Disciples of Destruction
The followers of Rostrom, the living cage and the god of Destruction. Many give him worship simply to grant him more power to contain the Great Old One Imprisoned within his body.
Technological Level
Rostrom see's himself as a herald of the cycle of destruction and creation, and thus many of his more intelligent disciples are artificers, blending technology and magic together to create greater weapons of destruction.
Infrastructure
Being primarily concerned with Destruction, the Disciples rarely build anything new, instead preferring to set up temporary church's in destroyed buildings or the remains of an old battlefield. When they do wish to build a new settlement, they will seek an encampment of one of their enemies (or even a rival priest), raze the encampment to the ground, and build their new temple from the ashes.
The spot of Rostrom's ascension is located just outside Capital Welthrone, near the World Tree, is considered a holy spot for the disciples. It is a barren crater left over from the battle between Rostrom and Marath, where nothing grows and magic ceases to function, a testament to Rostrom's pure destructive power.
Mythology & Lore
Rostrom ascension mark the onset of a new era, with many believing him to be personally responsible for many of the things that now began. The lingering energies of the Rier spread throughout the world, causing geological upheaval, old artifacts to reactivate, and ancient beasts to stir from their slumber. This change spread throughout the world and reawakened a newfound need for adventurers, truly earning him the title Destroyer of Era's.
Divine Origins
After Rostrom destroyed the Reir, many flocked to his side simply due to the event of the creation of a new Era.
Tenets of Faith
Followers of Rostrom have few rules, but those who follow him devoutly must adhere to the following code:
- My first duty is to myself and I will do as I please. I will not let the rules and laws of others dictate my actions.
- Those who wrong me are the first to be destroyed.
- I will not back down from any challenge. If a challenge is too great, I will devote myself to overcoming it.
- One is responsible for one's own weakness. I will carry my weight.
- To destroy everything would leave nothing left to destroy.
Ethics
The disciples of destruction are greatly varied in their practices and ethics, with some groups becoming savage barbarian nomads, and others crusaders against specific forces the have wronged them in the past. The individual ethics of these groups is based on the head priest, and can often changes when one of them steps down of is defeated by a rival priest.
Worship
Rostrom care not what people do with the power he grants to them, and at times will even grant power to those of other faiths if bargained with properly. Those who are devout followers often show their devotion by pounding their fist into a wall or other standing object until their hand breaks through to the other side, while proclaiming their strength and vowing to destroy their enemies.
Priesthood
Due to the lack of organized rules in the church, the role of a priest varies greatly by sect, as they are mostly allowed to set their own rules. Regardless, priests are expected to teach the weak how to fight so that they can become strong, and a high priest is expected to be the strongest member of the congregation. When two high priests of separate congregations meet, they are expected to duel for dominance.
Granted Divine Powers
Rostrom often grants his followers supernatural strength, especially when attempting to break objects and barriers. The most devout can gain abilities such as the ability to resist mental domination, the ability to enter a state of Blood Vengeance against someone who wronged them, the ability to destroy all items held by an enemy, and even the ability to disintegrate those struck by their blows.
Signs of Rostrom's favor include a sudden surge of adrenaline, an object in a path crumbling faster than expected, or minor wounds healing overnight. Signs of his ire include as a sudden maddening hunger, random bite marks appearing on ones chest, or difficulty breaking an object or wall.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Rostromites care little for politics, but are known for their volatile and destructive nature, and thus many courts go out of their way to offer appeasement to the disciples to avoid dealing with their wrath. Such gifts often taking the form of a small plot of unimportant plot of land that the disciples can trash without consequence.
Sects
Rostrom has no major sects, but is rather split into countless smaller sects, each under their own head priests.
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