Spawn of the Wurm

Description

Lucifuga Duskarr used to be a muscan. They do not look like one, but that is only to be expected of a holy being. After all, they have lived for far, far too long. A muscan usually reaches 40 years of age at most, but the Spawn of the Wurm has been reigning over their Theocracy for nearly thrice as long. It is only normal that time has taken its toll on their body. Not that anybody would really know, what with their usual vestments.

A dirty white dress and a matching hooded cloak cover their entire body, giving them a worm-like appearance. Every part of them is covered, save for a hallowed nub and a piercing red eye that stares unblinkingly from under their hood. They move unnaturally, like floating without wings, wriggling through the air.

Only those who have earned the complete trust of Lucifuga Duskarr may see their true appearance: a monstrosity sewn together time and time again. The Spawn of the Wurm has ascended mortality, but their body hasn’t. Of their original form, a muscan with a nub for an arm, around which a halo rotates, only a part of their chest and their nub remains. The rest belong to various other muscans, all sacrificed to further the reign of the holy Spawn and all in various states of decay. As for the head, despite being clearly sewn onto their body, it does not bear the resemblance of a typical muscan. A gaping maw that never fully closes takes up two-thirds of their face, atop a single unblinking eye, red as blood and weeping pus.

And yet, despite the horrific nature of their body, the Spawn is adored, beloved, and cherished by their inner circle. Their bishops clean their rotting flesh, their priests kiss their hands on which only a few fingers remain, and their maids dress them carefully every single morning.

History

The Spawn of the Wurm seldom recalls their own past, urging their followers to read their doctrines instead, for the past that should be known is well-explained within the scriptures. But that is a biased story, written by Lucifuga themselves for the sole purpose of spreading their cult.

Everything that happened before they emerged from the mangrove tree as an imago is made up. They do not recall whether they were the smallest larva of their generation and whether they managed to find the most holy tree in the land. They barely recall their birth nation, paying it no mind either way. However, they do recall their emergence. Enlightenment. Missing a limb and seeing the halo that surrounded the nub, the proof that the Wurm had accepted their offering.

From that moment on, every single day was dedicated to building the Theocracy they would one day lead. They enrolled as a cleric within the Order Pantheon, choosing to worship the Radiant Cocoon directly. As they rose in the holy ranks, they bided their time and played a picture-perfect worshiper, taking great care to hide the nub that would reveal their allegiance to Chaos.

Eventually, after years of service to the Radiant Cocoon, of wearing their pristine white garb, Lucifuga was given what they sought. A promise to build a cathedral in their homeland so they may spread the Radiant Cocoon’s ordered truth.

But it should play out differently. Lucifuga used the cathedral as their home base to spread their cult, to write their doctrines, and to convince the rest of the already vulnerable muscan population to create a Theocracy over which they would rule, as the Spawn of the Wurm.

Present

Nowadays, the Spawn of the Wurm continues to reign brilliantly over Sanctus Grex. They have completely taken over the Decaying Marshlands and oversee its steady progression into the other nations. They plan to use the current political unrest simmering in Western Varzzen to extend the tendrils of Chaos deep within the other nations.

Worshiped as though they were a deity themselves, Lucifuga Duskarr has absolute control over the muscans. Their followers are used to enact their bidding and that of the Great Wurm. However, that does not make them a cruel ruler. Ask any muscan, and they will have nothing but praise and love towards the Spawn. They are just, kind, understanding, and a fierce protector of the frail muscans. And besides, it is thanks to them that eternal salvation awaits in death.