Tharros, God of Decay's page

@Atheos & Adriel Mind if I have Barakus' escorting the spirits to Atheos' realm take place during Adriel's visit? Two birds with one stone and all that. Plus it gets me in on whatever story Adriel is planning.

@Ishalla That's perfectly fine with me. Tharros spends the vast majority of his time not even being consciously aware of the realms anyway. Could have it be that Ishalla is the form the dual-minded being is funneling most of its power into at almost all times while Tharros just sort of runs on auto pilot. Tharros 'waking up' and exerting any kind of influence could possibly negatively effect Ishalla and potentially vice versa if they're both trying to accomplish goals simultaneously.

@Babaki Yep, sounds fine to me. I just had this image of two opposing cults trying to bring about the end times looking at one another and pouting because "You're doing it wrong." Makes me smile. I'll probably get around to typing up the backdrop tomorrow and we can see what develops from there, unless it's something you would like to handle. If not, anything you want to add or have included in the setting?

Been brainstorming a bit since Tharros isn't a party person and wasn't invited anyway. The "Liked by" section in the spreadsheet is even empty. You're hurting poor Tharros' feelings guys. =(

Anyways, just some ideas for interacting with Tharros, his herald, or his followers that I thought might work if anyone was interested in roleplaying them out. Open to any interesting scenarios anyone else might have that could possibly involve Tharros or someone under his control.

IMO, it worked pretty well for you to take that tactic. It made the introduction Tharros needed, and gave him a herald at the same time while shoring up the concept overall.

Now all we need is Ishalla and Vortae to post in gameplay, and I think everyone will be in

Thanks. I have a feeling a good portion of my posts will probably be done as a servant, a worshipper, or some other entity rather than the god himself if I ever want to interact with anyone. No one ever comes to visit poor Tharros. =(

Didn't know what to do for my intro post since Tharros is largely a reactionary god, so I just told the story of how he acquired his herald, Barakus, the Endless Mourner. He's technically a demigod that protects the spirits of the dead until they can reach their resting places and assures that their final place in the Blisslands is safe. Much like Tharros, Barakus is blind in the traditional sense, his eyes clouded by visions and the unending trickle of tears -- both sorrowful and joyful -- that have never stopped since witnessing the Blisslands.

Barakus was not always the herald of Tharros. In fact, it would not have been possible for serving such a god to have been further from the mortal's mind. Barakus sought retribution, not servitude, when he broke through the barrier to the Realm of Ruin so that he could challenge what he saw as the cause of all that ails the world. It may have been a vain attempt to overthrow such a callous lord, but his sacrifice would inspire far greater deeds when it was retold. Barakus was sure of this.

"Look at me, demon! Look at me and answer for your crimes against humanity!" Barakus called out across the void that was the home of Tharros only to be met with inaction, the cowled form of Tharros unflinching in the face of this intrusion. Frustration filled Barakus' veins, for he felt both the glory he desired and the magic that protected him from the foul influence of Tharros slipping away. His footprints across the featureless gray soil were the first to be made in eons, a testament to the bravery of Barakus that remain to this day. Truly, his bravery was legendary as Barakus continued venturing forward, through both the stench of decay and the fear that assaulted his sense, marching closer to the true form of Tharros than any mortal had before or since.

It was this courage, this determination in the face of oblivion, that caused Tharros to honor the mortal in a way he had only done for a dozen souls before: he noticed Barakus. The form of the god of death shifted beneath his robes, his nearly skeletal hand searching for the cane that supported his hunched form. Barakus' stride stuttered in the wake of this activity, frozen in apprehension. Had he finally gotten through and invited the wrath of this devil upon himself? Shield still in hand, Barakus took up a defensive posture, knowing full well how little protection it actually afforded him. At last, Tharros rose, a rasp of air akin to a groan escaping from his tired form. Even hunched against his staff as he was, Tharros towered over the human before him, the face beneath his cowl fully revealed to the mortal even in the absence of light that pervaded his realm. This was the first time Barakus felt himself waver, a lump rising in his throat that nearly threatened to choke him.

Not even Tharros himself could explain what led him to do what came next. Maybe the countless years of isolation had finally taken their toll or perhaps the god merely wished to share his burden and saw in Barakus a mortal that would understand. Regardless, the left hand of Tharros extended toward Barakus as a deliberate and hoarse whisper echoed from every corner of the realm. "Take my hand. You will see what I see."

At first, Barakus scoffed at the notion; everyone knew the Touch of Tharros meant only death. And yet, here he was, staring longingly at the outstretched hand offered to him, so enticed by the rewards it promised. To see the universe as the sightless god does? In the face of a god, wrath and revenge had subsided, completely consumed only by awe and a desire to know. The unsteady hand of Barakus reached out in this moment, gingerly creeping its way toward the unwavering hand of Tharros until fingertips slid against one another.

It took only an instant for Tharros to convey the message he wished, the weight of the revelation forcing the frail mortal body of Barakus to the unforgiving ground, his breathing erratic and his body shivering in shock. For all the lamenting done in the mortal realms about the Curse of Tharros, Barakus was the first to witness the Gift, the final reward promised to all life, its inevitability for all ensured by Tharros' existence. It was only a second but Barakus saw infinity; he glimpsed the Blisslands as only a god not distracted by the mortal realm could. It was happiness beyond understanding, true freedom from the machinations and fanciful whims of the gods. Barakus could only lay upon the ground and weep, emotions both familiar and alien overwhelming him.

Barakus made a sacrifice that day, but not the one he had expected. He gave up his mortality and his soul so that he could ensure the future he saw was guaranteed for every living person, pledging to serve Tharros until oblivion came to claim them both.

I don't really know much about forgotten realms or the deities they use, so I'm going to refrain from making any statements about them for now. In general though, as long as they're not directly threatening Tharros or just the general state of the universe, Tharros is unlikely to care what they're doing. He would prefer that the gods not fiddle with creation whenever they feel like it but Tharros still overlooks their usual tampering with mortal lives and worlds unless its on a ridiculously large scale.

Tharros, god of killjoys, the smotherer of good parties, and drowner of delights checking in. =P