Cult of Sufferre: The Goblins of Agony

Origins and Beliefs

The Cult of Sufferre arose among the swamp-dwelling goblins of Morvash after a lone shaman claimed to receive visions from Balfuron. This shaman, known as the Tormentor of Agonies, preached that pain is the ultimate truth, and through the suffering of others, the faithful could grow stronger and ascend beyond mortal limitations. In their warped interpretation of Balfuron’s doctrine, the Sufferre reject personal sacrifice and instead focus on inflicting torment upon others. They see pain not as a path to enlightenment but as a means of domination and empowerment.

Practices and Rituals

The Sufferre's rituals are cruel and violent, designed to maximize suffering. Key practices include:

1. Blood Offerings: Victims are ritually bled while chants to Balfuron fill the air. Their pain is considered a direct offering to the god.
2. The Trials of Torment: New initiates are forced to endure excruciating ordeals, often involving poison, fire, or being submerged in the acidic bogs of their swamp, to prove their loyalty.
3. Harvest of Agony: Raiding parties venture from the swamps to capture outsiders, who are dragged back to their temples for sacrifice. The screams of these victims are believed to empower the cultists.

Organization and Hierarchy

The cult is led by a figure known as the Painkeeper, who is considered Balfuron’s chosen representative. Beneath them are:

• Agonists: High-ranking cultists who oversee the rituals and ensure the sacrifices meet the standards of suffering.
• Screamtenders: Mid-level cultists who capture victims and prepare them for sacrifice.
• Tormentors: The foot soldiers of the cult, responsible for enforcing the Painkeeper's will and maintaining order among the goblins.

The Temple of Bogblood

The cult’s central stronghold is the Temple of Bogblood, a series of ancient ruins half-sunken in the fetid swamps of Morvash. The temple is decorated with grisly trophies from their victims—bones, flayed skins, and preserved organs. The heart of the temple contains the Altar of Agonies, a jagged stone stained with the blood of countless sacrifices.

Motivations and Goals

The Sufferre believe that through their actions, they are strengthening their connection to Balfuron and earning his favor. Their ultimate goal is to transform their swamp into a realm of perpetual suffering, a sanctuary of pain that Balfuron might one day choose as his earthly domain. They also seek to spread their doctrine to other goblin tribes, believing that all goblinkind should embrace the power of suffering.

Encounters with the Cult

The Sufferre are a constant menace to the regions surrounding the Morvash swamps. Their raiding parties target small villages, isolated travelers, and even other goblin tribes. Adventurers might encounter them in the following scenarios:

• Rescuing kidnapped villagers before they are sacrificed on the Altar of Agonies.
• Navigating the swamp to uncover the origin of strange, haunting screams that echo through the night.