Saharna

"Only one may rule."
Saharna was a demon goddess associated with chaos and destruction. She worked primarily through the queen of the Sword Coast, or Queen Coin, to expand her rule, and was highly cunning and manipulative. 
==Rise to Power==
Saharna began as a lowly demon who seized an opportunity to gain power through three criminals: Coin, BoomSlang, and Greg. Prior to their execution, she promised them their lives if they devoted themselves to her. They agreed, and she used them as her pawns.
Under Saharna's direction, the criminals would spread her word under the guise of a benevolent goddess, while simultaneously committing atrocities in other places. For her final task, she ordered them to kill the king of the Sword Coast.
They obliged, but there was one problem left. Only one of them could hold the throne. Successfully she pitted them against each other, Coin emerging victorious and subsequently moving the capital to Dragonspear Castle where she began her plan to expand Saharna's influence.
==Tradition==
Saharna's places of worship are staffed entirely by women. While she has shrines and temples scattered throughout her domain, the main temple was erected in the place where BoomSlang and Greg met their doom by Coin's hand. In the center of the main atrium is a winged, artistic representation of the goddess herself, and at the rear is an altar on which sacrifices are performed.
Five mortal sacrifices are performed annually and are chosen randomly, mainly from the smaller towns. In the religious realm, it is considered an honor to be sacrificed, as it is believed the soul will finally make its way home to the Abyss.
== Cults and Rebels ==
While all are mandated to worship Saharna, most of that veneration is begrudging. Cults proved to emerge, mainly in secluded areas, even in places outside of the Sword Coast in which worship of the goddess is illegal. Some of the more extreme cults practice even more heinous rituals, including cannibalism and burning at the stake.
Additionally, The Hopeful are a "pushback" group that exists. They are not considered a rebellion, as they take no direct action against the government and even comply to its laws, but instead venerate Ilmater.
 
 
Category:Great Ascent
Category:BBEG
Category:Darkness Rises
Category:Villain
Category:NPC