**Gonosh, God of the Orcs** **Pantheon:** Prime Entities of Solare **Alignment:** Lawful Evil **Symbol:** Three spears pointing left crossed by a war hammer **Domains:** War, Tempest, Death *“Gonosh is not evil like a demon or tyrant. He’s the god of brutal justice, where **only merit, loyalty, and strength matter**. In [[Karudasos|the Darklands]], that’s how you survive. He is feared because his world has no mercy—but he’s respected because he’s fair within that world. Outsiders call that evil. But the orcs call it **order.**”* - [[Perserphina]], Goddess of Solare **Overview:** Gonosh, one of the Prime Entities from the First Age of Solare, is the architect of orcish destiny and the iron-fisted god of conquest, war, and unbending strength. While revered primarily by orcs, many across [[Karudasos|the Darklands]] whisper prayers to him in fear or desperation. He is the ultimate war-god: relentless, calculating, and unchallenged in authority. To the orcs, he is their creator and champion. To others, he is a terrifying force of divine tyranny. Gonosh’s creed demands that the strong rule and the weak perish. In his name, empires have burned and tribes have risen. His goals are simple: absolute dominance and eternal conquest. **Creation of the Orcs:** It is said Gonosh created the orcs while the Great God was shaping humans. Both races share a short life span and a hunger for land and power. While humans multiplied and built cities, orcs trained and conquered, following the brutal will of Gonosh to expand and assert supremacy. **Personality and Beliefs:** Gonosh is a god of brutal logic and divine law. Though evil, he upholds structure, order, and hierarchy. He detests weakness but respects loyalty and strength. His judgments are final, his punishments severe, and his blessings unmatched for those who prove worthy. He manipulates events from afar like a warlord directing unseen armies, favoring pawns who prove their worth in battle. **Divine Family:** - **Mate:** _Grulga, Goddess of War_ – a violent and glorious general of divine fury who fights alongside Gonosh in the heavens. - **Brother:** _Zorvok the Deceiver_ – god of trickery, mischief, and betrayal. - **Sons:** _Vorkesh_ (God of Famine) and _Malakar_ (God of Disease) - **Daughters:** The **Sisters of Despair** – _[[Veilra, Mistress of Illusions|Veilra]]_ (Illusions), _[[Lysara, Lady of Shadows|Lysara]]_ (Shadows), and _[[Nyxara, Queen of Curses|Nyxara]]_ (Curses) **Worship & Followers:** Gonosh's name is carried on banners, battle cries, and blades. His followers are soldiers, warlords, tyrants, and generals. Devotion is shown through conquest, bloodshed, and triumph. **Tenets of Faith:** - Crush the weak, be the strong. - Combat and perfect your skills is the greatest achievement. - Conquer in Gonosh’s name. **Divine Goals & Aspirations:** - Subjugate weaker races. - Bend the world beneath his worshipers. - Exalt strength and war as the highest forms of purpose. **Artifacts & Symbols:** - _Symbol:_ Three spears pointing left crossed by a war hammer - _Sacred Relics:_ War Axe of Gonosh, Helm of Command, Boneplate of Carnage **Gonosh’s Blessing (Feat)** _Granted to player characters who declare worship of Gonosh._ - +3 Strength, +2 Constitution (cap at 24) - +3 AC - **Improved Two-Weapon Fighting:** You no longer need a bonus action to use off-hand attacks and you add your ability modifier to its damage. - **War Flurry (Level 5+):** When dual-wielding, you may make two off-hand attacks instead of one. - **Bonus Spells:** _Cure Wounds, Bestow Curse, Find Traps, Bane_ --- **Stat Block: Gonosh, God of the Orcs** (Avatar) _Medium Celestial, Lawful Evil_ **Armor Class** 29 (Divine Protection) **Hit Points** 999 (50d12 + 600) **Speed** 60 ft., fly 120 ft. |STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |30 (+10)|23 (+6)|30 (+10)|21 (+5)|22 (+6)|20 (+5)| **Saving Throws** STR +15, DEX +19, CON +18, WIS +18 **Damage Resistances** All **Damage Immunities** Slashing **Condition Immunities** All **Senses** Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 27 **Languages** All, Telepathy **CR** 30 (100,000 XP) **Proficiency Bonus** +9 **Legendary Resistance (5/day):** If Gonosh fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. **Divine Powers (Bypass resistances/immunities):** - **Aura of Gonosh:** All allies within 60 ft. gain advantage on all attacks. Enemies in the area have disadvantage on all attacks. - **Rage of Gonosh (4/day):** 120 ft. radius. All creatures make DC 26 Dex saves or take 110 (20d10) fire damage and 27 (5d10) additional fire damage at the start of their next turn. - **Rain of the Blades (Recharge 3-6):** 120 ft. radius storm. DC 26 Dex save or take 80 (15d10) slashing and 80 (15d10) radiant damage. Half on success. **Actions:** - **Multiattack:** Gonosh makes nine War Axe attacks. - **Gonosh’s War Axe:** +21 to hit, reach 10 ft., Hit: 27 (4d6+13) slashing + 33 (6d10) radiant damage. Can break _Wall of Force_, _Forcecage_, _Resilient Sphere_. - **Unarmed Attack:** +19 to hit, reach 5 ft., Hit: 21 (2d10+10) bludgeoning + 22 (4d10) radiant. **Legendary Actions (5/round):** - **Move (1):** Move up to speed without provoking attacks. - **Attack (1):** Make one War Axe or unarmed attack. - **Teleport (1):** Instantly teleport anywhere within 120 feet. --- **Quotes:** "The strong shall inherit the world. The weak shall bleed in service." "My law is war. My command is fate." ### **Relationship Between Gonosh and [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]** **Nature of Relationship:** The two deities represent fundamentally different philosophies of war: - **Gonosh** is a **Lawful Evil** god of **conquest through structure, loyalty, and strength**. He is revered by orcs as a divine patriarch—a creator and warfather who upholds a _code of dominance_ rooted in discipline, law, and cunning. His wars are organized, often strategic, and rooted in purpose beyond chaos. - **[[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]**, on the other hand, is a **force of primal destruction**. His belief is that **war is the ultimate crucible** and peace is a weakness to be eradicated. He glorifies **pain, intimidation, and annihilation** as divine tools, creating warrior cults that conquer through terror. ### **Key Differences** | Aspect | Gonosh | [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War]] | | ------------------- | -------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | | Philosophy | Order, conquest through strength & law | Chaos, war as evolution through fire | | Worshippers | Orcs, warlords, tacticians | Tyrants, gladiators, sadistic generals | | Preferred Outcome | Domination & control | Annihilation & subjugation through fear | | Relationship to Law | Respects structure and obedience | Destroys structures and rules | | Conflict Style | Tactical, honor-bound, conquest-driven | Brutal, fear-driven, apocalyptic | ### **Mythic Conflicts** - **Clash of Ideals:** Their greatest conflict occurred during the **Burning of the Red Line**, when [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] tried to corrupt orcish tribes in the east by promising unrestrained power through carnage. Gonosh, furious at the erosion of his honor-based teachings, sent divine avatars to purge [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]’s cults. Thousands perished in a divine proxy war that left regions scarred and civilizations ruined. - **Legion of the Blazing Axes vs. Orcish Pantheon:** The Legion views Gonosh's followers as weak traditionalists. Gonosh, in turn, labels [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]'s warlords as _honorless beasts_ who weaken true warriors by relying on terror rather than loyalty. - **The Sisters of Despair**, especially **[[Lysara, Lady of Shadows|Lysara]]**, walk a fine line—while aligned with Gonosh, some whisper she sympathizes with [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]'s belief that fear brings clarity. --- ### **Current Divine Politics in Solare** - **Allied in Appearance, Opposed in Spirit:** In rare times, Gonosh and [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] may appear to work toward the same war, such as in the invasion of Solare. However, their goals diverge quickly. Gonosh seeks rulership over Solare. [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] seeks to burn it down and rebuild it in his violent image. - **Their Champions May Collide:** A campaign could feature conflict between the **Disciplined Orc Warlords** of Gonosh and the **Terror-Legions** of [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]], as they both fight for the same lands—but with entirely different visions of victory. --- ### **Shared Traits** Despite their differences, both gods value: - Strength above all - The subjugation of the weak - Divine rule by force - Disdain for mercy, pacifism, or sentimentality But where **Gonosh** seeks _dominion_, **[[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]** craves _obliteration_. ### **Gonosh’s View on [[Angoria]], the Goddess of Good War** **Relationship Summary:** Gonosh views **[[Angoria]]** with a cold, calculated disdain—**not as a fool**, like he sees many of the Good-aligned deities, but as a **righteous obstacle** whose values directly threaten his vision of divine law and conquest. To him, she represents a _misguided strength_—a powerful war goddess who chooses to **waste her might** on protection and restraint rather than domination and order. Where [[Angoria]] fights to **end war and protect the innocent**, Gonosh believes **war is the true state of existence**, and only the strong deserve to survive. In his eyes, **her compassion weakens the discipline of war**, and her interference is an insult to the very foundation of his code. --- ### **What Gonosh Thinks of Her Tenets** - **Protection of the Innocent:** Gonosh scoffs at this idea. To him, _innocence is weakness_—a vulnerability to be stamped out or molded into strength. Protecting the weak only prolongs their inevitable failure. - **Vanquishing Evil:** Gonosh sees this as laughable hypocrisy. From his perspective, _he is not evil_—he is truth incarnate: war, order, strength. Those who label him "evil" simply fear the world he would shape. - **Justice:** Gonosh values justice—**his own version** of it. It is the justice of power, not compassion. His laws are enforced by strength and obedience, not empathy. Thus, [[Angoria]]’s moralistic justice is naïve and incompatible with the brutal truth of the world. - **Swift Conclusion of War:** Gonosh respects efficient warfare. On this point, he ironically **agrees**—but only in outcome. He does not abhor bloodshed; he simply prefers not to waste time or resources in achieving complete submission. --- ### **Philosophical Opposition** - **[[Angoria]]** sees war as a sorrowful necessity. - **Gonosh** sees war as a _divine design_—a test of worth that sculpts civilization. She fights to end war. He fights because **war is the highest expression of divine order**. Their followers clash not merely on battlefields, but in ideology: - Paladins of [[Angoria]] bring justice and protection. - Warlords of Gonosh bring obedience and dominance. To Gonosh, **[[Angoria]]’s insistence on compassion makes her a threat**, not for her strength, but because she turns capable warriors into protectors instead of conquerors. --- ### **Shared Qualities – Ironically Aligned** Despite their opposition, they **share key qualities**: - Both are **Lawful** and value structure, discipline, and honor. - Both **punish betrayal** and uphold rigid codes. - Both believe **war must have meaning**—but their definitions of “meaning” are diametrically opposed. This means their battles are often **more dangerous** than with chaotic foes. Each war between them is a **war of conviction**, not just power. --- ### **Gonosh’s Long-Term Goal Toward [[Angoria]]** He seeks not only to defeat her in battle, but to **corrupt or break her ideals**—to make the world so consumed in conquest that _even [[Angoria]] must adapt or vanish_. If he cannot destroy her by force, he aims to **prove her obsolete**. He sees her followers as misguided warriors whose strength could serve a greater purpose—**his**. It is not uncommon for Gonosh's agents to try to tempt [[Angoria]]’s champions, luring them with power and the promise of real change through force. --- ### **Conclusion** Gonosh regards [[Angoria]] as: - A **noble enemy**, to be fought with respect but no mercy. - A **warrior wasted**, in his eyes, on false ideals of mercy and restraint. - A **symbol of the weakness of the old world**, standing in the way of his future. Their rivalry is eternal, philosophical, and brutal—**two divine generals** fighting to define the meaning of war in Solare. ### **[[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] – Hated Rival, Chaotic Blight** - **Core Conflict**: Though both are gods of conquest and domination, **[[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] is chaos incarnate**, reveling in destruction, anarchy, and raw bloodlust. He lacks the honor, control, or discipline that Gonosh holds sacred. - **Why Gonosh Hates Him**: - He sees [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] as a **blasphemy of war**—a reckless butcher who taints the sanctity of battle. - [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] rules through **fear and carnage**, undermining Gonosh’s ideal of **lawful subjugation and structured dominance**. - His armies annihilate and destabilize rather than conquer and rule. - Gonosh sees him as **a threat to order** and the future of the orcs. - **Relationship**: Bitter, venomous, and unrelentingly hostile. Gonosh would _love_ to see [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] destroyed and his followers reclaimed for a more “worthy” god. --- ### **[[Angoria]] – Honorable Enemy, Ideological Obstacle** - **Core Conflict**: [[Angoria]] embodies the _opposite philosophy_ of Gonosh—compassion, justice, and war as a tool for peace. But she shares his values of **law, honor, strength, and discipline**. - **Why Gonosh Respects Her**: - She fights with **valor, purpose, and clarity**. - She honors warriors and strategy—not chaos or blind zeal. - He sees her as a **worthy opponent**, one forged in strength and restraint. - **Relationship**: A **grudging, bitter respect**. He sees her as wrong, but not unworthy. He would **rather fight her** than ally with [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]. ### **Summary** | Comparison | Gonosh’s View | Why | | ----------------------------------- | --------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | | **[[Angoria]]** | _Respected Enemy_ | Lawful, disciplined, honorable warrior | | **[[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War]]** | _Loathed Abomination_ | Chaotic, dishonorable, disrupts divine order | If forced to choose between fighting one, Gonosh would always **eliminate [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] first**, then turn to face [[Angoria]] in the final war for Solare. ### Gonosh’s Three Commandments Regarding Outsiders 1. **“Prove them. Test them. Break them if they fail.”** Any outsider must undergo combat or challenge. Gonosh loves trials of strength. 2. **“The loyal are blades. The weak are burdens.”** If an outsider consistently strengthens the group, Gonosh tolerates them. If not—they’re removed. 3. **“Hate the enemy, not the ally who kills beside you.”** Gonosh values unity in conquest. Internal betrayal is punished more harshly than heritage. **Gonosh's Law: The Doctrine of Worth** _"Blood means nothing. Power means everything."_ — High Chanter of [[Kadh Vrbuz]] Gonosh, the Lord of Law and War, teaches that racial origin does not determine worth. While orc culture in [[Karudasos|the Darklands]] has long held contempt for elves—especially those seen as weak or decadent—the divine doctrine of Gonosh cuts deeper than mere hatred: it defines strength, loyalty, and usefulness as the only true markers of value. Orc warbands in the Valley of Ketaca and beyond enforce this doctrine with zeal, yet it provides a subtle code that allows for rare exceptions, creating the framework for complex alliances—such as with the elf [[Syllin]]. --- **The Doctrine of Worth** All followers of Gonosh are taught this central law: ***“You may hate the elf—but if they prove stronger than their weakness, Gonosh demands your respect.”*** This law allows orc characters to work alongside exceptional non-orcs without betraying their beliefs. Hatred remains the default, but those who demonstrate might, skill, or strategic loyalty are tolerated—or even elevated. --- **The Hierarchy of Worth** |Rank|Classification|Description|Viewpoint| |---|---|---|---| |1|**Trueborn Orcs**|Born of orcish blood, proven in battle.|Respected as kin| |2|**Conquerors**|Non-orcs who exhibit martial prowess and loyalty.|Tolerated or admired| |3|**Useful Subordinates**|Outsiders who aid the war effort without betrayal.|Used, not trusted| |4|**The Prey**|Cowards, pacifists, or those who falter under pressure.|Slaves or corpses| |5|**Traitors to Power**|Orcs or others who abandon strength for peace or mercy.|Hunted and purged| --- **Example: [[Syllin]]** [[Syllin]], a Lialandrain elf, presents a paradox. Born of an enemy race, she nonetheless: - Heals the wounded, even orcs. - Fought alongside the party in the Trial of Gonosh. - Endures hardship without complaint. In the eyes of Gonosh’s faithful, this elevates her from "Prey" to the edge of "Conqueror." “She’s still an elf, but she saved [[Grom]]’s life. Let her speak. For now.” --- **Relationship to Other Elves** Gonosh sees the elves of Elandra and Lialandra as misguided but strong. Their warrior traditions, especially in Lialandra, earn them scorn mixed with a begrudging respect. They are foes worthy of conquest, not contempt. However, those among them who bow their heads and fight alongside orcs may ascend the Hierarchy of Worth. Gonosh does not forbid this. This divine rule provides an in-universe justification for orc characters to work with—and even admire—non-orc PCs who fight with strength, honor, and loyalty to the party’s cause. **Gonosh's Ideas** --- **Merit in Strength-Based Societies** In [[Karudasos|the Darklands]], where survival is brutal and constant, Gonosh’s doctrine of strength, loyalty, and utility forms a guiding structure. It is not chaos; it is rigid law. The doctrine eliminates the arbitrary by replacing it with an ordered system that orc warbands and tribes can rely on. Worth is earned, not assumed. --- **Protection Through Power** Gonosh preaches that the weak suffer most in lawless lands. His hierarchy may be harsh, but it ensures a kind of stability. Within his brutal order, one always knows where they stand. A warrior knows their value, a commander knows their authority, and an outsider knows their trial. In the eyes of Gonosh’s followers, this is mercy through structure. --- **Ethics of Utility** One of the more surprising features of Gonosh’s belief system is its pragmatism. Race and origin are not the final measure of worth—usefulness is. This provides room for outsiders (even elves, typically hated by orcs) to earn a place in the warband, so long as they prove themselves. It allows Gonosh's teachings to transcend racism and tribalism in a way few other Darkland deities do. --- **Is Gonosh Truly Evil?** From an objective or universal view? Possibly not. From the view of other cultures, particularly those of compassion or honor? Absolutely. | Perspective | View of Gonosh | | ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | Orcs of [[Karudasos\|The Darklands]] | Lawful divine protector; source of order and purpose. | | Followers of [[Angoria]] | Tyrant god; lacks compassion and glorifies ruthless strength. | | Scholars of Elandra | Barbaric force; a relic of a savage world. | | [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War\|Sorgoganis]] | Rival; Gonosh values discipline, Sorgoganis values chaos. | | Faithful of [[Perserphina]] | Conflicted respect; admire discipline but reject cruelty. | In Solare, moral judgment is cultural. Gonosh is **lawful** and **merciless**, but **not mindless**. He does not revel in cruelty, he upholds strength. To his enemies, he is terrifying. To his followers, he is clarity incarnate—a divine general whose truth cuts cleaner than any blade. --- **Takeaway for Players** - Gonosh is **not sadistic**, but he is **ruthless**. - He values **strength, loyalty, and structure** above all. - His views create a merit-based path where even hated races can earn a place. - His morality is **functional**, not sentimental. Following Gonosh means walking a path of judgment, not cruelty—and standing tall beneath a god who never blinks. --- **Gonosh and the Southern Orc Union – Divine Alignment** --- **Why Gonosh Favors the South** In the fractured continent of [[Karudasos]], two ideologically opposed powers dominate orc society: the **Empire of Krakasha** in the north and the **Orc Union of Olgrug** in the south. Though both call upon the old gods and follow the traditions of war, only one truly embodies the divine vision of **Gonosh, the Law of the Strong.** --- **1. Ideological Alignment** The Orc Union of Olgrug represents Gonosh’s core principles: **discipline, hierarchy, and conquest through purpose.** Their wars are fought to expand order and control—not for chaos, not for vanity. King **Otubog the Unifier** has built a civilization that echoes Gonosh’s will: loyalty earns honor, strength earns respect, and the weak may rise if they prove their worth. --- **2. War as a Tool, Not a Religion** Unlike the northern Empire of Krakasha—where conquest is endless and war is worshipped for its own sake—Olgrug teaches that war is **a tool, not a lifestyle.** This speaks to Gonosh’s utilitarian view of violence: it is to be wielded precisely and purposefully, not glorified for bloodshed alone. --- **3. The Temple of Gonosh** In the city of **[[Kadh Vrbuz]]**, the religious heart of the Orc Union, stands the **Temple of Gonosh**, maintained by shamans such as **[[Grishna]] the Black Tusk**, a Grand Shaman known across Solare. This physical temple and spiritual order are proof of Gonosh’s institutional backing in the South, where rituals, blessings, and judgments are carried out under his name. --- **4. Rejection of Anarchy** The northern kingdom under **King Gordam the Tyrant** revels in destruction and chaos. Though it may invoke Gonosh’s name, it disrespects his law. Gonosh abhors anarchy. Krakasha’s hunger for endless war is not divine—it is blasphemy dressed in strength. --- **Summary Table** | Region | Alignment with Gonosh | | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Olgrug (South)** | Highest – Disciplined, ordered, structured, spiritually devoted. | | **Krakasha (North)** | Low – Chaotic, blood-hungry, lacks divine discipline. | --- **Divine Conclusion** Gonosh is the **unblinking god of judgment**—not mindless brutality. In the South, his vision thrives: temples rise, warbands serve the Union, and strength is forged into purpose. In the North, his name is twisted by those who confuse bloodlust for power. **To serve Gonosh truly, one must build what they conquer.** --- ## Why Gonosh Still Allows Followers in the North **1. Gonosh Is a God of Strength and Order—Not Geography** Gonosh does not restrict his worship to those with specific ideologies or alignments. His core values are **strength**, **hierarchy**, and **utility**. If the brutal orcs of Krakasha adhere to these—even in their more chaotic, conquest-driven way—they still reflect his essence. > "Let the strong rise. Let order form beneath them, no matter the soil it grows from." **2. North Orcs Uphold a Brutal but Clear Hierarchy** Though they are aggressive and expansionist, the northern orcs still honor **warlord structure**, **trial by combat**, and **ancestral reverence**. This brutal meritocracy aligns with Gonosh’s ideals—though it's a harsher, more primitive interpretation. Gonosh tolerates it because it still reflects his law of survival through dominance. **3. Gonosh Sees the North as His Past, the South as His Future** The northern ways are **what was**—a raw, undeveloped form of his doctrine. The South, under King Otubog, represents **what could be**: a disciplined, strategic power rooted in his law. Gonosh does not reject the North; he sees it as **a necessary foundation** from which the more refined Southern doctrine evolved. "The fire that scorches also forges." --- ## Why the North Orcs Existed First **1. Primordial Strength Came First** In early [[Karudasos]], survival was sheer brutality. The northern orc tribes were born in this crucible—formed without structure, driven only by power. Their warlike culture grew before any formal doctrine of Gonosh was widely accepted. Gonosh’s worship **emerged among them** as a way to codify this savagery into a divine law. **2. Southern Thought Is Newer but More Refined** The Orc Union of Olgrug is a recent evolution—where orcs began using **discipline, planning, and honor-bound systems** to strengthen their lands. This movement, inspired by deeper interpretations of Gonosh’s teachings, shows **progress** in divine understanding. It doesn't invalidate the North—it just surpasses it in wisdom and long-term vision. “Blood built the North. But it is discipline that will preserve the South.” **3. Gonosh Wants Both to Exist—for Now** Gonosh allows both forms of worship because **conflict breeds refinement**. The South must constantly prove itself superior to the North—not through compromise, but through **victory, unity, and longevity**. This divine tension is how Gonosh strengthens his people. --- ## Summary - **Gonosh respects North orcs** for their strength and hierarchy, but views their methods as primitive. - **South orcs** are seen as the future: strategic, loyal, and refined—closer to Gonosh’s ultimate vision. - Gonosh permits **multiple interpretations** of his law—but demands that each prove its worth through results. - He sees **no contradiction** in blessing different tribes so long as they follow the core tenets: **strength, order, and loyalty.** --- ### **Gonosh’s View on Slavery** **Divine Perspective:** Gonosh does not glorify slavery—but he does not forbid it. His doctrine centers on _utility, loyalty, and structure_. To him, a being's _worth is not innate_—it must be _proven_. Slavery, in this view, is a _temporary state_—a **trial** of usefulness, not a birthright or curse. #### **Core Teachings on Slavery:** - **"Chains are a crucible. Worth is proven by how one endures."** Slaves are not born lesser in Gonosh’s eyes—they are simply _unproven_. If they prove strength, loyalty, or usefulness, they may rise. - **"A slave who fights for his master is closer to freedom than a freeman who shirks his duty."** Gonosh values _action and loyalty_, not titles or blood. --- ### **Slavery in the North vs. the South** | Region | Practice | Gonosh’s Judgment | | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **North** | Enslavement is widespread and permanent. Elves and goblins are treated as property and rarely freed. | Gonosh views this as **shortsighted**. While not heretical, it fails to utilize the full strength of those with potential. | | **South (Olgrug)** | Slavery is still practiced—especially after conquest—but slaves may _earn status or even freedom_ through loyalty, combat, or service. Goblins now serve as equals in many cities. | Gonosh views this as **evolved doctrine**: strength through integration. Those who prove themselves are given a place. | ### **On Specific Races:** - **Elves:** Gonosh’s followers often hate elves due to history—but **Gonosh himself holds no racial grudge**. If an elf proves herself through strength, endurance, and service, she may be spared, even elevated. The **disdain is cultural**, not divine. - **Goblins:** Once viewed as weak scavengers, goblins have _proven their loyalty and value_ in Olgrug. Gonosh’s favor now rests equally on goblin generals and smiths, so long as they serve the structure. - **Humans & Others:** Like elves, they are judged on utility. Some are enslaved, others are recruited, some rise. Gonosh sees them all as _pieces in a grand order_, not inherently high or low. --- ### **Gonosh's View on Askaria’s Slavery** The Askaria Empire enslaves for **wealth**, **pleasure**, and **control**—treating slaves as **permanent property** regardless of their strength, honor, or potential. To Gonosh, this is **corruption**, not structure. > “Chains not earned. Strength not tested. No place, no honor. Only rot.” --- #### **Why Gonosh Condemns Askaria’s Slavery** - **Slaves are denied trials.** Askaria gives no opportunity for slaves to _prove_ their worth or rise through strength. This stagnation is _an insult to the divine order_ Gonosh represents. - **Slavery is used for indulgence.** Askarians enslave for luxury and ego—not conquest or utility. To Gonosh, this is **degenerate and cowardly**, a sign of rot in a kingdom. - **Askaria breaks the balance.** In Gonosh’s law, a strong slave who fights well may earn freedom or position. Askaria’s slavery is _absolute and unjust_, denying structure for tyranny. --- #### **Gonosh’s Judgment on Askarian Slavers:** - **Unworthy of command.** Those who rule through fear alone—without testing loyalty or rewarding strength—are _not true leaders_ in Gonosh’s eyes. - **Cowards of silk and poison.** The hidden, soft, and decadent nobles of Askaria embody everything Gonosh _despises_. They hoard power but **cannot wield it**. - **An enemy of the strong.** Askaria weakens its people by denying them struggle and the right to rise. It breeds parasites, not warriors. --- ### **How Gonosh's Followers View Askarian Slaves** - Pity them as _unforged steel_. - See them as _potential_, not weakness. - Some warbands may **liberate and test them**, offering trials under Gonosh’s code. --- ### **Player Guidance** If your character follows Gonosh: - You **oppose Askarian slavery** not because of mercy—but because **true order** is earned, not enforced without merit. - You may see potential in Askarian slaves, even seek to _redeem and test_ them through trial and battle. - You do **not respect Askarian lords or overseers**—they are cowards who fear true strength. --- #### The meeting between [[Lysara, Lady of Shadows|Lysara]] and her Father. #### **You Shamed the Throne** The air shimmered like molten glass as [[Lysara, Lady of Shadows|Lysara]] descended into the Iron Basilica—her father’s throne hall at the heart of the Ashen Wastes. Pillars of bone and black steel loomed in perfect symmetry, each etched with ancient battle sigils and screaming faces forever frozen in obsidian. Every step she took echoed like thunder, yet the silence around her was absolute. At the end of the hall, seated on a throne carved from the skulls of long-dead demigods, was Gonosh—[[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|the Lord of Carnage]], the Warlord of Law, the God of Orcs. His skin was like iron drawn taut over mountains of sinew, his eyes burning like suns of disciplined fury. His war axe rested at his side, humming faintly with divine judgment. [[Lysara, Lady of Shadows|Lysara]] stepped forward, cloaked in shadow and anger, her voice a whisper sharp enough to slice steel. “She threatened me, father,” [[Lysara, Lady of Shadows|Lysara]] said. “[[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]]—the Bright Star of the West. She raised her voice to me, dared to say I was weak.” Gonosh’s gaze didn’t flinch. It pierced. “You struck a mortal,” he said. “He defied me. I am a goddess.” “No,” Gonosh growled, rising slowly from the throne. The sound of his movement was like grinding glaciers and war drums. “You are my daughter,” he continued, “but even divine blood does not excuse dishonor.” [[Lysara, Lady of Shadows|Lysara]]’s eyes narrowed. “You would defend her?” “I defend the Concord,” Gonosh snapped. “The law we forged with blade and oath. Even I—Warlord of the Pantheon—abide by it. Mortals must rise or fall by their own strength. That is the trial. That is the balance.” “She provoked me.” “Then you should have answered as a god of strategy, not a child of shadow.” His voice boomed, shaking the pillars, sending loose ash from the rafters. “You drew power against a mortal without consent. You let wrath poison order. And worse, you did it in my name.” [[Lysara, Lady of Shadows|Lysara]] flinched—just barely. Her hands curled into fists. “She insulted me, Father. Said she would kill me if I ever touched a mortal again.” “And you gave her the right to speak those words. Because now she stands as the better god.” A terrible silence settled in the hall. The kind of silence that always came before judgment. “You have embarrassed the House of Gonosh,” he said at last, his voice colder than steel dipped in ice. “You, who whispers chaos when I decree structure. You, who twists shadow where I demand lines of war.” His war axe lifted—not to strike, but to signal judgment. “Return to your sisters. Let this shame become your weight. Until you remember that power is not impulse—it is restraint sharpened to a spearpoint.” [[Lysara, Lady of Shadows|Lysara]]’s form quivered, her illusion breaking slightly. The goddess of shadows bowed her head, not in humility—but in silent rage. “Go.” And she did, vanishing into the dark, her pride trailing behind her like smoke. Gonosh sat again upon his throne. “Let her sulk. The battlefield remembers those who follow the law. And punishes those who don’t.”