## Overview **Titles:** God of Hate and Death, Prime Entity, The Punisher, Lord of the Nine Hells **Alignment:** Chaotic Evil **Divine Domains:** Grave, Arcana, Death, Trickery **Symbol:** A skull carved onto a round coin **Status:** Greater God (Prime Entity) --- ## Origin and History Hagsurium is one of the ancient Prime Entities that existed before the creation of Solare itself. While [[the Great God]] represented all that was good and just in creation, Hagsurium stood as his polar opposite—a being of immense power who lusted for dominance and believed that only the strong should rule. ### The War of the Primes In ancient times, a catastrophic war erupted between the Prime Entities. Hagsurium, alongside fellow Prime Entities Enkell and Sorgoganis, challenged the supremacy of [[the Great God]]. The conflict raged across dimensions, reshaping reality itself. Ultimately, [[the Great God]] emerged victorious, forcing the defeated Primes to submit to his authority. ### The Punishment As punishment for his insatiable desire for power, Hagsurium was tasked with ruling over the gates of death and judging souls for their deeds during mortal life. Rather than humbling him, this duty only intensified his hatred toward [[the Great God]]. When [[the Great God]] placed his own children as rulers of reality—a position Hagsurium believed rightfully belonged to him—his resentment calcified into eternal malice. ### Ancient Solare In the earliest days of Solare (Year -4044 Before Arkular), Hagsurium entered through the portal of realms and claimed the world as his own. He created the Arena of Hagsurium, where tournaments of immense power were held, drawing gods and creatures from across the planes. He declared himself the supreme god and demanded that all other deities fight in the arena to win back their freedom. This reign of terror lasted until Year -3575 Before Arkular, when the Dragon God challenged Hagsurium in the void. Their battle raged in the demiplane of time, and their unleashed power created the stars, moons, and the Underdark. Though the Dragon God ultimately won, Hagsurium refused to fully relinquish what he had gained. --- ## Divine Nature ### Philosophy and Motivation Hagsurium thrives on death and hate, growing stronger with each follower who embraces violence in his name. He views [[the Great God]]'s creation as rightfully his and will stop at nothing to claim it for himself. Hagsurium feverishly plots to overthrow the Good Gods and build a new reality according to his own twisted desires—a world where he can indulge in all of his sins and perverse pleasures without restraint. He feeds off the darkest of emotions, delighting in hate and death as he consumes the pain and misery of mortals and souls alike. His insatiable lust for power drives him to seek domination over all of reality, finding pleasure in the suffering of others. ### Relationship with Other Deities **[[The Great God]]:** Hagsurium's eternal enemy. His defeat at [[the Great God]]'s hands in the War of the Primes fuels an unquenchable thirst for revenge. **Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death:** While Aria guides good souls to their final resting place in the afterlife, Hagsurium fulfills a similar role for evil souls. They are two sides of the same coin—Aria the compassionate counterpart to Hagsurium's dark nature. **Gonosh and Sorgoganis:** In Tarnik's vision, Veilra revealed that Gonosh, Hagsurium, and Sorgoganis were responsible for ingrain war into orcs and other races during ancient times. Together, their pride and anger corrupted [[the Great God]]'s original design for Solare—a world where all races could exist in harmony. **Arkular (Anam the Withered One):** Gonosh and Hagsurium went after Arkular's family during the First Divine War, ultimately driving the paladin of light to become the lich who destroyed Ancient Solare. --- ## Worship and Followers ### Tenets of Faith 1. **Power at All Costs:** Hagsurium's followers believe that might makes right and that the strong should dominate and rule over the weak with absolute authority. 2. **Worship Through Violence:** To show their loyalty, Hagsurium's followers must commit a vile act every week in his name—whether rape, murder, torture, or slaughter—proving their dedication to his cause. These acts are meant to spit in the faces of the Good Gods. 3. **Denial of the Good Gods:** Followers are encouraged to reject and defy the teachings of the Good Gods, spreading chaos and confusion in their wake. 4. **Embrace Your Sinful Nature:** Hagsurium believes that the more you indulge in your vices, the stronger you become. His followers are urged to embrace their darkest desires without restraint. ### Follower Abilities Hagsurium rewards his loyal followers with riches and prestige for carrying out his orders to kill and conquer in his name. In his eyes, victory at any cost is the only way to ensure dominance over other gods. **Blessing of Hagsurium:** - +2 to saving throws and proficiency rolls - +3 to 2 ability scores (player chooses, with score cap at 24) - 2 extra dice for damage spells - Can pray to Hagsurium to gain Aid or Shield of Faith - Immunity to curses, charm, and sleep spells **Granted Spells:** Bane, Inflict Wounds, Blindness/Deafness, Hold Person, Silence, Bestow Curse ### The Cult of Hagsurium The cult of Hagsurium grows in the shadows, concealed from the gaze of the gods and their children. They whisper wicked prayers and make gruesome sacrifices to their malevolent deity, hoping to gain his favor for their malicious acts. As the power of Hagsurium grows stronger, so does the terror and anguish spreading throughout the land. His very presence emanates a palpable aura of malevolence, casting a shadow over all those who cross his path. --- ## Divine Hierarchy ### Classification Hagsurium is classified as a **Greater God** and one of the original **Prime Entities**. This places him among the most powerful divine beings in existence, on equal footing with: - Perserphina (Goddess of Beauty and War) - Dijinus (God of Fire and Destruction) - Lunious (Goddess of the Arcane, Night, and Hidden Things) - Arnelime (God of Time) ### Divine Manifestations As a Greater God, Hagsurium possesses the following capabilities: **Maximum Avatars:** 3-5 Avatars active at once **Maximum Aspects:** 10-20 Aspects active at once **Divine Senses:** Can detect all creatures within 1,000 miles, identifying their alignment, emotions, and intent. Can sense whenever his name is invoked anywhere in the multiverse. **Avatar Destruction:** If an Avatar of Hagsurium is destroyed, he feels the pain but is not weakened. A new Avatar can be formed after 1d10 days. **Aspect Destruction:** Aspects are weaker manifestations of his power. When destroyed, Hagsurium is momentarily aware of the loss but suffers no real consequence. --- ## Avatar of Hagsurium **Challenge Rating:** 30 (100,000 XP) **Armor Class:** 25 (divine protection) **Hit Points:** 950 (50d12 + 556) **Speed:** 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (hover) ### Ability Scores |STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |28 (+9)|23 (+6)|30 (+10)|27 (+6)|24 (+9)|26 (+8)| **Saving Throws:** STR +18, DEX +15, CON +19, WIS +16 **Damage Resistances:** All **Damage Immunities:** Necrotic **Condition Immunities:** Blinded, Charmed, Frightened, Grappled, Paralyzed, Poisoned, Restrained, Stunned **Senses:** Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 30 **Languages:** All **Proficiency Bonus:** +9 ### Special Abilities **Legendary Resistance (5/day):** If Hagsurium fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. **Divine Powers:** These special powers are a fraction of the god's power upon the mortal world. These powers can bypass immunity and resistances. **Aura of Despair (5/day):** Creatures within 60 feet of Hagsurium must succeed on a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw at the start of their turn or be plagued by overwhelming despair, granting disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks until the start of their next turn. **Curse of the Soul (3/day):** Hagsurium targets one creature within 60 feet, forcing them to make a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they are cursed and cannot regain hit points for one minute. **Necrotic Wave (Recharge 3-6):** Hagsurium unleashes an area of necrotic energy in a 60-foot radius. Each creature within this range must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw or take 85 (16d10) necrotic damage and 85 (16d10) force damage, or half as much on a successful save. ### Actions **Multiattack:** Hagsurium makes four attacks with Soul Reaver Claw and two attacks with Deathly Smite. **Soul Reaver Claw:** Melee Attack: +21 to hit, dealing 36 (6d10 + 3) necrotic damage. On a hit, the target must succeed on a DC 25 Constitution saving throw or have their hit point maximum reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken until they finish a long rest. **Deathly Smite:** Melee Attack: +21 to hit, dealing 63 (10d10 + 8) necrotic damage. The target must make a DC 25 saving throw or be paralyzed until the end of their next turn. ### Legendary Actions Hagsurium can take 5 Legendary Actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature's turn. Spent legendary actions are regained at the start of each turn. **Move (Costs 1 Action):** Hagsurium moves up to his movement speed without provoking opportunity attacks. **Attack (Costs 1 Action):** Hagsurium can make an unarmed attack or weapon attack. **Spectral Harvest (Costs 3 Actions):** Hagsurium attempts to harvest the lifeforce of one creature within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw, taking 80 (15d10) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success. Regardless of the outcome, Hagsurium gains temporary hit points equal to the necrotic damage dealt. **Teleport (Costs 1 Action):** Hagsurium teleports to any location he can see. --- ## Role in Solare's History ### The First Divine War During the First Divine War, Hagsurium played a critical role in the events that would eventually lead to the destruction of Ancient Solare. When the war spilled into the mortal world, agents of cruel gods (including Hagsurium's followers) breached the sanctified home of Arkular, a beloved paladin of [[the Great God]]. Arkular's wife and children were sacrificed in a ritual meant to mock his faith. When Arkular's prayers went unanswered, his grief turned to hatred. He renounced the gods and eventually became Anam the Withered One—the lich responsible for Ancient Solare's destruction. ### Ingrained War and Corruption According to Veilra's revelation to Tarnik, [[the Great God]] originally created Solare for all races to exist together in harmony. However, Gonosh, Hagsurium, and Sorgoganis—angered by their pride after losing the War of the Primes—ingrained war into orcs and other races. The enslavement of different races began during this period, corrupting [[the Great God]]'s original vision. ### Connection to the Nine Hells Hagsurium rules over the gates of death and judges evil souls, directing them to their final punishment. He is closely associated with the Nine Hells, where his influence is strongest. His portfolio includes torment, despair, and corruption—all elements that define the infernal realms. --- ## Current Status In the Age of Rebirth, Hagsurium's cult continues to grow in the shadows. While the Withered One (Anam) threatens the world with undeath and the unraveling of divine power, Hagsurium's followers work in secrecy to spread chaos and strengthen their dark master. His influence can be felt in: - The spread of violence and hatred across Solare - Secret cults performing gruesome sacrifices - The corruption of souls drawn to power at any cost - The ongoing struggle between good and evil deities As one of the Prime Entities, Hagsurium remains a constant threat to the stability of Solare and the plans of the Good Gods. His eternal grudge against [[the Great God]] and his children ensures that he will never cease plotting their downfall. --- ## Adventure Hooks ### For Player Characters **Cult Investigation:** A series of brutal murders in a major city all bear the mark of Hagsurium's symbol. The party must infiltrate the growing cult before they complete a ritual to summon one of Hagsurium's Aspects. **Soul Rescue Mission:** A powerful ally has died, and their soul is being judged by Hagsurium at the gates of death. The party must venture into the afterlife to plead their case or fight to reclaim the soul before it's damned to eternal torment. **Ancient Arena Discovery:** The party discovers ruins of the ancient Arena of Hagsurium, where gods and champions once fought for their freedom. Dark forces seek to reactivate the arena and force the current pantheon into servitude once more. **Corrupted Artifact:** A powerful magical item blessed by the Good Gods has been corrupted by Hagsurium's influence. The party must find a way to purify it before it spreads despair and violence to all who come near it. **The Grudge Bearer:** An NPC ally reveals they've been secretly worshiping Hagsurium to gain power. Will the party try to redeem them, or must they be stopped before they commit the required weekly atrocity? --- ## Campaign Significance In the **Bazgoth, the Crimson Blade** campaign, Hagsurium plays a crucial role in the ancient history that shaped the current conflict: - He was one of the three Prime Entities (along with Gonosh and Sorgoganis) who corrupted [[the Great God]]'s vision of racial harmony - His actions against Arkular's family helped create Anam the Withered One - His ongoing influence represents one of the greatest threats to the divine order - His cult may be working alongside or in competition with Anam's forces The revelation of Hagsurium's role in Solare's corruption adds depth to Tarnik's struggle with hatred and prejudice—showing that the cycle of violence was ingrained by the gods themselves, not an inherent flaw in any particular race. --- **Related Entities:** - [[The Great God]] (eternal enemy) - Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death (counterpart for good souls) - Gonosh, God of Orcs (co-conspirator in ancient corruption) - Sorgoganis, Evil God of War (fellow Prime Entity) - Arkular/Anam the Withered One (victim turned destroyer) - Perserphina, Goddess of Beauty and War (current Great Goddess) **References:** - Solare Gods Main PDF - Session 46: Divine Visitations (Tarnik's Vision with Veilra) - Ancient Solare Timeline - The War of the Primes