Gra'hazad
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By Reason
17 May 1996
Levels:
Warrior - Level 30
Rogue - level 10
Priest - Level 20
Wizard - none
Str 24, Dex 20, Con 24, Int 19 Wis 19 Cha +/-20
Alignment : Chaotic Evil
Followers Alignment : (Chaotic) Evil
Gra'hazad is the Devouring Father, the Child-Eater, the malign
father to the orcs and goblins of Rhynne. His worship is
predominant in Galic, with many shrines now being carved out
under the Dregan 'Bra mountain range. He is a brutal but
occasionally cunning deity and takes an incestuous interest in
His followers and priests. It is comparatively easy to cause
Gra'hazad to manifest if you are an orc or goblin, but you
probably wouldn't like the consequences.
The physical manifestation of Gra'hazad is of an impossibly
corpulent and huge goblin, some 20' high, unable to walk. If
manifested, He will usually devour with relish any of his
followers nearby. He may take those goblins or orcs that amuse
him away for later consumption or more leisurely entertainment.
Worshipping Gra'hazad is to walk a fine line - to propriate Him
to the degree to gain priestly abilities, but not so much as to
attract his specific interest. High level priests of Gra'hazad
are rare and they have usually come to some exceptional
arrangement with the God. It is sometimes possible for a more
intelligent orc or goblin to escape or postpone their fate by
coming up with something that catches the God's interest in some
way. Gra'hazad is amused by cunning or extreme cruelty - or
better by the promise of either. Although, he is still just as
likely to devour the worshipper afterwards.
The aura of Gra'hazad is such that no goblin or orc can resist
His presence with ease. Other races may be struck with horror.
His charisma is +/-20 depending on if the onlooker is an orc or
goblin or not.
Gra'hazad is not much interested in other races and other gods.
He has his toys and worshippers. If others start to interfere,
then he will be angered, but usually disdains to appear before
those that aren't orcs or goblins. He is given to petulance and
will devour those orcs and goblins he displeased with.
Temples and Worshippers
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All temples dedicated to Gra'hazad contain the Maw of the God, a
stone mouth that is used to crush and 'devour' sacrifices.
Shrines may contain a representation of the Maw, but sacrifices
are only performed at temples.
The few large temples are headed by a higher level priest who has
usually come to some arrangement with the God. This, in at least
one case, involves the cultivating and sacrifice of 'interesting'
acolytes.
Gra'hazad is worshipped by individual priests also, those with no
affiliation to temples. They are usually twisted individuals,
given to acts of cruelty. Eventually, they will attract too much
of His attention and will be devoured.
The bulk of goblins and orcs that worship Gra'hazad do so out of
a feeling of awe for his personification and exaggeration of
orcish and goblin nature. Most are also more than a little afraid
of his interest. Small goblins are beaten into line with the
threat of Gra'hazad.
(
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