Sevve the Dark

The Tale of Sevve the Dark

Sevve the Dark (pronounced "Seff uh") is a formidable deity among The Gods of Lankhmar, embodying the essence of mystery and shadow forces of the night. His tale is one of secrecy, power, and the mastery of the unknown. Legends tell of a time when Lankhmar was plagued by unseen terrors and the encroaching darkness of ignorance. Sevve, a mortal of great cunning and love of the night, emerged as the city's guardian of shadows, using his abilities to protect the city from hidden dangers and uncover the mysteries that threatened its people.

According to myth, Sevve was once a scholar and a sorcerer who possessed a deep understanding of the night and its secrets. He could navigate the darkest places and communicate with the spirits of the shadows. When a great darkness threatened to engulf Lankhmar, Sevve used his knowledge and power to illuminate the hidden dangers and banish the encroaching gloom. His mastery over the night and his unwavering dedication to the pursuit of hidden knowledge earned him divine status, granting him eternal guardianship over darkness and mystery.

Overview

Sevve the Dark is worshipped as the god of night, shadows, and hidden knowledge. He is often depicted as a tall, shadowy figure cloaked in darkness, with piercing eyes that glow with a deep, purple-black light. His presence brings a sense of awe and fear, reminding all of the power and mystery that lies within the shadows.

• Domain: Night, Shadows, Hidden Knowledge

• Symbols: Crescent Moons, Stars, Shadows

• Attributes: Cunning, Power, Mystery

Historical Foundations

Sevve's worship began in the early days of Lankhmar, when the city was often threatened by unseen forces and the unknown. His ability to navigate and control the night made him a central figure for those who valued knowledge and feared the darkness. Sorcerers, scholars, and those who operated in the shadows revered him, spreading his legend throughout Lankhmar.

Legacy and Folklore

The legacy of Sevve the Dark is deeply ingrained in the cultural and spiritual practices of Lankhmar. He is invoked during ceremonies related to nightfall, secrecy, and the pursuit of hidden truths. One popular legend tells of Sevve leading a group of lost travelers through a dark forest, his eyes illuminating the path and banishing the creatures of the night.

Adaptations across the Lands

While Sevve is primarily worshipped in Lankhmar, his influence extends to regions where the night and its mysteries are highly valued. Secret societies, nocturnal communities, and scholarly enclaves honor him, reflecting their reliance on the night for knowledge and protection.

Cultural Interpretations

Cultural interpretations of Sevve vary widely. In Lankhmar, he is seen as a guardian of hidden knowledge and a protector against the unseen dangers of the night. In other areas, he is revered as a powerful sorcerer deity, a figure who embodies the pursuit of secrecy and the mastery of shadows.

Literary Echoes

Sevve the Dark has inspired numerous works of literature. Epic tales recount his battles against the forces of ignorance and unseen threats, while dark legends and mystery stories highlight his cunning and power. His character often appears in stories as a mentor, teaching heroes to embrace the night and uncover hidden truths.

Artistic Impressions

Artists in Lankhmar and beyond have long been inspired by Sevve’s shadowy presence and enigmatic power. Paintings, sculptures, and tapestries depict him surrounded by swirling shadows, his eyes glowing with a deep, purple-black light, his form blending seamlessly into the night. These artistic impressions capture both his majestic presence and his mysterious nature, celebrating his role as the god of night and hidden knowledge.

Deithar

Nocturnis by Chad Watson via Midjourney

Sevve's Deithar is known as Nocturnis. This pendant contains deep purple amethysts that symbolize the mysterious and dark nature of Sevve, capturing the essence of night and shadows. The crown of the Deithar is adorned with crescent moons, and the skull’s eyes glow with a deep, purple-black light. Nocturnis grants darkvision up to 120 feet and the ability to cast "Darkness" once per day, reflecting Sevve’s mastery over shadows and the night.

The Transformation from mortal to god

Upon their deaths, the founders of Lankhmar underwent a mystical transformation that was catalyzed by a combination of their extraordinary deeds, the collective reverence of the citizens, and ancient, powerful magic embedded in the city's foundations. Their bodies were mummified and housed in The Black Temple, where their spirits continued to reside, maintaining a vigilant watch over the city they had dedicated their lives to.

The exact process of their transformation involved several key elements:

• Sacred Rituals: Ancient rituals performed by the city's early priests invoked powerful enchantments that bound the spirits of these great men to their mummified remains.

• Collective Belief: The unwavering belief and reverence of the citizens of Lankhmar played a crucial role in empowering and sustaining the transformation of these men into gods.

• Divine Intervention: It is believed that the gods themselves, recognizing the extraordinary nature of these men, granted them divine status to ensure the continued protection and prosperity of Lankhmar.

Why They Transformed

The transformation of these founders into gods served several essential purposes:

• Eternal Protection: As gods, they could continue to protect Lankhmar from both natural and man-made disasters, ensuring the city's survival and prosperity.

• Symbol of Unity and Strength: Their presence as gods served as a constant reminder of the city's resilience and the unity of its people, fostering a strong sense of community and purpose.

• Balance of Power: By becoming gods, they maintained a delicate balance of power within Lankhmar, preventing any one faction or temple from gaining undue influence over the city.

Alignment Shift

In life, these founders were known for their diverse alignments, ranging from noble and just to cunning and strategic. However, upon their transformation into The Gods of Lankhmar, they collectively adopted a Lawful Neutral Alignment with Lawful Evil tendencies. This shift was influenced by the following factors:

• Eternal Vigilance: As guardians of the city, their primary focus shifted to maintaining order and stability at all costs. This required a rigid adherence to law and order, often leading to ruthless decisions to protect Lankhmar.

• Absolute Power: The immense power and responsibility they wielded as gods necessitated a more pragmatic and, at times, harsh approach to governance, resulting in actions that could be perceived as Lawful Evil.

• Divine Judgment: The need to balance protection with retribution led to a more severe interpretation of justice, often punishing those who threatened the city with ruthless efficiency.

Role as The Gods of Lankhmar

The Gods of Lankhmar are more than just mummified remains or sacred relics; they are the eternal guardians of the city. Their roles include:

• Protectors in Times of Crisis: Whenever Lankhmar faces a severe threat, the gods emerge from The Black Temple to defend the city. Their interventions range from creating protective domes during hurricanes to obliterating threats that challenge their supremacy, such as when they destroyed the Temple of Issek.

• Enforcers of Order: The gods also enforce order by ensuring no other temple is built westward of The Black Temple, maintaining the temple's status as the most important in the city.

• Collectors of Energy: After defending the city, the gods embark on a rampage to replenish their spent energy, a process that also serves to remind the citizens of their reliance on the gods and the need for better risk management.