Mythosa Mythosa/Dark Court

Mythosa

Dark Court

Areas of Influence:	The world in general, primarily that which is evil and destructive
Alignment:	Evil
Symbol:	A black gauntlet clenched in a fist, flanked by two skulls
Clergy:	Bloodknights (clerics), Reapers (antipaladins)
Great Temple:	Citadel of Blood and Iron (Ulthia)
Domains:	Darkness, Death, Destruction, Evil, Strength, War
Astral Dominion:	Dis

The Dark Court is a church that consists of four of the Divine Host's evil deities: Azakhar, Mallora, Mordalis, and Savia. Unlike the Triumvirate of Light or the Dyad of Order however, the Court is not a union of equals, but a collection of the conquered. Azakhar commands this group with the other three subject to his will.

The four deities of the Court had their own faiths years ago, but during the Divinity War, many gods were weakened due to losses among their followers and assets. Azakhar, true to form as conqueror and tyrant, took advantage of this, and he seized the dominions of many less powerful deities and bade them to serve as his vassals. Many resisted (including Jhadara's sister Yaasila) and were subsequently destroyed; a handful of others chose submission and survived, becoming part of Azakhar's church.

The Dark Court is relatively popular due to Azakhar's penchant to give power to his faithful and the stability which his church engenders. Though this stability is rife with corruption and injustice, for many it is preferable to the lawlessness and danger of anarchy and the wilderness.

It should come as no surprise that intrigue and strife run rampant in this church. The conquered deities resent their servitude and the clergy sympathetic to them are always looking for ways to undermine the power of the other gods - either to increase the strength and influence of their deity or to undermine Azakhar's power in the hopes of freeing them.

The members of the Court are:

Azakhar (aka the Infernal Emperor, the Black Tyrant): The dark god Azakhar is the patron of tyranny and war, of conquest and slavery. He is described as a towering, muscular warrior clad in blood-spattered black plate armor and wielding a barbed greataxe. Skulls hang from large spikes protruding from the shoulders of his armor and his face is concealed by a full plate helm. Azakhar is the god of war for the sake of conquest, and his clergy serve his will by waging a holy war against all those who do not embrace their deity. He is Lawful Evil.

Mallora (aka White Lady, Mother of Nightmares): Mallora is depicted as a tall, beautiful woman with long dark hair, alabaster skin, and pale green eyes. There are myriad tales that describe her origin: some say she was the first vampire and was elevated to godhood, others claim she is the god that created the first vampires. Regardless, Mallora is the goddess of the Undead (vampires and otherwise), fear, the Moon, nightmares, and secrets. She is Neutral Evil.

Mordalis (aka the Reaper, God of Death): Mordalis is the god of death, murder, and the Underworld. He is generally shown as a skeletal humanoid in a dark tattered robe bearing a wickedly-curved scythe. His head is either depicted as a normal human skull or the skull of a ram. Mordalis is greatly feared for obvious reasons, not the least of which is his precept that living sacrifices will ensure a prosperous afterlife. It is also notable that those venturing into the Underworld will often make a sacrifice to Mordalis beforehand, hoping this appeasement will ease the dangers of an expedition into the sunless lands. He is Neutral Evil.

While most of the Court make their home in Dis, Mordalis continues to maintain his stronghold - the Black Necropolis - in the Shadowfell. Between this and other liberties that Mordalis enjoys, some speculate that the God of Death wasn't defeated by Azakhar but instead chooses to serve the Tyrant at his leisure. Why this would be is a mystery, though to question the gods' relationship is considered blasphemy by the church.

Savia (aka Mistress of Pain, the Taloned Goddess): Savia is the goddess of pain, vanity, and vengeance. Her least perverse depiction is as a tall, thin woman garbed from neck to foot in a full-length, black leather gown. Her gloves are studded with tiny spikes and blades adorn various parts of her dress. The skin of her face has been pulled away from her skull and is connected by hooks to a metal halo that's bolted into her hairless head, resulting in an appearance not unlike a living sunburst. Many turn to her to end their suffering or to exact revenge on those who have wronged them. She is somewhat popular among sadists, masochists, and sexual deviants. Savia is Neutral Evil.

Symbols and Associations: The colors black and red; vultures, rams; iron, onyx, rubies; blackthorn (incense), hawthorn (wood), belladonna; roses, skulls; the number five

Holy Days: Moondays when Ralos is new are holy to the church. The Winter Solstice (Deepwinter 16th) is the holiest day of the year for the Court's faithful. On this day, at midnight, each cult holds a dark ceremony, which includes profane rites, dark petitions, and the sacrifice of five intelligent beings to Azakhar and his servitors (five being a number sacred to the religion). Of almost equal importance is Springsebb 30th, known as Reaping Night. It is a night of unbridled slaughter and mayhem.

Essence of the Faith: Reject cowardice and discipline those who do not. Fear and despair are formidable weapons: use them as you would a blade or bow. Defy and defile the other religions. Slay those that resist, enslave those that submit. Display your devotion with regular sacrifice. Punish those who have wronged you.