Malkaviss

Malkaviss - The Lord of Despair, the Night Emperor “You cannot win, you cannot overcome… surrender.” Malkaviss sits at the throne of the evil gods. His dead body was brought here by the Circle of Nine and hidden away in the Reliquary of Ice. His partial resurrection at the hands of Davion Crill has returned him, weak but still influential. Home Plane: None, Malkaviss has been slain.   Description:   History:   Portfolio: Oppression, Fear, Cruelty, Darkness   Symbols: Malkaviss is represented by a featureless human face looking skyward, twisted and morose. It represents the effect Malkaviss has on those of lesser wills, and his ability to gnaw at the basest of mortal fears. He is also represented by the snake. Icons dedicated to Malkaviss show a snake coiled around an upright arm, its hand contorted into a claw. Organization: The following of Malkaviss on Aerith is still in its infancy, and with the death of Davion Crill at the end of the 2nd Prophet’s Crusade the leadership was still in question and for some time there were several cults that were competing with one another for power. The faith itself is organized like a spy network. Field agents infiltrate key positions across Aerith and wait as sleeper cells waiting for word from their dark god. They rely on misinformation and subterfuge to hide their tracks and routinely engage in blackmail and sabotage to force others to accept their will. Followers: Before his death, followers of Malkaviss were men and women in positions of power where they could exert their will and cruelty through force or subterfuge. Many tried to follow the path of the Night Emperor, but the torturous rites and rituals often proved too much for them to bear. Favored Weapon: Followers of Malkaviss must be proficient with a sword of some kind. Holy Texts: Dogma: Suffering is an immutable condition of existence. Give in to that which you cannot control. Bow before the overwhelming, submit to the inevitable. To spread this truth is to do my work, to remind those who would struggle against fate that the battle is already lost, this is my most holy of orders. There is no hope. There was never hope. Initiations & Rites: Aphorisms: “Submit to his will.” – An affirmation between or to followers. “Kneel before that which cannot be denied!” – A battle cry. Role of Clerics: Formal Attire: Special Dispensation: Lament of the Hopeless: Should the dark god will it, a rift will form before the caster, and from it the cries and moans of souls damned to the pits of hell echo forth stunning all who hear it with undeniable despair. Dark Armor: Those who prove themselves worthy in the eyes of Malkaviss are granted the ability to shape Dark Armor. This takes the form of various auras that can protect the bearer as easily as they can influence the weak willed. Role of Other Classes: Myths: Celebrations & Holidays: Relics of the Faith: Planar Ally: The Nightmare Avatars: The avatars of Malkaviss are wraiths. Beings of pure torturous malevolence. They dwell in the shadow realm between the home planes of the gods and the mortal world. Relations with Other Religions: