Bhrask (Bhra-sk)
Grandfather Murder & Lord of Lament
Once a faithful servant of Zepthrion, Bhrask rebelled against his former master after a profane union with Varikkien, the Elven goddess of torture. The brutalities of war were no longer enough to quench his thirst for malevolent acts. Their love gave rise to a new and terrifying partnership, known as the Dark Dyad, which advocates for a world of merciless slaughter and unfathomable pain.
Bhrask was once a Necron, an ancient being of immense power, before he vanished like many of his kind. When he returned, it was as a demi-god of murder, an entity of pure brutality. His defection from Zepthrion's ranks was spurred by his marriage to Varikkien, a goddess who was originally from a lineage of Elven royalty. Varikkien, unlike her husband, was not inherently evil. She was shaped by the cruelties inflicted upon her, and she turned them into her divine domain.
Divine Domains
Murder
Seen as the most divine act one might ennact by Bhrask and the Church of Killers, Bhrask embodies murder in Eastrix. In the stillness of the night, where shadows dance and conspire, Bhrask's influence looms large. His essence doesn't merely flirt with the natural cycle of life and death but delves into the darker realm of premeditated termination. It's not just about the act of ending a life, but the intent, the thrill, and the art of it. To kill not out of necessity, but out of choice, passion, or cold calculation. Every drop of blood spilled in clandestine rituals, silent assassinations, and premeditated massacres strengthens his dominion, making the world a canvas of crimson upon which his power grows.
Brutality
Unlike Zepthrion, who appreciates the strategy and complexity of war, Bhrask revels in sheer, unrestrained brutality. To him, the true essence of combat is found in the chaos of tearing flesh and breaking bones. While other deities might bask in the orchestrated dances of war and combat, for Bhrask, it's about the raw, unfiltered violence. The screams of agony, the frenzied thrashing of limbs, and the primal rage of beastly encounters. Where others see a battlefield, he sees a playground of visceral chaos. He doesn't champion the poised general but the berserker lost in the thrill, whose only strategy is to rend and tear. The beauty of combat, to Bhrask, isn't in strategy but in the primal ferocity of unrestrained, bone-shattering violence.
Despair
Bhrask feeds off the despair that accompanies acts of brutality and murder. He thrives on the hopelessness that envelops the hearts of those who are victims of these horrendous acts. Desolation and sorrow form the symphony to which Bhrask's heart beats. The anguish that follows acts of sheer violence, the vacuum left by a sudden murder, the hopelessness that engulfs those touched by such malevolence - that is his feast. His power thrives not just on physical acts but on the emotional void they create. Each tear, each shuddering breath of someone consumed by hopelessness, adds to his malevolent strength.
Iron Will
An extension of his own indomitable spirit, Bhrask is also the god of iron wills. He cherishes the unbending resolve that allows individuals to commit unthinkable acts without hesitation or regret. Bhrask is not just about external acts; he is also the deity of unwavering determination. He venerates the unyielding spirit that drives individuals to the brink and yet compels them forward. While others might hesitate, falter, or be plagued by conscience, those under Bhrask's gaze possess a relentless drive. Their actions, no matter how grim, are carried out without doubt or remorse, for they are empowered by an ironclad resolve that neither moral nor mortal bindings can shackle.
Artifacts
Heartseeker
A jagged dagger that never misses its intended heart. It brings immense pain before finally taking life, making each kill a grand offering to Bhrask. Amidst the eerie gloom of Bhrask's shadowy form, the malicious glint of Heartseeker is hard to miss. Forged in the darkest recesses of the underworld, its serrated edge seems to writhe and pulsate, hungry for the lifeblood it's designed to spill. The hilt, made from the bones of past victims, is engraved with intricate symbols of death and despair, and offers an unholy grip that binds it to its wielder's hand. The dagger’s blade is not polished and pristine but darkened, stained by the countless hearts it has sought and found. Its very presence radiates a chilling aura, promising agonizing torment before the inevitable end. Every plunge of Heartseeker isn't just a physical act but a ceremony, a slow dance of suffering that culminates in a grand tribute to its dark master.
The Iron Mantle
A cloak woven from the screams of a thousand souls, said to harden the resolve of the wearer and make them immune to any form of emotional or psychological manipulation. Flowing ominously around Bhrask is the Iron Mantle, a manifestation of torment and anguish. From a distance, it appears as a dark, weighty cloak, but up close, its true horror is revealed. The fabric seems to be woven from ethereal threads, each strand a soul's scream captured at its most despairing moment. These countless voices intertwine, their agony solidifying into a tangible, heavy cloak. The mantle billows and moves not by the whim of the wind but by the tormented motions of the souls trapped within. To don the Iron Mantle is to be shielded by the collective despair of a thousand spirits, granting the wearer an unnerving strength of will. Its embrace renders the heart cold, impervious to emotional entreaties or psychological snares, making its bearer a fortress of grim determination.
Holy Books & Codes
Tome of the Severed Soul
A guide to ritualistic murders and sacrifices, explaining the best ways to kill in order to gain the favor of Bhrask. Bound in leather that is rumored to be made from the hide of ancient sacrificial beasts, this grisly volume is filled with dark illustrations and insidious instructions. Each page outlines a distinct method of killing, detailing the precise moment life is taken and the ensuing spiritual power released. One notable passage, titled "The Drowning Embrace", describes a ritual where a victim is submerged in water, not for a swift end but for repeated, gasping revivals, ensuring their soul becomes more malleable and more potent an offering to Bhrask. A consistent theme throughout the tome is the mental state one must achieve: an intersection of cold detachment and dark ecstasy, celebrating each murder as both an art and a divine communion.
Annals of Agony
Written by Varikkien, this text is a manual for torture techniques, both physical and mental, which devotees of the Dark Dyad often study meticulously. Varikkien's personal contributions to the twisted faith, the Annals of Agony, is bound in the blackest ink and most somber of parchment, thought to be made from the skins of those who've suffered long and profoundly. Each chapter delves into a particular method of torture, ranging from the intricacies of physical torment to the nuances of mental breakdown. "The Sonata of Screams" is one such chapter, detailing the meticulous art of breaking bones in a sequence that produces an escalating symphony of pain, while "Labyrinth of the Psyche" offers tools for creating mental mazes to trap a victim's mind in an endless cycle of despair. These lessons are not just about the act, but the emotional detachment and dark joy one should foster while performing them. Every diagram and footnote is a testament to the perverse genius of its author and serves as a dire guide for those wishing to please both members of the Dark Dyad.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The Severed Hand
A hand severed cleanly at the wrist, often displayed as a symbol of brutal action taken without hesitation. Depicted with chilling detail, the Severed Hand is a grisly representation of Bhrask's influence. Each finger, though stiffened in death, seems poised for violence, with the thumb and forefinger nearly touching, as if ready to snap a life away. The exposed wrist is clean, not a hint of jaggedness, emphasizing a swift and sure act. The pale, lifeless hue of the hand is often contrasted against a backdrop of dark crimson, serving as a haunting reminder of the brutal and immediate nature of Bhrask's will. To his followers, this symbol signifies a commitment to act without doubt or delay, embodying the essence of their merciless god.
The Broken Heart
A heart split into two, symbolizing the despair that Bhrask feeds upon. Delicately rendered yet profoundly haunting, the Broken Heart stands as a testament to the depth of despair Bhrask thrives upon. Each half of the heart is uneven, with one side appearing slightly heavier, representing the imbalance and chaos in the wake of heartbreak. The veins and arteries fray outwards, like tendrils seeking reunion but forever denied. In the very center, where the heart splits, a shadowy abyss can often be seen, hinting at the profound emptiness Bhrask desires his subjects to feel. The symbol, when displayed by followers, serves as a potent reminder of the emotional desolation their deity hungers for and the lengths they will go to feed him.
Tenets of Faith
Act Without Hesitation
The true devotee of Bhrask never second-guesses an act of brutality or murder. In the shadowy corridors of Bhrask's teachings lies the belief in unyielding commitment. To falter or delay is to show weakness. The Severed Hand, Bhrask's emblem, is a clear metaphor for this tenet: act swiftly, decisively, and without doubt. Followers embracing this teaching see hesitation as the greatest sin, believing that a single moment's pause can lead to missed opportunities and the weakening of one's soul. In the eyes of Bhrask, indecision is a blemish, a tarnish on the pure act of violence.
Relish the Agony
Both the pain inflicted and received in acts of violence are to be cherished, for they fuel the power of the Dark Dyad. Every wince, every scream, and every tear shed in pain is a symphony to Bhrask. His followers are taught not just to inflict pain, but to savor it, to revel in its raw intensity. This tenet is not solely about causing suffering; it's about understanding it, immersing oneself in it. Devotees often meditate on pain, both physical and emotional, as a form of worship. To truly understand the depths of agony is to be closer to the heart of the Dark Dyad. It's a communion of shared suffering, an intimate dance of torment that brings follower and deity closer.
Break Their Will
Bhrask's followers are encouraged to shatter the resolve of their enemies, to cultivate a world bereft of hope and full of despair. Where there is hope, Bhrask sees potential for despair. The true power of brutality and murder is not just in the act, but in the aftermath — the broken spirits, the defeated wills, the desolate hearts. To merely kill or harm is superficial; Bhrask's followers are urged to go further, to ensure that their actions leave an indelible mark on the souls of their victims. By cultivating a world shrouded in hopelessness, they believe they are expanding the dominion of their god, making the world more in his cruel image.
Holidays
Bhrask and Varikkien don't endorse holidays; they endorse massacres. Their most devout followers commemorate their gods by organizing "Days of Agony," which involve widespread murder and torture.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Bhrask seeks to corrupt the very concept of warfare, turning it into a ceaseless parade of horrors. He aims to take brutality to such an extreme that even the battle-hardened followers of Zepthrion find it unbearable. Alongside Varikkien, he aspires to turn the entire realm into a dark mirror of their own twisted souls, a place where murder and torture are not just commonplace but celebrated.
In direct opposition to Zepthrion's "Dominance, Strife, and Fearlessness," Bhrask promotes "Brutality, Despair, and Iron Will." His defection was more than just a rebellion; it was the birth of a new, terrifying vision for the world. While Zepthrion may dream of a realm sculpted by endless war, Bhrask desires a realm shattered by relentless horror.
Together with Varikkien, the Dark Dyad aims to challenge not just Zepthrion but all gods and mortals who would stand in their way. They are not just entities to be worshipped but harbingers of a dark future, one that threatens to drown the world in an ocean of agony and blood.
Divine Classification
Demi-god
Religions
Realm
Church/Cult
Spouses
Varikkien
(Wife)
Siblings
Children
Ruled Locations
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