Toldoth
Divine Origins
It is believed that when the first gods of light, Pelor, Elishar, Sol, and the like, were created, the universe needed to balance this new light, so Toldoth was born. The true darkness of Toldoth will only be complete when all gods of life are slain.
Tenets of Faith
The Skotologia, an obscene book of prayers and teachings penned by the lich Dumekkra, includes these words, considered the best summation of
Toldoth's teachings:
"Seek the dark, and give yourself to it. Let it suffuse you, hollow you out, and fill you with its emptiness. Let it own you, and you find its power in your grasp. You possess the life that survives life's extinction, the darkness that remains when the light is extinguished, the black flame that never stops burning. And when it has consumed yourself, you will be one with it, sharing all its strength."
Followers of Toldoth delight in spreading sickness, pain, and calamity through the world, for they believe that they are increasing Toldoth's power in the world and assuring Toldoth's success in the final conflict against Elishar. Like their enemies in the church of Elishar, followers of Toldoth look forward to a final conflict between the two deities. They expect to see their patron emerge triumphant — and to be richly rewarded for their part in helping win that victory. Undead followers of Toldoth believe that all life will be extinguished in Toldoth's final triumph and that they are the rightful inheritors of the earth — the next step of evolution, so to speak, after mortal life.
Worship
Worshipers of Toldoth pray for their prayers at midnight, typically in a place of complete darkness. Many of their rituals include ritualistic killing and almost always take place at night. Necromany-like ceremonies are often associated with Toldolth's, such as raising the dead, or turning a creature into undead.
In lands that have thrown in their lot with Toldoth — evil kingdoms and the realms of savage humanoids, for example — Toldoth's dark temples stand prominently with no need to hide. They are built with black stone and often swathed in spells of darkness and shadow. In lands where Toldoth's worship is forbidden, Toldoth's followers meet in secret, usually in basements, crypts, or dungeons. Whether in a temple or in a secret shrine, Toldoth's worshipers meet by night in total or near-total darkness.
Priesthood
Most followers of Toldoth are monsters, many are undead, and few are humanoids, though dark cults of Toldoth exist throughout civilized lands.
Toldoth's servants revere the forces of death, destruction, and decay—all the things that sap life and strength from mortal bodies and souls. They crave personal power, many hope for eternal life through undeath, and they look to Toldoth as the source of all they desire. Toldoth is the source of all sickness, suffering, weakness, and death.
Beyond their ritual duties, clerics of Toldoth are busy masterminding evil cults. They direct their minions in the full range of wicked activities, from careful kidnappings and sacrifices to random violence and senseless slaughter. Often, their goal is simply evil for evil's own sake. Every act of evil perpetrated in the world gives strength to Toldoth and robs power from the gods of life.
Toldoth's clergy wear deep violet or black robes during their vile ceremonies. If they are not themselves undead (many are), they wear masks or change themselves with illusions to appear so.
Darkness is the end to light
Alternative Names
Enemy of the Living, Father of the Deformed
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