Cult of Koth

The **Cult of Koth** is a cult existing on the continent of Eukitia, particularly its coastlines. The cult worships the Deep Ones, ancient, powerful beings that live deep within the seas, most notably Kraken, who they call Queen Koth. Each group of cultists often sees the religion in their own ways. However, the ultimate goal for mosts cultists is to allow the corruption of the Deep Ones to change them over time into Dagons.

## Origins

The Cult of Koth originates from the corrupting influence the Deep Ones have on those around them. The extreme corruption caused by them often warps and manipulates the minds of sentient beings, most of which struggle to comprehend the alien-ness of Deep Ones. Due to this, even extensive knowledge about the Deep Ones can cause significant mental deterioration. Often times, this mental deterioration results in the corrupted individual beginning to worship the Deep Ones and their influence, usually Kraken herself - an affliction known as *Kraken Madness.*

## Beliefs

The beliefs of the Cult of Koth are often arcane and alien, and usually selfish based on the independent cultist. However, all cultists agree that Kraken and the Deep Ones are the true living gods of the world, and deserve to rule over the people of the realms. This isn't entirely too far from the truth, as most Deep Ones are classified as Exarchs in planar theology. Most cultists aspire to be turned into dagons over time, viewing this level of mindless corruption of not only their mind but flesh the ultimate result of their dedication to their gods.

While most are *forced* to join the cults by being abducted by other cutlists and then irreversibly influenced by the effects of the knowledge forced upon them, rarely an individual will seek to worship the Deep Ones of their own will. These individuals oftentimes become victims of their own curiosity, and typically do so originally out of the yearning for more knowledge or power. This is sometimes granted to them, as those who follow down this dark path often become warlocks of the Deep One nearest to them.

## Locations

There are many important locations to the Cult of Koth.

* The city-state of Kartha is notable for it's deep connections to the Cult of Koth.
	+ Seascorch Lighthouse is an abandoned lighthouse that is now occupied by Koth cultists, acting as the site where they plan to summon Kraken to take over the city.
	+ Ytriliki, an underwater temple which the Koth cultists often gather around, populated by multiple dagons and the Deep One, Hydra, referred to by cultists as King Heth'lii.
		- The Mirror Pool, a pool within Ytriliki that appears glassy and solid on the surface, but acts as a one-time portal into the Mirror Plane due to influence by the Mirror Man.

## Artifacts

There are numerous artifacts from the Cult of Koth that exist across the world.

* The Diary of Argyle Fynch, the most comprehensive (and sane) document on the disturbed, paradoxical and alien occurences caused by the influence of the Deep Ones, written by an early Third Era sea captain of the same name, who went on a journey across the sea documenting the horrific depths in his submarine, *The Nautiloid.*
* Crown of Thorns, a crown supposedly worn by Queen Koth. Crafted from extradimensional and alien meteorite ore, the crown is the emenating factor of the disturbed yet powerful influence the Deep Ones hold over their environment. It's destruction would bring about an end to this control.