**Xerithul, The Broken Flame** _Corrupted Demigod of the First Age_ **Alignment:** Chaotic Evil **Domains:** War, Death, Trickery **Symbol:** A broken crown engulfed in shadowy flame **Former Allegiance:** [[Dijinus, God of Fire|Dijinus]], God of Fire **Current Patron:** [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]], Evil God of War --- ### Overview Once a radiant demigod and herald of [[Dijinus, God of Fire|Dijinus]], **Xerithul** was a being of flame, justice, and passion. In the golden era of the First Age, he was revered as a protector of mortals, especially during the early incursions of the demonspawn. He served beside celestial hosts, wielding fire to purge corruption. But that fire, once noble, grew unstable under the pressures of war, grief, and temptation. Xerithul's descent was slow and tragic. Disillusioned by the gods' inaction during the **[[The Demon Convergence|Demon Convergence]]** (circa -1750 Before [[Anam|Arkular]]), he turned to darker sources for power. Whispered promises from **[[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]** corrupted his once-pure flame into **shadowfire**—a twisted, unnatural blaze that consumes both flesh and soul. --- ### Lore and Fall - **The Descent:** Xerithul began questioning the will of [[Dijinus, God of Fire|Dijinus]] when entire cities were left to burn, unprotected by the gods. These doubts were fanned by subtle dreams and visions sent by [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]. - **The Betrayal:** When the adventuring party led by **Sir Caldrin Thorne** confronted him, they found a warped shell of their former ally. Xerithul, now cloaked in flickering darkness, wielded godspawned fire and screamed of divine betrayal. - **The Battle of the Five Peaks** marked his final stand, where his corruption nearly spread into the divine realms. He was finally defeated and cast into the void—his body torn apart, his soul imprisoned in the Outer Shroud by Caldrin's sacrifice and the **[[Shield of the Gods]]**. --- ### Abilities (During the First Age) - **Shadowfire Nova:** Unleashes a 300-ft explosion of soul-searing flame that ignores all resistances. All creatures within range take 20d10 fire damage and 20d10 necrotic damage (Dexterity saving throw, DC 22, for half). Damaged targets cannot be revived without divine intervention. - **Godspawned Form:** Xerithul could take on a massive winged form cloaked in dark flame, gaining divine resistances and legendary action bursts every round. - **Echoes of Madness:** His voice causes madness. Enemies who hear his true speech must make DC 22 Wisdom saves or be afflicted with long-term insanity. - **Divine Brand (Xerithul's Mark):** His followers could channel fragments of his power to enhance their fire spells with necrotic damage, or summon flame-wrapped horrors in his name. --- ### Cult and Followers Even after his defeat, cults dedicated to Xerithul endure in secret. They see his fall not as corruption, but as enlightenment—believing the gods abandoned mortals. These cults worship **Shadowfire**, seek the forbidden arts of divine combustion, and often serve as agents of [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]. They are drawn to ruins of war, seeking echoes of his flame to perform ancient rites. Some believe his prison is weakening. --- ### Hooks and Campaign Use - A **mad pyromancer** claiming visions from Xerithul threatens a kingdom with shadowfire storms. - A cult seeks one of his **Godflame Shards**, which can infect divine magic with destructive madness. - A forbidden text speaks of **Xerithul’s Rebirth**, requiring the sacrifice of a godborn. - An ancient temple once dedicated to [[Dijinus, God of Fire|Dijinus]] has been twisted into a shrine of shadowfire. --- ### Legacy To this day, Xerithul is remembered as a symbol of divine tragedy. His tale is told in fire temples across Solare as both a warning and a lament. Some believe his redemption is possible; others fear his flame will one day rise again—burning not for justice, but for vengeance.