Tharoest, The Destroyer

Ever since the dawn of mortal-kind, anger has been present in the world. From time immemorial, rage has fuelled the flames of war, where rival tribes of nomadic warriors would unleash their rage upon their enemies. From this emotion, the Demon Lord Tharoest was born. Violence incarnate, he is also known as The Destroyer, and it is him who's shadowy flames are found at the heart of conflict. A towering monster of fire and fury, Tharoest is more akin to an elemental force; a storm of hatred that etches itself upon the battlefields of the world.

Domain and Influence

War, wrath and fire all fall under the domain of Tharoest. His is the realm of unrestrained emotional violence. There is no subtlety or tactics, just rage-driven lust to do harm. Those that fall to bloodlust have likely been touched by his influence, losing themselves in the heat of battle to their base instinct to draw blood.

His influence is seen throughout history in the bloody wars of mortals. Be it for conquest, ideologies, religion, it does not matter. Tharoest is at the heart of the battle, his power drawn from every stroke of the blood, every skull split in two, and every body that is sacrificed on the alter of battle. Even away from the ravages of war, his influence can be felt. A rage-fuelled tavern brawl, the annoyance of a neighbour, petty disputes – all can lead down the path to giving in to fury.

Tharoest does not bargain or whisper in to the ears of mortals. His power comes from rage, granting strength and endurance to those that surrender to it. But such gifts come at a cost, as the soul is burned away to be consumed by the Demon Lord.

Appearance and Depictions

Tharoest appears as a monstrous, beast-like demon – a massive form of adrenaline-filled muscle. Red or black flesh covers his form, often cracking in places revealing a fire within that pours out. Giant, leathery wings protrude from his shoulders, and his hands end in claws that are sharper than any mortal steel. Reptilian feet or sometimes cloven hooves sear the ground, which cracks under the force of every step he takes.

A bestial face is framed by large, curved ram-like horns, with a heavy brow that sits above burning eyes of flame. Behind him a barbed tail sweeps back and forth, the spikes found on its tip more than capable of lacerating any foolish enough to be in its way.

Several weapons are attributed to Tharoest; a flaming sword or axe, a dazzling spear made of bone, and a giant whip made from the spine of Dragons. Each has been depicted in murals throughout the centuries, often cleaving through entire armies with a single swing.

Myths and Legends

As one of the eldest of the Demon Lords, Tharoest's beginnings are mostly unknown. It is apparent he was born of the first true war between mortals. Perhaps it was ancient rival tribes, battling for territory, beliefs or differences. The reason and details of such an event matter little, and it only matters that such prehistorical brutality had an effect on The Weave. This was the birth of Tharoest.

Throughout history, every major conflict has its bloodshed and unbridled wrath. Each includes visions of Tharoest; a burning figure glimpsed in the smoke, a single warrior who almost seemed possessed, fire that never dies. All of these are signs that Tharoest's influence is present.

Elvish legends speak of Tharoest more directly. The great tragedy of The Sundering of Auraiddmir is one of the truly documented times that a Demon Lord was fully summoned to The Material Plane. His twenty foot form towered above all, cleaving apart any hat would stand in his way. Wherever The Destroyer roamed in these times, pure destructive force was unleashed.

Other accounts of his presence have been noted with less substantial evidence. He is tied to several warrior-cults throughout history, including a few Greenskin Clans that revere him as a God. It is said these Greenskin', most notably Orcs, are susceptible to being tainted by Tharoest's blood, becoming more aggressive and berserk, their skin taking a darker shade and their power greatly increased. How such corruption comes about is largely unknown, but ties to the smoke of a strange plant are heavily rumoured.