Corath

[hellspawn]

•Aliases: Baron Madness, Marquis Morgue, Mortis Mentis (followers only), Bone Lord (common), Dark Lord, Grave Lord
•Race: Human
•Worshippers: Corruptions, Fiends, Humans, and the intelligent unliving, as well as the truly evil of many other races
•Governs: Corruptions, Insanity, Lies, Secrecy, Transformation, Unliving
•Mantras: Arrogant, Cruel, Deceptive, Destructive

You are the elite of Layonara. The world is yours to shape. All beings are yours to mold and exist to serve you. Create what you will of the creatures of the world and let no one stand in your way. If an indignus (unworthy) should try to enforce his weak and pointless morality on you, kill him, and raise his body to be your servant or corrupt his living form beyond reason.
Never allow your identity to be known - neither to those who believe as you do, nor to those who would kill you for your beliefs. You stand in a maelstrom of chaos and with the sweep of your hand, you control it — the laughter you hear in your head is your God, delighting in the madness you create.

[hellspawn]

Corathites are, next to those who worship Pyrtechon, the most hated followers on Layonara. Therefore, there is no prescribed clothing, no specific armor, and no official colors to give away allegiance to Corath in public. Many will wear light armor when traveling because it is not difficult to conceal under clothing, but this is purely protective and not required. Short swords are the preferred weapon of all Corathites, preferably enchanted with cold spells and coated with poison.
"The smallest sword can make the biggest cut when it is unseen."

The ease of concealment and the ability to do significant damage make them attractive and mages will even train in the use of them to please the Bone Lord. However, in the shadowed secrecy of their temples and homes, the god they worship is obvious although their identities are not. At temples and gatherings the following are required: a skull mask, a ritual dagger blessed in the blood of a sacrifice, and black robes with Corath’s mark upon them. The masks, worn to conceal and not taken off unless by force, are considered all the more powerful if they are cut from an actual skull. The leaders’ masks are usually taken from murdered worshippers of gods who are enemies to Corath. The Sanctus Mortis is not shy about claiming that her bone mask is from the head of a former elven White Light of Aeridin and the fact that the Sanctus is a dark elf only adds to her gloating delight.

[hellspawn]

At no time are the followers of Corath to reveal their faces. "That which you do not know, can hurt you."
This includes inside the Os Inasnum and in the outside world as well; therefore, only the titles, gender, and (sometimes) the race of the leaders are known. There is a definite set hierarchy however, which seems at odds with the seemingly chaotic nature of Corath. At the very top is Mortis Mentis, a name used for Corath in rituals and gatherings. Below him used to be only one leader, the Sanctus Mortis, known as the High Priest/Priestess of Death. However, in the last two decades since the fall of Bloodstone, the church has adopted a policy of splitting the Sanctus into four—the better to create chaos. Organizations under the Sanctus have been given leaders and more influence; although, the Sanctus Mortis still has a great deal more power where decisions are concerned.

Now, in addition to the Sanctus Mortis, leader of the clergy, there is the Oraculum Mortis, leader of those who use the Al’Noth for their spells. Formerly (and occasionally still) called the Oathmaster; the Proeliator Mortis, the general or head of the warriors, who was known as the Keeper of the Legions previously; and the Ereptor Mortis who is the final word on the thieves and assassins of the Bone Lord. Each Mortis resides on one of the four major continents. It is known that the Sanctus is in Arnax and the Oraculum somewhere on Mistone. The locations of the other two remain a mystery. These four are not voted into office (like many of the less antisocial gods) nor do they attempt to murder each other as Pyrtechon’s priests do. To obtain office, one must directly challenge the current title holder to a Caries Minuo. This challenge cannot be rejected. Refusing the challenge results in the death of the challenged and the raising of his or her body as unliving. "Those who will not embrace the madness are too weak to lead it."

Only one witness to a Caries Minuo has ever survived to tell about it. Pretina Aushawiss, a former member of the Morsus, was present to guard at one ceremony and after rescinding her association with the Os Inasnum and going into hiding, gave a detailed recounting of that incident before her untimely death a month later.

"The Oraculis stood at either side, three for the Proeliator Mortis and three for my liege, the Proeliator Stipatio. There were four of us per man, and both men were stripped naked except for their masks. At the word of the Sanctus Mortis, the mages cast their spells and each man was suddenly wailing and thrashing around. We had to hold them down, they were in such agony. A few minutes later the Proeliator Stipatio had a bloody tail, as did the Proeliator Mortis, who already had extra fingers and patches of scales from his first challenge years ago. Both men nodded and the mages began again. We held them while the Oraculis cast and the two men screamed. This went on for an hour, and finally the Proeliator Mortis collapsed, while my liege—former liege—still stood. He was deformed. Horribly. But he won, he remained conscious through it all, and the changes to him were badges of his new office."

Below the four Mortises are the local leaders, and this is a looser hierarchy. There can be one or more in a given location; although, there will only ever be one of each at that location. Leaders of Maligare, the local cults and houses dedicated to Corath, are called Stipatio. They lead followers directly and answer to the Mortis that leads their discipline as well as do the Mortises’ bidding. Stipatio are chosen by Cruor Sto, commonly called the Blood Stand. Each challenger is slashed across his or her wrist and bled onto an unholy alter and the last to remain conscious and on their feet wins. Oraculis are present to make sure no magical cheating goes on.



•Sanctus Mortis
A female dark elf, age unknown, who says she wears the skull mask of a White Light of Aeridin. She is known to have no morals at all, often using victims for pleasure and promising release from captivity before corrupting or killing them. Her darkly divine powers are tremendous. She has four sets of arms, the second set bearing vicious claws; blood drips continuously from beneath her mask. She no longer appears in public.

•Oraculum Mortis
A male human with a bulging chest that appears to writhe under his clothes. His mask is said to be the facial bones of a former high-ranking Lucindite priest, although there is some question about this. He was almost caught in a magical trap by an ambush of Aeridinites in 1419, and in escaping, part of his face was seen. His skin was wormlike and he had a lantern jaw. His hair was a rusty brown, and his left eye appeared brown as well. His ear was covered by his hair and so his race is unverifiable; though, his left eye did seem to have a slant.

•Proeliator Mortis
This presumed human male is much taller than average; this alone marks him in ceremonies. He is thickly built with powerful muscles under a layer of fat, making his bulk seem to match his height. Information from a low ranking member of the Leringard Maligare says that he is also a member of the Excrucio. His mask is the skull of a former Champion of Toran, made all the more horrible (and powerful) for the carefully preserved skin still attached.

•Ereptor Mortis
Of all the Mortises, the most puzzling is the Ereptor. Gender is hard to tell but male has been mentioned most often; race is similarly hard to discern. Elf, human, and half elf have all been suggested. The Ereptor Mortis seems to have a way to blend into the background, to be ignored. As such, no description is available. Some who have seen the Ereptor claim he or she can vanish into thin air, which has led a few to speculate that the Ereptor is also a mage. Since blood seraph attacks increase anywhere the Ereptor is said to be, others are not so sure, The only information about the Ereptor that has more than one source is that the Ereptor does not seem to eat or drink.

Elections and Organization
Corath, of all the churches, holds no prejudice. Death takes all equally, male, female, young, old, human, elf, dwarf, or orc. It does not matter. Only the knowledge that the individual lives to serve Corath as a special and superior predator on Layonara, and it is this certainty that allows the Corathites to do the horrors they do.
"Those who do not bear the brand are your sheep, your oxen, your meat, your milk."

While humans are the most common followers and make up the bulk of the Maligare, any race is tolerated. The organizations, as noted, are split into four. Each has an area it tends to focus on. Despite many valiant attempts, the minds of most sentient creatures are not capable of learning every way possible to corrupt, murder, raise from the dead, and battle the living themselves.

"Four knives make more cuts than one sword."

Only one elf of all the followers of the Bone Lord—the Oraculum Mortis, called Flesh Weaver by those who knew him—managed to pass through every organization, ending as the head of the Veneficus. He remains a legend still inside the Os Inasnum.



•Sanctum
Clerics of Corath bound to the word of the local Sanctus Stipatio who is bound to the Sanctus Mortis. The Sanctum is focused on the manipulation of unliving and the rituals that raise them. Called Sancti or priests/priestesses to the uninitiated, they specialize in divine magics that raise unliving, cause pain, and change the nature of a being or their Astral Locks. Powerful Maligare of the Sancti are said to gather in Fort Vehl, at the temple to Corath on Mistone, in the Kingdom of Succession on Dregar, and in Arnax at the Tower Vereor.

•Veneficus
Spellweavers in the service of Corath and bound to the word of the local Oraculum Stipatio who is bound to the Oraculum Mortis. Members are called Oraculis and specialize in a number of magical disciplines, most notably those that change the form of living beings and corrupt their Astral Locks. Casting of spells by the Oraculis (and other evil mages, as the term has caught on) is called darkweaving. Rumors have existed for decades that the Black Wizards ally themselves with this group. Maligare of the Veneficus have centers of power in the Black Wizard’s Tower on the northern Belinara coast, Mesgard on Mistone, and somewhere in the realm of Morholt on Alindor.

•Morsus
Warriors and other fighters who follow the Bone Lord. They are led in battles by their local Proeliator Stipatio who follows the orders of the Proeliator Mortis. The individuals of this group are called Noceo, inflictors of pain, and while they don’t have the specialized skills of the Excrucio, they are adept enough at the breaking of wills and minds. As expected, the Morsus do not train as a group and cannot be considered an army. In battles where they have been called to rain blood, they have performed like hired mercenaries. The Morsus can be anywhere, solo or in small Maligare, although fingers point to somewhere in central Belinara for a concentration of the Noceo.

•Furax
Those who work with stealth, stealing, and assassinating are led to this group and are given specific instructions by a local Ereptor Stipatio who answers to the Ereptor Mortis. They are commonly called Furtim and tend to specialize in assassination with thievery being an afterthought to murder. While they have orders on occasion, most of the time it is left up to the individual how best to venerate their god with both themselves and their Stipatio held accountable if things go awry. Maligare of the Furax are rare. Most prefer to work in solitude, reporting to their Ereptor Stipatio as needed. Furtim are found everywhere there are crowds, on every continent, in every city.

[hellspawn]

While the organizations in the Os Inasnum accept those who follow the Bone Lord, there are some who are so different in their views that they stand outside the fold. In a church like Corath’s, that’s saying something.



Excrucio
A sect that has existed as long as the church has, Excrucio specializes in pain, self-mutilation, and torture. For this group, the ultimate expression of devotion is physical agony whether it is from followers or their victims. Among Corathites, those in Excrucio are sometimes considered strange. Most followers of Barron Madness consider themselves above the same treatment they deal to others, while someone in Excrucio might use hot pokers on a victim one day and brand his or her own flesh with the searing metal the next. There is no known leadership of this sect—only clandestine gatherings for group torture and a special brand that marks the soles of their feet to identify them as members.

Quas Discessum
A subset of the Veneficus, these mages have worked endlessly to research, test, and magically break the Astral Locks for a thousand years. Guarded by Aeridin and successfully defended by him so far, the Locks are, "…bindings that form around the characteristics and nature of a creature. If a creature is to be a certain height, color, strength, or any other of the many possible variations, an Astral Lock keeps such organization in place. It is said that 10 Astral Locks exist in total, one for each potential attribute a being may posses…."
It is the sole drive of the Quas Discessum to unlock the Locks, allowing total chaos to reign in reproduction and form. Scholars think they were succeeding for a while since children between different races have been born for centuries. In this way, those who are half elven, half orc, and half giant should thank Corath for their existence. However, recent events on Mistone where a sudden rash of mutations and corruptions were abruptly halted, combined with the inability of races previously able to bear live young to do so now, indicates that Corath may have lost a battle against his godly elven nemesis. Rumors say Mesgard on Mistone is the location of a Maligare of these researchers, but the town is magically shielded from scrying and deeply suspicious of anyone new so verification is difficult. After the incidents reported above, hunters of Corathites have been searching around the Hlint area and the Silkwood to no avail. There is leadership among the Quas Discessum but no descriptions or titles have yet been reported. Many believe the Oraculum Mortis is based here.

The Ravens
These elite warriors do not associate with the Morsus; although, most are plucked from that organization. They consider themselves true mercenaries in the service of Corath, hiring to those in the Os Inasnum who desire the highest level of protection. Every member of the Ravens has the power and skill of a knight and most have some divine casting ability as well. Although their identities are hidden, they are highly visible in public. One can immediately spot their black plate mail and helmets, and the mounts they choose are always as dark as a moonless night. Several animal handlers, including the ox merchant in Arnax, believe the horses are actually summoned from the Pits and not native to the world.

The Ravens have been nicknamed the Blackhearts by those who have fought alongside them. They have no heart, they show no mercy, they kill without conviction, and like ravens, they are always the last to leave a battlefield or a fight. Their current leader is a human male of average size whose armor is etched in red. Nothing else is known of him except his temperament; he kills first and raises the dead to ask questions later.

The Black Wizards
A very quiet, very poorly understood sect of wizards who worship Corath. Operating behind the scenes, their goals are independent of the Os Inasnum although apparently pleasing to Corath. There are three grandmasters who make the decisions. They are mages of extreme power, adept at summons and calling forth of beings from the Pits to do their bidding, and their tower wanders the northern coast of Belinara. They are rumored to control a Bloodpool left over from Sinthar Bloodstone’s failed attempt to take the world under his command, but no witnesses of said pool have lived to verify its existence to the outside world. Beyond that thimbleful of knowledge are speculations, rumors, cryptic hints, and outright guesses.

Inanis Viscus, Champion of Corath: While not a sect, this single individual is considered the epitome of evil within the Os Inasnum. His or her orders are said to come straight from the god, and his or her whims are outside the rulings of the church. He or she is nothing short of a mortal fiend, serving Corath as martial extension of the Bone Lord’s will. The history of this being is a complete mystery. There have been Champions of Corath since the Cataclysm, but no names or identities have ever been known. They appear to be chosen by Corath and marked for the faithful to bow before them. The rituals designed to shape the mind of the chosen Champion are said to be so horrific, so rife with torture, so cunningly designed, and so lengthy that the chosen being forgets his or her name and life previous to being called. From the moment they plunge their head into the acid blood that forever etches their face into a grotesque mask of pain, they are known only as the Inanis Viscus, or Empty Heart, and are then an entity unto themselves.

[hellspawn]

Corath's temples can be found in well-established societies, yet are rarely known about and even more rarely rooted out.





Tower Vereor
Twisting upward near the center of the city of Arnax on Belinara, the Tower Vereor (locally called either Corath's temple or the Tower of Dread) is home to a concentration of the Sanctum and some Veneficus and also the Sanctus Mortis. This is considered the main temple of the faith on Layonara and operates quite openly.
Interestingly, Arnaxites have come to rely upon this temple as the requirements for assistance are, while unpalatable, at least clear compared to the often infuriating temple to Shadon. Tensions between the Corathites and the Shadonites have ratcheted up in part because of this.
Here is done the bulk of the experimentation on corruption of form and specialized forms of unliving, and the tower also ministers to its citizens. Help can be requested for a sacrifice, usually an animal; although, people go missing in Arnax regularly enough to arouse suspicions if not action. Not surprisingly, those without compassion for their fellow beings do much better
in this city than those with a conscience.

The tower doesn’t appear tall from the street, perhaps four stories of soot-darkened brick. However, a few local visitors say that part of the tower is unseen and extends up many more stories and also many stories underground. Inside, the walls of the welcoming chamber are splashed with blood, and an unholy altar is to the right of the door for sacrificial offerings. A careful look will note that the altar is long enough to accommodate a human.

Unliving wander the rooms and halls. Skeletons and zombies in armor and carrying weapons act as guards while wraiths flit through walls and floors carrying messages for their masters. Distant howls of other creatures, many in great pain, echo off the walls.

Often seen on the ground level is the Sanctus Mortis, who has an interest in those who would enter her tower. She takes great delight in the defeated look on most commoners faces as they offer up a chicken or a baby pig, and has said publicly that the slow chipping away of the soul is a process she enjoys watching more than any other. It is rumored that the Sanctus Mortis actually runs the city and the current mayor is merely a pawn; only the poor, angry, and stupid voice this sentiment aloud.

After offering a sacrifice, one can speak to Darneth about purchases or other things one might want or need if one can get past his bloody-red skin and pointed smile.

Darneth – A creature of the Pits summoned years ago, Darneth does not appear to age. He does not speak of his early time on Layonara, but he appears to enjoy his current position as the face of the temple. He is as tall as a human with many human features. But his red skin, sharp pointed fangs, small wings and tail are obvious, and he is proud of them. If the Sanctus Mortis is present in the welcome chamber, he will drag out the agony of those who seek aid, knowing it pleases his master.

Forsaken Temple
Near Beirun on Mistone, the ruins of the former stronghold of The Grave Lord are considered ill luck to be near. The avatar, Arkanor Lightbane, once released a thick cloud of rotten gas over the surrounding countryside, choking those inside it and then raising them as unliving. A group of heroes managed to fight their way into the multi-leveled temple and destroyed his device, which was powering the cloud of gas.

The trapped soul of a heavenly creature, likely sent by Aeridin, from whom Arkanor was siphoning power came forth, sending the adventurers scrambling for the exits as it vowed to destroy the temple. All that remains now is an overgrown pile of rubble filling a deep pit that was the lower levels. Those with divine powers who stand near the site can feel the rumblings still riding the wind; a dark power warring to get a toehold against a strong and holy adversary.

Black Wizard's Tower
Where the northern Polar Ocean batters the shores of Belinara, bringing with it the sting of the White Desert of La'tah, stands a 10-story tower of rusty red stone. The tower is capable of fading and reappearing in other locations. No doors or windows are visible and no one is seen entering or exiting at any time. Local fishermen swear that on dark nights lights are visible even if there are no openings. One crabber was able to see from the beach a procession of blackrobed, bone-masked figures near the tower one evening. He watched from the lip of the dune he hid behind and described the proceedings thus:
"Thems jus walk'd round sum dirt, wavin' hands an' muttrin. Dirt got ta glowin. Sum critter bout long as mah boat an' wit claws anna tail. Twere lookin' round an’ I hid fer a while. Then when I peep'd out, was all gone. Went right home I did. Don't throw traps there no more neither."

The association was made from his observations. However, as the tower shifts position frequently, it is hard to pin down for closer evaluation; though, it never enters the Great Forest and seems confined to the northern coast. Who controls it, how many Black Wizards are inside, and what their agenda on the wild coast of Belinara might be are unknown.

Temple to Corath on Mistone
If one were in the Ire Mountains of central Mistone, one might stumble upon a great many things. If one were near a tribe of the local gnolls for example, territorial and mercenary as they are, and one's back was to the stone wall of a mountainside, one might be tempted to run through the opening in the rock that feels a lot colder than the surrounding valley air. Inside, one could look around in stunned silence wondering who would build a stone and marble building inside the mountain. Why it must be dwarves excited to be saved from feather-edged death at the bows of the gnoll archers. Until one hears a scream rend the air, bubbling over with agony and fear, from deeper in the structure and sees masked figures with green-edged short swords moving in a slow, hypnotic sashay toward the entrance.

This temple is said to be the work of one woman, the Sanctus Stipatio of central Mistone. She is said to have had accomplices. Frightened and wracked with torment, a Novus once spit out her name as Moirana. Undoubtedly this is only one of many aliases she has used. The temple is rumored to be the largest on the continent and is regularly visited by the Sanctus Mortis. It is in this temple that the flame that connects Corath to Pyrtechon resides; said to be kept burning in a brazier side by side with a flame to Corath in front of the unholy alter.

Sanctus Stipatio "Moirana" – This tall, imposing woman is not often seen and never without a thick hood shadowing her face. Rumor has it that she is missing a finger. Her cunning evil is legendary. Some believe she might challenge the Sanctus Mortis for power; yet on this subject she has remained coy. She is solely dedicated to spreading the cankerous chaos that is Corath. This Sanctus Stipatio has a special way of bending truths and warping viewpoints to make them useful to the Os Inasnum and her own personal ambitions.

[hellspawn]

Prayers
Followers of the Dark Lord prefer to pray in complete darkness. Most will have an inner room in their homes that has no windows, so it may be sealed into darkness so deep it is tangible. All prayers are performed in a Circle of Skulls whether officiated or done at home. It is customary to spill blood on the skulls while asking for a blessing from Baron Madness.
Prayers are short and to the point, despite the assumption that they are long-winded in their evil benedictions:

"Lord of unliving shells, see the blood flowing over the altar and know that I kill for you. I beseech you to grant me the power to raise this husk to be my servant, you who know my true name. In the name of your corruptions, pain and power.

Mortis Mentis watch this rite; know that this new one lives to serve you. With your brand we judge in your name, mighty Corath."


Holy Days

•Sublimis
There is only one day that is celebrated as a holy day in the Os Inasnum, and that day comes during the New Moon Cycle when both Ausir and Orn become new simultaneously and start their revolutions of light again. This night, legendary and feared by the rest of the world, is called Sublimis ("raised"). On this night, followers of Corath will overrun their local areas with armies of unliving; while the Sancti raise any living that falls before them and so feed the army’s size. Like locusts, the horde will grow as it moves until daylight hits and they are driven back. Many loved ones are lost in this sheer display of power and evil. On this night, clerics of other gods will gather in towns and cities to form a divine wall against those who would defile the citizens. Farmers and people living in the countryside or outskirts will seal their homes and travel to the city for protection. Beyond this one night, holy days are celebrated in secret locations and are local to the various Maligare in the cities and towns around Layonara.

[hellspawn]

•Allied:

◦Baraeon Ca'Duz
◦Grand
◦Pyrtechon

•Friendly:

◦Mist
◦Vierdri'ira
◦Xeen

•Neutral:

◦Beryl
◦Branderback
◦Shindaleria

•Unfriendly:

◦Aragen
◦Deliar
◦Goran
◦Ilsare
◦Katia
◦Prunilla
◦Shadon
◦Sulterio

•Enemy:

◦Aeridin
◦Az'atta
◦Dorand
◦Folian S'pae
◦Grannoch
◦Kithairien
◦Lucinda
◦Rofirein
◦Toran
◦Vorax

[hellspawn]

From an untitled Corathite text, found in a noble’s library in the Boyer Kingdom on Dregar:
There are three avatars of Mortis Mentis. Know them and fear them, but also learn from them that you do not make the same mistakes should you be the next.

First, there was Nalah’ir. Corath was young then and not fully aware of his true capabilities. Nalah’ir was from the Pits, a fiend of such depravity that he presented a challenge and stared with greedy eyes at the place in the heavens Corath sat. So Corath promoted him, the better to control the upstart. So powerful was Nalah’ir, so perfect of form, that Corath would take the flesh of the avatar to enjoy its might. This was Nalah’irs undoing when he tried to steal the power of the Bone Lord and underestimated the intelligence of Mortis Mentis.

The second avatar of Corath was Arkanor Lightbane, the False One. The gift was to be bestowed upon another when Arkanor took it. The indignus was erased from history—he being unworthy for allowing the theft to take place. Arkanor was struck down by a wormskin dwarf called Kothac Lightbringer. But this was a ruse worthy of Corath—for Arkanor had sent the soul of the man who was to be the avatar into a box later known as Arkanor’s Gift. It was found and destroyed by a priest and druid of the indignus goddess of nature and so ended Arkanor.

The first avatar by necessity and the second by trickery, Corath was not to be forced again. He chose his third. Preto Sangue was the name given this creature who was the right hand of Corath. We all know of his deeds and nothing more need be said. And even he met an end.

He took an aspect of the invisus (hated) Aeridin, called The Channeler, with him and stole from the invisus the powers of the elements.

It is the closest we have come to flinging the Astral Locks to the winds and taking the power to shape the world in all ways.

[hellspawn]

•Alignment:
◦Chaotic Evil



•Cleric Alignments:
◦Chaotic Evil
◦Chaotic Neutral
◦Neutral Evil



•Domains:
◦Evil
◦Death
◦Trickery