Church of the Bloody Scourge

  Ascended gods are often heroes prior to their elevation to divinity, perhaps with perverse morals but at least well intentioned. Some allow the power of divinity to corrupt and change them. Others even fall into madness. After all,demigods still retain their mortal minds and they are fragile constructs, not meant to last for millenia. But these things were not true of one Vernon D. Syn, a man who in his time as a mortal delighted in murder, death, and war. It was on the battlefield where he found his true calling, and in the streets of long dead cities where he made his name.   Vernon brought arcane fire to the battlefield, making the most of his abilities to bring death to the enemies of his liege. He was in his element amongst the mass of bloodshed and slaughter, never hesitating to detonate arcane explosions upon his foes. Never did he give pause when civilians might be caught in the destruction. Nor did his conviction falter when his fellow countrymen were made the targets of his ire. Vernon even went as far as to slay those who spoke out against his action, questioning his loyalty and judgement. Even when those murders found him jailed for killing the nobles and lords of his liege’s army.     None of that mattered to him because it was there in those bloody battlefields that he saw the truth of the world. How his acts of destruction showed him his true self, and revealed the superficial facade the rest of the world wore. Murder was meaning, it was expression, it was conviction. How he and others responded and saw it revealed how they saw the world, saw themselves, and how committed they were to their existence. And when he clarified his soul through these revelations, he vanished from the world. Seeking out new stages to compose upon, killing with intent, finesse, and in the search for meaning.   Syn disappeared for a long time, some whispers say he appeared in cities around the earth. Manifesting as serial killers, assassins, and butchers of all sorts. How much is true is impossible to say, but the only truth that mattered is that Vernon persisted regardless of any legends or tales that account for his death. And when the time of Oblivion came to its end he found a shred of divinity, still housed within the vessel of a demigod. Where lesser men might have sought to simply steal it, to Syn it was another chorus to his ever expanding harmony. He caged his prey in their weakened state and through vicious torture, added their screams, gasps, and cries to his symphony. Eager to see what truths the torture of a waning god would reveal to him, and what facade the universe would discard.   Vernon takes from his captive his divine power, using it to fuel his own ends. To those who look for the guidance of a murderous god, he answers and accepts from them their prayer. Syn offers no false names and no lies, he is the conviction he wishes to see, and welcomes any who come to challenge him should they feel so brave.  

• Domains: Chaos, Death, Destruction, Fire, Strife, Venom
• Oaths: Conquest, Glory, Oathbreaker
• Sanction Orders: Apostate, Witch Hunter
• Alignments: Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil, Chaotic Neutral

 

Symbols of Syn

The Holy Symbol of Syn is a tightened fist clutching a thorny, crimson rose.
The favored animal of Syn is the snow leopard.  

History

Dogma

Home Plane

Vernon D. Syn was once a mortal from the material plane, supposedly quartered and executed for his crimes against his liege. What became of him after these tales is unclear, but in the modern day he calls his home in a solitary layer of the abyss. He calls his domain here the Crimson Gallery.  

Appearance

The appearance of Syn in his hidden temples is said to be flawlessly accurate. He is shown as a humanoid man with black hair tied in a ponytail. He wears exquisite white formal wear that is easily stained with blood.  

Relationships

Temples and Shrines

As a demigod devoted to the act of murder, there are very few public temples to Vernon D. Syn. Instead, the places of worship to the god of murder are often personal and isolated. The shrines constructed in the basement of a serial killer, the scenes of vicious murders, the blood stained battlefields, or within the halls of assassin’s guilds.  

Regions of Popular Worship

Followers

Despite being a god of murder and chaos, Syn attracts followers from all walks of life. The most common of his followers are those that call themselves assassins. These murderers offer prayer and tribute to their god with bloody and signature kills, making the act of the kill an artform. There is no unified code for how they do it, some embrace the mess and mayhem while others prefer the silent and elegant execution. Syn appreciates both.   War criminals and serial killers are also amongst those who follow Syn. These men and women perform atrocities and are labeled monsters for their foul acts. But to Syn these individuals are honest, those who refused to repent for their bloody acts. They gather in hidden chapels where they celebrate their choice to become what others feared. Not all are killers, some are philosophers, torturers, or generals, all of whom have cast aside morality for what they see as freedom.  

Tenets

• Craft with Purpose. Each strike must contribute to the grand design. Random violence is base, but calculated slaughter is divine.
• Spare None. Mercy is the fool’s craft, take what you need from the living and then offer them their final reward.
• Honor Authenticity. Those who live or die by their convictions, no matter how good or evil, are worthy of your respect.

Sins

• Betraying Yourself. Do not deny your desires, instincts, or beliefs just to fit in. Conformity is the mask you wear to trick yourself.
• No Order Beyond Yours. Do not kneel before dogma, systems, or peace for it is a coward’s act. You need not rebel without question, but the
• law should not be your master.
Refusing the Inevitable. Struggle for your life in every way you can. But realise when it is done, accept that your death has come, welcome it.