Dolosund

"I'm a boil on the face of reality. And I fester!" - Dolosund, God of Corruption
Dolosund is a deity belonging to the Imperial Pantheon. Also known as the Unspoken God, he is the God of Corruption. Dolosund is a fearsome and malign entity. His very essence embodies decay and perversion, spreading rot and malevolence wherever he treads. Unlike other deities in the Imperial Pantheon, Dolosund is defined purely by his intrinsic malevolence and the degradation he symbolises. His influence is insidious, infiltrating the hearts and minds of mortals, and twisting them into grotesque parodies of their former selves. Churches dedicated to him are places of horror, filled with the stench of decay and the cries of the tormented, serving as stark reminders of his dreadful power.
Dolosund's presence is a source of torment for many, for his corruption is not merely physical but also spiritual and moral. He corrupts the purest of hearts, turning virtue into vice, and sowing discord and ruin in once harmonious communities. Followers of Dolosund are often secretive, hiding their allegiance to avoid the wrath of the wider populace. However, his worshippers are drawn to the dark promise of power and the allure of indulging in their basest desires. Dolosund's symbol, a withered and blackened tree, serves as a warning of the devastation he can bring.
== Symbology ==
Dolosund's main symbols are stark and foreboding, reflecting his malevolent nature. The withered and blackened tree, his primary symbol, represents decay and the perversion of life. Another common symbol is the rotting hand, often depicted clutching a heart, signifying his ability to corrupt even the purest intentions. His followers also use the image of a cracked mirror, illustrating the distortion that Dolosund brings.
=== Personality ===
Dolosund himself is best characterised by a cold, calculating malevolence. He takes pleasure in the corruption and decay of all things, finding particular satisfaction in the downfall of the virtuous and the strong. Unlike some deities who are driven by passion or anger, Dolosund is methodical and patient, preferring to corrupt slowly and thoroughly. He is manipulative, delighting in sowing discord and mistrust among allies, and his cruelty is measured and deliberate. Dolosund's interactions with his followers and enemies alike are said to be marked by an eerie calmness, making his presence all the more terrifying.
Unsurprisingly, Dolosund is universally despised by the other Imperial gods, who view him as a blight upon the pantheon. His relentless pursuit of corruption makes him an adversary to nearly every deity, as his actions undermine the balance and order they strive to maintain. Most gods avoid direct confrontation with him, knowing that his insidious nature can lead to unforeseen consequences. Dolosund, for his part, holds a deep contempt for his divine counterparts, seeing their own efforts to foster growth and influence as futile and naive. He particularly relishes corrupting the creations and followers of other gods, viewing it as the ultimate defiance against their perceived authority and righteousness.
== Dolosund's Realm, Desolation ==
Dolosund's realm is known simply as Desolation, a fitting name for this cesspit of a divine domain. It is a desolate and nightmarish landscape where corruption reigns supreme. The sky is perpetually overcast with sickly green clouds, and the air is thick with the stench of decay. The ground is littered with the remnants of once-living things, now twisted and deformed by Dolosund's dark influence. Rivers of black, viscous fluid snake through the land, and twisted, leafless trees stand as grim sentinels over the desolation. The very essence of the realm seems to drain the life and hope from all who enter, creating an atmosphere of despair and hopelessness.
For mortals, visiting Desolation is harrowing at best, and often suicidal. The oppressive environment quickly saps their strength and will, making even the simplest tasks arduous. The pervasive corruption affects their minds, filling them with dark thoughts and driving some to madness. The ever-present corruption destroys the bodies of the unprotected, infecting them with all manner of vile disease and pestilence. Boils form on the skin, bile is ejected violently, and blood seeps from the victim's orifices. Indeed the landscape itself seems hellbent on corrupting the bodies and souls of all who enter - and brutally killing those who resist. Few who enter Dolosund's realm ever return, and those who do are often irrevocably changed, carrying the taint of corruption back with them into the mortal world.
== Cult and Worship ==
Mortals generally view Dolosund with a mix of fear, revulsion, and hatred. His reputation as an all-consuming and indiscriminate corrupter makes him an object of loathing for most. However, there are those who are drawn to his dark power and the promises of personal gain that come with it. These individuals often feel disenfranchised, wronged, or vengeful and find in Dolosund an way to fulfil their darkest desires. They are willing to embrace corruption for the sake of power, wealth, or influence, believing that the ends justify the means.
The worship of Dolosund is carried out in secret, as his cult is illegal and highly persecuted in the Empire. The Cult of Dolosund operates in the shadows, using coded language and clandestine meetings to avoid detection. Practices of worship are grim and macabre, often involving rituals of desecration and sacrifice. These rituals are designed to invoke Dolosund's favour, spreading corruption and decay as offerings to their dark god. The cultists believe that through these acts, they can gain Dolosund's blessings and further their own ambitions. Despite the risks, the cult remains persistent, perpetuating Dolosund's influence and forever seeking new converts to join their cause.
== Trivia ==
* Dolosund shares similarities with Nurgle, the Chaos God of Decay from the Warhammer franchise.