Title: The Lord of Shadows
Domains: Despair, Corruption
Creators: Vorthar
Pantheon: Minor God Created by Vorthar
Description
Zoroth, known as The Hollow Prince, is a being born from the darkness of Vorthar, The Dark Weaver’s ambition and malice. He embodies the creeping despair that spreads through the hearts of the weak and the corruption that takes root where hope once flourished. Zoroth serves as Vorthar’s hand in Eldara, the Shimmering Veil, sowing discord and spreading the seeds of darkness to weaken the resolve of mortals and undermine the creations of the Aevari.
Zoroth is depicted as a gaunt figure, his form partially cloaked in shadow, as if he himself is made of darkness. His eyes burn with a dim, cold fire, reflecting the twisted joy he takes in the decay of hope. He wears dark, tattered robes that seem to move and writhe with an unnatural energy, and in his skeletal hands, he holds an ornate staff crowned with an obsidian shard. His very presence exudes an aura of dread, and wherever he treads, the world seems to grow colder.
Followers
The Hollowed, as Zoroth’s followers are known, are those who have surrendered to despair or willingly chosen the path of corruption. Many are outcasts, broken individuals seeking power, or those who wish to spread chaos for its own sake. The Hollowed congregate in the dark corners of the world, often in ruined temples or secluded caves, where they plot to bring about suffering and unravel the works of the gods of light.
The Hollowed believe that true freedom lies in embracing the emptiness within themselves, abandoning morality, and bending others to their will. They see Zoroth as a liberator who offers them power over the weak in exchange for their loyalty and devotion.
Rituals and Offerings
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The Shrouding: This ritual is performed by The Hollowed during the new moon. They extinguish all sources of light and make offerings of blood or precious objects stolen from their victims. The Shrouding represents their willingness to embrace the shadows and offer tribute to the Hollow Prince.
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The Withering Rite: In times when corruption is needed, The Hollowed perform the Withering Rite, in which they use Zoroth’s dark power to curse a land or individual, spreading despair and decay. This rite often involves burning a bundle of blackened thorns and whispering invocations to call upon Zoroth’s favor.
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Offerings: Offerings to Zoroth include obsidian shards, the bones of fallen enemies, and items of sentimental value stolen from those who have been brought low by despair. These are left in the dark shrines dedicated to him, where they are believed to strengthen his presence in the mortal realm.
Sigils and Symbols
Zoroth’s symbol is an obsidian shard framed by two skeletal hands, representing the cold grasp of despair and the consuming nature of corruption. His followers wear this sigil as a mark of loyalty, often tattooing it onto their skin, or etching it onto their weapons. It is also carved onto altars and places where dark rituals are performed, marking them as places touched by Zoroth’s influence.
Additional Details
The Forsworn, those particularly favored by Zoroth, are granted unnatural powers in exchange for their utter devotion. They can manipulate shadows, summon fear into the hearts of their enemies, and corrupt the minds of those who are weak-willed. The Forsworn are feared even among The Hollowed, as they carry the direct touch of the Hollow Prince, making them dangerous instruments of his will.
Zoroth’s influence is felt wherever hope fades, where light gives way to shadow, and where despair takes root in the hearts of the weary. He teaches that the world is hollow, that strength lies in the power to corrupt and destroy, and that true freedom comes from abandoning all bonds of morality and embracing the void within.