Here's the second draft of the Zorak Zoran cult writeup. Apologies in advance for the length - and thanks to everyone for comments and contributions!
Many thanks!
Regards,
Sarah
The Cult of Zorak Zoran
Description :
Zorak Zoran is God of Hate and Vengeance, the mindless explosion of
fear and frenzy against both law and chaos which finds its only
justification and satisfaction in unlimited violence. As much as the
rest of the world might regret it, Zorak Zoran helped save the world,
and his powers may be needed again. He is part of the Cosmic
Balance, and is the most popular Wargod of the trolls, who achieved
the near-impossible in stealing the powers of the Fiery Death from
the Great Enemy, and who now uses that very weapon on behalf of
Darkness to wreak revenge upon his foes.
In early myths he is little-noted. At best he is mentioned as
attending his sister, Xiola Umbar, or his friend, Kyger Litor, in the
Darkness of the Underworld. Zorak Zoran came into his own, however,
when Death was discovered within the depths of the Underworld.
Watching, Zorak Zoran conceived a passion for the new power, and
followed it like a shadow until he saw and grasped the opportunity
which made his name known throughout the heavens, seizing Death and
cutting down Flamal, beloved of the world, to bring on the Great
Hunger and deepen the Lesser Darkness.
In the Darkness Zorak Zoran fought and wounded Yelmalio, son of the
Sun, at the Hill of Gold, and stole his Fire powers. Later he feuded
with Orlanth as well. The theft of Fire, however, was perhaps Zorak
Zoran's defining act, for to Trolls, Fire and Death are the same;
in
stealing Fire from Yelmalio, Zorak Zoran became the Darkness who
gained control of Fire and Death, and who now wields it against all
the foes of his kind. In him, Fire and Death and Darkness are
joined; he is Fire and Death and Darkness incarnate.
When Chaos entered into the cosmos along the same route of jealousy,
fear, and death which had been pioneered by Zorak Zoran, Zorak Zoran
led in the struggle against Chaos and grew to be favoured by many
trolls who fought alongside him. He was instrumental in halting the
festering growth of evil before the return of the Sun and at that
time earned his title of Lord God of the Demons of Death.
Zorak Zoran's dislike for Humakt is well-known. He also has no
love
for Light or any sky deity. Because the Red Moon includes chaos, and
has the effrontery to shed Light where the Compromise decreed there
would be no Light, the Red Goddess has been another one of Zorak
Zoran's targets since her apotheosis. Mostal, father of dwarfs,
and
Aldrya, mother of elves, are old enemies of Zorak Zoran, dating from
wrongs committed in Godtime.
Entry Requirements : Dark trolls, great trolls, men, and beast men,
plus exceptional trollkin. No Aldryami or Mostali.
Physical Skills : Ignore Pain, Intimidate, Torture, Flanged Mace &
Shield Fighting, Trollmaul Fighting
Mental Skills : Mythology of Uz, Mythology of Zorak Zoran
Affinities:
Lead Death's Legions (Induct Corpse, Induct Spirit, Summon Shade,
Command Death's Legionnaire, Rally Troops)
Hate (Battle Rage, Howl of Fear, Maul Elf, Vanquish Dwarf, Smite
Chaos)
Vengeance (Crush, Open Wounds, Seal Wounds*, Bludgeon Soul, Mark for
Retribution, Remember Ancient Wrongs)
Special Feat : Wrest Salamander from Amanstan**
Personality : Crazed, Bloodthirsty. Also Hate Elves, Hate Chaos, Hate
Mostali.
Worshippers : Troll generals and warleaders, berserk warrios in troll
lands. Some non-Troll warleaders in non-Troll lands.
Secret : Burn With Death
(Affinity - gained from Hill of Gold Heroquest)
The Zorak Zorani bursts into deep, dark red flame, incarnating the
Fire that is Death. His very presence burns his foes, but also those
of the Uz around him. He may self-immolate to such an extent that he
lays all around him waste, and himself perishes.
Feats : Burn Foe, Lay Waste, Burn Everything, Fire Devours All
Other Side : Zorak Zoran's Fortress in the Underworld, where the
immortal Legions of Death engage in perpetual warfare.
Disadvantages : Psychopathic troll butchers. Often unacceptable even
in troll society.
Other Connections : Zorak Zorani can gain Darksee spirits from Kyger
Litor, Face Chaos spirits from Storm Bull, and Healing Trance spirits
from Xiola Umbar. Anti-Orlanth hero cults and subcults of Zorak
Zoran provide feats such as Eat Wind.
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