Xoda

### God of Death

As one would expect, the Ember Dwarves have a tale of their own to counter the might of Eyere, the God of Magic and Emotion. While all the gods are ancestors of the Realm Wanderers, it’s said that Eyere was the first-born.

However in the minds of the dwarves, Xoda, being the God of Death, is even stronger than Eyere.

According to a well-known dwarven myth, Xoda once defeated Eyere in battle, and to this day keeps him enslaved–using Eyere as a puppet for personal gain. Despite what the mages might have to say about such a claim, there is some logic to it.

The dwarves state that not only are their champions granted mutations because Xoda forces Eyere to perform magic against his will, but the imprisonment of the God of Magic and Emotions is also what makes magic increasingly unstable across Alpha Magenta. No one can say with any certainty who is right, and who is wrong, but what remains is the fact that the gods are essentially all siblings.

Having originated from the same line of heritage, the benevolent gods aim to protect each other. Whereas a dark deity like Xoda has nothing but destruction in mind.

The God of Death is often delineated as a skull with an axe between its teeth. Others draw him as a legless, floating torso that moves about by the use of twelve black feathered wings, each spanning ten feet. His six arms are surrounded by purple energy, breaking through the fog of darkness that surrounds him at all times.

There are none across the face of Alpha Magenta who denies Xoda as a real deity–which grants him enormous powers. He might be one of the most feared gods in existence, yet, the White Elves still regards Xoda as being of lesser worth. That’s despite the fact that even their long-lived race isn’t immune to the reach of the God of Death.

The elves say that Xoda’s minions sacrifice their soul, and therefore their place in eternity, to their god upon their demise. This makes the elves despise Xoda, and all he stands for. However, there are rumors of human warriors who have become incredibly powerful, not to mention ruthless leaders, after having secretly worshipped Xoda.

In common tongue, Xoda’s worshippers are referred to as, Deathbringers. The most fanatical of whom fights with the utmost of intensity. In readying themselves for combat, their enthusiasm to bring new souls to their God, moves them to the point of ecstasy. They fight longer than any other dwarf. A blissful rage consumes them to an extent that they’ll slaughter anyone who comes within their reach; including their own allies. Killing scores of enemies, before dying from exhaustion is considered the greatest of honor to a Deathbringer.

Dwarven society is splintered into separate clans, with each one having their own unique way of worshipping Xoda. Some wear black clothing. Some paint themselves black. Some wield only black weapons. Universally though, all have at least one tattoo of a skull with an axe between its teeth to demonstrate their devotion.

The greatest clan chiefs, those who wish to become the next Wielder of Wrath, are often worshippers of Xoda. Because worshipping Xoda has such a strong pull on all the dwarves, the greatest temptation lies in the empty streets of the dwarven capital of Pyres Deep. There, stands a black temple in the deepest of shadows. Within its walls lies the opening to the second Rift. Worshippers believe this to be the entrance to the realm of Xoda—a place that knows no bounds.

Ceremonies in honor of Xoda are as varied as the numerous clans who worship him, although they all involve bloodletting. A solo practitioner can beseech Xoda by lighting a black candle at the hour of midnight, and slice open his or her skin while kneeling to pray to the Dread Master.

On the longest night of the year, frenzied parties take place. They usually involve the consumption of hallucinogens and mild poisons, not to forget alcohol. A few fanatics have been known to mix these ingredients a little too strongly in pursuit of honoring their god, and the result is always fatal. The pounding of weapons, mimicking an eerie drumming, and dances that resembles fighting–which at times does breaks out into actual combat–fills the night. At least one person will be sacrificed, often chosen by what is believed to be a sign from Xoda.