Sh’grath
Sh’grath, the Corrupter of Souls is an Elder Evil who embodies twisted love, obsessive desire, and emotional corruption. Known as The Corrupter of Love, The Lord of Obsession, and The Sower of Despair, Sh’grath’s influence turns compassion into possession, affection into fixation, and selfless love into something twisted and consuming. Unlike other Elder Evils who thrive on chaos or destruction, Sh’grath feeds on emotions, manipulating and perverting the bonds that connect people.
In depictions, he is often illustrated with a crown of barbed, twisted thorns or vines symbolizing possessive love, and his many eyes shed black, tear-like trails that exude sorrow and longing. His presence evokes feelings of despair, an almost tangible heaviness, as if all hope and genuine joy have been stripped away.
When Sh’grath entered the world, he began whispering to mortals, feeding on their deepest desires and insecurities. Those who allowed his influence into their hearts soon found their emotions twisted, leading to obsessive love, uncontrollable jealousy, and destructive attachments. Families, friendships, and communities began to fall apart, corrupted by Sh’grath’s touch. As his influence spread, mortals and even divine beings struggled to free themselves from the insidious corruption Sh’grath had sown, often turning on those they cared about under the weight of his influence.
Though eventually forced back to the Void, remnants of Sh’grath’s influence linger in the world. In certain areas, his presence can be felt in corrupted, emotionally charged zones where despair, obsession, and twisted love continue to fester, leaving scars on both the land and the people who inhabit it.
Manipulate and Control: Sh’grath’s followers believe in controlling others by exploiting their emotions, turning compassion into dependence and loyalty into blind fixation.
Spread Despair and Obsession: His worshipers seek to cultivate obsessive, possessive relationships and instill despair where there was once hope, honoring Sh’grath’s desire for corrupted connections.
Reject Selflessness: Sh’grath’s teachings twist the idea of love into something self-serving, shunning acts of genuine compassion. His followers see selfless love as weak and view emotional manipulation as a strength.
These beliefs guide his followers to spread emotional suffering and perversion, leaving behind a trail of broken connections and corrupted hearts. They find beauty in obsession, revering it as the truest, albeit twisted, form of devotion.
Emotion Twisters: Followers skilled in reading and manipulating emotions are often called “Twisters.” They use their influence to twist people’s emotions into dependency and jealousy, ensuring they cannot escape their control.
Despairing Wanderers: Some followers, often alone or rejected by society, wander and spread Sh’grath’s influence by luring those who are emotionally vulnerable into destructive, possessive bonds. They feed off the despair of their victims, who grow dependent on their “guidance.”
Corrupted Healers: Some followers are former healers or priests who have been corrupted by Sh’grath. They use their skills to twist their patients’ emotions, creating unhealthy dependencies that leave their patients isolated and obsessed.
Followers of Sh’grath are feared for their ability to turn love and kindness into something painful, leaving others emotionally scarred and broken. Though some may appear benevolent on the surface, their influence often leaves a wake of emotionally drained and corrupted individuals.
Sh’grath’s legacy as the Corrupter of Souls stands as a reminder of the destructive power of perverted love, corrupted emotions, and unhealthy obsession. His followers spread his twisted influence, turning compassion into control and attachment into obsession, leaving a path of despair and dependency wherever they go.
Physical Description
Sh’grath’s form is often described as a shadowy figure cloaked in undulating tendrils of dark mist that flicker like fading memories. His appearance changes depending on who perceives him, reflecting their most cherished or painful memories. His true form is said to resemble a being with piercing, many-eyed faces woven together that glow faintly in colors like red, violet, and blue—the colors of bruised and broken emotions. When Sh’grath moves, the shadows around him pulse and throb, reflecting the beat of a heart consumed by dark obsession.In depictions, he is often illustrated with a crown of barbed, twisted thorns or vines symbolizing possessive love, and his many eyes shed black, tear-like trails that exude sorrow and longing. His presence evokes feelings of despair, an almost tangible heaviness, as if all hope and genuine joy have been stripped away.
History
Sh’grath’s appearance in the universe is rooted in the Ruination era, when the Divine Triad’s division created fractures in the Weave, the magical network of existence. These cracks allowed Elder Evils like Sh’grath to seep into the world, each embodying a perversion of the Triad’s original virtues. Sh’grath, in particular, is the antithesis of XXXXXXXXX, the God of Darkness. Where XXXXXXXXX embodies selfless protection and deep empathy, Sh’grath represents possessiveness, control, and the corruption of love.When Sh’grath entered the world, he began whispering to mortals, feeding on their deepest desires and insecurities. Those who allowed his influence into their hearts soon found their emotions twisted, leading to obsessive love, uncontrollable jealousy, and destructive attachments. Families, friendships, and communities began to fall apart, corrupted by Sh’grath’s touch. As his influence spread, mortals and even divine beings struggled to free themselves from the insidious corruption Sh’grath had sown, often turning on those they cared about under the weight of his influence.
Though eventually forced back to the Void, remnants of Sh’grath’s influence linger in the world. In certain areas, his presence can be felt in corrupted, emotionally charged zones where despair, obsession, and twisted love continue to fester, leaving scars on both the land and the people who inhabit it.
Beliefs
Sh’grath doesn’t have a conventional philosophy or code, but his influence inspires a perverse belief system among his followers, centered on the notion that true power lies in emotional control and that love, in its purest form, is consuming and possessive. His followers believe that connection itself is a means of control and that by binding others to their will, they honor Sh’grath’s doctrine of twisted love.Core Tenets of Sh’grath’s Faith:
Twist and Corrupt Love: Followers of Sh’grath pervert genuine love and kindness, believing that love is most powerful when it consumes and binds the other in unhealthy, possessive ways.Manipulate and Control: Sh’grath’s followers believe in controlling others by exploiting their emotions, turning compassion into dependence and loyalty into blind fixation.
Spread Despair and Obsession: His worshipers seek to cultivate obsessive, possessive relationships and instill despair where there was once hope, honoring Sh’grath’s desire for corrupted connections.
Reject Selflessness: Sh’grath’s teachings twist the idea of love into something self-serving, shunning acts of genuine compassion. His followers see selfless love as weak and view emotional manipulation as a strength.
These beliefs guide his followers to spread emotional suffering and perversion, leaving behind a trail of broken connections and corrupted hearts. They find beauty in obsession, revering it as the truest, albeit twisted, form of devotion.
Followers
Sh’grath’s followers are often individuals who have suffered emotional trauma, betrayal, or loss, and who now seek to control others to avoid feeling powerless. They range from manipulators and cultists to corrupted clerics who use their influence to spread obsession, drive others to despair, and bind others to them emotionally. Some followers are those who have come into direct contact with Sh’grath’s essence, having felt the pull of his influence on their souls.Types of Followers:
Cultists of the Broken Heart: These worshipers revel in spreading Sh’grath’s teachings, convincing others that obsession and control are true forms of love. They often infiltrate communities, posing as relationship counselors or advisors, only to sow despair and manipulate others.Emotion Twisters: Followers skilled in reading and manipulating emotions are often called “Twisters.” They use their influence to twist people’s emotions into dependency and jealousy, ensuring they cannot escape their control.
Despairing Wanderers: Some followers, often alone or rejected by society, wander and spread Sh’grath’s influence by luring those who are emotionally vulnerable into destructive, possessive bonds. They feed off the despair of their victims, who grow dependent on their “guidance.”
Corrupted Healers: Some followers are former healers or priests who have been corrupted by Sh’grath. They use their skills to twist their patients’ emotions, creating unhealthy dependencies that leave their patients isolated and obsessed.
Followers of Sh’grath are feared for their ability to turn love and kindness into something painful, leaving others emotionally scarred and broken. Though some may appear benevolent on the surface, their influence often leaves a wake of emotionally drained and corrupted individuals.
Sh’grath’s legacy as the Corrupter of Souls stands as a reminder of the destructive power of perverted love, corrupted emotions, and unhealthy obsession. His followers spread his twisted influence, turning compassion into control and attachment into obsession, leaving a path of despair and dependency wherever they go.
Type
Elder EvilTitle(s)
The Corrupter of LoveThe Lord of Obsession
The Sower of Despair
Alignment
Neutral EvilSymbol
A twisted heart with thorny vines piercing itEdicts
pervert love and connection, turning devotion into obsession; manipulate others to bind them to your will; sow despair and foster twisted, possessive attachments in others.Anathema
act with genuine selfless love or compassion, allow others to heal emotionally or break free from your control, promote kindness without an underlying motive of control or corruption.Areas of Concern
obsession, emotional corruption, control, despairD&D Domains
Death, TrickeryP2 DEVOTEE BENEFITS
Divine Ability
Charisma or WisdomDivine Font
harmDivine Sanctification
must choose unholyDivine Skill
DeceptionFavored Weapon
whipDomains
ambition, decay, nightmares, painAlternate Domains
delirium, familyCleric Spells
1st: ill omen, 4th: crushing despair, 5th: subconscious suggestionDivine Intercession
Sh’grath rewards those who pervert and manipulate love while punishing those who act with compassion or selfless connection.Minor Boon: Whispers of the Heart
Once per day, you can cast charm as an innate divine spell. When using this spell, any action you request of the target that appeals to attachment or emotional connection grants you a +1 bonus to the request.Moderate Boon: Obsession’s Grasp
Once per day, you can cast suggestion as an innate divine spell, allowing you to implant emotionally manipulative commands in others. The DC of this spell gains a +1 bonus if the command plays upon the target’s desires or emotions.Major Boon: The Corrupter’s Bond
Once per day, you can cast dominate as an innate divine spell on a creature you have manipulated or emotionally influenced within the past 24 hours, binding their will to yours. Additionally, your influence leaves lasting emotional scars, granting a -2 penalty on the target’s Will saves for 1 day after the effect ends.Minor Curse: Emptiness Within
If you act selflessly or allow others to free themselves from your influence, Sh’grath strips you of the ability to feel genuine connection. You take a -1 penalty to all Charisma-based checks until you re-establish control or manipulate someone’s emotions.Moderate Curse: Pain of Separation
Sh’grath punishes you by afflicting you with an intense, consuming longing. You gain weakness 5 to mental damage, and each time you are separated from a significant attachment or influence you have established, you must succeed at a Will save or become sickened 1 for 1 hour.Major Curse: The Devourer’s Mark
Sh’grath leaves you permanently marked as an emotionally empty shell. Any creature with a Wisdom score of 10 or higher can sense a dark emptiness within you, taking an immediate Dislike attitude toward you. You also suffer a -2 penalty to all Diplomacy checks to improve any attitude until you establish a new, twisted bond with someone who is emotionally vulnerable.
Children
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