask. Whatever the occasion, each priest and monk must prominently wear the symbol of his Order, carved out of Yew.
Religious Practices
No information available on the religous practices of the Church of Cthos
Customs
The followers of Cthos obey the Tome of St. Antheus, which dictates the proper means to send mortals and animals to their deaths and the exacting means by which they must do so. Furthermore, each Order of the Church has a specific Rule that must be obeyed while the adherent is a member of that Order. These Rules not only detail what the adherent is to do in his day-to-day life, but also provides the necessary test for ascension from the previous Order.
Taboos
Followers of Cthos are forbidden from attempting to curb the natural aging process. Though their practices are usually considered dark, they are also forbidden from being cruel to those who must be killed, even if they are merely butchers killing lambs for meat. This rule is so extreme that an executioner who fails to quickly kill the criminal to which he was assigned must refrain from his duties for a period of nine days while he fasts and repents of his sin. Thus, followers of Cthos never execute someone by hanging, stoning or pressing, or any method other than a sharp axe.
Priests and monks of Cthos are forbidden from discussing the practices and Rule of their Order. Doing so is considered a capital offense by the Church (though in those regions which do not recognize this power of the Church, offenders must be ritually "executed" by means of excommunication).
