Tharizdun
There exists no rationale for obsession, no reason for insanity, and yet they exist. Powerful men brought down by their own paranoia, lovers killing lovers out of pure jealousy. These madnesses are part of the natural order, or so we are meant to think. Tharizdun, God of Madness, rules over the domain of insanity and from his throne corrupts the minds and spirits of mortals.
Tharizdun was not always this way. When the world was fresh and young, he was known as Thar’iel and commanded the celestials of the heavens in their efforts to combat corruption. He was relentless in his pursuit of absolute purity. To Thar’iel, there was no greater service than bringing forth a perfect world. But, what drove Thar’iel to this obsession? Well, the answer is simple. All one needs to do is look up to the heavens.
When Thar’iel first saw Moradine, he was smitten. Her grace and beauty were unmatched from even the celestials themselves. Her smile brought a radiance equal to the sun, her presence brought with it a comfort one could not find even with a loved one. Thar’iel knew, from the moment he first bore breath, that he would work to have Moradine look upon him as her own. He spent day after day training to smite evil where it rose. He was first in line to combat the demons, and the last to leave the field. It did not take him long to rise among the ranks and become a Solar. After a particular crusade, in which he led the forces of the heavens to repel the Demons from their very gates, Thar’iel returned home hoping that this very act would find himself in the eyes of Moradine. This, however’ would not be the case, and the events from that moment forward would lead Thar’iel down a dark path.
Upon returning to the heavens, he was greeted by many of the celestial, all praising him as a hero. Thar’iel searched the crowds, hoping to catch a glimpse of Moradine from within the crowd, but to no avail. When he had almost began to give up however, mighty trumpets erupted from behind him. The divine door that lead to Moradine's own throne opened, and from them stepped out the very Goddess herself. At first, Thar’iel was overjoyed, his goddess had emerged to see him, but quickly his heart dropped, for standing by her side was Abbadon, the God of Destruction. Thar’iel was taken aback, how could that destructive and cruel god dare to stand by his beloved’s side. Thar’iel moved through the crowd, pushing to get to the front, all while Moradine began to honor the heroes that had returned home. He was flustered, questions burned in his mind like a raw iron, and he knew he needed an answer.
Thar’iel burst through the crowd, prostrating himself before Moradine and began to speak. “My beloved goddess, of which I serve with both body and soul, I humble myself before you. While I find myself unworthy, allow me to ask one thing of you.
Moradine looked upon him, her smile still radiating upon her face. She responded, “Thar’iel, my mighty general, I am honored by your service and your words. I hold no reverence that would not allow a child of mine to speak to me. Please, ask of me what you wish my child.”
Thar’iel lifted his head, still kneeling before her, and spoke once more, “ I have fought legions of dark forces across the heaven sin service of you and this kingdom, but I wish only to know one thing. Why does this dark god find himself by your side as an equal. He usurps the very principle of your divinity and seeks only ruin for your young world? Of all those who serve you, why is he allowed to stand at your side?”
Thar’iel spoke these words with a desperation behind them, as if she would speak and Abbadon would simply disappear.
Upon hearing these words, the streets fell over with a hush. While Thar’iel was well within his place to place these concerns, the fashion in which he did was not one of calm disapproval, but one of spurred panic. Moradine was the first to break the silence, her smile now gone from her face, now replaced with a solemn sadness. She descended from atop the stairs from which she stood and knelt beside Thar’iel. Gently she spoke, “Thar’iel, you're worry is appreciated, but I would ask that you would not insult my husband while he stands with me. I know it may be difficult to understand, he is mine and I am his.” Moradine rose, now addressing the crowd in front of her, “Many believe that the act of Creation and Destruction are separate entities, each in conflict with one another. They are however, two sides of the same coin. There can be no creation without destruction and no destruction without creation. Birth and death exist to give purpose and meaning, but also to allow the worlds we inhabit to thrive. Just as a fire destroys a forest, it also allows for new plants to grow. He is my husband because he helps to perfect a world we both love, though each in our own way.”
Thar’iel listened to each word that flowed from her lips, each sentence brining with a burning he had never felt before. His body felt heavy and weak, his heart now beating with a deep drumming that brought pain to his very soul. Eventually, the crowds departed, leaving Thar’iel alone in the empty streets. He was defeated, his purpose stolen from him. Moradine had been the very reason he lived, and from that a new feeling emerged, Madness. Within him, a madness like no other gripped its vice like claws upon his mind. Thar’iel retreated to his home, locking himself in it for days, obsessively looking for an answer. It was not long, however; that he found it. A whisper danced in the air and soon found his ears, saying to him, “If Abbadon has stolen your beloved, then you must kill him. Kill him, claim his throne, and you will earn the love of Moradine for yourself.”
Once he heard these words, a wicked smile spread upon his face. Yes, killing Abbadon was the only way, and he would be the divine instrument that would bring forth that justice. Thar’iel grabbed his weapon and donned his armor and one last time, left the heavens.
The march to the realm of the Dark Pantheon was simple to find, but difficult to navigate. It was in essence a reflection of the heavens, but in it things were perverted and twisted, the very order he sought to protect shaped into something much more sinister. Eventually, Thar’iel found the Hall of Darkness and inside sat Abbadon, alone with only the gentle glow of a globe illuminating his face. Thar’iel entered, his sword drawn and spoke, “Abbadon, I come for you. Your very presence is a stain upon Moradine and your reign will be brought to an end by my sword.”
Abbadon did not stir, he just sat there, unmoved. Again Thar’iel spoke, and again he was ignored. Rage began to fill his heart, and soon he found his limit. Rushing forward, Thar’iel brought his sword high above his head, and with one mighty swing brought it down on Abbadon. Before the blade could connect, however; Thar’iel was thrown backward, as if an unknown force had shielded Abbadon.
With this, Abbadon moved for the first time since Thar’iel had arrived and spoke. “Your obsession with Moradine will be your ruin. I can not fault one who has fallen for her with there heart as I have, so I will offer you a choice. Leave now and never return. Do this and I will allow you to live or stay and die. I will only offer this once, so choose wisely Thar’iel.”
Thar’iel did not even need a second, for as soon as those words had left Abbadon’s lips, Thar’iel rushed forth again, his striked filled with fury and desperation. Abbadon simply stood there, his own aura repealing the now mad and delusional Thar’iel. With one last assault, Thar’iel was thrown back, his body slamming into a pillar on the farthest part of the room. Bleeding, Thar’iel spoke, “I will kill you Abbadon, and once I have, Moradine will accept me as her love and I will take my seat by her side. Your death is all that stands in the way of Moradine’s love.”
With this, Abbadon began to laugh, the sound of which was haunting and terrifying. Abbadon’s face held upon it a smile, and looking upon Thar’iel he spoke, “You had her love. But now, now you will have nothing but her ire. Your madness has changed you, for now you are no longer Thar’iel.”
Once he had finished speaking, he waved his hand in the air, producing a mirror. With a motion, it gently floated over to Thar’iel. Spinning slowly, the mirror revealed to him what Abbadon was speaking of, for in his fury, his form had changed. No longer a beautiful Solar, he had now become a twisted form of rage and madness. Dark horns grew from his head and chaotic flames erupted from his body. His face was void of any flesh, now just charred bone and flames to give form to him. Thar’iel was horrified, and in his rage smashed the mirror. With this Abbadon laughed once more, “When I offered you those choices, I did not lie when I said you would die. Thar’iel, champion of the Heavens and Solar has perished, and from his ashes is born Tharizdun, the Mad.”
Hearing these words, Tharizdun let out a pained roar, and rushed Abbadon once more. However, he did not get as far as to reach his face before chains shot out from the floor, chaining him down. Abbadon approached the now wild beast and spoke, his voice now commanding, “ From this day forward you will never know the light of the heavens. That which you once swore to protect you will be compelled to corrupt. However, I will not allow you to harm my love and wife, so I will trap you in the deepest pits of the nine hell. While your presence will find its way to the mortal plane, I will never let you threaten the heavens again. Go now, God of Madness, and know that your own choices brought this upon you.”
With that, Tharizdun was dragged down by the chains that bound him, his roar drowned by the sounds of flames burning wildly. Now, Tharizdun lays trapped in the Ninth Circle of Hell, forever trapped. However, an evil this strong cannot be completely sealed off, and soon he found that he could reach out to the hearts and minds of mortals. From that moment on, Tharizdun seeks to corrupt mortals and eventually break free of the chains that bind him and bring forth his vengeance upon the heavens and the one that spurred his love.
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