Post by streamofthesky on Aug 16, 2008 1:46:46 GMT -5
Hypnogogia
The Corruptor of Reality, The Shaper of All, The Spurned One
Lesser Deity
Symbol: Half a face, the rest concealed by darkness
Home Plane: Plane of Shadow
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Portfolio: Creation, Deception, Revenge, Shadow
Worshipers: Rogues, Ninjas, Shadowdancers, Illusionists, Shadow Hand disciples, Cultists, Thieves, Fugitives
Cleric Alignments: TN, LE, NE, CE
Domains: Creation, Darkness, Evil, Illusion, Retribution, Shadow, Suffering, Trickery
Psionic Mantles: Creation, Deception, Evil, Light and Darkness, Pain and Suffering
Favored Weapon: Whip / Whip-dagger
Hypnogogia, god of shadows, appears as a gaunt middle-aged man, with strings of black, greasy hair hanging over his face and a long, slightly crooked nose. He is constantly draped in swirling shadows and darkness, obscuring his appearance, as well as often altering it, so this appearance is based entirely on ancient accounts of questionable legitimacy. He teaches his followers the true history of the Great Wheel, and the Prime Material in particular, a creation story far different than the commonly accepted one. The other gods, after which were envious and fearful of his power, turned upon him in desperation before he could lay claim to his rightful place as ruler of all. Beaten back to the plane of shadow, he fortified himself there, a defense not even the full weight of divinity could pierce. Instead they set to work sealing off his grand palace so that he could never leave, turning it into his immortal tomb. Hypnogogia preaches for the destruction of existence, so that he may be free from his confinement and able to remake the planes entirely with his own palette.
Dogma: Hypnogogia tells his followers of the true origin of creation, an event no other god was able to procure but himself, by weaving together the great mass of of darkness and shadow existent already into comprehensible forms. It is likely these elements were given life with the help of other gods, though Hypnogogia mentions none in particular. Hypnogogia is not concerned with widespread conversions, teaching that knowledge of the truth is a fruit sweet enough only for the few worthy enough of understanding and accepting it. Thus, followers spread his message only to those they deem worthy, like a great whispered secret.
Clergy: Priests to Hypnogogia make no efforts to be outward and friendly to others. They tend to view everything as a test, and this often includes others bearing their company. Only a rare few deserve their attention and affection, all the rest are mere waste that will be purged one day, so why bother with them?
Quests: Quests in the name of Hypnogogia are typically to weaken the hold of any other deity, save for the few who Hypnogogia considers allies. Hypnogogia prefers subterfuge to open aggression, possibly a necessity of his own weakened state. Thus, instead of burning down other priesthoods and slaughtering their flock, a quest for Hypnogogia will often involve surgical assassination operations, misinformation campaigns, and other methods that can be accomplished by a small band of skilled fanatics, in order to accomplish the ultimate goal.
Prayers: Prayers to Hypnogogia are always whispered or given while silently meditating, never loudly. They are also always made in darkness or under a cast shadow, never in daylight, and indoors or some area of small space is preferred, to show solidarity with Hypnogogia's condition. Prayers typically mention becoming one with the all enveloping darkness and thus one with all of the lord's creation or how as the light of the other gods' power fades, their lord's shadows endure unchanged.
Temples: Hypnogogia has very few actual temples, although there are a fair amount on the plane of shadow. Most worshippers instead maintain altars in locations hidden from public view, or use none at all. The religion teaches that anywhere light retreats or shadow looms, Hypnogogia is present, and it is thus a suitable location to pray.
Rites: Rites to become a cleric of Hypnogogia involve no vows, in stark contrast to the rites of most other deities. Priests of Hypnogogia know better than most how valueless words are. Instead, a potential cleric must first prove through action and years of devotion that he will be a staunch representative of all Hypnogogia encompasses. None are told exactly what this means, it is left purposely vague so that their way of thinking can also be evaluated. Tests of faith and great sacrafices are required to advance to higher levels in the disparate clergy, out of the respect for the great sacrifice Hypnogogia has had to pay for his role in creation.
Heralds and allies: (Unfinished) allies: Darkweaver (9), Chwidencha (12), Cranium Rat Swarm (lesser pack) (6)
herald: Shadow Giant (18) Rogue, two nightcrawlers (18 each)
Spells:
Weapon of the Diety: +1 Shadowstrike Whip-dagger
Deific Bastion: 50% Fortification
Divine Retribution: Cold, Dexterity
Footsteps of the Divine: +40 feet
Interfaith Blessing: +1 on attack rolls and skill checks
The Corruptor of Reality, The Shaper of All, The Spurned One
Lesser Deity
Symbol: Half a face, the rest concealed by darkness
Home Plane: Plane of Shadow
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Portfolio: Creation, Deception, Revenge, Shadow
Worshipers: Rogues, Ninjas, Shadowdancers, Illusionists, Shadow Hand disciples, Cultists, Thieves, Fugitives
Cleric Alignments: TN, LE, NE, CE
Domains: Creation, Darkness, Evil, Illusion, Retribution, Shadow, Suffering, Trickery
Psionic Mantles: Creation, Deception, Evil, Light and Darkness, Pain and Suffering
Favored Weapon: Whip / Whip-dagger
Hypnogogia, god of shadows, appears as a gaunt middle-aged man, with strings of black, greasy hair hanging over his face and a long, slightly crooked nose. He is constantly draped in swirling shadows and darkness, obscuring his appearance, as well as often altering it, so this appearance is based entirely on ancient accounts of questionable legitimacy. He teaches his followers the true history of the Great Wheel, and the Prime Material in particular, a creation story far different than the commonly accepted one. The other gods, after which were envious and fearful of his power, turned upon him in desperation before he could lay claim to his rightful place as ruler of all. Beaten back to the plane of shadow, he fortified himself there, a defense not even the full weight of divinity could pierce. Instead they set to work sealing off his grand palace so that he could never leave, turning it into his immortal tomb. Hypnogogia preaches for the destruction of existence, so that he may be free from his confinement and able to remake the planes entirely with his own palette.
Dogma: Hypnogogia tells his followers of the true origin of creation, an event no other god was able to procure but himself, by weaving together the great mass of of darkness and shadow existent already into comprehensible forms. It is likely these elements were given life with the help of other gods, though Hypnogogia mentions none in particular. Hypnogogia is not concerned with widespread conversions, teaching that knowledge of the truth is a fruit sweet enough only for the few worthy enough of understanding and accepting it. Thus, followers spread his message only to those they deem worthy, like a great whispered secret.
Clergy: Priests to Hypnogogia make no efforts to be outward and friendly to others. They tend to view everything as a test, and this often includes others bearing their company. Only a rare few deserve their attention and affection, all the rest are mere waste that will be purged one day, so why bother with them?
Quests: Quests in the name of Hypnogogia are typically to weaken the hold of any other deity, save for the few who Hypnogogia considers allies. Hypnogogia prefers subterfuge to open aggression, possibly a necessity of his own weakened state. Thus, instead of burning down other priesthoods and slaughtering their flock, a quest for Hypnogogia will often involve surgical assassination operations, misinformation campaigns, and other methods that can be accomplished by a small band of skilled fanatics, in order to accomplish the ultimate goal.
Prayers: Prayers to Hypnogogia are always whispered or given while silently meditating, never loudly. They are also always made in darkness or under a cast shadow, never in daylight, and indoors or some area of small space is preferred, to show solidarity with Hypnogogia's condition. Prayers typically mention becoming one with the all enveloping darkness and thus one with all of the lord's creation or how as the light of the other gods' power fades, their lord's shadows endure unchanged.
Temples: Hypnogogia has very few actual temples, although there are a fair amount on the plane of shadow. Most worshippers instead maintain altars in locations hidden from public view, or use none at all. The religion teaches that anywhere light retreats or shadow looms, Hypnogogia is present, and it is thus a suitable location to pray.
Rites: Rites to become a cleric of Hypnogogia involve no vows, in stark contrast to the rites of most other deities. Priests of Hypnogogia know better than most how valueless words are. Instead, a potential cleric must first prove through action and years of devotion that he will be a staunch representative of all Hypnogogia encompasses. None are told exactly what this means, it is left purposely vague so that their way of thinking can also be evaluated. Tests of faith and great sacrafices are required to advance to higher levels in the disparate clergy, out of the respect for the great sacrifice Hypnogogia has had to pay for his role in creation.
Heralds and allies: (Unfinished) allies: Darkweaver (9), Chwidencha (12), Cranium Rat Swarm (lesser pack) (6)
herald: Shadow Giant (18) Rogue, two nightcrawlers (18 each)
Spells:
Weapon of the Diety: +1 Shadowstrike Whip-dagger
Deific Bastion: 50% Fortification
Divine Retribution: Cold, Dexterity
Footsteps of the Divine: +40 feet
Interfaith Blessing: +1 on attack rolls and skill checks