"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - High priest Drahcir Reinerg
Hextor is a brutal and effective warmonger, seeking to bring all lands under his dominion. He is the patron of war - war for power, territory, conquest, bloodshed, or simply for its own sake. Not an indiscriminate killer like Erythnul or obsessed with death like Nerull, Hextor uses war to chew up the weak and unfit, salvaging the strong and worthy so they might serve him and expand his reach. Many dismiss him as a simple war god, but he is the patron of all conflicts, even if the participants never draw a blade. He gathers followers to himself like a charismatic and corrupt king such as amoral soldiers, evil mercenaries, and those who seek profit in conflict, as does anyone willing to lift a blade for evil.
Origin
Far beyond the imperium empire, in the western end of the continent of Oerik, lay the ancient birth lands of the Oeridian people. In those lands once existed a large kingdom, with a king whose sons had not survived adulthood. He had married a succession of the daughters of his chiefs and liegemen, hoping each might be fertile enough to bear him a son strong enough to pass his crown to, but alas, none did. Finally, in the winter of his years he took his last wife, the young daughter of a minor chief. She bore him only one child, a daughter who they named 'Alia'. She was special and was known as the 'Shield Maiden' and due to being dour and serious, earned the nickname of 'Stern'. Unbeknownst to Stern Alia, she was born from a Union between her mother the queen and the Sky god Velnius. Stern Alia, so the legends tell us was a demi goddess who used to be worshipped by the Old Oerdians but is currently no longer worshipped in the Flanaess.
Although most stories agree on the origin of the shield maiden and that she birthed Hextor, there are many versions of him having Heironeous and Stratis as either brothers or half-brothers. However, among the Hextorian Theologist, there is a book called 'The 500 Scars' - that explains how The Scourge of Battle talks regularly to his weapon, referring to it as "little brother" from which the faith deduces that he never even had siblings. The book also suggests that whenever dire times required Hextor to put his feelings aside for the sake of what must be done, he placed his feelings within his weapon.
Throughout the centuries his followers collided with the Heironian Faith time and again as they seem opposites of each other. Their faiths wage an eternal war that has driven thousands into their graves, to the delight of Nerul.
Appearance
Towards the flock, the peasants or for inspiring the faithful to great acts, Hextor is usually shown as an articulate and intelligent handsome knight of steel. He is a fair-skinned athletic young man, bearing a strong resemblance to Heironeous, with jet-black hair and eyes.
If the faith wants to intimidate their opponents, the Herald of Hell is depicted having a hideous appearance. His true form has grey skin, lank hair, red-rimmed eyes, a hideous face and tusks jutting from his lower jaw. Additionally, the Lords of Evil granted him six arms so he could best his half-brother Heironeous. He may hide or manifest these four additional human arms from his torso whenever he desires and each would be wielding a weapon or shield, such as: bucklers, a spiked flail, a battle axe, a battle pick, a longsword, a mace, or a falchion.
Relations with other Faiths
Hextor is dismissive of all other deities, even those in his own Oeridian pantheon. He believes he is superior to them and will eventually rise to lead them all. He knows better than to be openly antagonistic, as this might encourage his enemies to band together and attack him. Although he does not go out of his way to interact with other deities, if approached with an interesting plan he would not turn away automatically.
The one he sometimes tolerates because of his sense of humour, is the annoying Olidammara. Besides that, he has alliances with a few archdevils and at least one of the Lord 's of the Nine, as he appreciates their well-disciplined armies.
Hextor has a long-standing rivalry with Erythnul, and sees Erythnul as a humbled thug trying to maintain status among those he once terrorized but is ultimately not worth talking about.
Only Heironeous is worthy of his attention and the one at whom he focuses all his anger. It is out of this anger, and jealousy to not been annoited by the holy Meersalm oil, that made Hextor exterminate stern Alia's church in Medegia.
Teachings
The world is a brutal, harsh and cruel place, and only those fit to succeed will be able to prosper. - Teachings of the Herald of Hell
It is the duty of the faith to forge order out of chaos and law out of anarchy.
When one is constantly in danger from monsters, bandits and humanoids, it is essential that the faithful have the capacity to defend themselves from the attacks of their enemies. Vigilance and preparedness, and always being ready for battle, are thus essential virtues in a world where danger may threaten at any time.
Obedience is what Hextor demands, the ideal society is a very strict social hierarchy based around strong central leadership, earned by right of skill in combat. The leader’s followers will prosper by following one fit to lead and rule. For example, he laughs at the "convenient idea" of pacifism, pointing out that it is the sheep who bleat peacefully but huddle near the shepherd when the wolves approach.
Obedience should not stand in the way of ambition, to improve or maintain your positions in life either with words or with weapons. Power is its own reward, and you must endure hardships to prevail. It is often necessary to be cruel and merciless in the pursuit of your goals and achieving them can have harsh consequences. Many Hextorians thus actively promote war and conquest, believing that the strong can and should actively expand their influence at the expense of the weak.
War is viewed as the flowering of the strong and the culling of the weak, a pursuit that should be actively pursued and encouraged to destroy one’s enemies and prove one’s own strength to deter future opponents. Those who cannot fight on their own may be allowed to survive if they can provide some mutually beneficial service in exchange for protection. If they can offer nothing of value to a community, then they are unfit to live, and their destruction strengthens humanity. Because of this harsh code, an enemy who surrenders to a Hextorian could be spared and taken prisoner, if it is convenient and useful to do so, enslaved for labour or war, or simply killed despite the request for mercy, it depends on the needs and goals of the Hextorian at the time.
However, Hextor teaches that there is still a place for love and friendship within a Hextorian community, most often with families and others with whom a mutually beneficial relationship may be forged. If these people can bring glory or gain to the Hextorian, then he will help them survive
Symbol
The symbol of The Scourge of Battle is a powerful and imposing representation of his domains of tyranny, war, and discord. The symbol consists of a clenched iron fist, usually gauntleted, raised high above symbols of warfare. The fist symbolizes raw power, dominance, and control, reflecting Hextor's aspirations for conquest and authority. The iron material signifies strength, endurance, and unyielding resolve, highlighting the deity's unwavering determination in the pursuit of his goals. The fist holds six red arrows facing downward, symbolizing the discord, strife and turmoil that the deity encourages and exploits.
The overall design of the symbol evokes a sense of intimidation and fear, emphasizing Hextor's role as a tyrant and oppressor. It serves as a potent emblem for his followers, inspiring reverence, loyalty, and obedience while instilling dread in those who oppose the church's aims.
Places of worship
His temples are forbidding fortresses, built to impress the common folk, and found in any site of strategic importance.
These fortress-temples tend to have a dark, bloody, and grim atmosphere. They feature statues of Aerdy warriors and superb stained-glass windows, friezes, and murals featuring scenes of historic battles of the Oeridian people against just about everyone else. The interior walls of their temples hold weapons, shields and armour; all of which are fully functioning and make an armoury irrelevant. Temples often have a large forge where special weapons are created.
Famous cathedrals in his name are the Malachite Spires in Delaric and the Basilica of the Scourge in Bellport.
Temples of Hextor tend to operate openly, working hand in fist with the laws of the land.
Services
During services follower’s chant, shout and scream above the percussion of iron instruments and armaments. Hextor has no interest in complicated music except as a means to keep marching soldiers in time or to boost morale. Drums mostly suffice in any service to the Champion of Hell.
The faithful give offerings in the form of their enemies' broken weapons and armour to an idol of the Scourge of Battle, and in rare cases they might sacrifice valuable prisoners in his name. Small-scale sacrifices involve bloodletting with an arrow or holy symbol which represents the person's willingness to shed blood or die in Hextor's name. They might shout loyalty oaths or promises of acts of cruelty or killing in an upcoming battle.
Afterlife
Hextor's realm is the citadel of Scourgehold on Acheron, the infernal and infinite Battlefield. For a faithful follower of Hextor, the afterlife will involve an existence in a realm dominated by martial prowess and the relentless pursuit of power. They might continue to engage in eternal battles, proving their worth through combat and conquest. The most devoted servants of the deity might be rewarded with positions of authority and power. They may wield dominion over lesser souls and revel in their status as agents of Hextor's will.
Divine Intercession
Anathema
Laziness
Having compassion towards the undeserving
Supporting any sort of social discord, although conflict between parties vying for power is acceptable.
Failure to crush one’s enemies when the opportunity presents itself
Passing up the chance at increasing one’s personal power
Not keeping your word or oath when it is given
Beliefs
Strength of law is meaningless without the will to enforce it
To impose order through authoritarian rule. Followers are taught that chaos and weakness must be stamped out, and that strict hierarchies and discipline, based solely on physical and mental strength, are necessary for maintaining societal structure and stability. Hesitation invariably leads to disaster. Insubordination is tantamount to anarchy. Such weakness is not tolerated.
The strongest will survive
Power and strength are paramount virtues. Followers are encouraged to dominate others through physical prowess, martial skill, and the force of their will. They believe that only by exerting control over others can one achieve true greatness and ascendancy. In Hextor's eyes, the ends do justify the means, and might makes right - if the only way to prevent the enemy from retreating is to burn a civilian village to the ground, so be it.
Conquest as Divine will
Hextorians follow the doctrine of conquest as a divine mandate, to expand their influence through conquest, subjugating others in the name of the deity.
Goals:
Defeat the Heironean church
Every single follower of the Archpaladin defeated brings glory
Expand Hextorian control
To keep control over the Great kingdom and expand Hextor's influence to the surrounding lands.
Army of Discord
To raise armies that can combine to lay waste to the enemy.
Aphorisms
The everyday sayings and adages of Hextor’s faithful are used as chants and battle cries.
"Obey without question, for obedience is the foundation of power."
"Strength conquers all; weakness invites subjugation."
"To hesitate is to invite defeat; to act decisively is to claim triumph."
"In the absence of order, impose your will; in the face of defiance, crush it."
"The path to power is paved with the broken dreams of those who dared oppose us."
”May my bones and blood turn to dust, may my blades break, and may the doors to hell shatter, ere I turn from service to my lord Hextor, Scourge of Battle. May his strength fill me so that I become like him in all things, mortal and eternal."
Divine relics
The Norem's Helm
The helm is a relic of Hextor, a polished steel bascinet helm that has a movable dull grey steel visor resembling a stylized hideous face and it was part of a complete suit of armor. It is named for the Hextorian blackguard Norem who led many battles in Hextor's name before being disintegrated by a Heironean deva. The helm provides increased protection and even rumoured to protect the wearer against decapitation amongst some other powers.
One power of the helm is written about in various texts, making it highly likely that it is true. If the wearer is an especially devout follower of Hextor, they can communicate (commune) with the lingering spirit of Norem once per day for tactical advice.
The Trumpet of Acheron
This instrument can either appear as an ivory horn or a brass trumpet, but it is always decorated with arrow symbols and a simple grid pattern on part of its outer surface. The instrument was gifted by the Lords of Evil and although normally carried by Hextor himself, he sometimes awards it to a worthy champion or places it in the mortal world to confound the forces of good. It is rumoured to summon a temporary army of undead or demons.
If the person blowing the horn is not lawful, so it is written, the conjured army attack that person rather than serve him.
The Unholy Bloodshield
For many years, this item was stored in the Battle hall of the palace at Rauxes, the headquarters of the legion sharing the item's name, but it vanished around the time of the mysterious attack that ruined the capital. It has been missing ever since. This spiked buckler is made of a precious material, drips blood and trails grey energy whenever the wielder is angry or severely wounded. Its spikes are six iron arrows projecting through the metal of the shield, paralleling the design of Hextor's holy symbol. The buckler could also grow into a normal sized shield when commanded and its spikes gain special properties.
Comments