One of the Ten Thousand Kings of Hell, the Apostle of False Faith is both punished and rewarded for her actions in life.
As a false witness, the Apostle of False Faith gathered promises and donations in the name of good works, and squandered those for her own benefit. Those who rule in the Hells rewarded such sin with a duty and honour unlike any- the Apostle of False Faith is gifted with the exquisite reward of carrying the blade of a captured Solar. In bearing it, she feels the promised reward of holiness and good kindle within her, only to burn her at its touch. She has been blessed with great wisdom, but cannot speak truth honestly, only rhyming nonsense. Children sing a song about the false Apostle, warning of her grave sin. "There was an apostle who bore the word And now she must carry a sword For punish'd shall she ever be 'Tis because of perfidy." This children's song actually dates to a historical record of her life , and is merely the final stanza of an epic, warning of her crimes and final capture and punishment in the bowels of Hell. Academics familiar with the epic may be able to recognize behaviours in her followers, and react appropriately. Those who have signed a pact with the Apostle of False Faith bear her mark- their toes go grey and lengthen into small, wiggly tentacles. They are often classed as mad by those who do not understand, for they are dichotomous in nature. The Apostle of False Faith's goals for her servants are often to build churches, grow faithful worshippers, and even do works of great good, but ultimately to benefit themselves. They often set themselves up at the head of such endeavours to reap the benefits, and always, always, have an escape route planned when things inevitably collapse. While their deeds are ultimately selfish, many of them really truly believe that they have good intentions, and just struggle to carry them out for a variety of reasons, none their own fault. As as patron, the Apostle of False Faith is encouraging and harsh in fair measures, excoriating (sometimes literally) her followers for failing in their allotted tasks, but also coddling them and reassuring them that everyone around them failed them. Her court in Hell is a fabulous, pampered and perfumed hall, glittering with candles made from the tallow of faithful believers rendered down over agonizing days. Her Devil servants are most often Erinyes and similar devils who can go among mortal folk cloaked in illusion. Statistics: The Apostle of False Faith has the game statistics of a Cornugon (Horned Devil), with a quarterstaff instead of a spiked chain, and no tail attacks or Infernal Wound ability. She possesses the spellcasting powers of a 15th-level cleric. How you can use the Apostle of False Faith in your game: - The Apostle makes for an intriguing patron for any Warlock who wants an element of ambiguity in their alignment- perhaps they will be the one to succeed where so many others have failed. - The servants of the Apostle make excellent villains to be behind any corrupt worship of a Good faith. They don't intend it, but when things get too hard, they'll often take the treasury and run, instead of devoting it to good deeds. - For a reversal, a servant of the Apostle may approach semi-famous heroes and offer them a chance to assist in a truly good deed. Whether the return of some captured weapon like the Solar's blade, or transferring back a prisoner, sometimes the results of their deeds are actually Good. Whether the servant gains anything by this is up to your Player Characters to detect. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 25 April 2019. Those who sin against the edicts of the Heavens are alternately tormented and rewarded within the bounds of the Nine Hells.
The Illuminator King was once a mortal lord, who believed that all creation revolves around his actions, and all who witnessed him should behold his glory. Such was his pride, that The promises he made led to his fate now, as one of the Ten Thousand Kings of Hell. In his court, the Illuminator King is hoisted each day on chains from the ceiling, attached to brutal hooks and bolts through his body. He knows constant, agonizing pain from these and the ever-guttering candles mounted on his back, but lacks eyes, and cannot see his court as they howl below him, clamoring for his attention. In the lightless labyrinth of his realm, he is the only source of any radiance, witnessed by all of his vassals and petitioners. The Illuminator King is wise, but cunning and wishes to hear flattering words and honeyed vows before he will disclose anything. Those who flatter him may receive safe passage through his realm, although he may not keep his word, depending on his whim. Statistics: The Illuminator King is about as powerful as an advanced Bone Devil, and the body-horror of his appearance heightens the saving throw DC against his Fear aura to 20. He possesses Blindsense out to about 10 feet, but no vision at all. How you can use the Illuminator Ling in your game: • As one of the Ten Thousand Kings of Hell, the Illuminator King could be a patron for a Warlock. He is capricious and vile, but demands and appreciates honest worship in return for his gifts. • The Illuminator King might have knowledge from his mortal life, or of one of the other Kings of Hell, which might be useful. Calling him up, or visiting in his domain, might be the only way to gain this information. • As an adversary, the Illuminator King can be terrible and fearsome. He commands an army of vicious and fiendish Grimlocks which can be sent after those who he wishes dead. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 25 February 2019) |
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