Khasrach

Khasrach

Goddess of the Blood
  Destruction, Hatred, Mysticism, Strength, Pain, War. The Longspear. Weapons of Terror.
  Patron of the orcs and goblinoids, most civilized people view Khasrach as a scourge upon the land -- a bloodthirsty barbarian bitch who seeks only the downfall of the demihuman races. There is some truth to this -- Khasrach is a harsh diety who demands constant sacrifice in her name, but she is also nurturing and supportive to those who are strong enough to be worthy, regardless of their race or creed. At her basest, Khasrach is the patron diety of anyone who is willing to bleed for what they believe in. She demands that her followers never surrender their independance or their dignity, even upon pain of death. (Of course, what humans call dignity can be very different from the similar concept for orcs.) Her rites of worship are primitive and ecstatic, featuring frenzied blood-letting, wild tribal dances and even ritualistic combat. Khasrach demands that her followers 'stare down the world', shaping it to their desires through sheer force of will.
  There is a strong dichotomy between Khasrach as she once was, and Khasrach as she is now. Some goblinoid shamans believe Khasrach has become somehow debased, aspects of her godhead having been worn away and lost over time in reflection of the degeneration of her patron peoples. There is evidence that the ancient Khasrach had a more mystical side to her spirituality, an element of nature worship and a much greater emphasis on cycles, prophecy and personal transformation. In the modern world, however, Khasrach is falling into the thrall of Abbadon, being slowly consumed from within by blind hatred and fits of insanity. Some even fear (or hope) that the goddess of the orcs is slowly dying from a kind of metaphysical decay.
  Khasrach has an ancient and bloody emnity with Ekliazeh, the patron god of the dwarves, and their followers rarely miss a chance to make war upon each other. Essiah, however, has a guarded respect for Khasrach in her saner moments, and the two goddesses of primal passions share a kind of kinship. The rest of the Theryan pantheon just quietly wishes she would quit trying to tear down civilization and go finish dying in a corner somewhere.
  Khasrach's theology would purport that she tries to be Chaotic Neutral, but in the depths of her insanity her actions place her more in line with being Chaotic Evil. She accepts followers of any alignment. Her chosen weapon is the longspear, and her clerics gain access to the domains of Destruction, Hatred, Mysticism, Strength, Pain and War. Her holy symbol is an iron hoop wrapped with tanned leather, with a splatter of the follower's own blood in the center.
   Worship: Khasrach accepts the sacrifice of any being of equal or greater personal power than the worshipper. The only exception is her own people, goblinoids and especially orcs; such sacrifices infuriate her. She is also pleased when her clerics manage to intimidate their enemies, but highly displeased when they surrender or are overtaken with fear on the battlefield. Khasrach accepts that orcs and goblinoids war among themselves, so does not become angered when her followers kill the rank and file of such. However, she demands that priests loyal to her not kill non-hostile orcs who have attained an exceptional level of prowess, as a deferance to racial unity.
   Khasrach will not accept elves, dwarves or human mages as followers, since those groups have traditionally exploited her people. Humans who become mages after pledging to her are not rejected, however.
   Blessings: Khasrach is, in her own violent way, a maternal goddess, and will aid her people in several ways. Casual followers can expect her to heal them in combat or purify their bodies, while slightly more loyal followers can expect that she will smite their enemies, remove fatigue, ease hunger and deflect especially deadly blows. For a truly exceptional follower, she will (in order) replenish the spirit, remove curses and raise the follower should he die, though the latter carries great cost in favour.
   Khasrach's gifts increase a follower's strength of will, teach him to develop personal fearsomeness and give him a canny insight into other people. She teaches her petitioners to channel fearsome force into war-cries, gifts them with sacred strength and teaches them magic to vindictively curse (and later sense the presence of) enemies.
   Khasrach is known to metaphysically birth hordes of orcs, and often sends clutches to aid loyal followers in combat, or punish those who stray from her way. She also favours trial by ordeal when followers offend her, casting them into situations out of their depth.

Domains: Hatred, Destruction, Mysticism, Strength, Pain, War